The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
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Il Will not go to Bournem0uth.
'Then,' said Valentine, you will tell
me the reason why
Il have friend the dearest in the
world, and l love woman the best in
the world. You are the friend, and
Claudine is the woman"
l expected torrent of reproaches, but
none came.
II guessed as MUCH" said Valentine,
in his OF Urinary voice. Il tried to get at
Che trath from Claudine, but it was no
good, 50 | was bound to come to you. |
suppose you are awfully in love with her
that her image is with you always, that
you dream by night, and sigh by day? Is
it sou
l was getting quite angry at these I'M
feeling questions. Yes, | dc" l answer
of my treachery.
Its very funny now" continued Val
entine, mcditatively, but | have never
felt like that either for Claudine or any
other girl. There was girl once at a
roadside inn in North Wales. She drew
the be"r. | remember. For a couple of
days | felt a ghost of q resemblance to
your symptoms, but it was soon laid. 1t
is very strange l never feel as you do
toward Claudine, and, stranger still,
when l come to think of it, that she
doesn't feel so toward me. | asked her
not long ago if she did. and her reply
quite satisfied me on this score"
Mr.. Estmere,' | said. with great dig
nifty. won have forced from me a secret,
which. as n man of honor, | was bound
to reveal to you at whatever cost to my
self. l can only say your manner in re-
ceving it has greatly disappointed me-
| had l!Sen to give my words due effect.
Valentine heard me finish, then followed
my example.
You old fool" he said, playfuly. lay
ing his h: id affcctiOnately on my Shout
der. "Iou thick-headed old fool. Claud-
inc and | decided six months ago, long
before she ever saw your handsome. dark.
dismal face, that, on the first favora Bile
opportunity, we would break our lifelong
engagement. That was why l never spoke
to you about her. We are only waiting
until we can summon up the courage to
tell my mother of our determination. Her
heart is so set upon it, she has always so
wished it, that we don't know what she
will say. Indeed, Claudinc and | love her
so much that even now. if she will have it
so. We shall get married. and | dare say
be happy enough. so don't you so rushing
to the extreme Of hope and joy"
Docs she care for me, do YOU think,
Nalentirc:' l asked.
You must settle all that yourself.
Philip. | shall have enough 10 do with
my mother.
We settled I should not go back with
L., Il
no false pretenses. Lady Estmere must
Know exactly how matters stood. Valen-
tine promised to do his utmost to bring
her tc his way of thinking, and telegraph
me.
He left early next morning Then l
remembered my pledge TO Mr.. Grace that
Lord Rothy~ell should know all my folly
| would have given something to be able
to recall the promise; but, that being an
impossbility, l thought | had better get
the unpleasant task over as soon as pos
siblc. 50 about midnight | went in search
of the distinguished traveller.
He WAS still at Longs Hotel, and ap-
pcared inclined TO stay there. 1t was too
much bother, he said. to take either a
house OF chambers, 50 he chartered Il long
bedroom on the top floor Of the hotel
cleared out all the furniture it originally
possessed, and sat down to write the book
of travels which his publishers were Gag
erly awaiting. This improvised study
was only free 70 one or two persons
among whom were Valentine and myself.
| climbed the stairs. raped at the door
and heard his lordship's deep voice bid
ding me enter. lie was hard at work.
and both III Garb and surroundings looked
as unlike Il British peer as can be mag
med.
told him ali about my case very short
ly and circumstantially. | mentioned no
names ~ first. Lord Rothwell looked
very grave. and stroked his long brown
beard tboughtfully.
1T was nor right Philip. am vexad
to hear about it. How did you know You
could pos3jbly find money to pay the loss d?
A gentleman should not forget this cvcn
in the {, element of the game | would
have paid the money had you come to
me, bur you were quite right in applying
to Grace for it first. l am glad you told
me about it,
mfr. Grace made me promise to do so
"Oh. Grace made you promise, dill he !
Why was that
IL
Gresham. He said you knew all about
him
"ChcsEam," exclaimed Rothwcll.
''Haye you come in contact with that ras-
cal? It is small world. Philip. / know
something about Richard Gresham, and
| want to know something more about
him-somcthing, | fear, | shall never find
out" ne added. ''Shun that man, Philip,
as YOU would serpent. He has done
mischief enough already
He speaks as though he hates YOU,
Lord boutwell,"
He has no cause TO do SO. His only
grievance against me is that was second
to a friend Of mine who shot him through
the hip years ago
Things were explaining themselves, and
| was growing curious.
Will you tell me your friends nameE'
| asked.
Rothvcll pulled away at his beard, and
considered for a while.
Yes" he said. there's no secret about
it. Anyone about town can tell you. 1t
was Sir Laurence Estmere."
'Naicntine's father"
valentines father, and my dearest
friend"
He iIsUlted Valentine in my rooms
last night when he came to be paid, and
Valentine knocked him down
wv hat did the villain say asked Roth
well. eagerly.
Shall | he right in telling YOU, Lord
Rothwell:" | asked. doubtfully.
Yes. everything, every word, he said
authorltativcly. There are no secrets
between Valentine and me
| took him ut his word. and described
the whole interview, even repeating the
scandaioT> : ssertion made by Gresham.
Rothwe!l grew much excited. lie rose
and paced the room.
He SAID il himself" | heard him NUT
ter. Yet | will never believe it-neycr.
never. Ii must be lie. She was pure,
noble and holy. She could not have
stopped 70 such a fellow even if She had
InvaI i'm oh if I cG1li v-rinc- he r-ll Ii