The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-11-26

been dead now well on to twent,
years.
Unfortunately from Lord Richard
point Of view, Edward had married
and had left behind a little daughter
More unfortunate still, that child haC
lived, and by all accounts was livin!
still. 1t was generally believed-ant
the grounds of the belief were good
that Lord Edward had accumulated {
good deal of property in the states
and that this property was being held
in trust by the courts until the child
was twenty-one.
Moreover, the existence of this child
prevented Lord Richard touching his
brothers. English patrimony, which
had grown to a very considerable
amount. Why she was persistently
kept aawy from England was not
quite clear. Why she persisted in
living was a problem more painful and
%perpleXing still.
Year after ear Lord Richard had
kept hoping that he would get news
of the death of this daughter of his
late brother, and year after year he
was uiouppOlhlcu. Inc htWS IudI
reached him was always of an oppo-
site kind. The child was doing well;
was developing physically and mental.
ly; was growing into a very beautiful
woman. The medium of this news
was a Mr.. Mayhem of Exeter, an ex-
solicitor, who had retired to the West
ern city for reasons he never fully
explained.
Mr.. Mayhem had known Lord Ed
ward Grovely well. Indeed, he had
been solicitor to the company thathad
so ANONYMOUSLY failed.
Lord Richard had tried to ascertain
the whereabouts of this niece of his
again and again, but had never sue
ceeded. He half suspected that her
friends feared she would be kidnap-
ped and killed. Anyhow, he was never
able to obtain any reliable informa-
ton as to her whereabouts. For sew
eral months he had heard nothing.
Mr.. Mayhem had given up writing.
Then, Unexpectedly, Fortunes wheel
gave a sudden iurch, and he found
himself faced by a new set of prob
lens and possibilities.
He was sitting alone in his small
library in Mount street, when he was
informed that a man wanted to see
HON on particular business. His name
was Evans, and he hailed from Elk
eter. 1t was a shabby card he pre-
sented, bearing only the name Thorn
as Evans written in pencil.
NGhnm hiya In ., he ,ni1 alton y, fnpy
moments hesitation. And a few min
utes later Evans crept noiselessly in
to the room.
He waited until the door was closed
behind him, and then began to ex-
plain his business by saying that for
a good many years he had been con-
fidential clerk to the late Mr.. Mayhem
of Exeter.
rs he dead? Lord Richard asked,
abruptly, growing suddenly interested.
He is dead, my lord. Peace be to
his ashes"
We'll, and what brings you here?"
Business, my lord, and business of
an important kind. | had only yester-
day an interview with the daughter of
your late BROTHER
"By CAD, you had?" Lord Richard
cried, with a sudden blaze in his eyes.
Il had" Evans replied, impressive
ly; "and a very taking girl she is,
am bound to say mean young lady.
I beg your pardon"
1--WE can dispense with comments
and opinions; let's have facts. Where
is she now? How came you to meet
herr"
"She came to see Mr.. Mayhem. Mr..
Pinder, his successor, referred to me.
I could not tell her much, of course,
but l got a good deal out of her"
"Well?"
TO begin with, she Is ignorant of
her real parentage."
Lord Richard arched his eyebrows,
but said nothing.
Her mother, as you know, was the
sister of Richard West, the financier
IA man whose memory Is still as
ointment poured forth in many
places"
Never mind comments; keep to
facts"
Il will do so. my lord" and Evans
bowed humbly. "Your brothers wife
did not long survive him-that, OF
course. l learned while l was with
Mayhew-and before her death she
handed over the child to the care of
her brother. He, it seems, allowed
her to grow up in the belief that he
was her father. AS a matter of fact,
however. Richard West never mar
THAT is of no Importance. any,
AS evidence it may be of very
great Importance, In case the young
lady has to fight for her rights"
Flight? don't know that her iden-
tity has ever been called into ques
But 1T may be, my lord. 1t seems
to me a fortune is within your reach
K you are prepared to grasp it."
Lord Richard lowered his eyelids /
and looked at his visitor suspiciously.
"Will you kindly explain what you
ire driving at?" he said, a little an
yrily.
Il can only state a few facts" Ev-
ms said. humbly. ut Is not for me
o advise your lordship. You know
our own Affairs hazt"