The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-18

been wired for - room - Doctor James
pronounced the case hopeless: but trains
were few and far between to the small
East Anglican station. which was the near
est railway communication with Kings
wood.
Jack. I am sure ysu ought not ~ talk
90 much"
TT doesn't matter now. Nina. you have
not promised ma darling: I an die easy
until I have your word: I should dread q
curse falling on my innocent children"
With those dark eyes. already glazed with
the dew OF death. looking straight into hers.
Lady Bellairs yielded. She gave the prom
~ise-perhaps at the time she meant to keep
1t. perhaps she did not realize then the in
tensity OF her temptation.
Il know you will not fail me-" said Sir
John; "a promise to the dead Is always sa-
cred: and you. my darling. are the soul of
honor! Kiss me. Nina"
She bent over him and kissed him. He
little guessed the agony Of suspense raging
at her heart. The train BY which Mr.. Bax-
ter was expected must already have reached
barley. Sir Johns dog-cart. with the fleet
est horse in tho stables. had been sent to
meet him. Would he reach Kingswood
Place In time?
Seven miles, but the roads were level and
In good condition.: the horse was q thorough
bred. and the groom had been urged to
timer
breathed Sir John plaintiveiy. Nina, you'll
not let them forget mer'
NO. dear, nor
The two eldest girls were at school in
Bournemouth. the three little onesf' had
gone into seaside lodgings with the nurses
only the day before. Sir John and his wife
had Intended to pay them q visit Of inspec-
ton on the morrow. before leaving for
Switzerland. None Of the children had been
summoned to their father's deathbed; Bar
bara and Marjory could not have arrived In
time; the little ones were too young. In
their mothers idea. to see painful scenes.
Nina. will he never come? II must be
late"
He might be here any minute. dear"
My lady held her breath. Very family at
FIRST. then more clearly. the sound Of wheels
fell on her ear; another minute and she
caught sight Of the dog-cart, the gallant
gray almost flying through the air.
Mr.. Baxter has come. Jack" she said
simply. going back to her husbands side.
while q pain like q sharp knife pierced
through her heart, for she felt. the lawyers
being in time would mean dire poverty for
her children.
The butler must have gathered something
of his masters anxiety. for he gave the
no time to ask q question. but hur-
ried him upstairs. He came into the large,
airy room. where the Tune sunlight fell full
on the worn. yearning face Of the dying
man. He took Sir Johns hand in his. The
Baronet tried to speak. but It was too late:
only six words escaped him: my child-be
good to heri" Then. with q sudden failure
Of the hearts action, his head fell back:
his message to Caleb Baxter remained I'M
spoken. That which lag 30 still and mo-
on the pillow was not Sir John, but
the mere outer shell which had held his
soul.
Mr.. Baxter remembered later that Lady
calm amazed him. She did not
utter q regret or shed . single tear. She
by the bed and looked on the dead
man almost as though he had been a stran-
ger instead Of her own husband: then. with
out . word from Mr.. Baxter, she left the
room.
The butler. who had been with Sir John
ever since he inherited Kingswood Place
took on himself the cares Of Hospitality. He
Mr.. Baxter to the room prepared
for him. and intimated that supper would
be ready whenever he came downstairs. Ny
lady had dispensed with dinner. but she had
refreshments to be repaired for Mr..
on his arrival.
The title goes to Lionel Bellairs," said
he lawyer. II never thought Of It before.
always believed Sir John would live to a
rood old age"
TIT next morning MI. Baxter had an au-
Hence with Lady Bellairs. He had never
liked his clients wife; there was
'omsthing too imperious about her to please
him, but lie felt sorry for her now. She was
ieadly pale: there were dark circles under
Ter eyes: she looked a. though she had not
Ilept for weeks; even her voice III Q hol-
ow. unnatural sound.
Il depend upon you entirely. Mt. Baxter"
he said sadly. You were in my husbands
and know all his affairs; he
would never tell me much about business
There was 1--WE hundred q year
ettled on me at time of our marriage. us
viii has not been altered since our boys
leath. % many Of its provisions will b
"As a fact" said Mr.. Baxter gravely, Sir
ohm had very little to dispose Of BY will.
<lngswood Place and everything II contains
the whole estate and its r~evenues-ars en-
allied and must pass to your eldest daugh-
er. She will be a very rich woman, but
Ter sisters are utterly unprovided for till
our death. when the capital from which
our ~jointure Is derived will be divided
qualify between them"
You must send out the Invitations for the
%uneral." she said. q little coldly. II sup
the new Baronet must be askedr'
TT would be a slight to pass him over"
Il have never seen him." said Lady Bel
airs. but I know ny husband disapproved
{ him strongly"
Lionel Bellairs had no private means and |
70 relations to lend him . helping hand
aid Mr.. Baxter gravely. so he went into
Sir John thought he lost caste in do
Nc SO. and quarreled with him. I tbink
nyself II was Drawer than to live BY his
/,
well. you had better invite him." said !
.ady Bellairs coldly. Il hope he won't use
is title in the shop"
There Is no shop" explained Mr.. Barter.
trade I meant that he was engaged I'm
large Wholesale house in the city, He Is
y no means a wealthy man. but he earns
nough to keep him In quiet comfort" /,