Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-12-30


manned so late at the one which he had
attended, in the hope that his presence
might prove something of a check upon
the younger men.
Maurice said he'd be up by half
past ten, Blandon went on, hastily,
Ito finish the picnic arrangements,
which were left a bit undecided last
night. He ought to be along present
ly if he hasn't oversight himself"
The servants had been dismissed
during the slow conclusion of the in
/ formal meal, but as Blandon complet-
ed his sentence the butler appeared on
the threshold, his eyes looking very
large and frightened, and his face as
white as though he had belonged to
the class which INDUCES in emotion.
"Oh, sir-,Mr. Palgrave!" he STAN
mered May l take the liberty of ask
| ing to see you-to speak with you
moment outside. I wouldn't disturb
you, but I'm afraid it. something
serious. sir"
Blandon jumped up from the table
and hurried out, after word OF ex-
cuse. closing the door behind him.
Nobody spoke. though all looked
vaguely troubled. The buffers sensa-
ton would probably prove to be of the
most ordinary kind; still, the express
sion of the wel-trained and elderly
countenance had undeniably been ON
! inous.
Five minutes passed, and then a
fottman entered to inquire if Sir James
Clancarden would kindly go to Mr..
Blandon Palgrave in his fathers study
THE picnic arrangements are upset
Or perhaps poor Mr.. Palgrave's rheu-
, mbtaism IS worse" suggested Lady
Clancarden. 1T can't be anything
very dreadful, you know, in this quiet
place. Come Anne, shall we step out
into the garden?"
They were now alone at the table,
and Anne obeyed, half reluctantly
Slowly they strolled down to the sum-
mer house, where the girl hal sat the
evening before with the Duke. AS
they entered, under the curtain of trail
ing creepers that fell over the door,
she thought OF the evil eye" with
the red CLEAN at IT'S heart She had
placed it in her poahct, gathering it.
with its gold chain, hastily from the
dressing table when she had left her
room half an hour ago. She had been
unwilling to wear it round her neck,
under her gown. as the Duke had re-
quested her to do, yet had hesitated
to leave it lying in its case Now a
strong curiosity suddenly seized her
as to how the opal was looking. OF
course, the red light had been a mere
matter of reflection, and yet She
put her hand in her pocket, and touch
ing the jewel, was ready to draw it
forth, when an exclamation from Lady
Clancarden arrested the impulse
20 Anne" she calculated. I'm
afraid something really is the matter,
after all. James is looking for us
he has bad news, can tell by his face"
She moved hastily from the window
OF the summer house where she had
been sitting, and stood in the doorway,
that her husband might see her
What has happened. James," she
asked. before he had time to joint her
What are you going to tell me?
Nothing wrong at home?-oh, don't
say that the boys
mo, no." he answered. almost i'm
patiently. Anne, my poor girl
don't know how to say what I must
say-how to break it to you"
The rich, scarlet color faded from the
|, girls lips, as it invariably did with
any emotion which she strove to hide:
but she held herself bravely. and her
voice was under absolute control as
she answered:
Don't try to break IT to me- at all,
please, Sir James Whatever it is.
can bear it better If it is said quickly"
"The Duke --" he began. stamItcr-
ingly. News has Just come which
which gives us cause to fear"
We'll, Sir james? 1t hurts me if
you keep me in suspense"
81 know know I'm getting through
it clumsily. my poor child. But the
truth is, his boat. the dinghy in which
he came over here, and was to have
gone back in to the Mischief last night.
has been found floating bottom up
wards. below the Wier OF course,
there's hope yet-but, there's only too
much reason to fear that terrible ac-
cident happened to him on the way
home"
Anne had been standing when the
story was begun. but at the last. she