Morris tribune., 1899-07-29

A few more minutes and the train
was on its way again.
1t is hardly necessary to say that
Marjorie ST. Clair was no other than
the child whose father had met with
so tragic a death on that fatal st. Val
entine's morning nine years ago.
The change in her name had been
brought about by her going to live
with her mothers cousin, Miss st.
| Clair.
This lady had desired the child to
be called by her name; and now Mar
| jorie rarely remembered that it was
not her own.
Her fathers murderer had never
been discovered, in spite of the most
vigilant search on the part of the po-
| lice.
1t seemed pretty certain, however,
that plumber had been the object; for,
| d roll of bank notes was missing from
the drawer of the writing table-also
the pretty gold locket which had been
intended for poor Ethel Bruce's Valen-
| tine
She, poor soul, followed her husband
to the grave within six months of the
tragedy that had wrecked her life.
|
1t was late in the afternoon when
Mr. Hyde and Marjorie alighted at
little country station, they having left
the express at Euston, and finished
their journey in one of the slow local
trains.
A well-appointea carriage was in
waiting.
Mr.. Hyde and Marjorie entered it:
the servant who had travelled with
his master mounted beside the coach
man, and away they drove towards
Denelands, which Mr.. Hyde had told
Marjorie was the name of his home.
A drive of half an hour brought
| them to it. ~
81 1t was a handsome white building,
ample and substantial, though plain.
1t was surrounded by large gar
! den and strawberries, and there was a
! neat white lodge at the entrance gate.
There appeared to be no other house
| within a distance of half mile.
Just behind it, on slight eminence,
was a wood; at the side of it wide
lake.
The carriage bowled swiftly and
smoothly up the drive and stopped at
the hall door.
Mr.. Hyde, with great courtesy, as
sisted Marjorie to alight and led her
into one of the parlors opening out of
the hall.
1t was a remarkably pretty. refined
apartment. A. cheerful fire was burn
ing in the CRATE.
A lady's work-basket and some needle
work were lying on the table; an
empty chair stood near
"Ah, my daughter is not here,
see" remarked Mr.. Hyde, glancing
swiftly round the room. sit down,
Miss St. Clair, and I will fetch her"
Marjorie seated herself near the fire,
and awaited the coming of Miss Hyde,
with no small degree of trepidation.
When Mr.. Hyde made his generous
offer, she accepted it almost at once,
simply because she was so distressed
and overweight that she knew not
what else to do.
But now she could not but reflect
that the daughter might not approve
her fathers choice.
She might be a naughty, mistrust-
full young lady, who would object to
this intrusion on the part of an utter
stranger.
Mr.. Hyde had remarked, in the
course of conversation, that he was
widower, so Marjorie knew his
daughter was mistress at Denelands.
In minute or two the door opened
and young lady entered-tall and
graceful, and wearing an elegant tea
gown of black and gold, which trailed
on the carpet behind her.
She looked little naughty, but held
out her hand with frank cordiality.
How do you do, Miss St. Clair?"
was her greeting. my father has told
me about you. hope we may be able
to make you comfortable. / am Miss
Hyde"
Marjorie, as she murmured CRATE |
full word or two, looked up at the face
above her own, and saw in moment |
how very beautiful it was.
A somewhat southern-looking face,
with clear, creamy skin, large blue
eyes, fringed by almost black lashes. a
firm, beautiful mouth and slightly
Wavy, very dark brown hair.
Her age might be four or five and
twenty; her bearing was one Of singu-
lar dignity and grace.
She sat down, begged Marjorie to do
the same, and began to talk with per-
feet ease, and in clear, high-bred
tone.
My father says you have told him
that the lady to whom you were going
and who has left England SO suddenly,
may return in the course of six
weeks" she said. eff she does, and
you prefer to go to her, we shall, of
course, wish you to please yourself. If
not, we shall be happy to have you
continue to stay with u.s."
These were kind words, and Miss