The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-14

smelt sulphur on passing the cottage
Ill
Day after day passed and even week
after week, and still no news was receiv-
ed about the missing man. Mary Mar
deau was divided between an indefinable
fear over her uncle's prolonged absence
and true delight over the love which had
come to her. She was persuaded to leave
Thornley, for week to visit her lovers
family at Hampstead, but insisted on
staying away no longer from the village
in case the Old man should arrive and
wonder at her being away
Thus ii came about that Francis Shir-
ley took up permanent lodgings in Thorne-
ly and divided his time pretty equally be-
tween his art and his iancee. He had
heard of the rumor that Gregory Carlow
had gone gold hunting. and used to chaff
Mary over it, saying that perhaps the
old man had gone to seek a dowry for her
Seriously" he added, Il wish he'd told
us that he was going, and how long he
intended to be away for me might have
married at once and settled down in his
cottage"
When six months had passed and still
nothing was known as to the wherea bouts
of the old man it began to be freely dis
cussed in the village whether Mary, as
presumable heir, ought not 10 take posses
sion of the cottage. She had paid fire.
quent visits to it during the six months
that had elapsed, and kept the place clean
and tidy lin case uncle should return as
suddenly as he went"
She and Frank. too took the garden IN
hand. and kept it in order; then, as au-
tumn advanced, she had fires frequentIv
going that the place might not be allowed
TO get damp.
Winter gave way 10 spring, and the mys-
terry seemed no nearer solution; month by
month the usual London letters had arriv-
ed for Mr.. Gregory Carlow, and month by
month they had been pigeon-holed by the
village grocer postmaster pending the old
mans return.
Local gossip on The subject had even be-
gun to flag when it was revived one day
early in March by the arrival of a stranger
in the village, who it was soon known had
made straight for the postofiice and there
asked to be directed to Mr.. Garlow's house
The postmasters wife, who happened to be
on duty, stared
Mr.. Carlow. sir?''
Eyes. Carlow: 1 spoke plainly enough. 7
believe" answered the visitor with some
irritation.
well it's like this, sir I can direct
you to his cottage soon enough, but YOU
won't find him there sir, as maybe you'll
know"
Il know nothing of the kind. Where Is
he them"
That's what we don't know sir He
went off, or leastways, he disappeared, last
July. and hasn't been heard of since by
anyone in Thornley,. We've quite number
of letters waiting for him"
CHOSE letters" the lawyer, for such IL
was. began. and then broke off: His niece.
Miss Mardeau, is she in the village?"
YES, sir, at Mrs Pages, but | saw her
go by half an hour ago with Mr. Shirley:
they've gone to Mr. Garlow's cottage. I
expect for they spend lot of time keep
ing the garden there straight"
And this Mr.. Shirley, who Is her"
Hes the young gentleman she's going
to marry"
81 win so to the cottage and see her."
Speaking thus Thomas Jarvis solicitor
of the firm of Jarvis. Tunniclife and Jar
Wis. of BedfOrdrow London. left the shop
and walked thoughtfuNy down the village.
lie had gone some distance when he saw
a Vlne-covered cottage standing some fiftv
or sixty feet back from the road. and in
the intervening garden a man and a maid
leaning over a border sowing seeds with
their heads I'm very close proximity
The turtle-doves, In be bound" said
the man of the law, as he turned in al the
gate. which he closed with a snap to give
warning Of his approach. The two started
up with surprise, and saw the usual spec
tacle Of q genueman IN frock coat and silk
hat Saluung Mary, Mr.. Jarvis said:
Miss Mardeau, ! believe"
Il am Mary Mardeau."
And l am Mr. Thomas Jarvis. solicitor
said the new conner handing her his bust
ness card.
Have you brought news of uncle?" she
asked. cXcitcdly.
81 have just learned. Miss Mardeau. of
Mr.. Garows extraordinary disappear
ance. can We not get indoors for a short
lime, Tor IN these very strange eircum-