The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-06-08

to communicate that deeply concerns YOU
Let him speak, then lifting his
handsome shoulders with an expressive
shrug
''What have to say can be told in
very few words, said John. .,Yonder
adventurer cannot be Paul Raynor for the
very good reason that am hel'
You! gasped Mrs Raynor, trembling
with excitement. What madness is this?
You are beside yourself r
Nay, sa' am the true heir
Of Summemo"A. i Va, a whim of mine
to come here and hire out as a servant
wished to study you before declaring my
self, aud if you We're found worthy. leave
you in undisturbed possession of the es
tate
This seems incrediblel'
Decidedly 50, sneered Paul. The
fellow insolence and assurance are ex-
traordinary. But have no desire to en-
ter upon long discussion. Here are two
certIhcates-one the marriage of my par
en;s, the other Of my birth and baptism
Pray examine them-you will fnd that
they are duly atte>ted
Mrs. Raynor took the papers he offered
and hurriedly glanced at them They
were all they claimed to be.
As John gaze fell upon them a hook
of surprise and terror swept over his face
He staggered backward as though some
one had dealt him deadly blow.
"Good Godr he gasped Il have
been robbed
Robbed echoed his mistress.
These papers are miue-the proofs of
my identity Il had them last night-they
were stolen from NV room while slept.
Oh madam, for Gods sake, don't suffer
yourself to be- mt,lcd by the villain Gun
ming
Mr., Raynor turned haughiily away
This arti6ce Is too shallow You can.
not expect me to credi, story so improba-
bic. | am tired Of the scene. You viii
be good enough 10 withdraw
Il swear-
Ne; another word, she angrily inter
rupied Co
He could do no less than obey As he
went cut with slow, reluctant steps be had
the misery o.; seein. his riyal clasp Mrs
Raynor hand and raise 1t to his bps.
Two days went BY John had been
dismissed from the service of his mistress,
bat he st,ll fingered about the premises,
tie was nearly crazc,i with the dread that
The woman he bowed might fall a victim "a
thc adyruiurrr who sought her favor, IN
spite Of hIs effort, io save her
flndlns her alone on the terrace in the
late twilight, he jmPulsively flung himself
at her feet.
Listen To me, darling, he cried.
You must ss-shall' would gladly give
my bfe tor yoa For weeks. now, lived
only in the hight Of your Smile Wait
be patirut. ear. scc you sacrifice your
self Only give mc Iime 10 bring forward
those who can attest the truth Of the
strange story | have todd
lis passion aud despair moved the
woman moFc than -he Wa willing 20 ac-
knowl,,lsc
Hush" she cried, trying in vain to
calm herself Stand oui If my way.
IIow dare you ever speak to me after what
has passed.
She hurrie,l in,o the house, pretending
% De very angry al his presumption Blu,
her heart beat fast, and ii wa- with din
Guilty tha, she kep. back the sgaldiug tears
that r,Sc 20 her eyes
IN hour later, in the brilliantly -Hshtei
drawing room. other bearded lips were
pouring their tale into her ear
have learned 60 hove YOU pa,.iouately
already, the >o-cllled Panl Rayuor said
,Summernook would be a drcary place,
indeed, without your presence 10 grace 1t.
You have often declared your intention Of
marrying the missing heir when he came
To hight Here be Is, AZ your feet darl
ing ready 10 take ynu a, your word
Bat Mr., Raypor drew back, pale aud
trembling
Ii va, a foolish speech, she pauted,
an Idle jest meant nothing by it,
Then sen DO not lovc me
No. no. NJ, yy, how could Il 1t
Is ~ sudden.
Take twenty four hours to think it
over. he said after dismayei pause
Remember how dearly you love summer
nook aud how hard 1t would be to leave
your dear old home Take pity ou my
despair aud your own hclples>neSs
Me Rayuor did no, close her eyes at
all that night Il would be hard to -
away forever She did no, know how she
could bear it. But there was John! His
handsome blonde face had grown very dear
"a her, aud it was utterly impossible to
bani>h him from her thoughts for two con
secullve minutes.
silly gOose that am. she muttcCed.
II DO believe have fallen in loye with
the fellow. aud would willingly give up
everything in the world for his dear sake.
Well, he shall never know of my folly.
And vet she could not help thinking
how delightful it would be if John : story
had only been true. and he was the right
full heir Of Summernook
The next day she was sitting alone in
the drawing room when one Of the servants
put her head in at the door, aud said
My lady, here's strange young wo-
man who claims to have business Of i'm
portance with YOU, could not put her
Oft.
Mrs Raynor looked surprised and a
little startled as her glance fell upon the
person in question She was scarcely past
girlhood, aud had the loyeliest face the
widow had ever seen. The mouth was
sweet. the eyes dark and melting, the face
a perfect oval But for her pallor, aud a
certain heartbrokcn, despairing look, she
would have been bewiiching.
Forgive me for troubling YOU, mad
am, the stranger said, in trembling
voice, before Mrs. Raynor could collect
herself to speak 81 will 80 away di-
rectly. | want my husband
''Your husband? ? Good gracious, child,
why do you come here TO seek him ?
Because | have every reason to believe
that he is now taIrying under this roof.