The St. Johns herald., 1899-01-21
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| 0lS tnOuSnlS lO tue eA cluslon of everything else.
 It was from his late travelling com. panion, Birch, whom he had left in Par is month ago, and who now wrote from London to tell him that the Kings leys had quit the continent and were intending to sail for America at once.
 ''So the coast is clear, old man, and you can come back" declared the writ CT, persuasively. You were an idiot ever to run away as you did. Join me here in a fortnight and we'll be lp time for that Mediterranean trip" Camperton's jaws were set and his brows contracted as he stepped into the elevator.
 He knew that the Kingsleys, in re- turning to America at this time, were curtailing their original European pro gram by at least six months. And 1t was easy to guess the reason.
 They were coming home to prepare | for their daughters marriage to her ! titled suitOr. The Count himself. no doubt. would follow In short time to ! claim his bride.
 And I must get away before they ar rive" decided the young man. I'll go ] back to Europe by the next steamer" l Through the mist of his mental ab- straction he observed that the elevator had an occupant besides himself-a woman who had seated herself in a shadowy corner of the car; but her presence did not change the current of his thoughts.
 The elevator came Co a sudden stop so sudden, indeed, that CampertOn, not being prepared to check his upward course all at once. involuntarily rose to his tiptoes, waving his arms like huge bird about to take flight, and then pirouetted gracefully toward the other passenger in the corner.
 "There Is no danger, madame" he be- gan, in his most reassuring tones. Were fast between two floors and must wait while
 He stopped short as he noted, with surprise and alarm, the attitude of the lady. She was still sitting in her corner and was holding handkerchief over her face, while little convulsive quivers and shrugs of the shoulders indicated , that she was weeping.
 In his contrition and his desire to soothe her narrowed feelings he was about to sit down beside her, when a sound that was strangely like a giggle came from behind the handkerchief.
 CampertOn started up, flushing hotly.
 Do forgive mep' And the laughing voice suddenly became coaxing. "I know it is rude of me to laugh, but O, MT. Camperton, you can't imagine how funny you looked just now, when you went hopping and waltZing about and kneelng at my feet-for all the world like performing bear!''
 CampertOn did not hear. He was star ing at her in blank amazement. He made several attempts to speak before the words would come.
 Miss Kingsley" he managed to ar ticulate at last. His heart had almost stopped at the moment of recognition, but it was now beating furiously. II suppose this Is your astral body. It cannot be your real self"
 70, but it isr' said the girl with ani- nation. We came over in the Cam pania, which arrived this morning, and we are stopping at this hotel until our house Is put in order"
 "WeY
 "Of course; papa and I. You don't suppose would come alone"
 Fl didn't know. I was not exactly expecting you to come at all. Your plans. as understand them, would have kept you abroad the rest of the year."
 Miss Kingsley dropped her eyes
 ''It Is always easy to change ones plans, you know" she said. betraying a slight confusion. You did not honor me with an explanation of why you left Europe"
 But the note!" he exclaimed.
 'The note, MT. Camperton?'
 .And my letter? Do you mean that you did not read my letter thrOugh-the one sent to you at Hotel Continental two days before my departures?
 ''I received no letter from you"
 "But, Miss Kingsley, you-you an- swered 1t. You told me not to mention the subject again, and you are annoyed because I have Insisted on reminding you of that letter. But I only want to explain why wrote it. All Paris was connecting your name with that of the Count, and there were persistent ru- mors that you were to become his wife. It was common talk that your father had set his heart on the match, and nO- body seemed to question your willing hess to become countess. The rumors and the gossip had most depressing Affect unOn me I think Ynn know Miss