The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-05-11
BY M AUD SHIELDS.
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TOS ute, so the dishes were
sent away almost untaSted. Looking
up presently from reyerle into which
he had fallen. he met the servants
serious gaze. and, with a half smile,
rose, throwing his napkin on the table
It's 10 use Farrant; rm too tired
TO eat" he said.
Plunging both hands deeply into his
pockets. the doctor fell once more into
his reverie as he walked away slowly
to the library.
Left to his own reflections. Dr.
Trentham drew from his pocket n let
ter which he read by the light Of a
reading lamp. 1t was from his adopted
son. Dick Earle. a rising young lawyer.
between whom and the doctor the
strongest possible affection existed; it
was for this young man that the sec
ond place at dinner was always laid.
But instead OF Dick to-day had
come a letter. Il know" it ran. you
will he surprised TO hear that am
engaged to be married; It has all taken
place in a hurry, because she is un-
expectedly going away. ="
Aud then it transpired that "she" was
an actress, Eva Casillis. II will look
in OH you in the morning" the writer
concluded; land will then tell you
more"
With slight frown DR.. Trentham
replaced the letter in his pocket he
had hoped great things for Dick. who
would marry, Of course. some day
but an actress.
For some time the doctor sat mo-
tionless. gazing intcntly at the glowing
logs-for there were faces in the fire
tonight and memories gathered
round him with the dream OF bygonc
days.
First and foremost the memory of
a wOman-the only woman he had ever
desired to call wife. TIE day he had
wooed her came back. with quick
heartbeat and throbbing pulse. She
was in the bayfield, among the hay
makers-he recalled the turn of her
head as she looked round to greet him
with smile on her lips. His ideal
woman-then and forever She had
worn pink cotton frock that had just
the color of her rchpeks, and n sunbonnet
hung round her neck by the strings,
leaving her head with its curling
brown hair exposed to the sun.
One of the glowing logs fell from the
fire and the dream changed.
1t was October. She was coming
down the lane, treadlng softly Oh the
thick carpet Of beech leaves. the red
light from the setting sun striking be-
tween the tall trees and bathing her
in light from head to foot.
1t was the day that the letter had
come from the lawyers telling him Of
his g"eat.aunt's death. and OF his sud
den undreamed-Of accession to her
large fortune. His first thought had
been of the girl he loved. He was
rich; they need wait no longer; happi-
ness was theirs. lie could see her face
there, in the hollow of the fire-not
full OF rejoicing. but Of a sudden sharp
pain.
The lines on his forehead dcepcned-
and the flames sank low.
"A lady 10 see you, sir" Farrant's
voice recalled him.
"An urgent case|
II don't think she Is III, sir. just
drove up in brougham." replied Far.
rant, Offering a card on which was in,
cribed, Mrs Casillis."
Casllls! This must be Dicks ac.
tress. although lac had said nothing Of
her being a widow. Anyhow, hc
would see her.
The servant uShered In a tall ele
gantly dressed woman, who advanced
with an easy grace into the firelight
saying as she did so-wlth very
musical accent: II must apologize fOI
this late visit, but. to tell you The
truth. | rather fancled you would be
disengaged at this hour, and | wanted
so see you alone"
IL am quite at liberty" replied DR.
Trentham. as he placed chair for his
visitor
Mr.. Earle may have mentioned my
name-nsy, do not turn the lamp
higher; 1t Is so nice to talk In the
6relght. Won't you sit down again?"
She had thrown back her sable
lined cloak. disclosing an exquisite
gown that seemed mass OF gllttering
jet. Some diamonds Sparkled on the
bodice. and one superb star flashed
from the coils OF her soft brown hair.
The doctor had been skcptical about
Dicks ac,ress-but this woman was a
revelation.
Dick wrote to me about his engage
ment." he replied. telling almost re
conclied to his adopted sons choice
but. judging that the lady must bG
at least ten years that impatient
lovers senior-he was Just seven-and
twenty.
He win have told you that he hai
only known my little girl very shori
time"
IT was her daughter. then! He
stihed an exclamation just Ia time.
'He mentioned that the acquaInt.
aDce was short one"
1T Is. So. without word to anyone
though would come and talk IL over
with you. He Is your son by adoption
he tells me-"
"Yes; his fathcr-poor Earle-wns
my greatest friend. Dicks mother
died when he was born, and Earle
just twelve years ago. when the lad
was showing himself full OF promise
He had no reiations--and I was d
bachelor with no ties. 80 he came "a