The morning news., 1897-03-14


So these happy hearts throbbed on
through the speeding hours until Ralph,
who had been silent for a few minutes
suddenly asked, "What was your moth
er's maiden name, dear?"
When Inex promptly replied, 'Inez Fon-
tanilla," Ralph seemed much excited, but
simply added. II thought so"
Much to Inez's surprise he repeated the
story which he had first heard from her
assailant--an old story to her as she had
often heard it from the lips of her mother
and added:
You cannot guess where / got my in
formation, Inez?"
"Of course, some one must have told
you, Ralph?" said Inez.
''Yes, indeed, dear, some one told me-
and when l tell you that the miserable
wretch who assailed you in this carriage
a short time ago. was the cause of all
your mothers misfortunes, you may re-
cognize the hand of Fate working out
compensation in its own mysterious way"
Inez seemed dazed with the intelligence,
but said, IT really don't understand,
Ralph! Do you mean to say"
II really mean, dear, that the man
whom 1 gave into custody at Rugby was
the Spanish lawyer who robbed your
mother before her marriage; for l had
the story from his own lips while you were
sleeping. I cannot explain why l asked
L was impeled to do so without any par
ticu.ar motive, and with some hesitation
he mentioned the name of Inez Fonta-
nilla.' More than this, your likeness to
your mother seemed to so impress the dis
ordered mind of the ruftian that in a mo-
ment of frenzy he desired to murder you,
mayhap forgetting the years that had in
tervened since she rejected him.
How strange and wonderful il seems,
Eafd Tna1 tsR1It T-pollV Ralph I bava mot
adequately thanked you for your bravery
and kind protection. You know, / hope,
how deeply thankful ] am, but my heart
is so full, and my mind so distraught that
/ cannot find words to express the graft
tude l feel. How mysterious indeed, Is
fate, that has not only brought you and
me together to-day, but has enabled you
to save me from the vindictveness of him
| who robbed my poor mother and caused
her so much unhappinesS, after so many
years."
''Tlhe same fate that is now working for
us, dear" said Ralph. has assuredly
been working against your mothers en-
emy, for his days are evidently number
ed and his probable end too dreadful tc
contemplate We must all bow to the
| inevitable, but the end is not yet! GOD
| grant that our future may more than COM
| pensate us for the past"
The train was now nearing Liverpool
where they had to change for Carnforth
| and where they had some little time tc
wait during which Ralph felt proud IN
ministering to his cousins creature com
| forts.
| AT length they started once more, anc
beguiled the hours as young people only
can, under such happy circumstances
and in due time reached Carnforth, where
| they found a dog-cart awaiting them, II
which they drove off to Folgate Towers
| distance of only a few miles-whicf
they both found most exhilaratlng aftel
the long imprisonment in the train.
| AS they approached the house. they
| were both swayed with different emotions
| Ralph with memories of the past anC
| hopes for the future; Inez with doubt:
| and fears, alternating with strange, un
| hidden Joy, which she could scarcely real
| ize
| "Old Blake" as Ralph delighted to re
| member him, met them at the door an(
courteously bade them welcime. You r'
| right welcome home again, Mastel
| Ralph." said the old man with tears II
| his ewes and Ralph thanked him heartily
| "I'm very glad to see you looking 81
| we'll" said Ralph. How is uncle"
| "He is very low, sir, and has been ask
ing for you all day."
| "Al right, Blake, take me TO him
once"
Blake watched his opportunity and whis
pered you've never married, sir, arr
| your
married. said Ralph, mo, certainly
l not: give a fellow a chanceP'
I He then introduced Blake to Inez, ant
said:
"Teu the housekeeper to take Miss Yer
non to her room, and to look after her un
til l return"