The Lamar register., 1899-10-18

venture De1oil me. had my eycs
fixed upon Miss Branscombe as / spoke,
there was no change in her attitude. no
interest in her still. weary face
IAN adventure?" exclaimed Miss
Elmslie. 'whas was it?"
/ determined to make bold stroke.
Il lost my bag" replied. watch
ing the motloniess figure in the arm
chair
Lost your bag, echoed Miss Islms
lie. Dear mel hope you found II
again.
mo. have not found it up to this
time" l answered. Il believe it was
exchanged by fellow passenger-a
lady''-still no sign from Nona-"who
left her own in its place"
But the railway ofiicials-the-the
telegraph" said Miss Elmslie.who was
always confused and helpless in emer-
gencies-"they can get 1t back for you,
Have you made inquiries?"
Yes" | answered, steadily, Il have
made inquiries. and'-with emphasis
Il think | have traced the lady"
Miss Branscombe lifted her hand at
this moment and leaned her cheek
upon it. shading her face from my
view. My shot had told at last.
You have traced here" said Miss
Elmslie. "Ah. then it will be all rightr'
Yes. l hope 1t will be all right"
echoed.
How very awkward" said Miss
Elmslie. for the lady as well as for
you, Dear me- Mr.. Fort, l hope you
will soon get back your own property.
Can We send to the station in the
morning? Or is there now anything you
want for tonight. Austin can attend to
| 1t II you will ask him
Thank you." replied. "the bag con-
tanied nothing but papers"
"Papers!" exclaimed Miss Elmslie
Then you must be very anxious. Mr.
Fort Do let us senior ha I, you not
better go yourself?"
Thank YOU" ! responded; ~ have
no doubt l shall recover everything
in the morning
How cool you arer' said Miss Eims-
\ lie. Il should be in n fever
Il think l will go to bed now" said
| Miss Branscombe. rising languidly
from her chair
Il Will come UP stairs with you"
said Miss ElmslIe. starting up and TAX
ing Nona's arm in her own Il shall
not say goodnight, Mr.. Fort: you have
not finished your supper. Please don't
| hurry-I am coming back"
Miss Branscombe bowed and held
out a limp. nerveless hand as l opened
the door for her exit. She shiyered just
G little. TOO, and drew her shawl more
closely about her. but there was nei-
ther guilt nor confusion--only weari-
4 ness and sorrow--in the eyes which
met mine for an instant. Then the
two ladies crossed the hall and mount
ed the wide shallow stairs.
Miss Elmslie came down presently.
Poor child" she said, "she is abso-
iutely worn out, She has cried the
whole day, hope she will sleep now;
that is the best restorer. She has had
no sleep yet
My first glance on gaining my bed
room was toward the Gladstone bag
which stood beside my portmanteau.
Mona had probably taken the opportu-
nifty of making the exchange quietly
in my absence-she had shown her
self person of resources. and had
little doubt that this would be her
line of action. II would involve no
explanation of awkwardness. / lifted
the bag almost with smile-the ad-
venture interested me- There at the
bottom was still the half-effaced label
-"IIotel -gia, Venezia.' Miss Brans-
combe then had in some way failed to
be equal to the occasion; possibly she
had been, as Miss ElmsIie expressed 1t,
too ''worn-out" to attempt the transfer
that night
l opened my portmapteau. and there
amongst my own possessions lay the
large light gray dust cloak and the
yellow paper-covered volume left be-
hind by my travelling companion: there
were the penciled words. Mona
anscombe''-tangible evidence that
the days adventure had been no il
lusion or case of mistaken identity. as
| was half tempted at times to believe
/ fell asleep. after much troubled toss
ing. and dreamt OF Mona Branscombe,
at the Colonel's funeral. wrapped in
her gray dust cloak. and carrying in
her hand my Gladstone bag, with
"Venezia" in large letters on it.
Ito be continued)