The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-05

angrily. Never mind, darling. We know
better than to believe what she says"
"Of course, Of Counsel"
But try as she would Lynette could not
forget the encounter, and theassold lady's
Istrange, wild manner and a. presentiment
took possession of her that some evil was
ABOUT to happen
Lord Houlden did not fail to notice her al
tered looks but she laughed off his questions
ana would not allow Enid tostell anyone what
had happened.
The wedding day was cold and wet-a mis-
cradle morning for a marriage; and Enid, as
she stood looking out felt disappointed that
the weather should be unpropitious.
1 wonder if Lynette is awaken she
thought, and turning the handle of her sisters
room entered softly.
An instant later, she was flying downstairs
with terrified face
Mother! fathern' she gasped, dashing into
ne breakfast-room, where her mother always
the first downstairs, was making the tea from
the Kissing urn, while the vicar was looking
over his letters
Whats the matter? Good gracious child!'
as the mother caught sight of the white face.
What has happened?"
"Lynette'S window is open-the bed has not
been slept in-she has gone!" gasped Enid.
The vicar flung down his paper, and the
mother put down the steanetrsapds both ran
hastily upstairs. <eszsAsa4&
The news was only too true. Lynette's lit
tie white bed was undisturbed, its; dainty
curtains were waving in the breeze that came
from the wide-opened window; there was no
indication of any disturbance in the room. No
etter, no sign whatever, to say what had hap
pened to her who should have been a bride
today. No sound had been heard in the night
by any inmate of the Vicarage, and the whole
affair was wrapped in mystery. The vicar
kept his presence of mind wonderfully we'll,
but the poor mother was nearly distracted.
Mr.. Randall discovered footprints beneath his
daughters window-certainly not her foot
prints, though whether mans Woman'S he
There
dentations as though ladder had been rested
on the moist ground. This was all, except
that there were some deep, neWly-made wheel
marks little way from the Vicarage gate.
''She has been carried off in some Manner
Mr. Randall said, decidedly. I'VE must wire
for a good detective at once"
"MeanWhe-Lord Houlden?" sobbed the
poor mother.
: 81 must go and tell him"-and the vicar
set his lips firmly in anticipation of an I'M
pleasant task.
But the various surmises and discoveries
had taken time, and it is well known that
i'll news flies apace.
Lord Houldens groom domicled for that
night at the Vicarage, had gone open-mouth-
ed to his master with the news, and before
Mr. Randall was ready to depart Lord Hon.
den himself appeared, his face expressing an
ger and dismay.
"Is it true?" he demanded.
The faces of the two were sufficient an
swer.
HIS lOrdSnlpS passion broke FORTH
so have been fooled all along!'' he cried
There was some one else The meaning of
this is another lover, suppose?'
Nothing of the sort" said the vicar, sharp
ly. Our poor child was devoted to you-and
you only. This is terrible grief to US, Lord
Houlden, and if you are not come to help usas
penetrate this mystery you, at least need not
insult our absent daughter
Lord Houlden spoke more quietly but still
with considerable bitterness
What explanation can there be-" he said.
'but that she dreaded her marriage with
me?"
THAT is quite absurd" broke in Enid. an
grily. why, the poor child was ridiculously
in love with you
DO not say was" sobbed poor Mrs Ran
dal 1T sounds as though you gave I'D all
hope! Oh you both love her, and she loved
you both father and-husband, as You should
have been. Try to find her-den't waste
precious time in quarreling There's soma
vilainy in this. Save my poor dear girl. and
'afterwardS!''
Turning with this appeal to the two men
the poor mother, broke down utterly and
laughed and cried Historically, tended by her
daughters.
In the meantime, Lord Houlden and Mr.
Randall did everything that could be done to
trace the missing girl but with no success
All trace of her was lost; and three months
after the date on which she should have been