The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-08-18

hand 1t over. But"-breaking off in his
rapid explanation-"I told you all this
In the letter l gave you this evening
Didn't you read it? Bless my soul!
You haven't dropped it?"--as I rum
mayed fruitlessly in one pocket after
another. You haven't lost it?"
tits not herei No, l did not read it.
Stay-I may have left it in the draw
ing-room; wait here whilst I see, l will
be back directly"
Mrs. Heathcote and Miss Elmslie had
not yet retired. Lights were full ON in
the drawing-room, contrary to the vir-
tuous early habits of the household,
side on a couch by the fire, discussing
over and 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 if it had been left en- the
tea-ta5le, and she never takes letters
or papers away-the Rector has
trained her too we'll for that. No, it is
certainly not here. 1 hope it was not
important. But you will be sure to
find it upstairs or in the study. Have
you looked there?"
Widdrington was awaiting me impa-
tiently when l returned.
ut is gone" l admitted ruefully. "I
came straight from the garden to the
ORA wiDp-rOOm opd fror, tbarn boro T
must have dropped it."
Then the whole things blown
ruined" cried the man, clapping on his
hat, and making for the door. There's
not a minute to be lost"
My letter was gone-Ihere was no
doubt about it. A second and calmer
search through my pockets confirmed
the fact. l had entirely forgotten the
paper, attaching nc Importance to it at
the moment, regarding it 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. l had doubt
less dropped the missive-with all it's
important revelation-in the garden or
hall.
l opened the window Of my bed
room, which looked owe 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 been
searching over the ground, 81 that no
efforts of mine were needed. I won
dered what success he had had. Proba-
bly, he found the missing letter, and all
fear of miscarriage to his plans was
1 sat up late into the night, writing
and reading. Sleep, in the tumuls of
my mind, was out of the question. l
had to think over and realize the Won
derful and blissful change which had
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.
l had almost forgotten Widdrington
in the loodtide of my happiness, but,
when l descended to the breakfast
room the next morning, 1 was abruptly
to the subject of last nights
interview. On my plate lay a note
marked-"Delivered by hand" 1t
contained only these words
Gone. Disappeared last night. Let
5er not found"
Later in the day the detectives in
diligence was confirmed by the Rector.
Mr.. Charles BranscOmbe had gone
rom Forest Lea, leaving no address
him. The two or three female
remaining in charge either
Knew or would tell nothing. Charlie
always a fascinating influence on
class and set; as Widdrington had
;aid, there was something of a feudal
in their loyalty to him. They
doubt thought his case a hard one,
Ind they would not betray him.
Mr.. Heathcote's new groom had also
to London by
he dangerous illness of his father, thu
household believed.
To be continued.
WOMEN'S CLUB