Evening journal., 1903-03-10

Il
Mary gayly. ''lIe is weaving web
round that little table in the corner, and
Monsieur the Newcomer is just about to
step into it. / wonder what possibilities
Major Wallace sees in him. Do look,
Zeilie."
But Mrs. Brandon, austere by virtue of
her chaperonage at table d'hote time, re-
fused to glance in the direction of the
corner or betray any compromising inter-
est in the two men.
'IIe is asking the Englishman-I am
sure he is English-something about the
evening paper" pursued Lady Mary.
Just the same plan that he adopted
with us, Zeflie, the night we arrived.
And the other man is Offering to let him
have it. The major refuses-he merely
wants to look at one paragraph; the man
persists-the major suggests sharing it,
over their coffee and cigar. He is sit
ting down at the table; he is going TO
tell the stranger who every one else is;
they are getting quite sooiable-the
thing is donel Presently he will intro
duce his new friend TO us"
And she laughed mischievously at the
CONSERVATION in Mrs. Brandons face.
For, though the duties of chaperon had
never been less arduous or more wholly
pleasant than in this little continental
tour with Lady Mary Tyrrel, there We're
elements of danger and responsibility
connected with the charge of the duke of
Barminster's only daughter that kept
Mrs. Brandon in a continual state of un-
rest. Lady Mary was of daring, uncon-
ventional mood, and this, coupled with
English good looks at their best, and a
fascination inherited from her wayward
ancestress, known as the "Sprightly
Duchess" created complications at every
turn.
"If Major Wallace ventures 10 take
such a liberty" said Mrs. Brandon, anX-
iously, 81 hope you will snub him, Mary.
"There is no such word as 'snub' in the
Spiders dictionary" replied her ladyship,
"He is like an India rubber ball-the
p harder you strike him the higher he
bomccs."
The description was an apt one. Many
people had tried to shirk Major Wallace's
attentions, without success. lie was
hail l-fellow-wel-m with all the elect
who came to the Mountain Hotel of Les
Suivants, and as he had the tact never
to pursue them home to England-wherc
peoples memories are conveniently un-
certain about travelling acquaintance
ships-hc managed to evade the cut di-
rect.
At this moment, leaning forward con-
fidcntially toward the tall brown young
man opposite, he was saying; "You
= come from Australia. That is rather sin
: gular; | am prosecuting some inquiries
, there, on behalf of a friend of mine, al
this very time l wonder if you could
help me in any way"
The new arrival signifed readiness tC
assist and~Major Wallace, with an earn
estness that for once was not simulated
went on: IF it won't bore you, I'll tel
q you about it. My friend, an invalid, whC
= is staying here, is on of the lookout for q
= missing grandson. He is n wealthy man
e belongs to the Chesire branch of Cur
{. tices, and now he finds himself, in his ole
= age, without an heir. IL was the usua
story. Rich, stern father-prodigal only
contemporaries, threats, eliminating OF
the lads twenty-first birthday, in &
stormy scene. Old Curtice denounced
him as liar, n spendthrift and forger
and the boy shook the dust of his faith
er's house from his feet and swore he
would never enter it again. Now, aftei
/ years of loneliness, the old man desires
reconciliation, and has spont a smal
: fortune hunting his son. The net result
of the search is that young Curtice wenl
! to Melbourne, from there upcountry TO ;
: district called Peluan, settled and mar
ried and died there, leaving one child
The widow and the boy left soon after
and have completely disappeared. 1t i
, the boy we want"
Il have never been to Peluan," was tn
answer, "and have only stayed in Mel
1 bourne occasionally. / don't remembe
! meeting any one called Curtice."
\ "Ihe boy would be a man of 25 now,
said Major Wallace; about your owl
age, and, if he is like his father, tall
1. | brOwn-eyed and brown-haircd. / hav
4 seen a photograph"
Then he leaned closer and looked close
at his vis-a-yis.
r IF it's not impertinent, may l AS
$ your name? 2" he said.
a "Walford-John Walford"
"Walfordl That is rather curious;
was Miss Walford whom John CurtiC
8 married. What was your mother
e maiden name2"
n 81 have no idea. She died when wa
" only eight, and 1 went straight t
school"
"And your fatherf"
IS "AIy father died when l was baby,
l. believe
Ie The major started.
of 1T is most singular" he said slowl,
"but now l come to look at you, / 81
that you are very like the photograph ,
" John Curtice. Would you have any ol
l. lection to my introducing you TO NJ
lie Crtice?"
Id 'Not the least but Pm afraid shan
as be of any use TO him, for 1 know notl
ing about my relatives"
&c lie began to look a little bored, and h
s. cigar was finished.
~ The major, careful always to avoid
40