The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-05


his nature is antagonistic to mine.
Il should think it was Ingram replied,
grimly. L wonder any ladies can endure his
society. 1 know lot of men who cannot.
But he would not dare to threaten you, sure
ly, and yet I thought 1 heard
"Oh, don't let US talk of him any more, :"
Dora said hurriedly. Il hardly heard what
he said-and-and 1 will not speak to him
again if can avoid it,
We'll, he is not worth spending our time
discussing him. Ingram agreed and of
course you have nothing to fear from him.
Miss Bruce, had you sister,"
mo, never; 1 am only child Why do
you ask?'
Because tonight, for the first time, have
found out who you remind me Of Ever since
first saw you al Lady Hexham's your face
has puzzled me with a strange sensation OF
having seen it before, and just now, when
came into that recess and perceived you look
ing pale and SO frightened, T suddenly
knew who it you brought so wildly to
my mind, but of course if you had no sister
or brother, it must only be a chance resemb-
lance"
who was it?" she asked, curiously, while
she unfurled her large feather fan and sat
back under the shadow of a big palm, where
he could only dimiy discern her features in
the partially-lit conservatory.
1T was at SeabuTne, two years and more
ago; it was a strange story altogether. A
young couple called Spencer were lodging in
the same house with some friends of mine,
and the man died quite suddenly of heart
disease; the girl his sister, disappeared di-
lrectly after, leaving no address, and the
andlady could not find out where to send the
things she left behind. 1t was very mystic
rious altogether. I interested, because
went for the doctor-the girl rushed out
into the hail. as l was passing out of the
house, and begged me to send for one; but
though I found medical man Immediately,
it was too late-the poor young man was
gone when we came back
Dora turned away her face and was watch
ing the fish in the marble basin,
And you-you went for the doctor? She
spoke so low that Ingram was not sure that
he had heard Alright.
cit must have been a great shock for the
poor child-she seemed little more,'' he said;
but she would not let anyone be with her.
My friends, the Bathursts, would have been
glad to help her, but she preferred to be alone
With-With him.
Her brother?"
The question seemed to have been prompt
ed by her brief hesitation, and he answered
rather aWkwardly, for whatever his own sus-
plclOnS might have been he could not impart
them to Dora
Eyes, she said he was her brother. 1t was
all very strange They appeared to have no
friends, and she did not stay for the funeral,
but there was no lack of money for all ex-
penses. have often wondered if the land
lady ever heard any of her. The
bathurst is went to Seaburne last month for
a fortnight. daresay they made enquiries;
they were so much Interested
|
.'No' he said. "All last year I was abroad.
In the spring 1 lost my dear old uncle, who
was like a father to me, and 1 went to Nor
way, partly to avoid a London season. which
L was in no humor for, and partly for the
fishing. When 1 came back 1 found a good
deal to do at my place. came into all when
my uncle died-and then 1 was a great deal
of my time in town. [ hate the season,
though"
81 can't make up my mind whether I like
| it not she said. Il am nearly as devoid
| of relations as you are, Lord Ingram. My
father died two years ago, and even before
that I was more or less lonely for he lived
among his books and never cared for society.
Since his death 1 have lived with my aunt
and we gravitate between Princes Gate and
Ferncourt. Do you know Hertfordshre?''
mot WELL" Ingram answered. "Ferncourt
is near ST. AlbanS is it not?'
Yes, about two miles from the town, and it
is so pretty. I so fond of the dear old
place. she said. Il hope you will see it
someday.
could hardly build any fattering inference on
them, but his heart was beating faster than
usual as he said
Thank you. shall like very much to run
down for hour or two from London-When
you are there"
Then an influx of chattering couples pour
ing into the conservatory denoted that the
dance was over, and Ingram and Miss Bruce
went back to the less-crowded ballroom
again.
CHAPTER VI
'How sharp the point of this remem-
brance is!''-Shakespeare.
svThe concert tonight, the Vanes' dance to-
morrow night and after that blank" Such
was Lord Migrants thought as he drove te
the little unpretending village hall, where the