Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-12-17
IA FATAL WEDDING.
b. L0kzse R;,zk0m.'

signing to Mark to follow them, and OPEN
cd the door of a sitting room on the first
story.
There was n cheerful fire burning in the
CRATE. and James Francis, having assisted
his father TO remove his overcOat, led him
to an armchair by the hearth.
did you say that Lord Elsdale was
here?" Mr.. Francis asked. as he sat down.
"Yes; he is resting, hope. He has had
a terrible blow"
Mark looked up quickly: the old lawyers
his sons face, almost as IL he were trying
to read what he had to say.
"What has happcnedi" he asked. He
wrote to me after Miss Hatton had told
him Of the mistake which had been made;
but he wrote calmly, not as II anything
had happened which had distressed him
much. But, whatever 1t be-" he added,
what I have to say will be sufficient to
remove all other trouble"
II doubt it," James Francis muttered
gloomily; but his father was too elated
and triumphant to heed.
you remember this gentleman,
James?' he said. indicating Mark with
a gesture Of his hand.
"Certainly." young Francis answered,
thinking Of the spring day when Mark
had come to the offices in LncOln's Inn,
and wishing with all his heart that that
visit had not been paid, or that such terri
bic consequences had not followed 1t.
"You are perhaps ut loss to explain
his presence herc!"
mot at ALL" was the quiet answer. II
am only sorry that" He paused and
turned quickly as the door opened and
Mrs. Fairfax appeared on the threshold,
courtcsying with stately, old-fashioned,
respectful dignity to the gentlemen.
Ellis lordship begs that Mr.. Francis
will take the rest he" Then she stop.
ped short, as Mark Robson turned and
looked at her, with smile In his dark
gray eyes.
"What Is 1t, Mrs. Fairfax the old
lawyer asked, guessing with quick intui.
ton what was passing before his sight.
less eyes. HAS anything startled your
The housekecper did not answer; she
was trembling. and had become very pale
ring ut the grave, proud, moved face
Of the young man. Mark Robson came
forward and held out his hand.
"DO you know me, Mrs. FairfaxT' he
asked, a trife unsteadily. II remember
you as well as II only days and not years
had elapsed since we last met. Nay" hi
went on hurriedly, putting the old woman
into chair, ut WINS objectionable Il
shock you so. Forgive me, old friend"
He was kneeling beside her now, hold
ing the trembling hands In his, while he1
eyes rested upon his face with look II
which wonder and fear and Joy wer'
strangely mingled.
mot dead--not dead" she calculated
family. "Oh, my dear young lord-no
deadw
"You know him then, Mrs. Fairfax
said Mr.. Francis, rubbing his hands tri
umphantly. "What do you think Of tina
az . surprise for the earl? The loss Of I
niece will be more than compensated 10
by the recovery Of son."
But the old woman seemed not to hea
him: her eyes were fixed upon the anx
ious face bending over her.
"Aftcr oil these yearsy' she exclaimed
with quiverins lips. 'Oh. my lord, VIII,
did you let us think you dead? After al
there years." .........
ut Il a long story, dear old friend,
! the young man answered huskily-"tO
long to tell you now: you have much
forgive me. My father, where IL he? d
you think he will be glad"
"Glad! Oh, my dear, II you could know
how he has mourned for you! He ha
. never been the same since. DO you know
. why he loved Barbara 30 much? 1t wa
J. because. as he often said to me, she re
minded him Of you In 10 many things"
Az the faithful old woman, OvercOm
with Joy. burst into tears, the young ma
. raised her hand and touched It with hi
lips, and the tears were thick In his ow
| eyes as he bent his head over hers.
"What IL the meaning Of thisY Jane
J Francis muttcred, IA, with puxxled, bs
wildered eyes, he stood looking on. IN
| dear father, do enlighten me. feel as
were assisting at play! Who IL tina
Individual over whom the earl's house
keeper 10 going into rapturesY
, "I.ord HattOn," answered Mr.. FrancI
quietly, helping himself to q pinch q
SNUFF with admirably feigned indinerenc,
which, however. did not deceive his son.
| Lord Hatton!' he repeated, In q 10,
] tone, which, low as It was, was full 9
, Amusement.
"Yes, Lord Hatton. My dear James,
am an old man, and used to the vagarie
Of my fellow men; but I have yet to VI
derstand why a man who 10 heir to a
earldOm and a substantial rent roll shout
prefer earning his bread upon the stag
. to enjoying the undoubted advantages {
: his true position"
"But I thought he was dead--killed
the railway accident? YOU"
"YeS, I know" interrupted the old Law
: yer quietly. but he has hardly the loo
. Of dead man, has he? think ca
. imagine the earl's delight. The yOun
! fooi-he was old enough to know better
left home In at Of rage or pique, and Il
: himself be thought dead; and then, whe
he wished to return, he heard Of I-or
Elsdale's second marriage and the birth {
), the other boy, and decided to remain deaf
The strangest part OF It all 10 that
. should have had the care Of the girl who
! BY the bye" he asked eagerly, breakin
! of as a thought struck him, "what WI
J the result Of the inquest? l had forgo
ten all about that"
"The result is anything but satisfa
!, tory" replied the young man gloomil
!, "Murder against"
against whomY" Intercepted his fat
er, wondering ut his sons gravity and Il
lack Of excitement he had shown In h
y reception Of the startling news that be ha
y impaired.
= against Confound It all, father, yc