The Holly chieftain., 1900-07-27

battle CT Ladysmith. OF which word
had sbesn brought to the Daisiels.
Blusbell Welcomed him with . blush
and emile that made Rothes' heart
throb. But there vas something in his
face which made Bluebsll's heart fret
with mingled fear and anxiety.
You have some news. What Il. It!
TELL me quickly, Adair!" she breathed.
lifting her face from its hiding place.
Yes my darling" Rothes answered
slowly; Il have strange news for you
do not know how you Will take It.
Bluebell; something very terrible hap.
pened at the battle on Monday. Some
one was killed there-someS one whom
you knew"
ut was Gerald Moore!" said Bluebell
quickly. She turned very pale. and
shivered little.
Il went up to him. when the battle
was nearly over, hearing him groan-
ing. l did not know who he was till
was beside him. He was moaning
for water. and turned to get him
some. AS did SO a. wounded Boer
near called: Look out. doctor!'
stepped aside. and as did 30 bull
let whixsed past me. striking my ear.
turned and saw Moore on his elbow,
look Of such unnatural hatred ON his
face as l shall never forget, his gun
still In his hand. As turned he ut
tered strange sound, the gun dropped
from his hand. and he fell back on
the grassy knoll. When reached him
he was dead!"
With little cry Bluebell folded her
arms about her lovers neck.
''Oh, Adair. thank God! thank God
you were saved"
For few minutes Rothcs did not
speak. His strong mouth Quivered a
little. At last he said:
Now comes the strange news have
for you, Bluebell. Papers were found
upon Gerald Moore. and the officer into
whose hands they fell-the general,
Bluebell- sent for me. He knows me
personally. and knows what you are
to me. Those papers affect you, and
you only"
'Adair what can you mean?" she
asked. in startled surprise. u
Adair took her hand in his. and held
1t for moment without speaking.
"A barrier has risen up between you
and me. Bluebell-a barrier such as
never dreamt OF. am a poor man
you are an heiress."
She uttered an incredulous exclama-
tion.
1T is true. Bluebell. Now we have
the real reason OF Moore's determine
tion to marry you. He had seen an ad-
vertisement in an English paper. gone
home. learned everything. and came
here with his mind firmly made up az
to his own course. AS you know, your
father always declared he had been
done out OF Tinlaverstock. His cousin
has had 1t in his possession for fifteen
years. Maurice Leslie had three sons
| Your father never hoped to come into
the property; but. by strange fatal
ity. these sons have all died since
Maurice Leslie, on whose mind It al.
ways preyed that he had cheated youi
father out OF his inheritance, has made
you his heiress. You-not your ia
ther."
"Oh, Adair!" The girl clung to him
her arms clasped round his neck "a
do not wish to be an heiress. 1 an
happier as l am" in4tt
1T. seems" said Rothes, 'ithat your
fathers cousin died few months ago
The lawyers are now searching fol
| you. You must write to them, Blue
! bell. And have been thinking. dear
you and Miss Elizabeth are safer out
Of the country just now. We must gel
She uttered a little cry. her face
lsdeathly white.
"Adair! You wish to get rid of me
then? Oh, and thought though
you loved me-"
He clasped her close, covering tn,
sweet face with passionate kisses.
my own darling! But, Bluebell, dt
you think / am SO selfish as to wisf
to keep you here during this dark tim,
that is coming upon us, when yo,
might be living in luxury and safet,
at homer"
And you in danger, doing your dut,
here?" she half sobbed. "Adair. ar,
you to have all the unselfishness and
none? No, dear. 1 shall not CO.
have made up my mind"
| They were married. The brides ia
ther had been but a month in his lone
ly grave. and they were themselves IL
the midst Of that dark tragedy whicl
had not then ended. But human love