The Holly chieftain., 1903-04-03
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BY SEWARD W. HOPKINS.
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CHAPTER xIv.-(continusd. sd.)


CHAPTER xiv.-(continusd.)
We hurried on to Havre. Nita, Thor
lane and l, and took passage on La
Touraine for New York.
At my suggestion, Nita had engaged
q maid, and as she was an elderly,
sourvisaged female, she served every
purpose of chaperon as well as Of pre-
serving appearances.
Once in New York I sought the
major. found him at the club end he
nearly fell in q heap on the floor when
he beheld me.
by Gad!" he exclaimed. rushing to
me. wringing by hands, tears stream
ing down his face and his whole frame
trembling. "Dick! Wilberton. old fel-
= low. how did you do it? We heard
you were dead. you know"
Heard was dead, Ell? Well, I'm
lively dead man, major. I've got
] what went after, and more. too
Had all sorts Of adventures and mar
, row escapes. Brought back Maubi
keck. whose name is Henry Thorlane.
and Nita Barlotti. whose name is Alice
Graviscourt."
No. Cad! Is it so? Have you got
the proof?"
Proof enough. We must see Charles
Sigmotta at once. need another bit
of testimony from him, and then we'll
tackle Graviscourt and knock him
out"
showed the major the locket and
pin and read to him the statements of
Antonio Sigmotta and Dambo.
you returned just in time said
the major. grimly. THE wedding is
now surely ON the way. have learned
since you left the true inwardness of
Broughton's preference for Gravis.
court 1t seems that Broughton's
means are much more limited than we
have supposed, and he has from time
to time borrowed money from Gravis-
court, giving him mortgage on his
house as security. He has gone to the
wall financially, and Graviscourt
pushes his claim to Edith, promising
Broughton to cancel all debts the day
she becomes his bride. She held out
firmly until the news came that you
Lied in Sardinia of some fever. and
P'then the poor girl gave up the fight
and consented to be sacrifice to save
her father. But you are in time. boy
you are in time. Edith loves you
and you only. Do up Graviscourt and
the field is yours"
. What about Nita?" asked. "She
us now at the same hotel as Thorlane
and /, but 1t doesn't look just"
Not at all, boy; not at all. My sis
ter. Mrs. Dabner is just the one. She
will be glad to receive her as a guest,
and, of course, her wedding must be
in my sisters home. will see Nellie
at once"
True to his promise. the major saw
his sister, and she readily assented to
his plan. That evening Nita was es-
she remained until she became Mrs.
Henry Thorlane.
When left the club, / was hurry
ing through the street, when 10!
saw Edith Broughton coming toward
me. with a couple Of small packages
In her arms. And she was alone. My
death had freed her from all danger,
in Broughton's eyes, and she was now
allowed to go shopping alone. looked
about me hurriedly, and saw . door.
way that was somewhat dark and se.
cluded. ! waited near 1t, and when
Edith came up I seized her, whisked
her into that doorway, and proceeded
to hug and kiss her in fashion that
Partially recompensed me for the long
period OF waiting had undergone. At
first she was frightened nearly out Of
her wits. but when she realized who
1t was that had her fast, the darling
put her arms around my neck and met
me fairly half way. dropping her bun.
edles in her excitement.
"Dick! Darling Dick!" she cried.
They told me you were dead" Kisses.
Il don't look very dead. do l,
darling!" More kisses. Il have come
back to take You away from that fel.
low, Graviscourt. and NO nonsense
about 1t now, either. I've learned
courage since left New York, and
you will be my wife now II have to
kill Graviscourt and your respected
parents to get you!"
oh, Dick. darling, what an escape
I've had! II you'd been little later
Id have married him to save papa.
Oh! think Of 1t, Dick"
Don't do It. Think Of me. You
are sure you love me?"
"Oh, Dick!" reproachfulIly.