Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-11

with the casket of jewels on the seat between
them.
Rupert Ardlsmont. on being introduced 10 lea.
bel Thorn, could not restrain his admiration. He
kissed her several times, and did not attempt to
conceal his emotion.
"Ah, my dear, this is happy day for me
am an old fogy. know, but you viii forgive me.
Fred. my boy, open the casket and let this dear
girl choose her wedding present"
Amid ordinations Of delight Isabel tried on
the various Jewels, and with much insstence Mr..
Ardlamont made her choose magnificent dia-
mond necklace with tiara 10 match.
II was still an hour before Sir John was ex.
pected home, and when after long conversa-
ton Fred and Isabel moved towards the CON
servatory, Mr.. Ardlamont remained behind In
the drawng-room.
The jewels were still scattered about the table
and as he busted himself in examining them the
door opened and Sir John entered.
For an instant the two men looked at each
other in silence. and then Sir John spoke.
Anthony Crisp"
Mr.. Ardlamont gave start of terror.
Who are you that addresses me by that
name"
'I am Sir John Dawson and years ago in my
capacity as a magistrate / committed you for trial
on a charge of extensive forgeries and embezzle-
ment, and if remember rightly, you were sen.
fenced to fifteen years penal servitude.
Flush You are right; / admit IL; but keep
silent--not for my sake, but for the happiness Of
my dear SON."
'Your son. Then you are"
"Yes; I am Rupert Ardlamont. served my
sentence, and ssiIce then / have worked nard 10
retrieve the past"
"Why have YOU come back? You were better
dead"
"I came back because I made a fortune and
and wished to see my SON."
"You were better dead" repeated Sir John.
'You will keep my secret; you will not imperil
the happiness of my son and blight the life Of
your niece. See, / will make a promise. Keep
silent until they are married and then | will go
away again for ever. Look at them; you cannot
cast cloud over such joy as theirs.
And as Sir John looked towards the conserva-
tory his stern face relaxed and his eyes were
moist with emotion.
mo, they must not suffer- will keep your
secret" :.
The dinner was quite an animated function; IL
Sir John was preoccupied and thoughtful, Ru-
merit Ardlamont covered the defect with an in
cessant flow of brilliant talk and interesting
anecdote, and when at last they all retired to
the drawirig-room Isabel carried Fred's father off
70 her boudoir to show him her wedding presents.
1t was late when they left Sir Johns house
and Fred wished his father to spend the night
at his chambers, but the old man resolutely re-
fused.
"No, my boy, will come around early in the
morning and have breakfast with you, but l
have spent such happy day that l wish to be
alone to think it over"
So Fred, taking with him the case of jewels
to be returned to Readers, drove away alone in
very happy and contented frame of mind.
True to his promise, Rupert Ardlamont put ir
an early appearance; in fact, Fred had not yet
arisen, and the old man rallied him goodhumor
edy for his laziness
They had hardly sat down to breakfast, how
ever, before knock came at the door and one of
Sir Johns servants handed Fred a letter marked
Private the contents of which he read with
much astonishment.
"Please come to me without delay upon mat
ter of urgent Importance. If your father is with
you say nothing to him. Bring your mothers
marriage certificate with you"
Strangely perplexed at this missive Fred has
tened to obey the summons.
IT must. ask you to breakfast without me,