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


AT the death Of her husband. She only
held it as a trust, however. Some.
where in the world wandered the true
lord and master of Sumnlernook. a dis.
tant relative OF the deceased Mark
Raynor. He had not been heard from
for several years, however.
"He will come back some time. I'm
sure he will" Mrs. Raynor often said.
"Then the king shall have his ain
again He shall find the hearth swept
and garnshed hed-everything looking It's
best"
"But what will you do when Paul
Raynor claims his Inheritance" her
friends would ask.
TO which she always laughiugly re-
piled.
MARRY him. Of course. l am much
too fond Of Summernook ever to leave
it,"
This threatening spring night, when
all the windows blazed in such cheer
full contrast TO the gloom without, a
man strode up the shadow haunted
avenue, and. climbing the steps.
knocked loudly on the oaken door
In an instant q pack of yelling blood
hounds surrounded him. issuing from
hidden dens, they tore up the steps
like infurlated fiends. The man beheld
their eycballs glowing like Goals of fire
through the darkness.
"God help mer he cried lnvolun-
tarily, and redoubled his blows upon
the closed door. rs there nobody here
to let me inf" he called out.
He shook the latch vehemently. The
next instant key turned in the lock.
and he felt himself drawn forcIbly
across the threshold into a spacious.
well-lighted hall.
"Were you all asleep?' he gasped.
"Another moment. and those brutes
would have torn me limb from limb
81 believe they would" unconcerned-
ly returned the servant who had let
him ina stalwart, handsome man Of
some thirty years with blonde hair,
blue eyes and a face much too high
bred for his station.
Just then came a rustic Of silk on
the stairs. and Mrs. RaynOr looked
over the railing.
"who is it. Jehn? What's the mat
ter?"
"I've let in stranger ma'am."
"a stranger? Good heavensl The
dogs might have killed him. never
heard them growl and snarl so fercey
before"
She came swiftly down the stairs. her
beautiful face quite pale. Enter here.
sir" she said, throwing open the Ii
brary door "You must have been
dreadfully frightened"
Yes, madam, was"
The man paused under the chande-
lier, and glanced quickly around the
room. II was n very large apartment,
bookcases filing the corners. and fam
lily portraits hanging on the walls. He
smiled to gee how blonde hair pre-
dominated among the men; his own
hair was blonde.
"Now, sir, what brings you hereF
Mrs. Raynor inquired, keeping her
eyes steadily fixed upon his face.
~ came to claim my own, madam"
"Your own man. Why, who are
you?'
"Paul Raynor," the stranger an
swered. with a quiet smile.
Mrs. Raynor uttered a startled cry.
Il Knew it-t knew it," she sald.
"somehow felt that you were the
missing heir the moment I saw you.
Welcome home.'
She leaned toward him and stretched
out both hands IN her caceruess. gem
n!nely glad that he had returned at
last.
SOM one came between Them before
tn stranger had even touched her FIN
g-rtps. 1t was JOHN, her own SER
want
His face was white and stern.
Don't you believe a word the villain
says" John exclaimed. He is an inn
poster. ! can prove him such"
How What do you mean? How
dare YOU say such thiugsY' Mrs. Ray
nor gasped, almost going into Mysteries
in her amazement
John drew himself up in a way that
made him look less than ever like a
servant.
"The wretch wishes to take adyan-
tage Of your credulity my lady He
has heard Of the missing heir, and your
desire to find him. But he is not Paul
Raynor-I know he Is not"
Hush. John said his mistress
haughtlly "You forget yourself"
Then turning to the stranger she add.
ed. in her sweetest tones:
IL am open to conviction. sir Pau
would not come without some proof OF
his identity. What have you 10 offerY
:, The man crossed the room and stood
undel one Of the portals that hunl
upon the wall
Look at that face, Their on mine" he
said.
Mrs. Raynor did so. the color com
Ing and going in her cheeks the while
"They are wonderfully like" SHE
said at length, with quick-dra vi
breath. II am satisfied. John. con
duct this gentleman to the guest-cham
ber He Is your master"
may, never master of mine,' NUT
tered John, as, after n moments hest
tatlon. he led the way up the granG
: staircase to one OF the rooms above.
''Sleep well. This is the only nigh
you Will ever sleep at Summernook,
he said, on leaving the stranger alon.
IN the sumptuous chamber over tn,
drawingroom. Tomorrow shal