New-York tribune., 1906-09-16

England regard this curt manner of communication
as reserved only for important items Mrs Nor
daunt was a little alarmed. Her mind quickly
viewed all her relatives ailments
What Is it, Vi" she asked anxiOusy while van
Hupfeldt wondered if any unoccuped fend had
tempted David Harcourt 10 interfere at this critical
moment
Violet opened the buff envelop and read the
message slowly. 1t was a marvellous thing that
she retained her selt-COntrOl, for the telegram
from Dibbin at Dundee.
Have just concluded sale after three days private
negotiation here. Your moiety five hundred pounds
Letter follows.
1t referred to a long deferred bequest from
cousin, and was a simple matter enough. But
Dibbin realizing an estate in the north of Scotland
and DIbbin writing type written testimonials of
van Hupfeldt in London one and the same day
was Mahatma performance case of psychic pro-
lection which did not enter into the ordinary scheme
OF things
Nevertheless, Violet, save for one flash Of in
tcnSest surprise in those deep eyes of hers main
tanned her selfcontrol. She had been so tried
already that her mind could withstand any shock.
- 1t Is nothing, mother-merely a reference 10 the
Auchlachan affair, She said, crushing the telegram
into a little ball in her hand.
All" said Mrs. Mordaunt greatly relieved. Il
dreamed of Aunt Jane last night"
We'll, now SAID Hupfeldt, after bound
or two OF his heart. what do YOU say Mr. Sharpe
viii be here soon
You have the certificates and the diary" said
Violet.
thought, have decided irrevocably that the diary
shall be placed Your hands until the lapse of
our SIX months agreement. | have yielded every
other point; there | am rigid"
Do YOU assign any reason,"
Yes my right your afianced husband to pre-
serve YOU from the grief and mOrbidneSS of reading
a record of suffering | would not have YOU a weep
ing bride When we return from our wedding tour
L shall hand you the diary; sooner"
The certificates, then said Violet cOmpoSedlv
Van Hupfeldt took two papers from a pocket
book. One recorded the marriage of Henry van
Hupfeldt to Gwendoline Mordaunt at the office of
the Brighton registrar. The other was the certiti-
cate OF the birth OF the child in the town a
year later.
1t fine piece of daring for the man to produce
these documents. His own name; his age, thirty
eight; his occupation gentlcman-were set forth on
the long strip and the address was given as
No. I, Eddystone Mansions, London. W. Even
Mrs Mordaunt was startled when she glanced over
her daughters shoulder at the papers
Suddenly Violet thought she saw a raw Of light.
Was tins man a brother, some near relative, of
yours" she asked.
No, no relation" Van Hupfeldt was taken
aback and the negative flew out before he realized
that this might have been good card 70 play. But
no; Violet would never have married him then.
What a mystery To think that he should
adopt your name, be of Your apparent age, and vet
that YOU should come here to Rigsworth and make
our acquaintance"
No mystery at all You drag everything from
me like a skilled lawyer Strauss did more than
borrow my name; he forged it. There was a police
inquiry. | called into it. NV curiosity was
aroused. L learned something of Your sisters
story, and took steps 10 meet YOU.
Introduced by Lord Nanstone!" murmured
Mrs. MOrdaunt.
Yes, some one. l quickly forgot all else when
was granted the privilege of Your friendship
And he took Violet hand and kissed it, with a
delicate grace that was courtly in him.
Sharpe announced. Mrs. Mordaunt sent
Jenny away in maids escort and Violet knew that
her hour of final yielding was near.
She still held the certificates. Am | TO keep
these:" she asked while her mouth quivered
slightly. She was thinking. thinking all the time
OF David and Dibbin and of the queer collapse of
Gwendoline which made that little Cockney woman
her companion. But what plea could She urge now?