Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-11-10
CHAPTER XXI.

Meanwhile, Mr.. and Mrs. Bond having
finished their business in London return
home, only to find that Della has disap
peared. and that Mr.. lie Mesurier has fol-
lowed suit. Mrs. Hephzibah Immediately
scents an elopement.
As Mr.. and Mrs. Bond are sitting over
their coffee and their simple desert to-
gether Ellen enters with the intelligence
that two strange gentlemen are in the
drawing room, waiting to speak to her
mistress.
'Oh, they bring me some bad news Of
Delia!' cries Ms Bond, as she stumbles
to her feet and rushes precipitatcly to the
drawing room, where, to her utter amaze
ment, she is confronted by Angus Moray
and the Baron Gustave SAKE. II is diff
cult to say which of the three is most
astonished.
do you bring me tidings of your moth
er?' exclams Mrs. Hephzibah.
My mother.' echoes Angus Moray.
''Why, merciful heavens. 1t is Mrs. Hor-
ton. Madame" he continues rapidly
"where is my mother? Is she not with
you? Do you know of her address?
have been trying in vain to find both you
and her since coming to England
L
Mrs. Rephzibah. in her turn.
I'VE did not know it. This is 4 COM
plete surprise to both the baron and my
self. But, madame, in mercy, tell me, is
my dear mother here!'
''She is not here, Mr.. Moray"
"You cannot give me her address"
Il cannot"
Both the men look grave. Angus once
more breaks the silence.
"My good friend here, who has been as
a brother in all my troubles, left Bruges
with me for the express purpose of search
ing for my poor mother"
''You are not married, then, to Made
moiseIle de Blois?'
mo; nor never shall be, until my moth
er's pure fame is righted,' replies the
young man proudly. And now you can
not tell me one word of her! What awful
mystery has she wrapped about herself?
,, Where, in heavens name, can she be hid
den?"
IF you had asked me mat question yes
terday, Angus Moray, | could have an
swered you-under this roof!'
Here, in this very house! Baron, this
is indeed joyful intelligence. But you
can surely tell me, then, where she has
gone"
Il cannot. l wish l could
At this moment voices-loud and cheer
full yoices-make themselves distinctly
heard upon the step Of the open hall door.
Home at last! Won't you come in? o
yes. you must No: | won't give up my
precious burden for anything. You may
take the two others, if you choose, but
shall keep this one. | couldn't sleep with
out it, indeed I couldn't; should dream
it was gone again, and wake up to believe
my dream was true. I'll kill you if you
try to touch it, continues the merry voice
with a burst of innocent, gleeful laughter
Have your own way, then, you Willful
creature!'
1T is my mothers voice." cries Angus
Yes! and with Mr.. LIE Mesurier," re-
plies Mrs. Bond, grimlS.
At this moment Mr.. Bond. who has re-
manned in hiding in the dining room dur
ing the strangers visit, appears in the hall
and confronts Della.
Are you home?" she exclaims, with
surprise. 80. what will Mrs. Hephzibah
think of my running away in this fash
ion? Where is sheT'
II am here" replied Mrs. Bond, from
the precincts of the drawing room, "and
ready to receive you, Della
80. my dear friend" she says, coming
forward with huge parcel in her arms;
chow can l excuse myself to you?-but
Mr.. lie Mesurier will help to tell my
story. A most wonderful thing has hap
pened. | have found
But here the mother. having crossed the
threshold. first perceiyes there are strang-
ers in the drawing room; next, regards
them for moment. curiously: and then.
with loud cry in which there is no sound
hut that OF unalloyed happiness, drops her
parcel on the ground. and, rushing to the
outstretched arms of her son, throws her
self into them and weeps unrestraintedly.
80! my boy! my boy! My precious, pre-
cious hoy! My hope, my treasure, my
child. Do hold you in my arms again:
0, my Angus, my darling. where have
YOU come from? How did you know your
mother was here? Is it my tears that
have drawn you to me? l have never lain
down in my bed, Angus, without weeping
The bitterest tears for you, and thousand
times l have resolved to break my oath
sooner than endure the hell | have suf-
fered apart from you. But it was for
your sake, darling, for your dear sake!
And now you are come-we are together
once more, and have the most wonder
full news to tell you. T.
81 guess it, dearest MOTHER he says,
sadly. do not give yearself the pain of
telling it"