Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-04-22
CHAPTER VI


four and twenty, whose acquaintance W
made many years ago. This is Mar,
Chichester, whom we last saw as a chill
in the Jardin des Plantes at Avranches
A somewhat tall maiden now, with gloss.
brown hair and eyes to match, and
frank, fair countenance that intuitivel!
disposes people to like her upon frs
acquaintance Two years after Aun
Julia went to assist her niece in he
trouble the doctors fears were realized
Mrs. Chichester caught bad cold, whicl
speedily developed the latent seeds o.
consumption. Her Aunt Julia promised
before she died that she would take care
of little Mary, and when she returned tc
England she brought the child with her.
1T seems hard to deprive you of the
| little one in the first agony Of your sor
row, Fred; but at her age l can take
better care of her than you, and In q
| few years l shall hope to restore her to
you as daughter, able in some wise to
be to you what her lost mother was
1T is best So he replied sadly; "the
child requires that. watchful care that
only woman can give, for she is deli
cate, and makes me tremble for fear she
should have inherited her mothers terri
BILE complaint: add to which, l must
strive hard to make a living for myself
and a home for her in the future, and
save, if possible, the pittance that still
remains for her. The capital has melted
terribly of late" he concluded, with a
faint smile.
Poor Fred Chichester was not des-
tined to realize his hopes. He said no
word of his intention to Miss Caterham,
but he had already made up his mind
as to what he would do. Heart-sick and
weary of his fruitless endeavors to OBJ
tain employment in England, he had al
ready thought as to whether there might
not be greater opportunities for him
abroad, when suddenly it flashed across
him that. for men of his trade, there was
plenty of occupation just now on the
banks of the Potomac. The great strug
gle between the North and South was at
its henght. and he had heard of more
than one English officer who had obtained
employment in either army. With the
Northern armies especially might an Eng
lish soldier who came out properly ac-
credited from officers high in the service
at home, be tolerably sure Of a pair of
epaulettes.
Fred Chichester hurried over to Lon
don, made a will. bequeathing all he had
left to his little daughter, put hundred
pounds in his pocket, and sailed for New
York, bearing with him letters of intro
duction and recommendation from several
of the military chiefs under whom he
ha n II oh
mission. distinguished himself upon more
than one occasion, and finally fell. some
eighteen months afterwards, upon the
bloody field of Gettysburg. His faithful
henchman had begged so hard to accom-
pany him that. conscious though he was
Of the utter incongruity of such a SOL
der of fortune as himself being accom-
panied by his servant, Chichester had not
the heart to refuse him. The North were
not very particular about what they en-
listed as food for powder in those days.
and as the wiry old man did not look |
within some seven or eight years of his |
real age. made no difficulty whatever
about enrolling him in the same troop as
his master. He was by Chichester's side |
when he fell, and passed scatheless |
tudl utlu vi Carriage himself, |
only to shed bitter, binding tears as he
laid "the master" in the grave. u
And now the girls flower shipping is
by voice exclaiming. Break
fast, Mary come in. child, and pour out
the tea" and Miss Caterham appears
at the French window.
Coming, Auntie,'' replied the girl as
she moved quickly towards the window
only see what a lovely posy have
to gather for you this morning.
and the beds, l assure you, bear no trace
Of having been despoiled."
Thank you, child" replied Miss Cater
ham as she took her seat at the breakfast
table. The roses are as sweet as those
of your cheeks, my dear. BY the way,
Mary, | have had a letter from Mr.. Car
buckle this morning. | will read it to
you:
Dear Miss Caterham-No news as vet
Of Terence Finnigan. We can hardly ex-
pcct to find him, as he has been missing
so long. without considerable trouble. I |
have deputed to young friend of mine
who has just Joined the noble profession
the care of the case. He has cross-ex-
amined me as to details in a very prom
sing manner, but is anxious to put you
and Miss Mary also in the box: so |
have given him wour address. and you |
may expect him to honor you with a
visit shortly. With love to Miss Chiches- |
ter. believe me. yours most sincerely.
"HENRY CARBUCKLE."
at is very singular said Miss Cater
ham, as she laid aside her spectacles. "but |
Mr.. Carbuckle has quite forgotten to |
mention his young friends name Well, |
Whoever he is. it is extremely kind of |
him to undertake this business for u.s."
Some two or three hours have Ella psed. !
and the parlor maid enters the room, and, |
a card to her mistress, says, |
The gentleman wishes to know if you
will see him"
A few moments and Eliza ushered into
he room a man somewhat below medium
height. He advanced quietly, and with
4 low bow. said, Miss Caterham, l pre-
;ume."
Returning his salute. Miss Caterham
irst acknowledged her identity and then,
,lancing at the card in her hand, OBJ
served Mr.. Robert Pegram. You come,
,f course, from Mr.. Carbuckle. 1t is
-eally very kind Of you to have under
aiken so troublesome a business for me-"
The discovery of missing people is
Usually a little troublesome, but. as a
'ule it's mere matter of time and
money"