The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-14


who says he is the son of an elder
brother?"
Rosa's face fell. Then she recov-
cred herself and said: Its not true,
of course. It's some impostor. Don't
you think so? Doesn't the lawyer
think SOP
II don't know yet" said Beatrice.
Inquiries are being made, believe,
now"
ooh, don't believe there's anything
in it," said Rosa, anxiously, evidently
in much concern at the possibility of
losing her already weak claim to the
title she was using. Hes got heaps
of money, and he can -overpower any
claimant rightful or wrongful by that
and nothing else." .=
You do Lord Catherington great
quite angrily. "Ie would never at
| tempt to dispute real claim; he
would give way at once. The only
question with him is to be sure that
! the man is really his brothers son."
| Rosa shrugged her shoulders con-
temp lousy.
| FIRED was always fool!" she said.
That is why I couldn't stand him
long
Beatrice said nothing but the wom-
ans insolent contempt for one so
infinitely her superior as the man she
| lldu ueCClFeu, IcpcIlCu d1iu u1SS uotCu
her. There was never a sign Of
penitence or regret about Rosa for her
treatment. Of this man who had loved
her so we'll. She was filled only with
the one thought of grasping every
smallest advantage in the combat
which she had undertaken.
1t was on the evening of the. same
day that Beatrice, sitting alone in her
little schoolroom when Ermyn was in
bed, looking out at the scarcely dis
cernible line or sea, fancied she saw
q faint light in the plantation on the
left. Very dim it was, but her eye
sight was keen, and she felt enough
curiosity and uneasiness about the
sight to resolve to make investiga-
tons on the following morning.
So when she took Ermyn out with
her for the usual morning walk in the
grounds, she strolled in the direction
Of the wood, and turned into q path
which led to little chalet which the
late Lord Catherington had had erect.
ed in the midst Of the trees.
Before it was a clump Of evergreens
which made the outlook green all the
Iyear round, but which did not hide the
view Of the sea from the upper floor
Of the fantastic little building. Around
it were American oaks, still greer
; amidst the surrounding bare branches
of beech and birch-tree.
Beatrice looked at the window
doubtfully, wondering whether ther'
was any living person within the wallis
One of the upper windows looked a.
if it had been roughly cleaned ant
even as she watched she saw some
thing moving behind it. With a star
she clutched Ermyns hand NOR
! tightly and turned to run away will
: a sudden fear that it might be tn
l mad artist who had taken up hi
| abode at this convenient distance from
l | the mansion.
: But she had not gone many step
away when her courage returned, an
something, instinct rather than rea
! son, urged her to go back again. TAX
}. ing the little one in her arms, there
v fore, she hurriedly retraced her steps
/ and, afraid Of her heart failing he
: again, dashed thru the stragglin
r went boldly in.
The lower floor contained only on
r large room, which was fitted with rus
d tic benches, chairs and tables, an
: had never been used during the reig
h of the present viscount.
d But Beatrice and Errnyn had bee
:, inside before out Of curiosity, and ha
penetrated by way Of the outside stat
d case, which led to the upper floor, a
: far as the best ROOM which was f1tte
K up as plain study, with a couple {
bookcases, a cretonne-covered couch
u writing table and some chairs
e There was fireplace, too, and til
floor was covered by a carpet an
t, rugs, and altogether it had a comfort
e able tho shabby appearance which til
e lower room had not.
Ermyn, when she found herself ir
e side the door, tried to drag her moths
a back.
mo, no, not in here. Me no yik
= zis woorn. Me go up 'tairs," said SIN
"Bee take me up 'tairs."
e She wanted the amusement Of climb
n ing UP the outer staircase, as she ha
q done once before. But Beatrice ha
d caught the sound Of the cracking
a fire and now, quite sure that her su!
E. picions were justified, she was seize
e with sudden alarm, and only anxio,
Il to run away as fast as possible.