Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-09
CHAPTER xxx.
A GREAT HEIRESS.

GREAT HEIREsS.
1t was the hour at which lawn ten.
MS or croquet was usually in progress
in Miss Aspinwalrs grounds. But no
games occupied the guests this morn.
| ing.
The great eXcitements and broken
rest Of the night before had prevented
| early rising OH their part, and not one
of the doors opening on the wide hall
had yet swung back under the watch
full eye of Mr.. Gryce. who sat like n
statue in front of the room occupied
by the signorina. Ten o'clock and
even Miss Aspinwall herself was not to
be seen!
But before another half hour had
passed more than one bright figure had
stepped into the hall, and in this recess
or that of the great house small groups
were gathering, ready to resume the
talk which had not been exhausted by
hours of secret whispering from pillow
to pillow. At quarter to eleven one
door only remained shut, the door upon
which all eyes rested. for through it.
they expected presently to appear the
heroine of the preceding eve, n heroine
around whom this frustrated attempt
at murder had woven such an atmos-
phere of romance and mystery that the
coming of a girl with a tray of break
fast caused quite shock Of diSap-
pointment to pass through the throng,
heroines being supposed to be above
such mundane wants, or ut least to ig-
more them at certain periods Of pccu-
liar interest or excitement.
But this touch of sentimental feeling
in the young men and women of the
house was soon lest in the surprise
they felt at seeing Mr.. Gryce suddenly
rouse from his apathy, take the tray
from the girls hand, and after sur
veying its contents with care. carry it
in himself to the signOrina. Nor WAS
this Nstonishment in any wise dimin.
ishcd when, in minute later, he rcan-
peared with the tray and handing it
back to the girl remarked:
Miss Rogers cares for nothing but
eggs this morning. y couple of boiled
eggs, if you please
An interference so minute must mean
something. What? Curiosity grew
rampant, and it was n sorry disap-
pointment to the eager watchers when
the breakfast bell rang, summoning
them all to the dining room.
Another bell rang about this time;
it was the one connected with the
front door. AS its echoes ceased one
or two of the young men who still lin
gered in the hall behcld the door OF
her room open and the signorina ap
pear. All, how fresh she looked. not
withstanding her nights adventures.
Or We're her bushes the signal of some
coming event not disconnected with
the summons they had Just heard.
They would wait a minute, and they
did, noting with a certain sort Of stu
pefaction how the aged detective
bowed as she passed him, and with
what look he followed her down the
hall to the top of the staircase. Was
tuC oltl ltiloN Slllti'H. 4NO, 'hl HN
was impressed by the sight of this
young girl going to an interview from
which she would return the mistress Of
fortune large enough to make her 4
queen among her fellows.
At the head Of the staircase she met
Hilary.
"Mr. Degraw, of Cleveland. is watt
ing for you in the library" that lady
announced. ''TIe is not alone; did YOU
expect to sc him alone?'
The signorina drew back
"Who is with him." she asked.
II leave you to find out" returned
the other, mischievously. "Only l
thought l would warn you to expect
more than one caller. All, how lovely
you look in white" pursued Hilary,
with short sigh. "No one would think
you had not slept wink all night"
The signorina smiled and took the
others arm.
"How kind you are" said she, and
looked SO child-like with her quivering
lips half parted that the stronger wom-
ans heart warmed with a sweet COM
passion as she drew her down to the
library door.
II must go to my other guests" re-
marked Hilary. "but my heart will re.
main with you"
And though she could not know and
could not guess what this visit portend-
ed she went with evidently reluctant
feet toward the dining room. looking
back more than once upon the slight,
white-clad figure standing donbtfully
before the library door, as If in dread
Of an interview which might have a
determining influence upon the future
fate Of more than one in this great
house.
When the signorina finally sum-
moned courage sufficiently to open
the door and pass in she was startled
to observe three gentlemen present
and was greatly confused. notwith-
standing the warning she had received
when she perceievd that one of them
was the artist Surely this was not
the interview she had expected when
Mr. Degraw. Of Cleveland, had set this
hour for saying something to her of
special Importance
do you wish to see me?" was con-
sequently the question with which she
met the greeting she received.
10 be continued.