The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-15
CHAPTER Y.

As health n strength came back. 30
did curiosity as to my entertainers wake
once more in my breast.
One afternoon I was sitting in my cush-
Toned chair in the old porch. and the soft
air from the sea was like wine to me. Near
me. Miss Margret sat at her spinning
wheel. and the little maid played out on the
bit Of g~reensward which fronted the house.
with her doll and a little gray kitten
Mimi. as she called 1t. which was an es-
pecial pet.
Miss Margret." I said. as I sat watching
.her sweet face AZ she bent over her wheel.
whose turning made q pleasant. sleepy
whirling in the still afternoon. Miss
Margret. you have never yet told me how
1t was that you and your little charge came
to this out-of-the-way place. You are not
Irishf" 4.
"No.' she said. smiling: 81 cannot claim
England. from a little seaside town. called
Hastings"
From Hastingsr' I answered. with a
start. 'Perchance you may know q lad
called David Bossum!"
David Bossum!" she exclaimed. David
Bossum! Then he is not dead-crueliy MUIR
dered. as we fearedr'
Surely not" I Did, 'unless the storm
treated him more hardly than it did me.
for he was well and hearty when We parted.
10th enough We were to seperate. Cod
knows. but twas thought we'll for him to
remain with my lord aboard the frigate
while I came with the poor ship whose
fragments still strew yon black rocks"
MY lord" she said, repeating my words,
what lord speak you off,
MY lord. the Earl Of Mountbrendon." I
answered. Then did she stare at me quite
as II stupehed. and 60 sat down again. for
she was all of a tremble.
1.-THE Earl Of Mountbrendon!' she said
slowly. What Earl Of Mountbrendon? For
this house belongs to an Earl Of Mount
brendon. and he II was sent US here. using.
I grant you. much deceit In 30 doing. zee
an evil man-but stfll he said he knew
naught OF David. who went to London on
the little maids business. then digap-
peared and hath never been heard Of again.
But IL indeed he really lives. and you have
been 80 long with him. hath Ne never
spoken OF his cousin Meg. and the little
maid his father brought home from
France?"
"Oh! what d dott I have BEEN I cried
AZ light flashed In upon newly did I
never guess the riddle!~
Now just As I had ended. the little maid
came running toward us crying. Meg.
Meg. look At the beautiful Ship and %
following with our eyes the direction Of
her little pointing finger. ~ were aware
of q vessel. brig fissed. but Of foreign q.
pect. which had Just rounded the prom
--ezs- ..a -o. >ln<S e. nhn~.
They mean to lana III the cove below
cried Miss Mafsfet. '.Who can II be!'
Then she ran back into the house ana
brought out an old perspective glass, and
letelcd 1t as the boat came nearer. I saw
her cheek grow pale. ''God help u.s." she
murmured. looking At me with . consterna-
ted air. at b the Eari-our Earl+ths trail
tor. He u coming here.
ais It SOP I answered. 'HThen see here
will not hay . word about my impr.s-
Unfnent. Keep silent. Miss Marsret. and
I will tell Tom to be 20 hkewise-Ah! here
omes Il wit be well to walk with eau
tion among thfs coil. for your Earl IL q
dangerous man. ana doth not stick at half
n%aeasures!'
HE ID indeed 4 dangerous man. che re-
piled. FOR 1t WIS With deceit ne brought US
here. I had never coma 20 far from help
had It not been 20. But I must go to warn
the household II his approach. Stay you
with Monsieur George" she said to the lit
tie maid. '.afd b. very wise n greet his
c~oufteously."
The child'S face fell as she came and
stood by me. catching my hand In hers.
which was q way she had. But she hung
head a little and pouted her soft lips. /
IT do not love Monsieur Milo.d," she an
swered.
Never mind. chere petite" said Miss
Margret, that does rot matter. Remember
you are a little lady of noble birth. and so
must behave nobly. :Noblesse ObliRe'-re-
that always. for its a good mot
to-"
Thus We waited. the child and I. ana
We heard low voices talking to-
and then. coming round the angle
" the house.. appeared two men. one OF
whom I recognised with IN irreprsssibie
tart. for II was none other thar Captain
0'Brien-our saoler ct Qulmper; the other
knew at once from Dayid's description to