Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-03-14
CHAPTER IIL-(Continued.)

.aIl
had unexpectedly arisen between him and
her. which effectually shut her out from
al hopes of future happiness. She re-
turned his betrothal ring, and begged him
to try and forgive her, though she could
never forgive herself for one single act
of foolishness which had caused the pres
ent trouble.
Langdale carefully read the fathers
letter, and then handed it back to him.
what do You think now?" asked the
old man TREMENDOUSLY, for he had been
greatly affected by Aiinnie's protesta-
lions of undying love for her betrothed.
Il think as l did before" replied the
earl. without the slightest hesitat ton.
There is some strange mystery here
which can only be solved By Minnie hcr
self. but that there is any shame at
taehed to it | refuse to believe. Through
some mistaken sense of honor or dutg
she has fled. but do not fear-we shall
soon bring her back. Do you know
whether she went out at all yesterday 2"
by the Lord Harry, Langdale! you
were talking just now Of private detec-
tives, and | believe you are as good as
one yourself. | remember l wanted to
speak to her on some little matter yes
terdav afternoon, and | told Lefty to 60
and find her. She failed to do so. and,
in fact, Minnie had not returned at tea
time. and when she did come in, she
looked very pale and tired, and, pleading
a headache, went straight up to her room
and locked herself in."
1T was then she received the informa-
ton that caused her flight" the earl said
decisively. "Do you know whether size
received any letters yesterday"
None that | am aware of, except tie
one from your lordship."
Look here, Merton, stop that! We
are going TO work together in this bust
ness, and we will have no titles, if you
please. I believe Minnie has made mis-
take, and, thinking her duty to you and
to me has called upon her to make this
sacrifice, has gone away with no other
object in view than to save us from
trouble and pain. 1t must be for us TO
undeceive her and bring her back. Our
first step must be to inquire of the serv-
ants at Hcathcotc as to any visitors call
ing yesterday, and if they saw Minnie"
Merton nodded his acquiescence, but he
shared not in the slightest degree in the
young nobleman's hopeful view OF the
case
He saw nothing before him but shame
and disgrace. and groaned in spirit at
the thought that this should have been
brought about by his adored daughter.
The earl left the farmer buried in these
gloomy thoughts but he presently re-
Joined him, mounted on his favorite
covert hack.
The two then started for Heathcote,
and the house servants were examined
one after the other separately, but each
adhered to the same story-they had seen
10 visitors yesterday, except the usual
callers, who had come to see the farmer
on business.
The Earl of Langdale elected one fact.
however, which he considered of great
Importance namely, that their young
mistress had not expressed any intention
Of going out during the earlier part Of
the day, and Lefty asserted she had not
helped her to dress.
1--WE must now question the men,"
Lancdale said dccisively. ut is evident
she has received some message calling
her hastily inside the house, she must
have received it outside
The first man questioned, who was
Josh Failow. the old gardener, showed
that he was right.
The old man was somewhat circum-
locutory in his replies, but told suf-
fciently comprehensive story.
He had seen Miss Minnie in the
orchard, and had seen Master Roderick
Crowther come up to her. No-he could
rot be mistaken; he had known Master
Crowther since he was no higher than his
-Joshua's-knee and though he was
browner than when he had last seen him,
and wore fine Lunnon clothes, he could
70 TX al
Miss Minnie and her cousin talked to-
gether for some time, but he could not
hear what was said, though the young
mistress seemed to get very angry, and
at last pointed to the gate and stamped
her foot. Master Crowther then went
away, and shortly afterwards Miss Min
nie arose from her seat and entered the
house.
THAT is all we can discover at pres
ent," Langdale said, turning TO Merton.
This young man, Crowther, evidently
holds the key to the mystery. He is a
relation of yours"
Nephew of my wife. I never liked
the young fellow, though his brother is
one Of the right sort, or was, until he
took to horse-racing and gambling. AT
enc time l had thought"
He stopped short, and blank look of
eismay crept into his face as he remem-
bered that tour through the Scottish
highlands of two years ago, when Minnie
and her cousins had been thrown so much
together. Carried away by the romantic
nature of the scenery and its associa-
tons, Minnie might have been led into
entering into some bond or pledge with
enc Of them, and hearing of her intended
marriage with the Earl of Langdale,
Rodcrick had tried to blackmail her. for
The farmer believed the younger of the
two brothers capable of any villainy
short of murder
Langdale eyed him closely.
You said you at one time thought"
Il scarcely know what am saying and
thinking, my lord. l am simply distract
ed, If you have lost prospective wife,
1 have lost a dearlyloved and only
Though the first detectives in the land
were employed, no tidings Of Minnie Mer-
TONS whereabouts were received, and
nope, which had first buoyed up the earl,
G.. IL.