The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-08

The circumstances are hardly quite
usual" put in Ashe. But Sir David went
on:
In any case. I must ask you now TO
take it from me as final that ! have
other views for Miss Stormont's future. q"
rising as he spoke,
For Miss StormOnt, Yes-that I can
quite understand; but you might have
other views. perhaps. for Miss Isobel-
Brown" in a tone OF studied quiet.
Sir David started TO hts feet as a man
does who, unwarned, receives a vital
stab
I know Of no such person" he said
peremptoriIy. haughtilv, but with
swift intake OF the breath.
Ashe smiled. IT am not quite the bare
faced fortune-hunter you think me.
wouldn't have been guilty Of such a fatu-
Gus proceeding unless. as you see, 1 had
something 10 offer knowledge IS power
sometimes, th0Jgh not so often. perhaps
as the copybOCks would have us believe
Il will save time. however, II you VIII
allow me TO state what 1 happen 10
know. and then you can decide what il
is worth. OF. with a smile, kick me out,
| if you please. I shall be as brief as
can"
TT viii be better" said Sir David.
sternly, as he resumed his seat I can
understand, though. that you should wish
To justify your conduct If you can"
Il think you viii agree with me that I
have done so when I have finished said
Ashe; and then IN very succinct fashion
he stated again all that he had learned,
dwelling on that incOntrOvertible piece
/ OF evidence, the Testament "Of course, %
/ he added. "a tribe like that. with 10
value save q sentimental one-a memento
Of Miss St0rmOnts wanderings-mig IN
Intentionally be mislaiI or destroyed: but
even if that were the case. it is well re-
membered at HebetOn. and a good many
al Stormont have seen it," significantly.
Tt is still at Stormont; I am not likely
/ to part with it; but now I have. as you
asked me. listened to what you have 70
/ say, and I can only make the same an
swer that I have other views for my
/ daughter. IF I were a younger man 1
might have resorted 10 your alternative, -
said Sir David. leaning back in his chair.
and gazing steadily at Ashe.
/ "A very creditable piece of buff was
| Ashes inward comment Then, aloud
/ I have never doubted, nor do I think
/ any one would doubt, that the young
| lady is your daughter, or that she is a
Stormont by blood; the likeness is too
/ remarkable. The point is. however-Is
/ she your heiress-is she a Stormort BY
name as well as by descent? That is a
/ point which might greatly interest Capt.
StormOnt Drummond, who falling your
/ lawful issue, is, I understand your next
heir"
Failing my lawful issue he would be:
but that contingency has, thank God. not
| yet occurred. If Robert DrummOnd or
any accredited agent of his wishes to
make inquiries, shall give them all
needful information. 1 am in no way
bound to give il to you. All that concerns
you is that Miss Stormont is my daugh-
/ ter and, therefore. naturally and legally
my heiress; and as her father I decline
any further discussion involving her
name. You have my answer. and my
opinion Of the value Of the knowledge
you have CHANGED to pick up. Perhaps
you will leave me now" rising as he
spoke, and standing ar his full height: the
habitual stoOp had disappeared.
Ashes pale, handsome face had paled
a little further at that word legally"
This is all very well. Sir David" he
said. 'but this Miss-Stormont, with a
slight dubious shrug. is not the young
lady who disappeared so strangely last
| August-that you do not and cannot deny;
and if 1 make this romance in high life
public-and why should I not?-and the
| Thistlethwaites add what they have to
tell-they have some very curious things,
| indeed. to tell. and the word of such
stolfd. stodgy responsibilities can't be
lightly set aside, weil-there will be a
very pretty scandal
| " Where is the younger Miss Stor-
month a good many people would ask. .
THAT question, too, / am quite pre-
pared to answer to any one who has a
right to ask It, I IN no way recognize
yours" replied Sir David, with the same
| unexpected and baffiing composure, be-
/ fore which, as before the chill light of
common day Ashes soaring dream-pal-
ace which has seemed so solid. so well
founded, was slowly but surely crumbling
away. and no desperate effort of his could
stay the ruin.
The well-cut lips were rather white;
they were drawn somewhat tightly from
the line of even teeth, which. with the
baked CLEAN In the eyes, suggested
the snarl of a vicious dog. which would
bite If it dared
AS he said, with a very fair imitation
OF his usual ease OF manner. II can only
| congratulate you on being so well pre-
pared for a number of very awkward
questions. Still It lies pretty much with
me whether they need be asked or not
and whether Sir David Stormont Will
continue TO enjoy general respect, OF
Lady Stormont that pretty little delusior
which IL would surely be a pity to dis
turb. Ny knowledge is not so vaiueless