The Lamar register., 1899-10-04

Mona and neutralize all the wise pro-
visions of his uncle. There is no tell
ing what, In the first emotional work
ings of such character as this sweet
young girls, Charlie may make her do
for him-give up Forest Lea,
shouldn't be surprised. and ruin her
self and all who depend upon her. The
| fellow is, l am sorry to say, utterly
| irreclaimable--mo runs through hia
hands as If they were sieves. The
| poor old colonel gave him chance after
chance. and he threw them away one
after the other. 1t is hopeless case. .
''And Miss Branscombe," | said, for
clhg myself to utter the words which
choked me-'Miss Branscombe is at
tached to her cousin?"
II fear So" answered the rector
| gloomily-"my wife thinks so. unfor-
tunately am speaking confidentially
| to you, Mr. Fort he added, turning
abruptly to me.
I'VE lawyers, like doctors. come in
for the secrets of a good many fami-
lies" l answered. for want of some
| thing better to say
Just So" assented the rector; land
we want your help. Mr.. Fort. You see
| 1t is important to keep this young
scapegrace out of the way. Your pres
| ence at the Lea, and the exercise OF
the tact and friendly kindness you have
| already shown"-I bowed-"will be in
valuable to us at this juncture. After
the funeral. Miss Elmslie and Miss
Branscombe will leave the place, and
4
| fresh scenes and associations, will.
have no doubt, make a great differ
| ence in Miss Branscombe's views and
| feelings. She has been brought up in
a secluded way, and has seen few peo-
| Pile hitherto. All we want is 70 gain
time. But here is my fellow; we must
hurry up to catch the lilo express.
The 11:l0 express was a favorite
train evidently. 1 congratulated my
| self on having secured corner seat
next the door as my carriage filed
rapidly. AT Wivenhoe, the first stop
ping station, two seats-that opposite
| to me, on which l had deposited my
black bag and the light dustcoat which
l carried. and a second set next to
| mine-were the only ones unoccupied-
| The weather was warm, aud was just
| congratulating myself on having es-
capped any addition to our number,
| when. even as the guards whistle
sounded, the handle OF the carriage
door was hastily turned and a lady.
| evidently a good deal huttered at the
narrow escape she had made of miss
| ing the train, sprang lightly in and
deposited herself in the vacant place
| by my side.
1t had all happened so suddenly
my head had been turned away at the
moment of the lady's appearance that
had only time to draw my somewhat
long limbs out of her path. and none
to catch glimpse of my new neigh5or
before she was seated next to me.
ALLOW me-" said then. offering to
relieve her of the small bag and large
loose cloak which she held on her
knees. There is room for these
here"-indicating the opposite seat. on
which my own impedimenta reposed.
She thanked me with bow and a
few murmured indistinet words. and.
as 1 took the two articles from her
hands. | caught a glimpse OF her face.
! II "dS GONtItu Win d stay SOo-
| samer veil, such as ladies use at the
| seaside or for driving in the country;
but the lovely hair that had escaped
| from beneath the large shady hat, and
something in the whole bearing star
tied me with wild impossible idea.
Had I gone mad. or was the image of
Mona Branscombe so imprinted on tho
retina of my eye that to me every
woman must bear her likeness?
| darted another swift keen glance
at my neighbor as resettled myself
in my place,
"They will be quite safe there" I
said, pointing to her possessions, and
then l stopped, breathless. 1t was no
fond illusion of my love-sick fancy. It
was Mona herself, The large limpid
eyes, which even the thick gossamer
veil could not hire. looked into mine
for an instant with warning depre-
catory expression, the graceful head
moved with the scantest, most distant
acknowledgment Of any courtesy, and
then turned resolutely away. Evil
IDENTIFY Miss Branscombe did not choose
to recognize me further.
| sat for the next ten minutes