The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26


The man seemed quite stunned by the in
formation.
10 think 1 should have come too late!" he
muttered as though to himself; but that's
peeh my luck in life always. Excuse me,
mss, but is Lady Tudor living, may 1 ask?'
Robert
Did she, indeed? And is any of the family
living at the old place now?"
Yes; Lady Tudor lives there-the widow
of Sir Robert"
on. then, Sir Robert married after all, did
he? Eth. dear! dear What changes we live
TO see! 1t seems to me- miss, that this little
lady here has a look of the Tudors. You'll
perhaps excuse my asking if she belongs to
them
She is Miss Laura Tudor-Sir Roberts
niece"
"Ah, I thought sol" said the stranger,
looking earnestly at the child. You must
forgive my boldness in asking so many
questions, miss; but, in bygone days, 1 used
to know Sir Robert Tudor well: indeed 1
think L may say was a sort of humble
friend of his. Anyhow, 1 know there's no
house of his in which L shouldn't have found
welcome if he'd been alive this day. Good
morning. miss. I'm sure I'm very much
obliged to you"
And the old man walked slowly away-not
III the direction of Tudor House. however.
Evidently he had no intention of presenting
himself to Lady Tldor, on the grounds that
he was the late, Sir Roberts friend
That afternoon Lady Tudor CHANGED to
come to the schoolroom and Nora told her of
her meeting with the elderly stranger in the
morning.
My lady took but slight notice of the
matter.
Sir Robert little too fond of making
friendships with that class of people, she
remarked, carelessly. However, 1 scarcely
think he will venture to intrude on me. If he
does l shall be prepared for him. Thank you
for mentioning !. it, Miss Drummond."
The next day Lady Tudor proceeded to put
into execution the plot which she had con-
ceived in the solitude of her boudor.
1t was deep and subtle one; and, al
though my lady usually the coolest and
most self-possessed of women, she could not
help feeling a little nervous at the idea of
what she had to do.
If she made one false step, if she uttered
word too much or too little she knew
full well her carefully-laid plan would fail;
and if it failed she would lose all chance of
winning Basil Brooke.
She casting all upon the hazard of a.
die, and must be content to stand or fall by
it.
The initial step in her plot was that she
should take walk alone with Sir Basil.
This was accomplished without much diff
fieulty.
She wrote him little note, affecting to be
: Still greatly perplexed as to the alterations
she was having made on the estate, and ask
ing him to come over and further advise her
about them.
OF course, Sir Basil could not refuse such
very natural request from his kinswoman.
panied my lady and her steward, who was
in attendance, to various parts of the grounds.
All matters concerning the projected alter
ations being at length settled, Sir Basil
would willingly have hidden goodbye to his
beautiful cousin; but this was what she by
no means intended.
Basil if you would do me one more ia
vor!' she said, locking appealing,y up into
his face.
Certainly will. That is, if you call what
1 have done a favor.
you are too good to me, Basil. I don't
know whatever I should have done without
you. Women helpless; and, you know,
you are almost my only relation. But, if you
really don't mind the trouble, I should be so
glad if you'd go with me as far the ruins,
and tell me whether you think it would be
possible to have them restored in any way"
''The ruins!'' repeated Sir Basil, rather
doubtfuly
Yes, have fancy that I should like to do
something with them. They are very pis-
turesque, you know. Do you mind going
Basil?"
'Oh, no; not in the least! I am only too
glad to be able to help you if I can. Only,
I'm afraid you'll not build anything worth
having on the ruins. They're better as ruins,
1 think"
well, let us look at them," said my lady.
here"
These ruins which she was so bent on Sir
Basil seeing were the remains of ancient
castle which had been built centuries before
the present Tudor House.
Very little more than the outer wall was
standing; but these were covered with ivy
and were very picturesque
81 am told the foundation is splendid" said
my lady. ''The dungeons are quite intact
you know. Let US go into them Basil"
They'll be very dirty" objected Sir Basil
glaneing at her rich dress. Shall you
mind"
Not bit. 7 just love exploring old places
like these. And see! there is a candle in that
niche. How fortunate Of course you have
matches, BASIL