The Holly chieftain., 1899-10-06

me, Bernard-let us leave this doleful
talk-tell me what you have been
thinking of with regard to that mar
riage register"
We'll" replied the young man, I've
been putting two and two together, and
an idea occurs to me. The governor
found you at Paddington-you recol-
lect that the place you came from was
by the sea. Now, the seaside places
to which one goes by the Great West
ern are chiefly in Devonshire and
Cornwall. Some of the places there
are so much out of the world that it
is quite possible the inhabitants don't
see a London paper. | have been
thinking OF offering reward such as
would really be temptation and in
serting 1t in all the Devonshire and
Cornwall local papers"
How clever of you, Bernard" she
said; then, wonderingly-"M Mar
tineau never suggested that"
"Mr. Martineau hasn't such a stake
to play as | have" answered Bernard.
dropping his persuasive voice to a
! lower key. But, to continue-the
! place to which they took you, to marry
you would probably be an out-of-the-
way place, yet l think, not very
| small one-they would not care to at
| tract notice. All, how | wish were a
rich man for your sake, Marguerite l
would search every register in the
kingdom at my own expense. but
would find the name of the man who
so wronged you!'
Dear" She looked at him with
grateful, eloquent eyes. But perhaps
he married me under a false name?"
| she suggested.
"0f course he might have done so,"
he assented, with sigh. If how
ever, as l can't help supposing, he
married you to obtain money he would
| be rather careful to have everything
strictly en- regle, and would probably
| II my old godmother would only take
it into her head to die and leave me
| all her fortune"
"Ah, Bernard. if the sky were to
rain gold, it would not set me free!"
Yes, it would he affirmed, with
conviction. You should be free il
only had the money-free to tell me
you loved me-
Bernard. Bernard, don't!"
Don't what"
Don't say words you will one day
wish unsaid''
Marguerite. you insult me by your
distrust"
1T is for your sake, Bernard my
own dar-''
All, that's better!" he asserted, with
a radiant smile, as she suddenly stop
ped, crimson and laughing.
How warm it is today" she said,
trying to speak calmly.
"Warm!' exclaimed the young man,
impatiently. It's burning hot here
in London. I've had such tempting
invitation, Madge."
Have you. From whom?"
'Frcm Laurie"
Laurie? Oh, yes. remember; the
viscount, Lord umfreville's son-the
man who was with you at Oriel? So
he has invited you?"
yes, to Clarisdale, their place in
Huntingdonshire
"Oh. Bernard, why can't you go?"
Won't run TO it, my sweet. I
couldn't afford to be mixed up with a
lot of men who live expensively, and
with whom money is no object, SO I've
refused
"Oh, you dear Bernard! You are
strong minded; I'm so proud OF you
but, do you know"-slyly-"I'm half
glad you're not going
WHY"
"Ah. who used to have a photo Of
Lady Mildred Ames on his bedroom
mantelpiece? And very pretty she is,
too. l should be jealous"
| you jealouS?" He laughed his
frank, pleasant laugh. NO, no. Queen
Marguerite, you have me too firmly in
your clutches"
She suppressed faint sigh. Vague
| ly, regretfully, she felt that she was
dragging down this man who loved
her Oh, to tear away the veil which
hid the past! Oh, this bitter grinding
want of money, which stared her in
the face at every turn!
They were very silent as they enter
| eu Lhe Olu udlh must Win Ut. Slell-
ings name on brass plate fixed to
the door. 1t was plain looking Lon
don house, but as cosy and CHEEKY
within as loving hands could make it.
1t boasted a garden behind, the door
leading to which was just now open,
and the tendrils of Mrs. Steling's be-
loved and tenderly nursed Virginia
creeper swayed to and fro in the gent
ly stirring breeze.
ITO ha continual