The Holly chieftain., 1899-09-29

A80y J0ot SotASS luz BAs 9SAeo Wv
OF her mind. We don't know What ~
do with her. Better send for the POI
lice. d'you think, sir7"
I'll speak TO aer; I'm = doctor,
said DIR. Stelling. Y
1T was Just like him-he II always
noble and humane! He came mp to ne
and spoke to me very gently. askinE
me II I had lost my friends. ! saia
Yes and at first he thought that !
was sane. only lonely and frightened.
He asked me where came from. but
could not remember in the least He
says that cried in my eagerness to
tell him; Of course. nobody could help
him. as the tickets had all been col
lected at Westbourne Park. He saw
then that was really very III. and his
anxiety to ascertain the names Of my
friends increased. told him that
had been married some days ago, and
that when We returned from church
my uncle had said to me that he was
suddenly called away and would leave
me in the care OF my husband, who
was out for walk. He had departed.
and had been alone ever since. Il
had come to London to find them all.
had written to Cathie. but could not
remember where she lived, so had been
unable to post the letter.
SO much he had cleaned from me In
the waiting-room, where he had taken
me when l lapsed into utter uncon-
seriousness. He made his resolution
quickly, put me into a cab, and drove
me to his own house. had brain
fever. and, as he fully expected, whom
l recovered l had entirely forgotten
my meeting with him. and, indeed. ev-,
erything that had taken place. In my
pocket. besides the letter to Cathie.
they found couple Of biscuits.
wrapped in this"
She held out another fragment of
paper for Mr.. Martineau's inspection
1t was apparently blank half sheet
torn on letter. and at the top was
written. in an ugly sprawling hand
p. S.-Leroy. of Lance Lane. e. c.,
has a copy of the fathers will. You
can convince yourself II you like that
the offer is genuine
You see," said Marguerite, shat
was evidently bit OF paper which Il
just picked up from somewhere to wrap
my biscuits in. 1t may not refer to
my father at all, but DR.. Stellingi
thought 1t worth while to try. It
would be interesting to find my faith
er's will"
1T certainly would" said Mr.. Mar
tineau absently.
THE Stellings advertised" she con-
tinued. Saying that certain Marguer-
lite Lilbourne was to be found at their
house, but no one appeared to claim
her. The doctor next put In an adver-
tisement To Parish Clerks and 9th
ers.' offering a small reward for the
certificate OF Marguerite Lilbourne's
marriage, on or about given date. to
person unknown at place unknown.
Still there was no result. One day.
when / was able to walk about, cling
ing tightly to Mary Stelling's arm.
we took walk. intending to go to the
new public gardens just opened near
where we lived. AS We passed q row
OF squalid looking houses a nun came
out and passed us swiftly. The sight
touched chord in my memory. Past
events came back; ! was able to tell
them all i have told you to-day, but
from the time of my falling out Of the
| window to the time I awoke in the
| Stellings' house all was blank.
could tell them nothing: indeed, 30
vague and indistinct was this idea OF
my marriage that l should have been
satisfied that it was a delusion had 1t
not been for one thing
Yes. What was the one thing?"-
This"
She laid wedding ring ON the table
before her.
Mr.. Martineau drew a long breath.
| THAT seems tangible" he said.
"Dreadfully tangible" she ex-
claimed. with shudder. Can you
wonder that feel must know allr
than return to my uncle-but I must
and will hear the rights of this dis
graceful fraud. 1t is a mystery, is 1t
not?"
ut is the strangest thing I ever
heard, and the most pitifnl!"
1.-THE Stellings are very badly on
went on Marguerite. When they found
me 1 had only a few coppers in my
pocket had evidently spent what
ever possessed on my railway ticket.
could not bear to live on their kind
ness. I did fancy needlework for a.
time. managing to contribute my mite
toward the housekeeping till / wasl
quite strong. One day, in an inspired
moment, / painted some little cards,
for ball programmes. and sent them
| - =, ru, Mast End sbnp rh,v