Year: 1873

The next morning, while we were speaking
of our unsuccessful search, the servant came
in to say that "Mr. English" was in the par
lor, and had asked for me. l told Mary she
had better not see him, as did not wish him
to suspect that she knew he was Nellie's faith
er.


"You see, Matte, am among your first
visitors. I am glad to see you at home
again"


"Thank you, Mr.. Walker. am delighted
to be at home can assure you"


81 hope you bring me good news from Cl't-
toni"


Eyes; Nellie and the baby are both well,
though Nellie was at the point of death for
sometime after you left"


GLOW did she bear the news of my being
her father? Now she knows it, | suppose
there is no objection to my going there more
frequently"


II have no right to control your actions,
Mr.. Walker but for her sake, as we'll as your
own, I think it best for you to defer your
visit"


"And why for my sake, may I ask?"


eff you should be recognized, Harry will
never permit you to enter his doors again. l
shall Immediately write to Nellie, and advise
her to tell her husband all she knows about
you" !,


(which, I suppose, is nothingin my favor,
if you are the person who gave her the infor-
nation"


"You are right she has never heard any
thing favorable of you. Was the object of
your visit to enquire about Nellie?" | asked,
after moments pause.


"No; came over to tell you that next
Monday I shall conclude my arrangements
to claim the Elmwood property. As my right
and title are indisputable, there is not the
slightest probability of my being prevented
from carrying out my plan. You can tell
your brother, if you choose; but it is not nee
essary, as shall give you month in which
to make your preparation to leave"


"You need not trouble yourself" said l,
coolly; eve have no arrangements to make.
We do not intend to leave Elmwood."


Indeed! Isuppose ought to be comPli'
mented at your wishing to be my guests; but
am afraid I cannot realize it as compli.
ment under the circumstances. must bid
you good morning, as I have not time to re-
main longer. Remember next Monday" And
with triumphant look, he closed the door.


Only three more days, and I could do moth
ing to prevent this man from claiming our
home! When-I told Mary she said


II am not going to believe it, Matte. We
will never have to give up this dear old home
Something will surely happen to prevent it.
Perhaps your friend, Mr.. Morris, will come
before then, and he may be able to make MIR.
Walker wait few days longer"


81 do not see how he can help US, Mary
but wish, most sincerely, he was here. We
must not let John see there is anything wrong
for it may all be prevented yet"


I said this very hopefully; but my heart
belied my words. felt as if the worst had
come, and all that was left US. to do, was to
make up our minds to give up the home we
loved so dearly. What long, anxious day
I found it impossible to work. I wandered
about the house and grounds, as if to impress
every object on my minds eye, for it might be
that would soon have to look my last The
afternoon wore slowly away. When night
came, told Mary that as 1 did not feel as if
1 could sleep, I would sit up and read to aunt
Patsy and she could retire early.


1t was about half past nine, think, when
1 first heard it-only the sound of footster
in the next room it might have been SER
want then, but later in the evening heard il
again. This time I knew it was not ser
want, for they had all left the house for the
NIGHT determined would see at once what