Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-24
A WILD VENGEANCE.
By the Author of "The Surrender Of Marys Etc
CHAPTER u.-tContinued.l

CHAPTER u.-tContinued.)
Here he pulled himself together reso-
lntely and met the young man who was
opuroaching him with the pleasant greet
ing;
aHaIlo, Vincentl Come for your ten.
n;sY Lady Avrill is under the trees over
there expecting YOU"
The newcomer was the man he had
until lately thought to be his brother,
and though it appeared now that there
was no relationship whatever between
them. vet there were undoubtedly curl
ms points of resemblance hardly to be
accounted for by the fact that they were
thought up together. Still no one would
have taken them to be brothers, for Vim
cent Dene was very dark, with spare
souiline features and slender figure, a
drooring black moustache, and mass of
black hair which was worn sufficiently
long to admit of an artistic arrangement
and fell in heavy wave over his fore
head; the other mans fair hair was cut
short, brushed fiat, and obviously never
considered again, while his skin was
MANY shades fairer, his features straight
and square, and his frame of broader
build. But both men had eyes of the
same peculiar brown hazel, capable of
developing occasionally a curious red
tawuiness, though Vincent's We're heay-
ief-lidded and lacked Johns steady di-
rectness of gaze. Both held their heads
with the same particularly erect stateli-
ness.
"Then / won't keep her ladyship wait
ing" replied Vincent in his soft, gentle
voice, sending one keen flash from his
eyes to the others grave face. Been
transacting business with hez, Ell? Poor
old Jack, you get all the work and
the play; but you must recollect you are
always on the spot; and besides that old
dowager of an aunt doesn't seem to
guard her as ferociously from you as
she does from me-"
John frowned.
'rYou make mistake in talking like
that" he observed 81 am Lady Avrill's
secretary-a man of business, agent,
nothing more; never shall be anything
more. / am also minus name, so no
guardian dragons are needed in my case
No one could consider me dangerous"
"You take that matter of name too
seriously, old chap" cried Vincent light
". You'll discover it some day, take
my word for it. / believe the mater
knows something Can't understand her
She's playing some deep game, l fancy :.
but she doesn't tell me. Anyhow, then,
may consider that the fair Viscountess
is not-well, that | am not poaching on
your preserves, eh?"
Don't be COMPOUNDED fool!" said
John, with more vigor than elegance
"A1 the same, as you have started the
subject, aren't you flying at rather high
gamer A brilliant young author and an
income still in the future"
ooh, know all that!" interrupted the
other. "Still, nothing venture, you know;
and this is worth a little risk. And the
LAZY is undoubtedly kind-all the kinder,
/ shrewdly suspect, because of the drag
on's animosity. Well, ta-ta, old chap;
mustn't STOP" and he went on, airiiy,
waving his hand.
John Dene returned to his room, sealed
and stamped his letters, and then sat
,icwIl, his elbows on the table, his head
va his hands, prey to very grim per-
plexity.
What did things mean? And what
was the Strengthening out process which
Lord Avrill had entrusted to him?
For there seemed to be no tangle or
complication anywhere; yet if the dying
man had not been raving he unmistaka-
bly, expected one.
In the three months since the death
Joan Dene and the family solicitor had
gone through all the papers to be found,
verifying everything, taking care that
the most ample publicity was given to
the fact that the Viscounty of Avrill
had now passed to Honoria Challis, the
late Viscount's niece. This had been
Johns own wish, and to his surprise he
found that Mr.. Talmake, the solicitor,
considered it advisable.
For / will not conceal from you, Mr..
Dene," said the old man in a moment of
confidence, that have always expected
the discovery of some secret marriage.
I've no definite grounds for such an ex-
pectation- merely little hints his lord
snip dropped from time to time, and
vague impression of which I have never
been able to rid myself. Uncommon lit
tie is known of his youth. He was
wild scapegrace, but rich and handsome.
Did no woman take advantage of him,
wonder? And besides there is" Mr.,
Ialmake hesitated, and then blurted out
there is yourself"
This had happened very soon after
Lord AvrilPs death and before Mrs. Dene
had come to live in the neighborhood,
and John was still under the belief that
ne was her son, therefore he looked up
IN some establishment at this remark. 1t
did not disturb him.
oh, Pm fully accounted for" he re-
Piled quietly; ray mother and my broth
er live in Londoni l got my berth here
by the merest chance. and was fortu-
nate enough 20 be useful to my en-
ployer."
The lawyer glanced obviously at the
young mans handsome head, but let that
question drop.
We will, however, take care that the
death is known" he remarked.
And this had systematically been done.
NO discoveries were made. 1t seemed
That the succession of the young Wis
countess was safe.
Still, what had Lord Avrill meant