The Holly chieftain., 1902-02-14


around her,
Just look what an object that
stupid" And there stopped the
young lady; for instead Of the house,
keeper and ladys maid. whom shs cx-
pected to meet, nobody was in the
room but gentleman-A tall hand
some man. She looked thunderstruck:
and then slowly advancing and star
ing at him as II not believing her
own eyes.
my goodness Gerard! Well. 1
should just as soon have expected to
meet the dead here"
How are you. Lady Frances!" he
said. holding out his hand with hesita-
tion.
Lady Frances! am much Obliged
to you for your formality. Lady
Frances returns her thanks to Mr..
Hope for his polite Inquiries" con-
tinued she in tone Of pique, and hon
oring him with swimming ceremony
Of courtesy.
He caught her hand Forgive me,
Fanny. but our positions are altered
at least mine US; and how did l know
that you were not?"
You are an ungrateful-raven,"
cried she. ito croak like that. After
getting me to write you no end Of let
ters and all the news about everybody,
beginning My dear Gerard and end
ing Your affectionate Fanny and be-
ing as good to you as sister, you
meet me with My Lady Frances!'
Now. don't squeeze my hand to atoms.
What on earth have you come to Eng
land for?"
II could not stop there" he returned
with emotion; "I was frettng away
my heartstrings. SO took my resolu-
tion and came back; guess in what
way, Frances, and what to do"
How should know? To call me
Lady Frances, perhaps"
"As clerk; clerk to earn my
bread. That's what I am now. Very
consistent. is 1t not. for one in my po-
sition to address familiarly Lady
Frances Chenevix?"
You never spoke grain Of sense
in your live, Gerard" she exclaimed,
peevishly. What do you msan!"
Mr.. Nethsrleigh has taken me into
his counting house." - =
"Nr. Netherleigh!" she echoed In
surprise. "What, with that-that -"
"That crime hanging over me. Speak
up. Frances"
mo; was going to say that doubt.
don't believe you guilty; you know
that, Gerard" 5
'I am in his house. Frances. and I
came up here tonight from the city to
bring . note from his partner. de-
clined any Of the reception rooms, not
caring to meet old acquaintances, and
the servants put me into this"
But you had mountain of debts
In England. Gerard, and were afraid
Of arrest" M
81 have managed that; they are go
ing to let me square up by Install
ments. Has the bracelet never been
heard Oft" M I.4
"Oh. that's gone for good; melted
down in caldron, as the Colonel calls
II, and the diamonds reset. 1t remains
mystery OF the past, and is never ex-
pected to be solved"
"And they will suspect me! What
is the matter with your dress7"
Matter enough" answered she. let
ting It down, and turning round for
his inspection II came here to get
1t repaired. Ny great BOBBY Of . part
ner did 1t for me-"
Fanny, how IL Alice Seatoni"
"You have cause to ask for her. She
ID dying"
Dying" repeated Mr.. Hope in
hushsd, shocked tone.
II do not mean actually dying this
night or going to die tomorrow; but
she ID dying by slow degrees. there Is
no doubt. 1t way be weeks on yet; l
cannot tell"
Where ID she?"
Curious to say, she 10 where you
left her-at Lady Sarah Hopes. Alice
could not bear the house after the loss
Of the bracslet, for she was 70 obstin-
ate and foolish a to persist that the
servants must suspect her even II
Lady Sarah did mot. She felt, and this
spring Lady Sarah saw her. and was
70 shocked At the change IN her, the
sxtsnt to which she had wasted away,
thxt she brought her TO town by main
force, and We and the doctors are try
Ing to nurse her up. It sesms Of NO
use." N