The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-30
A MISSING HERO...
By MRS. ALEXANDER, AUTHOR OF ~
"a CROOKED PATH" "FORGNG THE FETTERS, ETC., Etc.

young men like himself were born. and
his mothers legends respecting the sig
nificance and grandeur OF her family,
filled him with envious hatred OF those
relatives whose happy lot Is was 10 IN
herit this high fortune.
Forester considered his mother most
deeply wronged, even more so than him-
self She was exceedingly devoted 10
her only child. and her devotion was, In
her opinion, rewarded by her boys at
tachment to her. He was a taciturn,
self-contained youngster till he grew old
enough 10 mix with others and observe at
what disadvantage reserve and unre-
sponsiveness placed a man. Then he Gull
tivated a certain refined jollity of man.
ner with considerable success. assuming
a tone of great frankness. His cousin.
young Geoffrey Lisle. was an OBJECT OF
deep dislike and bitter envy TO him. his
mother had moved to rather humpie
suburb of the metropolis In order to give
him a home during the preparation for
a legal career. His most absorbing
Amusement IL such a pursuit can be call
ed amusement. was tracking his relative
rs far As he could. He watched him al
races whenever he could manage to be
amongst the crowd. He often stood on
the steps OF the theaters when the au-
dience were going I'm or coming out ana
was frequently among the lookers-on VINO
ranged themselves I'm lane right ana
left OF the entrance OF some princely
mansion where a ball or concert had
gathered a gorgeous crowd. But this
boyish exuberance of spite did not last
long In n way he loved pleasure and
had learned the value OF money. and he
soon began TO see IL n waste OF cash 10
pay and fight for n place in crowded third
class carriages in order TO scowl at his
more fortunate kinsman from an unap-
proachable distance. His mother mad
often urged him TO make himself known
TO Godfrey Lisle:~''He might give you
a helping hand. for he seems to be on
most Intimate terms with all sorts or
swells.''
"Mavbe sol but I will never cringe TO
him for n crust of bread"
Il do not want you TO do that, Mark
but there is no reason why you should
not be on friendly terms with your cous-
in. You are much the same age.
And different in every other particular.
IL he were to make up with me and re-
quest the pleasure OF my acquaintance i
should not say no. but that Is not very
likely Seek him. I never will'
To sum up this portion OF Forrester's
recollections the last time he had seen
the heir presumptive OF I.ynton Chase
was i'm the height Of the season some ten
years ago. when he paused by accident
at the door of Her Mai, sty's' and saw
I.sie go in with a very handsome woman
on his arm.
This last glimpse OF his fortunate kiEs-
man was followed by very unexpected
circumstances. Geonrey Lsle disappear
cd completely and Marmaduke. the head
~ the family. n bachelor OF the most ag-
gravated type. suddenly and Unexpected
IraF y
born wife. who fulfilled the ends Of her
existence according 20 his views) by pre-
seniing him with n son and heir before
thei- welded life was two years old. This
seemed TO nut all Forrcstcrs disturbing
irritation at being so near and yet so far
from high fortune. TO rest: he applied
himself 20 work and sought diligently 20
earn and save money. 10 his mother s
delight and admiration.
She earnestly thanked God every sun
day for giving her SO excellent. so ire
preachahle a son. or his real HE. she'
like other mothers knew little or nothing
At length fortune seemed to relax some
what of her riCor against him. Acct
dent enabled him TO do some small ser
vice to the Countess Of Marlborough
youngest son. Her lcdyship took fancy
10 him. declared him To be young man
fun of promise. who deserved encourage
ment. and engaged him TO travel with the
Honorable Tom. more or less. as Forres-
ter himself said. as n Keeper.
All these stages in his life he hastily
but clearly recalled. and now he had come
TO a critical period in his career.
The newspaper brought by Graham
North informed Forester that one OBJ
STAGE between him and high fortune mad
been removed. This corrOboratcd BY a
short letter from his mother. who added
a few particulars 10 the bare announce
ment Of his young kinsman's death In the
Times" at seems to be Gods Will that
Won should succeed to the property of
your grand uncle. The poor boy, his son.
never had good health and the quarrels
and separation OF father and mother de-
p~ived him OF the sort OF tranquil happy
home so necessary for a nervous irritable
creature. such as l am told Reginald Lisie
was Godfrey has now been so long lost
To sight that IL is quite absurd TO suppose
he is stiil alive. / think we may hope
that vou ere long succeed TO the inheri-
tance Of my ancestors. ! hear that my
Uncle Marmaduke is failing fast. He IS
now some years past eighty. and the loss
- his son has been great blow
she makes much too sure thought
FORESTER as he recalled the contents Of
this letter. Il feel that Godfrey Lisle is
by no means out Of the running and |
have a strong conviction that ! could put
my hand on him. Put my hand-it IS a
curious phrase and suggests strange
thoughts: from the day / noticed the de-
VICE on Mac;ier's ring felt had a clew.
Had Il not been for this J should not
! have dreamed Of looking for Godfrey in
Z Africa: Australia or America would have
1 been more attractive places Of refuge but
I there are points about this elephant
Z smasher' which remind me of the young
Z swell | used 70 hate and envy. wish
had known his voice. that is often 4
reminder"
Tie shifted his seat little 10 get a
I better view Of North's face. ''Of cour Sc
ten years make a great difference. lie
E was 4 smooth faced boy when | saw him
+ last: now he has a beard, but the brow
and eyes are Geoffrey's and when he
smiles the likeness Is striking. He s
+ M common man. Then when St Maur
I was talking about the triumphs of the
/ Marlborough colt he laughed and admit
I ted he had lost considerably on that race
/ in which the favorite was so unexpected
I lv beaten remember IL was reported
Z that GeOnrey Lisle had also lost very
{ heavily. IL IS a strange position, a chance
/ shot might clear the road for me! one
on St Maur's random shots might do ;ht
/ tricks"
/ His thoughts grew confused. all sorts
1 Of possibilities thronged his brain, TIL by
| an effort he fixed his mind on what seem
ed 10 him the first necessity OF his pre-