The record-union., 1897-09-12


Lane Ends the next day, nobody was
much surprised to learn that Alice had
not been near, and that Miss Perciva1
had expected no parcel from Mrs
| GuestWick
The discovery, however, which caused
the Squire most agony was that Mrs.
Guestwick's Jewels had all been taken
away, and various other valuables, be-
sides a considerable sum of money.
which was kept in a small safe in the
bedroom, which also usually contained
the Jewels.
1t caused no surprise when a note
was received from Doncaster to say
that a horse and dog cart which had
been left at the Swan We're recognized
by Il visitor as the property of Mr.
Guestwick. The landlord humbly wait
ed Mr.. Guestwick's instructions in the
matter.
The Squire started for Doncaster at
once. When he reached the Swan he
saw his own horse there and his own
dog-cart, but nobody could give any
explanation which afforded either clew
or satisfaction. A boy had led the
morse into the stable-yard and had or
dered 1t to be put up, saying ''the gent
himself would be there in short time
But the gent himself had not made
his appearance. Nobody knew who the
boy was, or anything about him. There
had never been such a scandal in the
district within the memory of man. 1t
was said by some people that they had
long expected something of the kind
but it is a weakness of human nature
which makes many persons try to pur-
chase the prophets reputation at the
| cost of truth and consistency.
The story which Jim Travis had told
the butler at Guestwick Hall was soon
proved to be false. No telegram from
Elton Fossbrook had been received at
Eastford, and therefore no messenger
had been sent.
The opinion was then expressed that
CoverwOod Guestwick did not act in
the best possible manner when he set
out to live a quieter and more seemly
life than his forefathers. The logical
conclusion was that, if people do not
seem to be tolerably bad, they are at
heart very bad indeed.
The Squire went to Fossbrook's home,
but his friends had heard nothing about
him, and they were as angry at what
had happened as the aggressive hus-
band himself.
Guestwick Hall and its surroundings
became hateful to the Squire; he could
not endure the sight of people who
knew him; so nearly all the servants
We're paid off, the hall was closed and
he went away, nobody knew whittier
1T will be a bad job for somebody
If the Squire finds those runaways,"
the people of Lundley said to each 9TH
er in a whisper.
Il have heard it said by people who
were old when I was young" remarked
Absalom Enderby, that some of the
Guestwicks We're terrible to beat when
duels were fought, and I never heard
of any among them who was served
quite as bad as the Squire"
Il wouldn't be in somebody's shoes
for trifie," was an expression which
showed what the prevailing opinion
was about the fate of Fossbrook should
the infuriated husband discover their
hiding-place
In some of the newspapers there were
occasional paragraphs which stated
that the couple who disappeared from
quiet retreat not a thousand miles
from Eastford had made their home
across the Atlantic; then it was
statement to the effect that a certain
deserted husband, whose estate was
within moderate distance from East
ford, had also proceeded to America on
an interesting quest.
The Squire did go to America. but he
found no clew to the persons whom he
was anxious to discover. He returned
to England. and arrived in Liverpool
the day before Christmas. It was eight
months after his peace was destroyed,
and during that short period he had
changed more than most men change
in ten years. Christmas had always
been a happy time at Guestwick Hall,
and it was the season which was asso-
ciated in his mind with charity and
good will. He knew that in Lundley
there would be disappointment and
perhaps destitution among the poor,
and the customary benefactions from
the hall would be missed by those who
had reckoned upon them as regular
holiday cheer. But his heart had been
hardened by what he had passed
through, and he resolved that he would
not go home again until the Christmas
season was over.
He remained at the hotel, which was
almost deserted, and he felt like a
man who was utterly friendless in the
world.
What a Christmas Eve" he said
bitterly, "after the Christmas Ewes
which I can remember! And tomorrow
will be Christmas Day!'
Then he gazed into the fire, and long
ed for the time when Christmas would
be past for he felt as if he hated
everything connected with it.
CHAPTER ".
DISCOVERING THE TRUTH
Christmas day was cold but not |
frosty, the air was thick, and the |
ground was black. It was just the
kind of day which makes people glad |
to stay within doors. The Squire tried |
to read, but he could not fix his |
thoughts on anything but the one grim |
subject. He had trusted-trusted with |
all his heart-and the result was base
and cruel deception. If his mind turn |
ed to Rosy his child, who was almost |
alone in the desolate Hail. he found |
nothing to cheer or comfort him. He
had never spent such a miserable day. |
and was ready to hope that he would |
not live to see another Christmas The |
dim light failed at last, and he knew
that it was night, but he paid no heed |
to the hours; his thoughts were far
away, and he could not feel sorry that |
the weather was so wretched But at |
length he was unable to endure the ho- |
tel any longer, so he put on his thick |
overcoat and went out into the streets |
He turned his foot stems toyyard tho |