Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-02-28
A WILD VENGEANCE
By the Author OF "rhe Surrender of Mary Etc
CHAPTER vII.-tcontinued.l

or, that strange, mysterious, nameless
mother, who must surely have loved and
suffered so much.
Eyes, yes," returned the Duke, cheering
ND a little at the reference to bis exploits.
"Oh. there are compensations, doubtless!
still, il you're wise, John. win good
woman to make you a home"
Il mean to try" was the quiet an
swer.
And with this intention in view John
Dene went back to his rooms and wrote
to Honor, telling her of this fine appoint
ment he had just accepted and of his
long and faithful love, revealing to her
honestly all that he knew or guessed
about the hidden paper and his firm con-
viction that il that were found she would
be proved ttt.e real and legal heir. Then
he concluded with his manly and charac
teristically humble statement
Il ask for nothing, dear. / am ever
your faithful servant, and your best hap
piness is my chief desire. There is no
woman for me in the world but you.
There never will be. l am content, if so
you will it, to worship you at a distance.
Yours devotedly, John Dene.
Having posted this, he sat down to oc
eupy himself with some work he had on
hand. His brain and his heart were alike
on fire, but he had long learnt to put
himself aside for his work. And he did
so now, till he was interrupted by the
announcement
"A gentleman to see you, sir" In
walked Simmons, looking very spruce.
Here l am, - lord. Been kicked
out, the whole lot os us-our wages and
moments noti.n There is fresh lot
coming down from town"
John gulped down an insane feeling of
relief, and, pushing forward chair, said;
Tell me all about it."
Not much to tell, my lord" proceeded
Simmons, sitting down somewhat bash
fully. "The young gentleman wants
French Wallets and smarter livery men, so
he got rid of every one of us. I'd have
stayed if | could, just to do what you
asked me-"
Don't think of that" was Johns has
ty answer. THANK you very heartily for
what you have done" And he held out
his hand.
Simmons looked at it, paused took it,
and, with an aspect of much qualification,
grasped it firmly.
Maybe in minute or two you won't
do that" he said in an odd sort of voice.
$50 I'll just make sure of it."
why, what have you been doing,
then?' said John, gazing at him in
amusement.
Stealing, my lord, to begin with
returned Simmons ruefully, and he slow
ly pulled out of his pocket a framed
,bot nh -o4 H.
1t was cabinet of the late Viscount,
and represented him in one of his most
characteristic attitudes head thrown
back, and eyes giving a steady challenge
from under slightly lowered eyelids.
II always wanted it, admitted the
valet. ut used to stand on the little
table in the drawing room, if you re-
member, sir. 1t was taken years ago,
but it's quite the best to my mind.
thought it was useless to ask you to
have one done of yourself, so just took
this. No one would miss it, / thought"
NO, | dare say not" replied John,
puzzled by the solemnity of the mans
manner. But don't see how my photo
could have helped you if you wanted
this"
I've seen you look exactly like that,
my lord" said Simmons significantly.
John frowned in real displeasure.
THAT is mere nonsense, Simmons" he
said. Il should have relied on you to be
silent even if such prepostercus fancy
did enter your head"
Very sorry, my lord. Well, that's a
good photo, isn't it ?"
John picked it up, and the valet
watched him intently.
Splendid!" he unused. "Lifelikei
wonder when it was taken?" He unfas-
tened the back of the frame as he spoke,
and began to take the photograph out.
IL stuck, and he gave it a sharp pull.
Out 1t came, and with it folded sheet
OF closely written paper.
What is this?" he exclaimed.
found it just as you did, my lord"
replled the man, and sat waiting.
win an increasing sense of awe John
unfolded the paper and looked at the
Top line. ITO my dear John Dene,'' it
ran, and the Viscount's small handwrit-
ing.
valet
Is it," he asked.
Ihank Heaven, yes, my lord" was the
ieryent answer of the faithful Simmons
John began to read, hope and despair
battling in his heart, and the remem.
eranee OF that letter just posted to Hon
or filling him with remorse. And this is
what he read:
hope this may be found by some
trustworthy person. Perhaps l shall tell
you, John, where to look for it, but |
may forget, for my memory is failing,
ana | keep changing the hiding place.
nay VINE Marion has been here. She
asked II she might see me, and l fixed
To-Day, and sent you away, John. She
came to learn my wishes about our son
vincent, she said, but ought to have
peen on my guard. She tainted me and
dehed her. She tainted me into telling
her where all the papers were, and then
sne tried to drug me by holding some
anasthetic under my nose 1t was rather
crude idea; however, | saw her game
ana played into her hands. / pretended
70 be quite unconscious, and / watched
Her steal my keys and take my papers
from my safa