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Lambert
Mystery.
By MRS. ALEXANDER. ;
U - CHAPTER IV.
A Last Card.
The Ural few daya after Olynn'a re
turn to. London were ao crowded by
Important engagement* and aerloua
consultation* with the elder members
of hi* firm as to the advisability of a
new and Important undertaking, to
which Glynn was entirely opposed,
that he had no time for deliberate
thought respecting Lambert and his
mysterious acquaintance with Deer-
Ing. Yet the subject wan never quite
out of his mind. A vague, unreason
able anxiety about Elsie haunted him,
and he was strangely eager to return
to Paris.
The earliest spare moment he could
And was devoted to Lady Gethin.
"Now then, have a little Iced selt
ser and milk, It Is quite warm this
evening,” said Lady Gethin; "and let
u* have a long talk —that letter of
yours whetted my curiosity. What In
the world has kept you away so long?
every one has been asking for you!”
"Partly business, and partly curi
osity.”
“What, about?”
Whereupon Olynn described his
meeting with Elsie and her father,
not omitting Vincent, the curious con
trast between Lambert and his
daughter, the reappearance of Leer
ing on the scene, his Incongruous ac
quaintance with Vincent and Lam
bert, and the evident astonishment of
each on recognizing the other. He
only suppressed or softened the cir
cumstances under which he bad
known Lambert, and the fact that he
had changed his name. When he
eeased, Lady Gethin, who had listened
with profound attention, exclaimed:
“Avery pretty mystery, upon my
word. That Leering Is a fiend! He
knows something against Lambert,
and he la going to use his knowledge
to help him with the daughter. I
never liked Leering. He Is a smooth
tongued, snoerlug hypocrlto, and has
many queer corners In Ills life, or I
am much mistaken.”
"I never heard anything against
him; Indeed, he Is rather liked among
men. Even now 1 scarcely think ho
can be capable of any evil designs
against a girl like Miss Lambert.
What struck me at first was the sort
of fierce, uneasy curiosity he dis
played concerning her. Ho certainly
admires her very much."
“So does someone else,” returned
Lady Gethin, with a knowing nod. "I
trust and hope that the beautiful
eyes. and lovely voice, and attractive
mystery will not draw you Into mak
ing a fool of yourself."
"But, Lady Gethin!” cried Glynn,
amazed at her penetration and quite
unconscious how much he had be
trayed, “you do not imagine that at
my age 1 should he so weak as to bo
drawn Into an entanglement—a mar
riage of which my Judgment disap
proves.”
“I wouldn't give five minutes' pur
chase for your judgment, Hugh.
Take my advice, don’t go back to
Parts, let them manage tjlielr mystery
themselves. You will be let In for
something unpleasant and risky—
don't go back.”
"Oh, ! must go back. T promised
Lambert I would; besides. I want to
■ce the play out; and you alarm your
self unnecessarily. I admire Miss
Lambert. I think her as good as sho
is charming, but I am as averse to a
marriage with her as you can bo.
Moreover, I have a safeguard In her
indifference, for she treats me with
frank confidence ns her father's old
friend, nothing more.”
"This is worse and worse,” said
Lady nothin gravely. "How do yon
know what profound tenderness her
indlffereut airs may mask?”
"Do you think I have never looked
Into any eyes, nor learned their lan
guage. before 1 6aw Miss Lambert’s,
that I should he so mistaken?” asked
Olyuu laughing.
"Oh, I dare say you are loarned
endugh lu such matters. Pray be
guided by nie, put the Parisian epi
sode out of your head, and make up
your mind to marry that nice piquant
little daughter of Pearson's. I asked
them on purpose to meet you. He
wifi give her ten thousand pounds,
and he la a rising man; ho will be on
the bench In a year or two; they are
people of good family."
"My dear Lady Gethln! I don't
want to marry any one, and so I will
bid you good-night. A thousand
thanks for your good advice.”
"Take care," was her valediction.
The next day brought Glynn a few
lines from Lambert, which struck him
as expressing more uneasiness than
was intended.
"I have no right to ask you to re
turn if It does not suit you,” he
wrote, "but I hope you will. 1 feel
in need of your counsel. I have had
wonderful luck for years, and now
I'm afraid It’s turning. Then I am
not as young or Btrong as I used to
be; aud one way or another it would
cheer me up a bit to have a talk with
you.”
Had Glynn had any hesitation as to
revisiting Paris this letter would have
decided him. He sent a few lines In
reply, and then applied himself stead
ily to clear up all business engage
ments as far as possible, to secure a
long holiday.
, He called on Deering at bis club,
and was told that gentleman was
traveling abroad, and that letters ad
dressed to his town house would be
forwarded. Lady Gethin was not at
home to receive his adleux, but wrote
him a quaint, characteristic line of
warning.
Having performed all his duties,
Glynn found himself In the mall train
for Calais one evening about a fort
night after he had left Paris, with an
Irrepressible sense of exultation, of
keen delight at the Idea of returning
to what be knew in his heart was a
scene of danger, determined to enjoy
to the uttermost the pleasure of El
sie’s companionship, so long as he
saw no sign of consciousness on her
part. Life had so few moments of
bliss that be could not and would not
deny himself the draught that chance
had offered.
Miss Lambert was alone when
Glynn found himself in her presence,
and sitting at a writing table; she
rose quickly and came forward, with
outstretched hands. "1 am so glad
you have come." Glynn did not speak
Immediately—he was surprised at
the intensity of his own delight on
finding himself once more beside her,
listening to her voice, holding her
hand, gazing into her eyes. He did
not know he was so far gone. She
looked paler, thinner, graver, than
when he last saw her. She wore a
black dress, and had a small sear* of
delicate lace tied loosely around her
throat. Her bright brown hair looked
golden even In the dull light of a gray
day, and there was something sad In
her pose and expression that Glynn
found Infinitely touching.
"You knew I should return—at
least, your father did,” he said at
length.
"My father did expect you; but I
I thought It likely that' when you
were among your own friends, your
own people, you would not care to
leave them.”
“I am afraid that you are not so
well as when I left,” said Glynn,
drawing a chair near her writing
table, at which she had reseated her
self. "It Is perhaps Impertinent to
say that you are not looking as well,
aB brilliant as you were.”
"Brilliant,” she repeated, with a
brief, sweet smile. "That I never
could he; but you are right, I am 111
—lll at ease, I mean. My father.
Ah! he Is so changed! I know ho is.
That Is why I am so glad you have
come; he can speak to you, he may
speak to you. You may be able to
help him; hut 1 am only a helpless.
Ignorant girl. Yet I could do much if
I were directed.”
”1 should be most happy to be of
any use to Captain Lambert," said
Glynn. "No doubt your affectionate
anxiety Inclines you to exaggerate,
but ”
"When you see him will under
stand," Interrupted Elsie, "you will
see that Ido not exaggerate. Ha will
not tell mo what has happened. He
says he has not lost 'his fortune. I
should not*care If he had, for I, could
earn money by singing, though not
on the stage. However, my knowing
would not help him, because I have
always been shut up and am so Ig
norant. You do not mind me telling
you all this, do you? Though I have
not known you long, my father has,
and —and —you seem like a real
friend to him.”
She looked full in his face, her
great soft eyes all suffused with tears
—like violets laden with dew.
‘I am gratified that you confide in
me, so far,” said Glynn quietly, with
laudable self-control. "I shall ob
serve your father by the light of your
remarks; and If he Is really In any
difficulty, or cares to consult me, I
shall be most happy to assist him so
far as I can. Probably his depres
sion arises from some temporary
losses. Believe me,” and his dark
face lit up with a pleasant smile,
"money Is a most Important factor
In existence; 1 am ablo to assert from
experience that there ts no vacuum
so distressing as au empty pocket."
"If It is the loss of money," she re
turned gravely, "we ought not to stay
here; life Is very costly, I know; I
have paid everything for the last
eight months. My dear father Is too
generous; we ought to manage as we
used when he was trying to save; he
might move about as his business re
quired, and I could go back to good
Mrs. Kellett."
"Who Is Mrs. Kellett?”
"My foster-mother; the only
mother 1 have ever known; she lost
her baby and her husband, and took
me to love instead, at the time our
ph.-., was destroyed in Australia.
But, Mr. Glynn, It Is more than
money that disturbs my father.”
"Let us hope he will speak openly
to me; but 1 have no right to ask his
confidence. Now you must not worry
yourself unnecessarily. I ant stayiug
us usual at the Hotel Wagram, and
have letters to write which will keep
me In till past 11 to-morrow, should
Captain Lambert feel disposed to
call.”
"1 will teil him,” said Elsie.
Then Glynn knew he ought to go;
but he could not tear himself away
Immediately. It was so charming,
this quiet confidential talk; so intoxi
cating to see that her pale, anxious
face had brightened considerably;
certainly her composure, in the midst
of her depression and uneasiness, left
no room for any flattering conviction
that be had Impressed himself upon
her heart or imagination. So far all
was right; she treated him as a
friend, an honorable gentleman, in
whom she might trust, and nothin
more.
A little further talk of the books
Glynn had left with her, of her Vlsn
to leave Paris, and revisit the farm
house, where most of her childish
days had been spent, and Glynn felt
he must not stay longer.
“Shall you make any stay?” she
asked, as she gave him her hand at
parting.
”A week or two, perhaps a month;
I am not sure.”
“Then good-morning—au revolr.”
The rest of the day was strange
and dream-like. He wandered
through well-known places, seeking
acquaintance to draw him from the
puzzle of hls own thoughts, and find
ing none, till toward 6 o’clock, pass
ing Tortonl’s, he found himself face
to face with Leering, who was seated
at one of the little round tables, eat
ing an ice.
"Hullo, Glynn! I thought you were
In London?"
"Well, you see I am In Paris.”
"When did you arrive?"
"This morning."
A little ordinary talk ensued, the
tone of which showed a strong desire
on the part of Deerlng to be civil and
friendly. Glynn at once determined
to accept his advances; he might thus
detect some Indications of the secret
which underlay hls acquaintance with
Lambert, and the curious Influence he
seemed to have exercised over him.
He could not, however, bring himself
to accept hls Invitation to dinner,
though he agreed to dine with him at
one of the luxurious cafes which
abound in the great capital of pleas
ure.
Leering talked well, of many
things, chiefly political; he also men
tioned hls wife and home, pressing
Olynn to come down for the 12th of
August, promising him good sport.
It was not till they had risen from
the table, and were lighting their
cigars previous to separating, that
Leering made any mention of the
subject probably uppermost In both
of their minds.
“Of course, you have not seen any
thing of Lambert?"
“No, not yet.”
“He Is a queer fish—a very shady
member. I knew him under another
name, and rather doubtful circum
stances; I am afraid he Is not In a
very sound financial position; he Is a
thorough adventurer. It Is a bad
business for the daughter; she is a
very nice creature. I wonder where
ho picked her up, for ohe can* be
lieve she really Is hls daughter?”
"There Is not much family likeness
between them, certainly; but 1 see no
reason for doubting his representa
tions. He is evidently devoted to her,
and hts surroundings are perfectly
respectable.”
’’Perfectly. Where did you meet
him?”
"In America, many years ago.”
"Indeed! Oh, you are going?
Well, good-night.”
Hugh Glynn was careful to stay In
hls room all the next morning, think
ing that If Lambert wished to make
any private communication they were
more secure from Interruption there
than elsewhere.
It was barely 11 when Lambert
was announced. Olynn was positively
startled by the change In hls aspect.
Hls weather-beaten face •was colorless
and haggard, hls eyes had a hunted
look, ks though seeking a way of es
cape, hls'dothes were carelessly put
on, his mustaches no longer waxed
and fiercely twisted; hls whole air be
spoke neglect.
“Lellghted to sec you, Glynn,” he
said, a faint gleam of pleasure light
ing up his restless eyes. "I was
afraid you wouldn't get back again
this season; business must be attend
ed to. You're In business, aren’t
you?"
"Yes; but l can attend to It some
times at a distance”
"That's fortunate; and you have
been all right?”
"Yes, quite right, thank you."
"You saw Elsie yesterday. She was
glad you called, but she is not very
bright. You didn't think her looking
well, eh?”
"Not as well as usual, certainly."
"No; she Is fretting—fretting
aboijt her old dad. It's wonderful
how that creature loves me. Me!
Sometimes, when she Is hanging
about me and singing the songs I
like and making a servant of herself
for me, I Just look back and think ol
the scenes I’ve gone through and the
queer scramble my life has been, and
wonder how the dickens it happens
that an angel like her can be so fond
of an old scapegrace; that she doesn’t
shrink from me; but she doesn’t,’
with Infinite exultation, "she lover
me, sir, as well as ever a child loved
father!”
“Of that I can have no doubt,”
cried Glynn. "And your affection
for her deserves It.”
’’She has made another man of
me,” continued Lambert. “But
though I have not been a regular
salut all my days I am as white as
driven snow compared to some blackf
guards that hold up their heads if
high places. lam rambling on like
an idiot. I called to ask If you'l
come and dine with us to-night. Ii
cheers me up to see an honest face.’
Glynn accepted the invitation read
ily, and after a pause, during whicl
he drummed on the table, Lambert
recommenced.
To be Continued.
Europe's beet sugar crop for 1906-
T Is estimated at 6,473,000 metric
tons. ... . _
A GREAT
REDUCTION PRICE
IN
CLOTHING
AT
J. Tom Smith's,
Maysville, Ga.
When in market this fall I purchased two large bills
of Clothing, one for this place and one for Cornelia,
thinking I would get into the new store room being built
at Cornelia for me before the Clothing could be made;
it is still unfinished, and as my present there has no
room for Clothing I liaye to bring both stocks here. Con
sequently, I’m going to cut my profit off to unload these
goods. So if you are going to buy Clothing this fall you
will do yourself an injustice if you buy without seeing
mine. These suits are not made of mercerized cotton
mixed fabrics, but wool, and not made by sweat-shop
workmanship, but by tailors of long years experience.
It’s not necessary for me to waste time writing
about these goods. When you see them you will
be convinced this is the place to buy Clothing.
For instance, m
$17.50 TO $20.00 SUITS |
1 SELL ™
FOR $15.00
$12.50 to $15.00 suits, I sell for SIO.OO. Don’t take
my word but come and see for yourself. Our daily
sales on this line goes to show that my prices suit
the short crop and low price cotton. Yours truly,
MAYSVILLE, GEORGIA.