Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-12-08

panion, Birch whom he had left in Par
Is month ago. and who now wrote
from London to tell him that the Kings
leys had quit the continent and were
intending to sail for America at once.
$50 the coast Is clear, old man, and
you can come back" declared the writ
er, persuaslvely. "You were an idiot
ever to run away as you did. Join me
here in a fortnight and We'll be IN time
for that Mediterranean trip"
Campertons jaws were set and his
brows contracted as he stepped into the
elevator.
He knew that the Klngsleys, in re-
turning to America at this time, were
curtailing their original European pro-
gram by at least six months. And 1t
was easy to guess the reason.
They were coming home to prepare
for their daughters marriage to her
titled sutton. The Count himself. no
doubt. would follow in n short time to
claim his bride.
And must get away before they ar
rive" decided the young man. 'I'll go
Through the mist Of his mental alb
straction he observed that the elevator
had an occupant besides himself-a
woman who had seated herself in a
shadowy corner Of the car; but her
presence did not change the current Of
his thoughts.
The elevator came to q sudden stop
so sudden. indeed, that Camperton, not
being prepared to check his upward
course all at once, invOluntarily rose to
his tiptoes, waving his arms like a huge
bird about to take flight, and then
pirouetted gracefully toward the other
passenger In the corner.
"There Is no danger. madame" he be-
gan. in his most reassurng tones
"We're fast between two floors and
must wait a while"
He stopped short as he noted, with
surprise and alarm, the attitude of the
lady. She was still sitting in her corner
and was holding handkerchief over
her face, while little convulsive quivers
and shrugs Of the shoulders indicated
that she was weeping.
In his contrition and his desire to
eoOthe her narrowed feelings he was
about to sit down beside her, when a
sound that was strangely like giggle
came from behind the handkerchief.
Camperton started up, flushing holly
"Do forgive mer' And the laughing
voice suddenly became coaXing. II
know 1t Is rude Of me to laugh, but o,
Mr.. CampertOn. you can't imagine how
funny you looked just now. when you
went hopping and Waiting about and
kneeling at my feet-for all the world
like performing bcar!"
CampertOn did not hear. He was star
ing at her In blank Amusement. He
made several attempts to speak before
the words would come.
miss Kingsley" he managed to mr.
ticulate at last. His heart had almost
stopped Mt the moment Of recognition,
but 1t was now beating furiously. II
suppose this Is your astral body. 1t
cannot be your real self"
20, but it is!" said the girl with ami
nation. I'VE came over In the Cam
pania, which arrived this morning, and
we are stopping at this hotel until our
house Is put In order"
"Wew
''Of course; papa and I. You don't
suppose l would come aloneT'
II didn't know. l was not exactly
expecting you to come at all. Your
plans. as I understand them, would
have kept you abroad the rest of the
year"
Miss Kingsley dropped her eyes
ut Is always easy to change ones
plans. you know" she said, betraying
a slight confusion. you did not honor
me with an explanation Of why you left
Europe"
"But the nOte!' he exclaimed.
1.-THE note. Mr.. CampertonT
"And my letter? Do you mean that
you did not read my letter through-the
one sent to you at Hotel Continental
two days before my departurer'