The Red Cloud chief., 1899-09-01

what we've got 10 do Ia TO make hin
hand 1t over. But"-breaking OF in his
rapid explanation-"I told you all this
in tho letter | gave you this evening,
Didn't you read It? bless my soul.
You haven't dropped Ar~-as I UNI
mayed fruitlessly IL m pocket after
another. you haven't lost it,"
TITS not here! No, | did not read 1t.
Stay-I may have left II in the draw
ing-room: wait here whilst I see. I will
be back directly"
Mrs. Heathcote and Miss Elmslie had
not yet retired. Lights were full on In
the drawlng-room. contrary to the vir'
tuous early habits of the household,
and the " ladies were seated side by
side on a couch by the fire. discussing
over aad over again the wonderful sur
prise Of the evening.
What is it," asked Mrs. Heathcote.
rising. to assist my search. "a letter?
No, there Is no letter here. Eliza must
have seen 1t IL II had been left or the
tea-table. aud she never takes letters
or papers away-the Rector has
trained her too well for that. No, Ii Is
certainly not here. l hope 1t was not
important. But you will be sure to
find 1t upstairs or In the study. Have
you looked there?"
Widdrington was awaiting m impa-
tiently when I returned.
ut Is gone" | admitted ruefully. 81
came straight from the garden to the
drawing-room, and from there here. l
must have dropped It,"
Then che whole things blown
ruinei," cried the man. clapping on his
hat. and making for the door. There's
not a minute to be lost"
My letter was gone-there was no
doubt about II. A second and calmer
search through my pockets confirmed
the fact. / had entirely forgotten the
paper, attaching no Importance to 1t at
the moment. regarding 1t as simply a
ruse on the detectives part to attract
my attention; and subsequent events
had entirely driven the whole circum-
stance out Of my mind. I had doubt
less dropped the missive-with all Its
important revelation-in the garden or
hall.
! opened the window Of my bed
room. which looked over the lawn and
garden path by which l had returned
to the house. A mans fgure-Wid
drington's-was Just vanishing through
the gate. He had evidently beef
searching over the ground. so that ne
efforts OF mine were needed. / won
dered what success he had had. Proba
bly, he found the missing letter. and al
fear OF miscarriage to his plans wa.
over.
I sat up late into the night, writing
and reading. Sleep. In the tumult o.
my mind, was out OF the question.
had to think over and realize he won
derful and blissful change which had
come into my life. Mona, my peerless
treasure, was mine-my own. And the
cloud which had ~overshadowed her
even in my most loyal thought-had
dimmed the %rapturous Joy Of my be-
trothal.
/ had almost forgotten Widdrington
in the Goodtide OF my happiness, but
when | descended to the breakfast
room the next morning. I was abruptly
recalled ia the subject Of last nights
interview. On my plate lay a note
marked-"Delivered by hand" II
contained only these words
Gone. Disappeared last night. Let
ter not found"
Later in the day the detectives In
telligence was confirmed by the Rector
Mr.. Charles Branscombe had gont
from Forest Lea. leaving no addres.
behind him. The two or three female
servants remaining in charge eithe'
knew or would tell nothing. Charl!,
had always a fascinating influence oil
their class and set; as Widdrington haC
said, there was something of a feuda
devotion In their loyalty to him. The.
no doubt thought his case a hard one
and they would not betray him.
Mr.. Heathcote's new groom had ais
disappeared-summoned to London b,
the dangerous illness OF his father. tn
household believed.