The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-07-19

! RaNnoi had brCakfasted alone IN the
great dining.hall, and wandered about
the terraces for an hour or more. John.
who was on nettles all the while.
walked boldly TO the door whittier his
mistress had retired. and knocked for
admlttance.
send for this stranger this upstart
advenurer," he said, his air that Of Il
prince. II wish 10 unma,k him here
In your presence"
The mans audacity nearly struck
Mrs. Raynor dumb. She rose with
flushed cheeks and ia Shiug eyes
Il will send, since you request it,"
she said. But | warn you beforehand
that the result may be most damaging
to you. If it is. you have only your
self to blame"
She pulled the bell.rope. and three
minutes later the man whose claims
were to be disputed was ushered into
the apartment. 4 smile of triumph
wreathed his lips and strange light
burned in his eyes rs they fell for a
moment upon the tall. stalwart figure
OF the would-be accuser
Am | wantedF' he coolly inquired.
Mrs. Raynor nodded, and pointed
contemptuously at her servant.
This fellow claims TO have some
/ thing TO communicate that deeply con
Germs you"
Let him speak, then" lifting his
handsome shoulders with an express
i've shrug.
What have to say can be told in a
very few words" said John. "Yonder
! adyenturer cannot be Paul Raynor for
the very good reason that am hc.''
Your gasped Mrs Raynor, trem-
bling with excitement. What mad
ness is this; You are beside Yourself"
Nay, said John. Il am the true heir
of Summernook. 1t was a whim of
mine to come here and hire out as a
servant wished to study you before
declaring myself, and if you were
found worthy. leave you in undls-
turbed possession of the estate"
This seems incrediblew
| Decidedly So" sneered Paul. "The
! fellows insolence and assurance are
extraordinary But l have no desire
to enter upon long discussion. Here
| are two certificates-oue the marriage
! of my parents the other of my birth
and baptism. Pray examine them
you will find that they are duly attest.
ed"
Mrs. RaynOr took the papers he Of
fered and hurriedly glanced at them.
They were all they claimed to be.
As Johns gaze fell upon them a look
Of surprise and terror swept over his
face He staggered backward as
though some one had dealt him Il dead
y blow.
Good God" he gasped. II have
been robbed"
"RobbedT" echoed his mistress.
These papers are mine-the proofs
Of my IDENTIFY had them last night
they were stolen from my room while
l slept. Oh, madam. for Gods sake.
don't suffer yourself to be misled by.
the villains cunningr'
Mrs. Raynor turned haughtily away.
This artifice is too shallow You
! cannot expect me to credit n story so
/ improbable. | am tired of the scene.
You will be good enough to Withdraw"
Il swear"
mot another word" she angrily in
terrupted. Cor
He could do no less than obey As
he went out with slow reluctant steps
he had the misery Of seeing his rival
clasp Mrs. Raynor's hand and raise it
to his lips
Two days went by. John had been
1 dismissed from the service of his mis-
Wcss, but he still fingered about the
! premises lie was nearly crazed with
/ the dread that the woman ne loved
might fam q victim to the adveu,uvrr
who sought her favor, i'm spite of his
/ efforts TO save her.
Finding her alone on the terrace in
the late twilight he lmpulsiyely flung
himself az her feet.
Listen 20 me, darling" he cried
You must-you shalt | would gladly
give my life for you. For weeks. now
l have lived only IN the light of your
smile Wait-be patient. l can't see
you sacrifice yourself. Only give me
time to bring forward those who can
attest the truth Of the strange story
| / have told
His passion and despair moved the
| woman more than she was willing to
acknowledge.
Hush" she cried, trying in vain TO
calm herself "Stand ont of nv way.
How dare you ever speak to me after
what has passed."
She hurried into the house, pretend.
ing TO be very angry at his presump-
tlon. But her heart beat fast. and II
was with difficulty that she kept back
the scaldlng tears that rose to her
eyes.
An hour later. in the brilllantly-light-
ed drawing-rOom. othe. bearded lips
We're pouring their tale into her ear.
Il nave learned TO love yOu passion
; alely already the so-called Paul Ray
nor said. "Snmmernook would be n
dreary place, indeed, without your pres
ence to grace it. You have often de.
clared your intention of marrying the
missing heir when he came 70 light.
Here he Is, at your feet darling, ready
10 take you at your word"
But Mrs Raynor drew back, pale and
trembling,
1T was a foolish speech" she pant.
ed, IAN idle Jest. | meant nothing by
IT,"
I