The herald., 1896-02-09

dream, moving with the same unconscious
ness and celebrity; and also with the same
assurance and success. But sitting through
the long days, she had time to consider her
situation. Possibly Almund suspected her,
and If so, he might cable the police in New
York to watch for her arrival-but this
was not at all likely. He did not know Of
her brothers existence, or if in some pre-
vious confidence she had named him, it was
as a wandering black sheep; poor, and, per-
haps, not reputable. Her knowledge of his
newly acquired wealth, had only come to
her with her fathers death. She had had
no conversation with Almund after it. From
what she knew of her husband, he was more
likely to look for the child in some of the
little European towns, where they had been
so happy together; and where life was Sc
cluded and economical to the last point.
However, If he had suspected her course.
and had taken means to arrest it, her
brother was in New York She would ap-
peal to him. He was rich he would defend
her claim, and she had also a conviction
that the law of that new, free country,
would not under the circumstances, take
her child from her. If it was necessary she
would tell all to save it, Surely she had
paid dearly enough for the little one!
AS the days wore on and they neared
land she gathered strength with every
hour. Her courage rose, she put doubt and
fear beneath her feet and walked off the
gangway, looking unflinchngly into all the
faces she met. No one attempted to stay
her, and she stepped into cab and drove to
a hotel, which she had heard recommend
ed on the ship. She did not send for her
brother at once; she knew too well the
value of beauty adorned, and though she
had bought some clothing at Belfast, it was
not suitable for the Importance of the first
impression she wished to make. In cou-
pie OF days, however, Ada was radiant in
white embroideries and pink ribbons and
Catherine gravely handsome in that soft,
rich black silk which fits all occasions.
Then a messenger was dispatched with
note for Mr.. Thomas Raeburn, and Cath
crime anxiously awaited the result.
Before she had begun to expect the an
swer, her brother came himself with it.
She heard his voice on the stairway, and
knew it: ard when he entered the room she
saw a younger likeness of her father 1t
was a meeting of every desire. Catherine
could not have gone anywhere in the world
and been so heartily welcome. Mr.. Rae
burns wife had died few months previous
ly, and his fine house had been at the mer-
cy Of brutally thievish servants ever since.
II was just thinking Of selling all they
have left me to SELL he said. ''YoG are a
very godsend to me, Catherine. Come
home, my dear ones, at once"'
Come hcme!' These two words cover
ed the life Of the next three years. Cath
crime and Ada really went "home." All
that great love and great wealth could give
they had. Catherine ruled her brothers.
house with firm and gracious hand, and
Ada was his pet and pride; while both ac-
cepted their pleasant life and lot with a
happy cheerfulness which made perpetual
sunshine. AS far as it was possible. Cath
crime strove to forget the past. In the earl
lest hours CT their meeting she had told
her brother all her sad story: and in order
to satisfy her natural anxiety, he had pro-
cured, through a newspaper agency, files
of English papers covering the period of
her fight. From these she learned that
Lord Morpeth had at first been prostrated
by the less OF his ward, and that subse-
quently be had not only employed the best
detectives, but also closed his house, put
off his marriage and gone himself in search
of the abducted child. The papers named
with a tone of surprise. Bulgaria as his
first point. But Catherine understood why
he had gone first to Bulgaria; and this un-
derstanding included the less obvious one
that he believed she had been the abductor.
or else, why Bulgaria? And if NE OWNED
SO far, he would also comprehend that she
had been in his house for months, and had
seen and understood his relationship to Miss
Allerton.
She gave him year to go over the ground
they had travelled together, and then, per-
haps, he would come to America. But three
years passed in serene content, and there
was no sign which indicated that her asy-
lum had been discovered. Catherine grew
young again, more nobly beautiful more
self-composed, graceful and gracious. And
Ada-who was now a charming little girl
six years old-was beginning to rule her
uncle with an absolute but loving authority.
If Catherine had any longing or heartache
from the past, she carefully kept it out Of
the present, and not one of her friends sus-
pected the tragedy she had lived through.
AS she bore the name of Mrs. Almund she
was believed to be a widow, and society
knows well that the loss of husband is
not always a calamity, su no one inquired
into particulars that did not concern them
In the summer Mrs. Almund's house parties
al Hef DTOtileT S newport TeSlueIlce were ue-
lightful enough to quiet curiosity, and in
winter her dinners and dances made the
Raeburn home on Madison Avenue a resort
to which many looked happily forward.
Thus the time went by, until more than
three years had passed. and it was again
drawing near to Christmas. One bright
frosty morning Mr.. Raeburn, Catherine and
Ada went out together. They were in an
open carriage, wrapped in rich furs, and
were going down the avenue at rapid pace
Catherine was talking eagerly, her face
bright with pleasure and rosy with health
and fine spirits. Suddenly, in the midst Of
a sentence, she paused turned deathly pale
and, laying her hand on her brothers arm,
said a few words in a whisper. care you
SICK Catherine?' he asked tenderly.
1T is Almund! l know it is! Oh, Tom
what shall do?"
Nothing" he answered fiercsly. "Let
him but speak to you, and I will kill him" +"
"No, no, Tom take me home. l want to
think. I want to be alone.'
"You are mistaken, I dare say. He has
forgotten by this time"
ut was Almupd. Nothing could deceive
me-"
Yes, it was Almund. But GATHERINGS
establishment was not greater than his own.
He had only been in America two days, and
had not even begun the search, which was
now the passion of his life. Standing at the
hotel door, he was considering his first
attracted his attention, because of its fine