The Washington times., 1912-06-12
CHAPTER XVI.
The Back Room.

emOtlOn-nlleU silence tndt ndu |
fallen between the baronet |
and his nephew, II know that you and |
Mr.. Ba-Mr. Clifford-have much to say |
to each other after his long separation, |
so am going to leave you to your
selves. 1 have something that I must |
attend to. and will meet you by and by. |
Remember that the breakfast hour is
$3.50. and-we shall expect you to remain |
to breakfast with US, Mr.-Mr."-
Clifford" whispered the young man,
turning eloquent eyes upon her.
"Mr. Clifford" finished Annabel, and
darted away. blushing rosily. before
either of the men could stop her.
When Lord Baramore and his nephew
entered the breakfast-room an hour
later their faces were eloquent. Lord
Baramore looked as IL some new breeze
of life had blown through him, and the
younger mans eyes were red, though
his expression was slender and happy.
Mrs. Chisleigh," said the baronet, go
ing directly to his hostess and taking
her hand, II have made a great dis
covery this morning. have found
great happiness, and am no longer
entirely desolate. Allow me the pleas
ure IT,.. Of introducing to you my nephew.
Young Baramore, looking a little en-
harrassed, put out his hand. and Mrs.
Chisleigh grasped It heartily.
II know" she said, smiling upon them.
how happy I am for you both. We had
already become attached to this boy of
yours, Lord Baramore. and find tnat |
he is your nephew. Ever since I have
known him l have been sure that he
was above the station he was occupying,
and now know why II was that there
haunting resemblance that could not
account for, but which always inclined
mo toward him. You are a fortunate
man. Lord Baramore. to have discov-
man. a lucky boy TO have such an
uncle.'
Both men laughed and acknowledged
| the compliment
"that it was our dear little girl that
brought. ns together! What has be-
come Of her, wonder?"
she was here a moment ago" said
| Mrs Chiseigh looking about. 'Ah,
here she comes! And now we must sit
down to breakfast"
Both men turned toward the door.
and remained standing as Annabel en-
| tered.
She was dressed in white from head
| to foot, and wore a brilliant crimson
rose in the soft waves OF her sunny
hair. AS she stood for an instant in
flushed softly, an expression of tender
yet radiant happiness in her eyes, and
| Inade q picture which neither of the
Incn who looked upon 1t could ever for
get.
The breakfast, though a cheerful, was
not loquacious meal. Too many and
| too deep emotions were stirring In
the hearts of the four who were gath
] Baramore rose from the table with an
4 energy that neither Mrs. Chisleigh nor
Annabel had ever seen in him before:
| Now" he cried. ito ferret out the
mystery of the House of the Purple
Windows! We are all equally inter-
ested in it's solution. and now that |
have my boy here to help me l feel
that we shall succeed. Let US set out
at once 1 have never seen the inside
of the old house yet. and am anxious
to know what impression 1 will get
from It,"
"Oh! yes" cried Annabel. jumping up
from the table. "let us go at once, l
feel that what we do today must bring
good fortune. Come, mother, you must
come with us, We will all walk across
Yes, you must certainly come with
us, dear madam, and keep me com
pany," put in Lord Baramore. For /
am quite sure these youngsters here
will go racing Off ahead at such pace
that my old legs can never keep up
with them"
Mrs. Chisleigh laughed, and Annabel
, protested that she would never be sc
impolite to a guest. but, nevertheless
when the quartet started across the
: field clifford and the girl were soon fal
+ ahead, while Lord Baramore and Mrs
Chisleigh followed more sedately. lr
, deep and apparently happy discourse.
At the edge of the wood they found
the young people waiting for them
r AnnabeTs cheeks were like roses, and
her eyes like stars, and young Cliff
, ford's face was grave yet radiant.
Annabel did not meet her mother
ewes, but with a little cry of Are we
, all ready?" darted on ahead, and
. springing up the steps of the old house
! unlocked the front door.
AS 1t creaked open on its heavy, rusty
' hinges. Clifford hurried to her side, anC
, together they entered the dark portals
' At every stey Lord Baramore stopped
t and listened.
Z He was pale-paler than Annabel hat
) ever seen him before, and shaking will
suppressed excitement.
o II cannot understand what Is th'
matter with me-" he whispered, a:
Q Clifford slipped his strong, young arm
= under his. II certainly am not COW
s ard, but I am filled with a strang
t sense of some approaching climax-o
l -something-that I cannot under
, stand?"
at is a gloomy place." responded tn
!, young man, "and connected as 1t
z with all these strange happenings
$ naturally rather gets upon one
y As the party went forward there wa
n no sound in the house. The deathl!
d stiffness of the place was only broker
by their whispering voices and the hol
e low echo Of their steps.
" Continuation Of This Story vii
he Found In TOmOrrOw's
l. Issue Of The Times.