Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-03-28

lily TO another part of France. With
in month We heard of Lillian's
death; but | believe the child buried
as Uncle Franks daughter was really
Beryl Lindon."
you mean he changed the chill
dren?"
Harold nodded.
Blu it would be impossible! How
coulo he pass off child of seven for
baby of three?"
I'VE don't know that he did. He
placed the little girl in the care of a
country doctor some time after her
mothers death; but there is no tell
ing what age he gave her. Mother,
don't you STE this explains so much?
Aunt Nina never guessed his hateful
plot. She died believing it was her
own child, Lillian Dynevor, who would
grow up heiress of the Manor. She
could have had very little to leave,
that little she naturally bequeathed to
her husband. The phrase all my real
and personal property was no doubt
his choice. If Lillian had been alive
he would have inherited only little
ready money, in spite of that high
sounding phrase; with Lillian dead,
he took everything"
1T would be the blacklist sin | ever
heard Of" breathed Mrs. Dynevor.
Bridget Ransom nodded her head.
But he did it, ma'am. Why you've
only TO ask his housekeeper, or the
young lady herself, to hear he had no
love or affection for the poor girl he
called his daughter. He treated her
with open indifference, if not neglect.
Now the little child left in France
he simply worshlpped!"
Mother" said Harold, here come
the girls. You won't let Beryl think
she is less welcome because you know
her secret?"
Beryl and Kitty looked from one to
the other of the little group, bewil-
dered. 1t was Mrs. Dynevor who
spoke, and to Beryl.
MY dear" she said gently, MRS.
Ransom has come here chiefly to see
you. She has heard a great deal of
you from Mrs. Markham, and so
have learned your real name and the
link between u.s."
And can you forgive me for being
my fathers daughter?'
your father, unless We all mistake,
was my brother-in-law, Frank Dyne-
vor. My dear, Mrs. Ransom lived with
your mother for years. She is ready
to swear that you are not and cannot
be, Beryl Lindon; We think you are
my niece, Lillian"
"She is her mothers image" said
Mrs. Ransom; 'and, though it is not
compliment to say so, she looks
older than eighteen. Twenty-Five at
Christmas would be Miss Lillian's
age"
The girl who had so long thought
herself Beryl Lindon burst into tears.
Then it was not dream that ]
had played in the deserted nursery
at the Manor, that | had had a frock
like the one in the picture, and Pet
was my own name after ALI"
Mrs. Ransom accepted the hospital
ity of Uplands for the night, and
telegram to Marion brought Mr.. Proc
tor to the farm before the FAMILY had
finished breakfast.
Il should play a game Of bluff" he
counselled, land tell Mr.. Linden you
have discovered his fraud. Most prob
oh ha,l Utra in ond cnnfacc
thing; otherwise, you'll have to go
first to Ponts-neufs, and see the doc
tor who attended the real Beryl Lin
don; then on to st. Jacent, where she
is reported to have died, and get
description of the child buried in her
practicing in the same townships the
task would be easy enough; if they
have moved on, and have to be traced
it might take long time; therefore,
as | say. l advise a game of bluff"
Mrs. Tanners supposed letter had
come by that mornings post; but that
also brought another from the gentle
widow herself, saying she was per-
suaded to prolong her stay another
week. Mrs. Dynevor would, she knew.
be pleased to keep Miss Linden, so
she hoped the change of plan would
be agreeable to every one.
Depend upon it," said Harold. "the
second letter came from Mrs. Wilmot,
and was written at Mr.. Lindon's re-
quest. He must have caught a glimpse
of you yesterday at the Manor, and
this is ruse to get you into his
hands"
Must | go?" she asked anxiously.
NO" said Mr.. Proctor; but Har-
old Dynevor, who is, ] believe, your
next-of-kin, will keep the appointment
at Woodlands in your stead. | shall
accompany him as his legal adviser,
and Mrs. Ransom will come, too, to
speak to her recollections of the real
Beryl Lindon."
Mr.. Linden had waited a good ten
minutes when the bell at Woodlands
rang loudly. Another moment and he
was confronted by the man he most
feared and disliked, and the woman
he recognized as his wIfe's devoted
attendant.
so you are Mrs. Tanner and the
note asking her governess to return
was a forgery" said Mr.. Proctor.
Sir" said Lindon haughtlly. 81
deny your right to interfere in my do
nestle concerns. l have come to East
hill to find my daughter, and remove
her from the society of my enemi'.! !"
Then Mr.. Proctor spoke. He was
so positive of Harold's suspicious be-
ing correct he felt justified in assum-
ing facts.
Your daughter is not in England,
Mr.. Lindon." he said curtly. we
have recently discovered your fraud.