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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1901)
t TIUj OMAHA DAILY 1IJ3J2: StT2fDAY, MAUCH 31, 1001. Tristram of Blent. Being An Episode in a Story of An Ancient House. . BY ANTHONY HOPE. tt tt tt tt Hynopaln of I'rrcciltiiK Clinptpm. Lady Adelaide wife of Sir ltobort IMgo of Ulnt Hull, eloped with Captain KHz huhcrt. Sir Hobcrt died In llutslu, pre sumably In tlmu for Lady Adclnldu and Fltzhubcrt to marry and no rtiako their non Harry tho kgltlimtlo heir to Sir Kobert'H estates. They lenrn later, how ever, that tho dato of 8lr Ilobert's death has been given Incorrectly and Harry Is not tlio rightful heir. Thoy keep tho matter secret, and eventually Harry comes Into possession of tho eatatcs and resides with his mother nt Blent Hall. Unknown to Lady Adelaide, a Madam Zabrlska, and Mr. Jenklnson Neold, aro also In posicfslon of the secret and Madam Zabrlska with her uncle, Major Duplny, comes to reside at Merrlon Lodgo near Hlont Hall. Harry learns from his mother that ho Is not rightful heir to Hlont, but they dotermlno to hold tho tltlo for htm nt any cost. To further his causo ho derides to marry Jatilo Ivors, heiress of Fnlrholmc, but tlnds two rivals In Hob Uroadley and Major Duplay. Tho latter learns of Ills unfortu natii birth from Mlna Zabrlskn- Ho In forms him that ho Intends to tell Ivors, nnd they quarrel, Harry winning In a. brisk tusslo. Necld becomes tho guest of Ivor nt Fnirhoimo. (Copyright, 1D0O, by A. II. Hawkins.) Dy tho Blent tho drama seemed very con siderately to bo waiting tor him. It says much for Major Duplay that his utter and humiliating defeat by tho Tool had not driven him Into any hasty action or shaken htm In his original purpose. If ho could by any means nvold It ho was determined not to movo whllo Lady Tristram lived. Harry might forco him to act sooner; that rested with Harry, not with him. Meanwhile he declined to explain even to Mlna what hod occurred by tho Pool, and treated her open IncrcdulouBnuss as to Harry's explanation with sllcnco or a snub. Tho major was not happy at this tlmo; yot his unhapptness was nothing to tho dcop woo und, Indeed, terror, which had settled on Mlna Zabrlska. Sho had guessed enough to sco that for the moment, at least, Harry had succeeded In handling Duplay so roughly as to delay, If not to thwart, his operations; what would ho not do to her, whom ho must know to bo tho original causo of tho trouble? Sho used to stand on tho tcrraco at Merrlou and wonder about this; and sho dared not go to Falrholmo lest sho Rhould encounter Harry. Sho mado many good resolutions for tho future, but there was no comfort In tho present days. Tho resolutions went for nothing, oven In tho moment In which they were made. Sho had suffered for meddling; that was bad; It was worse to tho Imp not to nicddlo; inactivity was tho ono thing unendurable. She, too, llko old Mr. Necld in London town, was drawn by tho Intcrost of tho position, by tho need of seeing how Harry Tristram fought his light. For four days sho resisted; on tho evening of tho fifth, after dinner, whllo tho major dazed, tho enmo out on tho tcrraco In a cloak and looked down tho hill. It was rather dark, nnd lllcnt hall loomed dimly In tho valley bolow. Sho pulled tho hood of her cloak over her head and began to descend tho hill; sho had no special purpose; sho wanted a nearer look at lllcnt, and It was a una night for a stroll. Sho cams to tho road, crossed It after a momentary hesita tion, and stood by tho gato of tho Uttlo footbridge, which, In days beforo enmity arose, Harry Tristram had told her was nover locked. Mlna advanced to tho mlddlo of tho bridge nnd leaned on tho parapet, her eyes sot on lllcnt hall. Thero wcro lights in tho lower windows; one window on tho upper floor wns lighted, too. Thero, doubtless, Lady Tristram lay slowly dying; somawbern olso In tho houso Harry was keeping his guard and perfecting his do ' fenses. Tho nbsoluto peace and rest of tho outward view, tho alocplcss vigilance and unceasing battlo within, a battlo that death mado keener and could not full to rest this contrast camo upon Mlna with a strango palnfulncBs; her eyes filled with tears ns sho stood looking. A man enmo out Into tho garden and lit a cigar; sho know It wns Harry; sho did not movo. Ho sauntered toward tho bridge; sho hold hor ground; though ho should strtko her, sho would havo speech with him tonight. Ho was by tho brldgo and had his hand on tho gato at tho lllcnt end of It before ho saw her. Ho Htood still a mo ment, then camo to her sldo nnd leaned ns sho wa3 leaning, over tho parapet. Ho was bareheaded! sho saw his thick hair nnd his peaked forehead; ho smoked stead ily; ho showed no surprise at seplng her, and ho did not speak to her for a long time. At last, still without looking nt her, ho bogun. Sho could Just make out his smile, or thought sho could; at any rato sho was Buro It Was there. "Woll. Mlna do Krles," said he. She started n littlo. "Oh, J don't believe In tho lato Zabrlskn. I don't believe, you're grown up; I think you'ro about IB a beastly age." Ho put his cigar back In his mouth. "You sco that window?" ho resumed In a moment. "And you know what's happening behind It. Woll, how's tho major? Has ho got that trick in better order yet?" Sho found her tonguo with dlfllculty. "Does Lady Tristram know about about me?" sho stammered. "I Bomettmes Ho to my mother," said Harry, flicking his ash into thertver. "Why do you llu to your uncle, though?" "I didn't llo. You know I didn't lie." Ho shrugged Ills' shoulders wearily and relapsed Into silence. Silence thcro was till, a minute or two Inter, It was broken by a Uttlo sob from Mlna Zabrlska. Ho turned his head toward her; then ho took hold of her nrtu and mado her faco around to him. Tho tears wcro running down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry," sho murmured, "I didn't mean to, and I did it! And now now I can't stop it. You needn't bcllovo mo It you don't like, but I'm I'm miserable and and frightened." Ho flung hlf cigar into tho water and put his hands In his pockots. So ho stood watching her, hla body swaying a littlo to nnd fro; his eyes wcro suspicious ot her, yet they scorned amused also, nnd they wero not cruol; it wns not such n look as ho had given her when they parted by the pool. "If It were truo?" sho asked, "I mean, couldn't Lady TrUtram somehow" "If what were truo? O, tho nnnsenso you told Duplay?" Ho laughed. "If it was true I should be a nobody and nobody's eon. I cupposo that would amuso you very much, wouldn't it? You wouldn't havo come to Merrlon tor nothing thon! But as it Isn't true, what's tho uso of talking?" Ho won no bollot from her when ho said that it was not truo. Sho drew her cloak around her and shivered, "Cold?" ho, asked. "No. Wrotchcd, wrotched." "Would you llko to see my mother?" "You wouldn't lot her see mo?" "She's asleep nnd the nurso la nt suppor not that she'd matter. Come along." He turned and began to walk quickly to. ward the houso; Mlna followed him as though in a dream. They entered n large hall. It a dark, save tor ono candle, and she could boo nothing ot its furniture He led her straight up a broad oak stalrcaso that rose from tho mlddlo ot It and then long n corridor. Tho polished oak gleamed hero and there as they passed a candle In brackets on tho wall and was slippery un der hor unaccumtomed feet. Tho wholo house was very still still, cool and very peaceful. Cautiously ho opened n door and beck oned her to follow him. Lights were burnt ttf log in the room. Lady Tristram lay sleep ing; her hair, stilt fair and golden, spread over tho pillow; her face was calm and un- lined; sho seemed a young and beautiful girl wasted by a fever. Hut tho fever was tho fever of llfo as well as of disease Thus Mlna saw again tho lady sho bad seen at Heidelberg. "She won't wake; sho had her sleeping draft," ho said, and Mlna took It to mean that sho might linger a moment more. She cast her ryes round the room. Over tho fireplace, facing the bed, was a full-length portrait of a girl. Sho was drcstcd all In red; tho glory of hor whlto nock, her brilliant hair and blue oyes roso out ot tho scarlet setting. This was Addlo Tristram In her prime, as sho was when sho fltd with Randolph Kdgo; as she was when sho cried in tho Uttlo room at Heldolberg: "Think of tho difference it makes, the enormous difference!" "My mother likes to havo that picture there," Harry explained. Tho sleeping woman stirred faintly. In obcdlonco to a look from Harry Mlna fol lowed him from tho room and they passed down stairs and through tho hall together In sllcnco. Ho came with her as far ns tho bridge. Thcro ho paused. Tho scene they had left had apparently stirred no now emotion in him; it had left Mlna Zabrlskn trembling and moved to tho heart. "Now you'vo seen her, and beforo that you'd seen me. And perhaps now you'll understand that wo'ro the Trlstrams ot lllcnt and that wo llvo and die that." His volco grow a Uttlo louder. "And your non sonso?" ho exclaimed. "It's all a llo. Hut It It was truo? It's tho blood, Isn't it, not tho law, that matters? It's her blood and my blood, That's my real title to Blent." In tho midst ot his lying ho spoko truth there, and Mlna know It. Dy right or blood ho claimed to stand master of Ulcnt, and bo ho meant to stand. "Yes," sho said. "Yes, yes; God holp you to It." Sho turned and left him and ran up tho hill, catching her breath in sobs again. Harry Tristram stood and watched her as long as ho could sco her retreating figure. "Tho major must play his hand alone now," ho enld. "Ho'Il got no moro help from her." Ho paused a moment. "It's a funny thing, though. That's not really why I took her up." Ho shook his head In purzle. Perhaps ho could hardly bo expected to rccognizo that It was that prldo of his prldo In his mother, his rnco, himself which had mado him bid Mlna Zabrlska look upon Lady Tristram as she slept. CIIAPTint VII. Thr Momcut Drawn Xcnr, Janlo Ivor had been brought up to know her own mlndj It was tho eleventh com mnndmcnt In the Iver household. Ivor en tertained tho Intellectual, his wife the mora), objection to shilly-shallying; thoir daughter's training, whllo conducted with All kindness, had been eminently sensible, and early days had offered few temptations to stray from tho path of tho obviously desirable. Tho caso was different now; riches brought a change; tho world ro- vealcd its resources; llfo was spreading out its divers wares. Janlo was much nuzzled as to what sho ought to do, moro as to what sho wanted to do, mct ot all as to what sho would In the end do unless. In deed, tho fact that sho was puzzled con tinued to rank as tho greatest puzzle ot all Naturally tho puzzles wero porsonlfled, or tho persons mado Into puzzles. Men became lives to her, as well as individuals tho Tristram, tho Duplay, the Broadlcy llfo; her opinion of tho llfo complicated hor feel ing toward tho person. Tho Tristram llfo nttractcd her strongly, tho llfo of tho great lady; Harry had his fascination, too; yet sho did not think that sho and Harry would bo very happy together, woman and man. Tho Duplay llfo promised another sort ot Joy; tho major's experlenco was world-wldo, his knowledgo various", his con vernation full ot hints of tho unexplored: sho would bo broadening her llfo If sho Identified it with his. Lastly, thcro was that quiet Broadley life, to bo transformed In some degree doubtless by her wealth, yet likely to remain In essentials tho peaceful, homoly uxlstcnco which Bho know very well. Sho found herself thinking, In terms suportlclally repugnant to conversation, that sho would llko to pay long vIsltB to tho other men, but havo Bob to como homo to when Bho was Inclined for rest and trnn qulllty. Hor perplexity was not strango in itself; but it wns strango and new to her; and. Imbued with the parental views about ehtlly-shallylng, sho was angry with hcrsolf and inclined to bo ashamed. Judged from tho outside, sho was not open to blame In her attltudo towards Harry; ho was not in love with her and hardly pretended to bo. Nor had Duplay any causo ot complaint In being kept waiting; he would bo held exceedingly lucky not to bo sent to tho right-about Instantly. But with Bob Broad ley tha matter was different. On tho subtlo question of what exactly constitutes "en couragement" (It Is tho technical term) in these cases It Is not perhaps necessary to enter; but falso hopes might, no doubt, arlso from her visits to Mlnghairi, from her habit of riding up tho road by tho rlvor about tho tlmo when Bob would bo likely to bo riding down it, or of sauntering by tho pool on tho days when ho drove his gig Into Blontmouth on business all this being be yond and outside legitimate meetings at Falrholmo ttsolf. Unless sho meant to marry him sho might Indeed raise hopes that were false. Yes, but It did not seom as though sho did. Bob was bumblo. Sho had tyrannized over him even before tho Ivors grew bo very rich. "Send the gig homo and stny and talk," sho commanded, and ho stopped by hor on tho road; he wbb returning from Blont mouth to M Ingham and found hor strolling by the pool. "I want to speak with you." He had hU bailiff with hlra-they had boen soiling a cow nnd left him to tako the gig homo. He shook hands with frank cor diality. "That's nwfully nice of you," he said. "What about?" "Nothing in particular," said she. "Mayn't I want It Just generally?" "O, woll, I thought you meant thero was something special. I'vo sold tho cow well, Miss Jnulo," "Bother the cow! Why haven't you been to Falrholmo?" "Well, In fact, I'm not suro that Mr. Iver ts death on soelng mo there too often. But I fhall turn up nil right soon," "Havo you been going about anywhere?" "No. Been up at Mlngham most of tho time." "Isn't that rather lonely?" "Lonely? Clood heavens, no. I've got too much to do." Janlo glanced nt him. What was to bo dono with a man who treated provocntlvo suggestions as though they woro slnccro questions? If ho had not enred for hor now? But she knew he did. "Well, I'vo been very dull, anyhow. One never sees anybody fresh at Falrholmo now. It's always either Mr, Tristram or Major Duplay." "Well, 1 shouldn't be very fresh, either, should I?" Tho names she mentloued drew no sign from htm. "I don't couut you a visitor at all, And they nro visitors I sunnose." Sho seemed I a littlo in doubt, yet both the gentlemen, anyhow, were not presumably received as ! members of tho family, 'I'll tell you what I vo been thinking about," said Bob, speaking slowly, nnd ap parently approaching an Important an nouncement. "Yea?" she said, turning to him with In terest, and watching his handsome, open face; It was not n very clever faco, but it was a very pleasant one; sho enjoyed look ing nt it. "I'vo been thinking that I'll sell the black horse, but I can't make up my mind whether to do It now or keep him through tho sum mer and sell him when hunting begins, I don't know which would pay me best." "That certainly Is a very Important ques tion," remarked Janlo, with a wealth of sar casm. "Well, it gives me a lot of trouble, Miss Janlo." "Doc It? And It doesn't Interest mo In tho very yes. It does, Bob, very much. I'm Eorry. Of courso It docs. Only " "Anything tho mnttor with you?" Hob In quired with friendly solicitude. 'No not Just now. There never Is, some how, when I'm with you. And lot's talk about tho black horse It'll bo soothing. Is tho prlco of oats a factor?" Dob laughed a little, but did not proceed with tho discussion. They sauntered on In silence for a few minutes, Bob taking out his tobacco. "Worried, aren't you?" ho asked, lighting his pipe. "Yes," she answered, shortly. "Wns that what, you wanted to say to mo?" "No, of courso not. As if I should talli to you about It!" "Don't suppose you would, no. Still, wo'ro friends, aren't we?" "Do you feci friendly to me?" "Friendly! Well!" lie laughed. "What MINA CAME AND STOOD OVER HIM. do you think about it yoursolf?" ho asked. "Look here, I don't bother you; but I'm hero when you want me." "When I want you?" "I mean, if I can, do anything 'for you, or or advise you. I don't think I'm a fool, you know." "I'm really glad to hear you'vo got ns far aB that," she remarked rather tartly. "Your fault, Bob, Is not thinking nearly enough of yoursolf." "You'll soon change that If you sny much more." Ills plcasuro In her Implied pralso was obvious, but ho did not read a Blugle word moro Into her speech than tho words sho uttered. "And you aro friendly to mo still?" "It doesn't mako nny dlffcrenco to mo whether I see you or not" "What?" she cried. Tho next momont Bho was laughing. "Thanks, Hob; )ut but you'vo a funny way of putting things some times." Sho laid her hand on his arm for a moment, sighing "Dear old Bob!" "Oh, you know what I mean," ho said, puffing away. Ills healthy Bkln had flushed a trlllo, but that was his only reply to her littlo caress. "If If I came to you some day and said I'd been a fool, or been made a fool of, and was very unhappy, and and wanted com forting, would you Btlll bo nlco to mo?" His answer camo after n puff and a pause. "Well, If you over get llko that I should recommend you Just to try mo for what I'm worth," ho said. Her eyes wero fixed on his fnce, but ho did not look at her. Somo men would have seen In her appeal an opportunity of trying to win from hor moro than she was giving. Tho caBo did not present itself in that light to Bob Broad ley. Ho did not press his own advantage, ho hardly bolloved It; nnd ho had besides n vaguo Idea that ho would spoil for her tho feeling sho bad if ho greeted tt with too much enthusiasm. What Bho wanted was a friend a solid, possibly rather Btolld, -.,r,,i. wiiii ihnt commodity ho was pro- pared to provide hor. Tho humblest of men havo momenta of pride; it musi uo- con rii Mint nob thouKht ho was bobavlng not only with proper feeling, but nlso with couslderablo tact a tnct that was basod on knowledge of women. Interviews Buch as theso and they wero not infrequent formed a rather incongru ous background, but nlso an undeniable relief to tho llfo Janlo was leading at Falr holmo. That seemed to havo littlo concern with Bob Hroadlcy and to bo engrossed In tho struggle between Harry and Duplay. Both men pressed on. Harry had not been scared away. Duplay would win without using his secret weapon, If ho could. Each had his manner, Harry's constrained, yet direct, tho major's more florid, more ex pressed in glances, compliments nnd atten tions. Hut neither had yot risked tho do clslvo word. Janlo was playing for delay. Tho major seemed Inclined to grant It her. Hut Harry grow Impatient, was Imperious in bis calls on her tlmo and might faco her with the demand for an answer any day. She could not explain how It was, but Bomehow his conduct seemed to be con ditioned by tho progress of Lady Tristram's Illness. About Harry Tristram, anyhow, she was right. Ho was using to Its full valuo hla rival's chivalrous desire to mako no move ment during Lady Tristram's llfotlmo; ho reckoned on It nnd meant to profit by It. A look of brutality would be given to any action of his whllo Lady Tristram luy dying; Harry hoped this aspect of his con duct would frighten htm. At least, It was worth risking. Tho doctors talked of two months moro; Harry Tristram meant to bo engaged beforo ono of them was out. Could ho bo married beforo tho second ran Its course? Mm. Ivor would havo scoffed at tho Idea and Janlo shrunk from It. But a dying mother's appeal would count with almost Irresistible strength In such n caso nnd Harry was sure of being furnished with this aid. He came to Fair ho mo a day or two after Janlo had talked with Hob Broadloy. Sho was on tho lawn, with her Mlna Zabrlska and ,a small, neat, elderly man, who was Introduced to him as Mr. Jenklnson Nceld, Harry paid little attention to this In significant person and gavo Mlna no moro than a careless shako of the hand nnd a good-humored, amused nod; he was no( afraid of her any longer. He claimed Janlo and contrived to lead her to eomo cbatrs on the other side ot the lawn. "And that Is Mr. Harry Tristram?" said Nceld, looking nt hlra Intently through his spectacles. "Yes," said tho Imp, briefly; sho was at tho moment rather bored by Mr. Nceld. "An Interesting looking young man." "Ycb, he's Intercftlng." And she added n moment later, "you'ro having a good look nt him. Mr. Necld." "Denr me, was I staring? I hopo not. Hut well, wo vo all heard of his mother, you know." "I'm nfrald the next thing we hear about her will bo tho last." What she had seeu nt lllcnt hall was In her mind nnd she spoko rndly. "Mr. Tristram will succeed to his throne soon now." Necld looked nt her ns If he wcro nbout to speak, but ho said nothing and his eyes wnndcrcd back to Harry again. "They're friends Mis Ivor and he?" he asked at last. "Oh, It's no secret that he wants to marry her." "And does she" Mlna laughed, not very naturally. "It's something to bo Lndy Tristram of Blent." Harry wanted to marry Janlo Ivor! With a sudden revulsion ot feeling, Necld wished himself far from lllrntmouth. However, It wns his duty to talk to this sharp littlo foreign woman, nnd ho meant to try. A few pollto questions brought him to tho point of Inquiring her nationality. "Oh, wo'ro Swiss, French Swiss. But I was born at Heidelberg. My mother lived "YOU KNOW IT WAS IN THE JOUHNAL. 1 thcro nftcr my father died. My uncle, who lives with me. Major Duplay, Is her brother; ho was In tho Swiss service." "A pleasant society nt Heidelberg, I dare say?" "Rather dull," said Mlna. It seemed much the oam'o at Blcntmouth at the mo ment. "Iver strolled out from his 3tudy on to the lawn. Ho cast a glanco toward his daughter and Harry, frowned slightly, and sat down on Mtna's other sldo. lie had a newspaper in his hand, nnd ho held It up as ho spoko to Nceld across Mlna. "Your hook's .promised for the 15th, I Bee, Nceld." "Yes, It's to bo out then." Mlna was delighted at being presented with a topic. Sometimes It is tho most precious ot gifts. "Oh, Mr. Neeld, havo you written a book. How interesting! What Is it? A novel?" "My dear Mme. Zabrlska!" murmured Nceld, feeling as it ho wero being mado fun of. "And It's not really ray book. I'vo only edited it." "But that's Just as good," Mlna Insisted amiably. "Do toll mo what it is." "Hero you are, Mlna. Ther.o's a full tltlo and description for you. There's nothing olso in tho paper." Iver handed It to her with a stifled yawp. Sho read It and turned to Necld with a quick Jerk of her hend. "Journal and Correspondence ot Joslnh Choldorton," sho repeated, "O, but 0 but woll, that Is curlousl Why, wo used to know Mr. Cholderton!" "You knew Mr. Choldorton?" said Mr. Necld in mild surprise Then, with a recol lection, ho added, "0, at Heidelberg, I daro say? But you must have been a child?" "Yen, I was. Docs ho talk about Iloldol .bcrg?" "Ho mentions It once or twice." In spite of himself Neold began to feci that ho was within mcasurablo dlstanco ot gottlng on difficult ground. "What fun If ho mentioned mo! 0, but of courso ho wouldn't Bay anything about a child of D." Tho slightest start ran through Nccld's figure; It passed unnoticed; ho looked sharply at Mlna Zabrlskn. , "Ho know my mother qulto well; ho used to come nnd sco us. Does ho mention her Mme. do Krles?" Thore was a perceptlblo pause; then Necld answered primly: "I'm afraid you won't find your mother's nnmo mentioned In Mr. Choldorton's Jour nal, Mme, ZabrlBku." "How horrid!' remarked Mlna, greatly disappointed; Bho regnrded Mr. Neold with a now Interest all tho same. They wero both struck with this strange co4ncldcnco oh tt socracd to them, though In fact it was not properly n cotncldenco at all, that thoy should moot nt Blentmouth. "You'ro sure ho says nothing about us?" she urged. "You'll not find a word," ho replied, sticking to tho form of assertion that salved his conscience Hn looked across the lawn again, but Jnulo and Harry had disappeared among tho bushes. "You'ro sort of old acquaintances at sec ond hand, then," said Iver, smiling. "Chol derton'a the connecting link." "He didn't llko me," remarked Mlna. "He used to call mo tho Imp." "Yes, yes," gald Necld, In absent-minded acquleseenee. "Yes, tho Imp." "You don't seem much surprised," cried Minn In mock indignation. "Surprised!" Ho started moro vlolontli-. "Oh, yes I I of course, I'm" A laugh from his host spared him the effort of further apologies. Hut ho was a good deal shaken'; bo had very nearly botrnyed M krow ledge of tho Imp. Indeed ho could not rid himself of the Idea that thore was n very Inquisitive look In Mme. Zabrlska'a large eyes, Mlna risked one moro question, put very cnielessly, "I think ho must hnn met Lady Tristram thero once or twice. Dow he say anything about her?" "Not u word," said Nild, grasping the nettle firmly this time. Mlna took another look at hlra, but he blinked resolutely behind his glasses, "Well. It's Just like Mr. Cholderton to leave out all the Interesting things," she observed, resignedly, "Only I wonder why you edit hla book It It's llko that, you know." "Hullo, what's that?" exclaimed Iver, suddenly sitting up In his chair. They heard tho sound of a horse's gal loping on tho road outside. Tho nolso ot tho hoofs stopped suddenly; they sat lis tening. In ii tnlnuto or two tho butter led a groom In tho Tristram livery on to the lawn, llo camo quickly across to lvcr, touching Ills hat. "Beg pardon, sir, but could I seo Mr. Tristram? I've an Important message for him" At the same moment Janlo and Harry Tristram camo out on to tho grass. Harry saw the groom, and was with them in a moment, Jnnlo following. "Well, Sam, what Is It? You were riding hard." ' "Her ladyship has had a relapse, sir, and Dr. Fryer ordered mo to ride over and tell you at once. No time to lose, he said, Blr." "Did you bring n horse for mo7 "No, sir. But I'm riding (Jullldrlvcr." "I'll go back on him. You can walk." Ho turned to tho rest. "I must go nt once," ho said. "I don't know what this may mean." "Not so bad ns It sounds, 1 hope," said Ivor. "But you'd 'best be off at once." Harry Included Mlna and Mr. Nceld In ono light ncd and walked briskly toward tho gate, Iver and Janlo accompanying htm. Minn and Nceld wero left together nnd sat In sllcnco somo momenta. "It Bounds as If sho was dylngi" said Mlna at last In n low volco. "Yes, poor woman." "1 snw her once lately. She wns very beautiful, Mr. Nceld." "Yes, yes to her own great trouble, poor thing." ' "You knew nbout" "Oh, ovcrybody knew, Mine. Zabrlska." "Yea, and now sho's dying!" Sho turned to him, looking htm fairly in tho face. "And Harry'll bo Tristram ot Blent," she said. "Yes," said Nceld. "He'll be Tristram of Blent." M SURE YOU KNOW." SAID SHE. , Both fell Into sllcnco again, looking ah scntly nt the sunsblno playing among tho trees. They wero not to share thoir secret Just yet. A link was missing between them still. Harry camo to whero tho horso was and stood there for a momont whllo tho groom nltcrcd the stirrups to milt him. "It's tbo beginning of the end, If not tho end Itself," ho said. "Our earnest good wishes to her." "My love," said Janle. Her father glanced quickly at her. Harry Jumped Into tho saddlo, waved his hand to them and started at a gallop for Blent. Tho groom, with another touch of his hat, trudged oft In his master's track. Janlo Iver stood looking as long ns Harry was In sight. "Ho won't spare tho horse," said Ivor. "Well, ho can't thl3 time and, anyhow, ho wouldn't, If ho wanted to get there." Sho took her father's arm and pressed It. "Father, Harry Tristram has Just asked mo to marry him. Ho said Lady Tristram wanted It settled before beforo sho died, or ho wouldn't havo spoken so soon.1' "Well, Janle, dear?" "When tho groom camo I had Just told him that I would give hlra an answer In a week. But now" Sho made n gesture with her frco hand which seemed to moan bewilderment. She could not tell what would happen now. CIIAPTI2H VIII. Duty mill Mr. Nceld. When Mlna Zabrlska brought back tho news from Falrholmo and announced It with an Intensity of slgnlflcanco which tho sudden aggravation ot an Illness long known to bo mortal hnrdly accounted for, Major Duplay grew very solemn. Tho mo ment for action approached and the nearer It enmo tho less was tho major satisfied with his position and resources. Tho scene by tho pool bad taught him that ho would have a stiff light. Ho had been hard hit by Harry's shrowd suggestion that he must ask Iver himself for tho means of proving what ho meant to tell lvcr. Tho only al ternative, however, was to procure money for tho necessary Investigations from his ntcco nnd his nleco, though comfortably well off, was not rich. Nor was sho longer zealous In tho causo. Tho Imp was sulky and sullen with him, sorry sho had ever touched tho nffalr at all, ready, ho sus pected, to grasp nt any excuso for letting tt drop. This temper ot hcr'a foreboded a A refusal to open her purse. It wns serious In another way. Of himself Duplay know nothing. Mlna was his only witness, her evidence, though really second-hand, was undoubtedly weighty; It would, at least, mako Inquiries necessary. But would she give It? Duplay was conscious that she Mas capable of turning round on him nnd declaring that she had made a blunder. If sho did that, what would happen? Harry's attltudo would be simple. Ho would at the proper tlmo produce his cer tificates, testifying to the death of Sir Ran dolph, tho marrlago of his parents, his own birth. Tho copies wcro In perfect order nnd, duly authenticated, they were evidence In themselves; tho originals could bo had and would bear out tho copies. All this had been well looked nftcr nnd Duplay did not doubt It. What had ho to set up agaln3t It? Only that tho third certificate was falso and that somewhere, neither he nor oven Mlna know whore, bearing somo dates, neither ho nor Mlna knew what, thero must be two other certificates, ono fatal to Harry's case ns fixing his birth nt an earlier date, tho other throwing at least gravo suspicion on It by recording a second ceremony of marrlago. Hut where were these certificates? Conceivably they had been destroyed that was not likely, but wns possible. At any rate to And them would need much time and somo money. On reflection tho major could not blame Harry for defying him by tho pool. It will be seen that tho Information which Minn gleaned from her mother and 111 led In from her own childish recollection wns not so minute In the matter of dato as that which Madam do Krles had given nt the tlmo of tho events to Mr. Cholderton nnd which was now locked away In tho drawer at Mr. Jenklnson Noeld'a chambers Tho major would havo been materially as sisted by a sight ot that document; It would havo narrowed tho necessary area of Inquiry and given a dellultenesB to his nssortlons, which must havo carried weight with Mr. lvcr. Mlna, being sulky, would not tnlk to her uncle; sho could not talk to Janle Iver; sho did not seo Harry nnd would not havo dared to talk tc him If duo had. Hut It need hardly bo said that sho was dying to talk to Homebody. With such matters on hand sho struggled against silence like soda water against tho cork. Merely to Htaro down nt Blent nnd wonder whnt was happening thcro whetted n curiosity It could not satisfy. She felt out ot the game and tho feeling wa3 Intolerable. As a last resort, In n Inst effort to keep In touch with It, although sho had been warned that sho would 11ml nothing of In terest to her In tho volume, sho tolegrnphed to n llbrnry bookseller In London to send her Mr. Choldcrton's Journal. It camo tho day after tt was published, four days after Bho had mado Mr. Noeld'a acquaintance, and whllo Lady Tristram, continry to ex pectation, still held death at arm's length nnd lay looking at her own picture, Tho next morning Nceld received a pressing In vitation to go to lea at Merrlon lodge. Without a moment's hesitation ho went; with him, too, all resolutions to know nnd to care nothing further about tbo matter vanished boforo tho flrst clinuco ot seeing moro of It. And Mlna had been Mile, de Krles. Sho received him in tho library. Tho Journal lay on tbo table. Something bad restored animation to her manner aud mallco to her eyes. Sho begnn by flatter ing her visitor outrageously, and Indulging In a number of falso statements regard ing her delight with tho Journal, and tho amusement nnd Instruc tion sho had gained from It. Sho oven professed to havo mastered tho hygroxorlc method, observing that a note by tho editor put tho wholo thing In a nut shell. Much pleased, yet vaguely disap pointed, Mr. Neold concluded that sho had no more to say about tho visit to Heidel berg. , Tho Imp turned over tho pages leisurely while Neeld sipped his tea. "I seo you put littlo asterisk things whero you leavo out anything," sho ob served. "That's convenient, Isn't It?" "I think It's usual," Bald he. "And another thing you do Oh, you really aro a splendid editor you put the dato at tho top of every page, oven whero Mr. Chohlerton's entry runs over over bo many pages. He Is rather long sometimes, isn't ho?" "I'vo always found tho (Into ot tho top of tho pngo a convenience In rending my self," said Mr. Necld. "Yes, It tells you Just whero you are and whero Mr. Cholderton was." Sho Inughed n little. "Yes, look hero; page 3C3, May, IS7.1; bo's at Berlin! Then thoro nro some asterisks " Mr. Nceld looked up from his tea. "And you turn over tho pago" (tho Imp turned over with tho air of n discoverer) "and you find him nt Intcrlnken In why. In August, Mr. Neold!" An amiable, surprise appeared on her face "Whero was ho In between?" sho naked, "I I suppose ho stayed In Berlin." "Oh, perhaps. No look hero. Ho says: 'I had not previously mot Sir Silas Minting, as I left Berlin beforo hu arrived In tho beginning of Juno.' " Tho Imp laid down tbo Journal, leaned back In her chair and regarded Nceld steadily. "You told me right," sho ndded. "I don't find nny men tion of my mothor, nor of Heidelberg. It's funny that ho doesn't mention Heldolberg." Sho poured out a second cup of toa and waited. Tho first part of her work was done. Sho had mado Nceld very uncom fortable. "Hccauso," alio added, after sho had given her previous remnrliH tlmo" to soak In, "bctweon Mny and August, lS?jj-.ls Just nbout tho tlmo I remember hlinynt Heidelberg tho tlmo when ho met Mrs. Fltzhubort, you know." Mlna was keenly oxclted now. Hod the Journal told Neold anything? Was that the meaning of his asterisks? "Thoro was something about his visit to Heldolberg, but It contained nothing of public Interest, Mme. Zabrlska, nnd In my discretion I omitted It." A NCQLCCICD BACK Hundreds of them in Omaha. Suro to bring troublo on short order. Kidnoys won't Btand neglect. They've got their work to do, and if anything happens that thoy can't do it, they will lot you know it very quickly. Sick kidneys bring bacKaciio, lame Dacic, urinary troubles, diabetes, Bright's Disease. 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"Why didn't you tell me that tho othor day? You gavo mo to understand that he only mentioned Heidelberg casually." "I may have expressed myself" "And did ho mention us?" Necld roso to his feet and took a turn up and down the room. "In my discretion 1 left the passage out. I can answer no questions nbout tt. licano don't press me, Mme. Zabrlska." "1 will know," sho said, excitedly, almost angrily. Neeld enmo to stand opposlto hor, doep perplexity expressing Itself In his look and manner. "Did ho talk about us? Did ho talk about Lady Tristram?" "I am Bpeaklng to you, and to you only, Mme. Zabrlska!" "Yes, yes to mo only." "Ho did not mention you, and he did speak of Lady Trl3tram." "That's why you weren't surprlaod when I told you ho called mo tho Imp!" Sho smiled n moment mid Nceld smiled, too. Hut In nn Instant sho wns eager again. "And about Lady Tristram?" "It was no use reprinting poor Lady Tristram's story." Thcro was a long pauso; Mlna arose, took tho Journnl, put It In tho cupboard nnd turned tho key on It. Sho camo back and stood over him. "You know," nho said, "It was in that Journal? I'm flure you know." "Kuow what?" Mr. Nceld was fighting la. the last ditch. "But I don't want to tell you unlets you know. No, I'm suro you know!" "And do you know?" "Yes, I know. My mother told me." They understood ono another now. Necld mado no further pretense. "You mean about Hnrry Tristram?" h askoil simply, but In a low volco. "Yoj. At llrst 1 didn't know what It meant to him. But I know now." Neold mado no reply and thoro was an other moment of silence. "And you know what It would mean to him?" sho asked. Nceld nodded; of courso ho know that. "What nro you going to do?" llu raised his lunula nnd let them drop again In a confession that ho did not know. "I know and I told," she said, Ho started a littlo. "Yes, I told because I was spiteful. I was tho Imp! I've nover been happy slnco I told. Mr. Tristram knows I'vo told, though ho denies there's anything In It. But ho knows I'vo told. And uttlt ho'a boen kind to mo." Her volco shook, "You told; whom did you tell?" "Never mind or guess If you enn. I shan't tell him any moro. I climi't help hint nay more. I'm for Mr. Tristram. Thick nnd thin, I'm for Mr. Tristram now." Sho came a Htop nearer to him. "Thu man I told may try, hut I don't think he can do much without us. Why should wo toll? In It our huslnesa? You suppressed It In Ua Journal. Cnn't you suppress It now?" "Tho Ivcru?" ho stammered. "Tho Ivor.s! What's It to tho Ivors com pared to what It Is to him? It'll nover eomo out. If It did Oh, but It won't! It'a life nnd death to him. And Isn't tt right; Isn't It Justlco? Ho'a her son. This thing's Just a horrible accident. Oh, If you'd hoard him Hpcal; of Blent!" Sho pausod a moment, rubbing her hand across her eyes. Thru fIio threw herself back Into her chair, asking again, "What aro you going to do?" (To Be Continued.) Tho Plymouth CongrcKiitlonal church of Denver hart given ItH pastor, Itov. Frank T. liayloy. n vacation of four months with full pay and JI.Oiai additional to help (lefruy a trip to ihirupe. m m ffl tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt J mm