The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-21
CHAPTER ~.
The Lady Next Door.

~ Lazy NcSt LNOEs
Ailsa stood there with a feeiing
that the events OF the night were not
yet over. She had forgotten pretty
well everything besides the fact that
Ronald Braybrooke vas dead. The
news had been a great shock, and II
had left a dull, aching pain behind.
Aiisa mind had travelled rapidly back
over the bridge of years 10 the time
when she had been continually happy
In her country home life before her
fathsr died and left her 10 the care
Of Mr. Colyille. Those had been hap
py days indeed. for Mr.. LEROY had
beer a dreamer and scholar and he
had been in the habit OF leaving his
sixteen-year-oid daughter very much
10 herself Hence the great intimacy
which had grown up between the girl
and Ronald Braybrooke. Ailsa had a..
Why's looked upon him as her beau
ideal OF what a man should be; from
a child she had unconsciously loved
him. Perhaps she had not known y
then, but she did now.
And vet no words OF love had ever
passed between them. IL was kind
OK beautiful idyll. rudely shattered by
the sudden death OF Mr. LEROY. Ron
aid was away In London at the time,
with some vague idea OF making his
fortune. and Ailsa had written To him.
Probably he didn't receive the lette-,
for no reply came. And then Mr.. Co..
vile came upon the scene and TOOK
Ailsa to town with him at No. Is YER
non-terrace.
What "A vast number of years ago 1t
seemed 10 her now. And there. had
come no further signs OF Ronald. stu
the girl had gone on trusting him; she
bad never doubted him Tor moment
And now the end had come. and the
knowledge OF it all In such a strange.
vilG way as this.
Ailsa was inclined 10 believe the
story OF John Stern. Outcast and de-
suised as he appeared 20 be, there
as something about the man that did
not repel Ailsa That he vas no COM
NOR thief she felt certain. She also
felt that his right name was not John
stern. and that he had some very pow
erful reason for writing that message
With his left hand. Ailsa wondered
what part her guardian was playing
In the drama She had read much OF
rascally guardians and the fortunes
OF their wards But, then. she had no
fortune. and Mr. Colyille did not in
the least resemble guardian OF melo-
drama.
still. he vas acting a part: OF that
Aiisa felt certain. Also. why had ne
crept back 10 his own house like 2
thief Ia the night. when he had ex
pre ssly telegraphed that he could not
possibly get back from Birmingham
Ailsa put the whole thing out OF her
mind now as she suddenly recollected
the plight I'm which she had left old
Susan But perhaps her husband
Thomas had returned. on the other
hand. he might have gone by the mid
night train 10 Birmingham II was just
possible that Mr.. COlVlle desired, 10
get his henchmah out OF the way.
Anyway. Ailsa felt that she mus,
find out for herself Mr. Colville' 3
study was closed - she passed along
and sounds OF subdued voices came
from the room. IAilsa could not hear
anybody talking In the basement Shs
found that old Susan had crossed ove'
20 q deep beehive armchair, where
she had fallen asleep Old Thomas
vas nowhere TO be seen. Beyon
/ doubt he had proceeded to Birming
ham as arranged. Ailsa shook the
| sleeping figure. and the aged woman
! muttered in her dreams.