Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25

packet conflded to his care and labeled,
one e' 10 pc sven to any one save mys s Q,
know that De Burgh was u,srried at the
time. so he kept the parcel
Anyhow, We talked 1t over, and the up
shot was we opened the parcel and there
we found a full confession OF everything;
so We are just on a road of velvet. l have
taken the liberty of appointing Nichols
your solicitor In eighteen months you'll
be. OF age and entitled to paddle your own
canoe: till then-rnay I ask for a glass Of
waterf My throat is as dry as chip with
talking"
I'm sure my Oracle would never be so
ungrateful to the family We have served
so long as to rob Captain de Burgh of his
birthright.' said Grannie. solemnly and
TREMENDOUSLY.
why, bless your soul, ma am" cried the
doctor, sure she Is the family herself; and
remember, she owes duty to her dear
dead mother"
II am too dazed to speak" said Grace.
Il cannot believe that these lands and
woods, the great house, the horses and
carriages, everything can be mine. II
makes me tremble. But whoever and what
ever am, you will always be my own dear
Grannie." embracing the old woman
Seldom has q case been dwelt on with
more excitement and interest In society
than the de Burgh succession. II was soon
decided-as the object was only to prove
publicly and satisfactorily that Grace de
Burgh was the heiress of Thoresby.
After matters had become public Grace
and Mrs. Norton came to London to avoid
the gossip and wonder of their surround
ings at Thoresby. DR.. Macdermot acting as
guide. philosopher and friend.
You are not going to foreign parts with
out saying goodbye to the Lady of Thores-
by" he exclaimed one morning when he
had called on Ashton and found him pack
ing. Faith, you are the queerest fellow
ever knew. She'll be hurt-blt.eriy hurt
II you do not go to see her. Do you know
l am not at all pleased with her state Of
health. She Is pale and thin-nervous and
in depressed condition. Come along and
tell me what you think Of her"
''Oh, she doesn't want to see me-"
How do you know? You come with me-
What do you think she has been and gone
How can teu?'
Thrown twenty thousand to the dogs, no
less-to the dogs-or rather to one puppy.
She pays all De Burgh's debts. and gives
him tr:fe to begin again on. He has ex-
changed from the guards to a regiment
going to India
Has her exclaimed Ashton, in great
surprise. Il anticipated his succeeding to
Thoresby by right matrimonial. 1 am GER
Miss de Burgh."
And small blame to him. Come. get
your hat, man."
Ashton opened his lips to say no." but
that dfsagreeable monosyfable refused to
come. He therefore obeyed in silence
The sitting room was unoccupied when
they were shown up to Miss de Burgh's
apartments In well-known hotel. and
Ashton, looking round. noticed that this
only temporary abode in a hotel-there
was homelike look about the room.
In few minutes Grace entered She was
very simply dressed. but her frock fitted
and suited the wearer admirably.
Am a snob," Ashton asked himself, ito
think her more distinguished than she used
to be? No, she is really. It's careful dress
ing and complete certainty of her position
But how white and nervous she looks. All
and sweeter than ever"
And you are going to desert us?'' she
was saving. Where are you going, Mr..
Ashton?'
Il do not exactly know-somewhere along
the borderland of Russia and Circassio-al-
most every country is hackneyed now"
wish you would not go. Mr.. Ashton
exclaimed Grace, playing nervously with
the tassel Of the sofa cushion, against
which she leant.
II cannot fatter myself that my going or
staying can make much difference to YOU"
4 hate to part with friends-true friends
Why do you rank me so high? How have
l proved myself?"
by Offering to share the smiles that for
tune bestowed upon you with me-your in
ferior in social rank and in many other
things Also
Because I was greedy to secure the
greatest prize life could give me-"
oh, do you think SO still? Oh. Dick. do
you not will you not understand me?'
My God, Grace! What do you mean?
You are above coquetry and vanity-what
am to understands
When l seemed a poor, humbly born
girl you offered me the best you had Now
the wheel has turned-thoush you can
never be anything but gentleman. And
am rich in all things save one Will you,
Dick, will you supply the deficiency? I
I want your"
My love-my jswel-it is-it has always
been yours since first we met"
(The end.)