Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-09-04

to, they would not hesitate to pronounce
it a vile SANDER. And yet ! don't tike
his concealing the matter from you"
HE might not know It,"
81 am sorry to say that ! am certain
that he did know it, The letter contain
ing the information, which ! received
from England yesterday, more than hints
that he would not have been in such a
hurry to return but for the prospect of
an carldom."
did you ever see the Lady ITester2'
Eyes, hundreds of times"
SIS she handsome"
Handsome isn't word expressive
enough to apply to a person Of Lady
Hester's style"
Are her eyes and hair the color OF
yours"
Both are as black as midnight"
At this moment, for she thought Of
Harleigh's words when he gave her the
opal, Alice involuntarily raised her hand
to her neck and found 1t was not there.
ut is gone, Mildredr' she exclaimed.
what shall / dor
what is gomez"
1.-THE opal"
"Wel you needn't look so frightened,
and turn so white. We will return the
same way we came and search for it,"
The search was, OF course "a vain one.
Mildred, who, at first, made a great show
Of assisting her, soon grew impatient and
left Alice to prosecute 1t alone. She
went over the ground many time, and, at
last returned to the house. weary and
disheartened. Mildred met her at the
door
Have you found it'll" she inquired
| Alice shook her head. Before she had
time to reply they were joined by Gilbert
Falkland.
you have made your appearance quite
OPPORTUNITY" said Mildred. 81 was
| just thinking that my walk home would
be rather lonely, but now | shall expect
you to accompany me-"
1T shall be most happy to be at your
service" replied Falkland.
Alice did not, ms usual invite Mildred
to come again soon. Her mind was in
state to cause her to feel nearly indif-
ferent as to whether she came or not. 1t
might be in consequence of Harleigh's
caution, but, for the first time, she expe-
riepced towards her a vague feeling of
distrust.
Mildred. accompanied by Falkland,
proceeded in silence till they were out
of sight Of the house. She then stopped
and looked cautiously round in every di-
rection.
Here is something for you," said she,
taking the opal from her pocket.
This is Harleigh's love token you told
me about"
yes"
nIJnur ala vDt, rot
"Oh, / set my wits to work, and now
that | have given it into your keeping
you must set yours to work, so that it
may serve the double purpose of promot-
ing your interest and mine"
Don't fear; nothing will be easier. a
single glimpse of it in my hands will
make Harleigh so rabid with jealousy
that he will foam at the mouth"
II have already succeeded in making
Alice jealous of him"
How
"You know that the eccentric Lady
Hester Deighton, at one time, took such
fancy to him that she importuned the
king to make an earl of him. Well,
mentioned the circumstance to Alice to
) day, and represented it in such way
that she supposes her to be young and
as beautiful as an angel"
"Why, she is old enough to be his
grandmother. She took it in her head
to adopt Harleigh to supply the place OF
a son she had lost-did she nOt?"
"Yes, and happening one day, in hunt
ing over some musty parchments, to find
that in the time of William the Conquer
or there was an earl in the family, she
wished to have the title revived for Har
leighs benefit"
but like many of her other whims, il
) lasted only few weeks, I've been told
1t is an old affair-her Partially to Har
leigh How came you to think of resus
Chatting it?"
"Why, in letter which | received yes
terday from England, the old lady''
: name was mentioned, which recalled i
to my mind
at had letters by the same ship which
brought yours, and one of them contains
important information which has decide,
me to return to England the first chance
Look at this
"Well, | see roll of parchment
8, "a peep at the inside will reveal 4
you its Importance
q ",The late Mr.. Burlington's will in ia
yor of Alice Dale. How came 20" b.
: tit"
:. 81 was helped to it-no matter how
;, nor by whom
t CTo be continued.)