The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-04

| crInlukGau una D OoClocH tu0U8n Wo1Ls
low toned voice. She iistened with pro
found attention n Carew's recapitula
! ton of his story, and when he paused
| she was silent for a moment, as if re
hecting.
II seq you are in a very difficult posi-
ton, Val" she said at length, Though
it seems absurd that you should be &C.
cuaod OF 80 base an act. Surely the
ceunterfoil in James checkbook would
prove the check was really cent to you
by himp'
mo doubt it would, and I begged
the amiable nurse 10 look for 1t. It's
sure not TO be locked up You know
how careless no is, but, though she
most readily promised to make thor
ough search for it, she cannot find q
trace of it, or says she can't, SO If the
thing is not cleared up shall be sus-
pected Of having taken the checkbook
as well as having forged the check.
was often in and out Of Hastings rooms,
you know
flames is evidently in a curious
mental condition, said Lady Hastings
"but shall try to see him tomorrow.
Tho nurse seems superb woman. do
not think you are just to her. She was
most reluctant to refuse me admittance
to her patient when I explained to
her.
"Do you know who she is?" inter
ruptcd Carey', with bitter smile.
"No, not at all. She does not look
quite Ike an English woman.
u should think not. She is really
half caste Do you remember Revell Of
tl!s uncovenanted service who shot him.
self when we were at Agra?'
eyes, quite distinctly"
"This woman is his widow. You per-
haps don't know she was the daughter
of an English sergeant Of artillery and
a native woman. After Revells death
Somers of the oommisslrjat married her.
He died Of drink, and she left India. I
had quite lost sight of her till the other
day, when vent to speak to James
about this internal business, and she
walked into the room. then saw the
case might be complicated. ..
"Ahp exclaimed Lady Hastings.
Then turning to her daughter Roth she
said: "Go eel cook to lot us have din.
nor as ION - possible. Some food and
wine will do Val good. Twill call you
when have discussed matters with
him." Ruth at once obU5 I'd.
eyes, remember good deal now,"
resumed Lady Hastings, slowly unfas-
tening her cloak. "She is still hand
some. She was, believe, lovely You
were a very young man. Val, then.
Yon had not long Joined the regiment,
and they used to say you spent more
time than was prudent in the society Of
poor Mr. Eevell's widow"
"a good deal more than I liked, re-
piled Calaw frankly and stoutly. II al
ways thought her she devil and as
plausible us BeclZebub. But Low that
the old times are coming back 10 your
mind I dare ay you will remember lit
tie Algy Melford Of the til lancers?
My great chun. re was awfuliy smit-
ten with her, and it took all MY time
and ell my wits TO choke him off. After
all, I don't think I should have saved
him if he had not been prostrated by
sharp attack of fever and the doctors
had not packed him off home. Icau tell
you that woman very nearly baesed
Lord Melford's only SOL aud heir, md
you know what fortune no will have.
Mrs. Revell hated me on thar score, aud
some others into the bargain. .,gd she
is woman who likes to pay hor debts.
1t would be nuts to her to ruin me.
"You must exaggerate, Tal
IF you knew all do you would net
say so. WHATEVER happens, Try to ses /,
JJanes alone, which will not DO easy if
she is Oh thu watch. y
"If Jane. were in his right mind,
how angry he would Dol" exclaimed
Lady Hastings. HE has always been
such good fellow in spite Of his eccen-
tricities. Few men of 30, which was
Els . when married, world have re-
ceived mis- fathers second wife as kind
ly as he did," |
de has been good friend to me,
and hut fer hin should be nowhere
now" said C.rew.
"You lave been rather bad boy,
Val, Int ! believe there's the making
of successful man in you
"Aye, Lady Hastings, if had good
woman to care about mel' said Carew,
with profound sigh.
"No use in thinking Of such prize,
Val, till you can prove you are worthy
Of it. Tho only thing can think of at
present is to give you letter Of intro
duction to my solicitor. He is shrewd
man. l Twill tell hun am convinced
of your innocence, and you must tell
your own story
She rose and went over to the writing
table Carew stood gazing disconsolate-
ly through the window
ut is dreadful aggravation of our
said Lady Hastings, look
ing up from her writing, this disap
peaYance of James and his nurse. OF
course he can be found. Nothing is hid
den long nowadays, but ti'no IL # I'M
mems" importance. ] wonder Nh"dla,
his native servant, has net t'nd means
Of communicating with lis.
"Khodja has been digmiSso1 md sent
back to Bombay"
"Is It possible! I never Thought
James would part with him. Why, ho
has been with him ever since my step
son was appointed commissioner al
IT,