The Washington herald., 1906-12-11
CHAPTER XIV.
The Past of Alice.

The PuSt OF AAlce-
The lovers stared at Durham when he
made this startling announcement, for
startling it was. considering how neces-
sary Mrs. Gilroy's evidence was to pro-
cure the freedom of Gore He sat down
wiping his face-for he had ridden over
post-haste-and looked excessively cha
grined
when did she go?" asked Bernard,
who was the first to find his voice.
Goodness knows" replied the lawyer
in vexed tones. 'She left early this
morning without saying she was going.
Miss Randolph heard the news at break
fast. One of the grooms stated that he
had seen Mrs. Gilroy driving in farm
ers trap TO the station at Postleigh,
about o'clock"
Perhaps she viii come back"
No, Sne has taken her box with her.
She had only one. l believe. / daresay
she has taken fright over what she let
out 10 me tie other day about that pre-
cious son of hers here Durham remem-
bered that, so far as he knew, Alice was
ignorant OF Michael Cores existence. She
interpreted the look
You can speak freely. Mr.. Durham.
she said Bernard has just told me all
about the matter"
Good" said the solicitor, evidently re
lieved. as It did not necessitate his en-
tering into n long explanation, of which
he was rather impatient Then you know
that Bernard and 1 suspect Michael
Core"
He has no right TO that name" said
Bernard peremptorily.
ssNNp11 fbaD Michael fyflrov- though for
ali we know his mother may not have
right TO that name either But TO come
to the point. This disappearance Of the
woman makes me more certain than ever
that she alone can tell the story of that
night"
And she won't tell it II it incriminates
her son. said Alice.
mo, that's certain. 1 made in
quiries-"
You must have been quick about it,"
observed Gore, glancins at hts watch. 1t
is barely three o'clock"
I went at once to make inquiries" said
Durham. Mrs. Gilroy ordered the trap
overnight end had her box removed,
though how she managed It without the
servants at the Hall knowing I am not
prepared 20 say But she did and went
TO the Postleigh station. There she took
nowhere Durham made a gesture Of
despair-"and goodness knows when we
viii set eyes on her again"
I can tell you that" put IN Alice,
briskly. and both men looked inquiringly
az her. She viii rcappear when she is
able to establish the fact that Michael IS
the heir"
Which means that she must prove her
own marriage II there was aBy-begging
your pardon. Miss MallesOn-to have TAX
On place prior To that Of Walter Gore
with Signora TOlomeo.'
My uncle will be able to prove that"
''Ill see him about il. as there is some
difficulty in knowing where your parents
were married. Bernard Your father kept
the marriage a secret from your grand
father AfteFward, Sir Simon received
your mother at the Hall, and was fairly
friendly with her. l don't think he ever
became quite reconciled to your father"
wei, well" said Bernard, hastily.
"let us leave that point alone for the
present What are we 10 do pow?''
We must have a counsel of war BY
the way, Conniston is stopping AZ the
Hall till this evening, Bernard. He will
be back at dinner"
Alice smiled. I think Lord Conniston
Is enjoying himself"
you mean with Miss Randolph" said
Durham. Il devoutly wish he may take
fancy to that lady"
Il think he has" put in Bernard. smil-
ing also
"AH the better. If he makes her Lady
CoHniston, il will be a good days work
Only marriage viii tame Conniston I
have had no end Of trouble with him. He
is a trial"
con, Lucy is clever girl, ana can
guide him II she becomes his wife. Mr.
Durham. And now that her engagement
is broken with Mr. Beryl. 7 daresay It
viii come oT-the marriage. Imean. She
seems to-be attracted by Lord CCnnist0n."
And small wonder said Miss Beren-
garia, entering at this moment. i really
think Commission is a nice fellow-much
better than Bernard here"
II won't hear that, aunt" said Alice.
Indignantly
My dear, I always speak my mind
How are YOU, Durham?" added the old
lady, turning on the dapper solicitor
You look worried"
Mrs. Gilroy has bolted"
Miss BeTengaTia rubbed her nose. THE
deuce take the woman, Why has she
done that? I always thought she was a
bad lot"