Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-01-10
CHAPTER w.
AeRB MYSTERIES.


what had been told him by Edermont-
whatever it might be-he did not wish to
submit himself TO her questioning. This
/ idea was confirmed by the discovery she
/ made on reaching the tidy green-doored
house near the Cathedral. DR.. Scott was
not at home.
And to tell the truth, miss" said Mrs.
} Tice, large ample, motherly person,
who had been Aliens nurse and was now
his housekeeper, the doctor has gone to
London"
To London?" gasped Dora blankly,
land without letting me know?'
Dear. dear; did he say nothing, miss?
Well. to be sure! and Mr.. Allen so consid-
eratel Youn pardon me- miss, but have
been with him since he was baby, and
should be sorry to think ne had quarrelled
with you. It's few rs loves as Mr.. Allen
does.
There is no quarrel" said Miss Carew,
a triae sudy DIR Scott saw my guar
dian ana then left the house without
/ speaking to me. I have called to ask for
an explanation"
''Weu, miss, Tll-but, dear dear, here 1
am keeping you here on the doorstep. A
fine rage Mr. Allen would be in if he
knew that. miss. Come in and rest, my
dear lady. and I'll make you a cup of tea"
/ Dora accepted this hospttable offer with
/ alacrity. not that she was anxious for rest
or tea. but because il occurred to her that
Mrs. Tice might throw some light on the
| darksome mysteries which We're pcrpleX-
ing her brain. The old woman, as she had
/ stated. had taken charge of Allen since
/ ne was q baby. so she. if anyone would
| know about this Lady Burville who had
| been acquainted with Scott senior. But
before Dora asked any questions concern
/ ing this remote past she wanted first TO
learn the circumstances of Aliens hasty
/ departure for London When seated in
Mrs. Tees comfortable room, she spoke
/ directly on the subject.
HAD Dr.. Scott decided TO so UP to town
/ this morninS?'
''Why. no miss" replie- the house
/ keeper. posing a spoon over the caddy,
land that is just what puzzles me. Mr..
/ Allen is not a young gentleman to make
/ up his mind in n hurry like. But he came
/ home about half an hour ago quite wild
/ i'm his looks, and woulu not say what allied
/ him. Before could turn around he had
put a few things into q black bag, and
went off on his bicycle
"To the staton?"
I ''No. miss: to Selling. He said he had a
| patient to see there. and would catch the
/ four twenty-six train from that place"
! Dora glanced ut her watch. It was now
/ three o'clock. and if she chose she could
/ ride the nine miles TO Selling before the up
/ train left that station. But this she de-
.ermined not 10 do. If Allen insisted on
/ behaving so badly, she would do nothing
/ 10 force him into an explanation. Sooner
| or later he would tell her his reasons for
/ this strange conduct. But there was no
doubt in her mind that his sudden depar-
ture was the result of his mysterious con-
versation with Mr.. Edermont.
when did Mr.. Scott say he would re-
| turn Mrs. Tice?'
Tomorrow. miss; and then I have no
| doubt ne viii explain why he went of in
such a hurry"
Gle did not tell you. 7 suppose?"
Not a word. miss" replied the house
{ keeper pouring out the tea; hell be in
/ q rare way when he finds out you have
/ been here. and he not at home to make
, things pleasant for you. Your tea, miss"
you viii max ethem pleasant enough,
/ Mrs. Tice What delicious tea and bread
and butter. I feel quite hungry after NY
/ ride. BY the way. Mrs. Tice" continued
/ Dora. artfully preparing to take the house
keeper by surprise, "Alen told me that
he had a new patient-Lady Burville.'
/ Contrary to her expectation, Mrs. Tice
| did not appear to be astonished. From
/ the composed expression Of her face, from
/ the friendly nod with which she received
/ the news. Dora was convinced that she
/ was absolutely uuacquainted with the
name Failing in this attack, Dora at
tempted TO gain the information she want
, cd. if it were to be gained, by approaching
/ the subject from another quarter
II am so glad that the doctor is to pre-
scribe for Lady Burvile' she said softly;
( "she will be able TO do Allen so much good
/ i'm his profession. He only needs the
/ chance. and with his talents he is sure to
DE successful
''NIr. Allen is very clever, indeed said
/ delighted Mrs Tice who could never hear
her nursing praised sufficiently.
and his father was clever also. I be-
Iove?" said Dora, unmasking her bat
tcri1s
This time Mrs. Tice changed color and
placed the cup she was holding carefully
| on the tray. Dora noticed that her hand
trembled
"The late DIR. Scott was eminent in his
profession" she said in a low voice
what pity he did not live, to help
Al1eni enF' pursued Dora still observant;
chow long ago is it since he died. Mrs.
Tice?"
some twenty years. miss"
Really. When Allen was five years
old: and YOU have had charge Of him ever
siDcc?'
Mrs. Tice recovered a little of her self
control. "I had charge Of him before that,
miss" she said. geuially; his poor moth
err died when ne was born so I have had
him I'm my care ever since he was in his
cradle. And. please God, III stay with
him until / die-that is miss. if YOU do
not object to my continuing housekeeper
after your marriage to my dear Mr.. Al
len?"
you shall stay and look after us both"
said Dora. impetuously; we could not
Go without YOU
-Four guardian, Mr.. Edermont, will
miss YOU when you marry, my dear
lady"
Dora's lip curled. q do not think So
she said quietly "NIr Edermont is too
much wrapped up in himself TO trouble
about me You have never seen him
have you?" and on receiving a shake of
the head. Dora continued: "He is little
vomauish man. with fine head Of sill
very hair