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I'l'f Lambert
'HHy Mystery.
By MRS. ALEXANDER. ;
CHAPTER V. 8
Continued.
"I believe he does; most Ameri
cans do; but he is not my friend, and
t cannot bear to dance with him.”
‘•You receive him very well consid
ering you do not like him.”
Elsie paused an Instant, and. look
ing up with an expression of trust,
said In a low tone, ”1 am afraid of
him.”
“Why?” drawing unconsciously
nearer to her.
“I cannot tell—no, that is not
quite true; I begin, I think, to un
derstand why.”
"And will you not tell me?”
“I should rather like to tell you,
but not here.”
'On Sunday, then, when I bring
you your books?”
“No; I do not want to mention his
name before Madame Weber."
"Is she a friend of his?"
“I am not sure, but it is well to be
cautious.”
“It gives me a kind of shock to
think you are obliged to be on guard
In your own home."
“That will be all over when I am at
.Woodburn,”
“I wish your father would come
and settle In London; It would be
pleasant and useful for you to have
some English friends."
“It is more likely my father would
aettle in America.”
"Then I should never see you!"
The words had passed his lips be
fore he could restrain thpm, and he
jratched their efTect keenly.
"I suppose not,” very quietly. "I
should be sorry, and my father would
be very sorry.”
Qlynn felt unreasonably irritated.
,W'as this young, slight, Inexperienced
girl stronger than himself, that the
tone in which he was conscious his
words were uttered should in no way
move her?
The days which intervened between
Lambert's sudden Journey to Dun
kerque and the ball went rapidly—
|too rapidly. Lambert was grave, but
less dejected than previously. He
had the air of a man who had es
caped from a period of indecision,
and had thoroughly made up his
taind. Glynn, on the contrary, sank
deeper and deeper into the quick
sands of irresolution, and felt each
day more vividly how strong an effort
It would cost him to tear himself
away.
, It was with an unaccountable Im
press lrn that something Important,
something decisive would occur be
fore the evening was over. Glynn
dressed Rnd dined, taking care to be
In the hall-room and near the door In
time, In order to claim Elsie's
promise of the first dance on her ar
rival. Madame Davilllers and her
party were rather late, and, to
Glynn’s annoyance, she entered the
room leanfng on Vincent’s arm.
Mademoiselle followed, conducted by
the Vlcomte, and finally Elsie, lean
ing on M. Davilllers —Elsie In her
first ball dress, a delicious combina
tion of white Bilk and tulle and lace,
.with sprays of wild roses, long grass,
and foliage, a delicate wrealh of the
asme flowers In her hair, and a sim
ple necklace of shimmering Venetian
•hells round her throat. She looked
a little shy, a little self-conscious,
less composed than usual, and when
•he distinguished Glynn's tall figure,
and met his dark, eager, admiring
eyes, she colored suddenly, looking
away with a smile so sweet, so glad,
that Glynn’s heart gave a quick
bound and throbbed with a triumph
ant sense of victory, after which
reason gave up the struggle and re
signed herself to defeat.
“This is our dance. Miss Lambert,”
•aid Glynn, after a brief greeting to
the rest of the party, as he took her
band. "But it is a set of lancers;
would you not like to walk around
and look at the decorations until the
nett dance, which is a waltz?”
"Thank you, I should.” So Glynn
took her programme and wrote his
own name for several waltzes, pre
facing each inscription with a per
suasive "May I?" Elsie laughingly
restricted the number. "But,” she
added, with a slight graceful hesita
tion, "if it does not interfere with
your other dances, might I say I am
engaged to you if Mr. Vincent asks
me for a waltz? I must dance with
him, but not a waltz—l cannot.”
"Yes, I will grant your very seri
•ous request,” said Glynn, smiling
down upon her. "I shall keep all
waltzes at your disposal, and take
care to be within bail! Is it per
mitted to a brutal Englishman to say
your toilette is perfect?”
"I am very glad you think so.”
The decorations were duly admired
and then the waltz for which Glynn
had been longing struck up.
Given good music, a first-rate floor,
a partner whose step suits yours, and
waltzing is certainly a pleasant ex
ercise; but when in addition your
partner is just the very creature that
you have felt tempted over and over
again to clasp in your arms, and pour
out expressions of tenderness and ad
miration while your heart throbs
against hers, the pleasure become* al
most painful.
Glynn, as the hours went rapidly
be, felt his power over himself melt
ing away; there was a soft reserve.
a frequent avoidance of being alone
with him on the part of Miss Lambert
that fanned the ..long-smouldering
fire of passion into a strong, an irre
sistible glow. Why should he let
himself be cheated by cold caution
out of the delicious, perhaps Invig
orating draught which fortune of
fered him? He would be true to hls
better instincts, hls higher self.
Meantime It was infinitely Irritat
ing to be obliged to give up his fas
cinating partner from time to time as
other cavaliers came to claim her.
Suddenly, as he was leading her
across the room to Madame Davilliers
he felt her start and press hls arm,
a movement which he attributed to
Vincent's approach.
“You have not granted me a wait*
yet, Miss Lambert; may I have the
next?” said the American.
"I am engaged for the next.”
“Indeed! to Mr. Glynn? He has
been so highly favored that I think
he might permit a change of part
ners, as I am obliged to leave almost
Immediately, and shall not see you
again for'some time."
“I have less benevolence than you
credit me with," said Glynn haught
ily. “I am not disposed to forego an
lota of my temporary right.”
“What would your father say to
your desertion of your old friend for
anew acquaintance?” asked Vincent
with an unpleasant laugh.
To Glynn's surprise, Elsie made a
slight movement as if to withdraw
her arm. Glynn held It tightly
against hls side.
“I have not deserted you, Mr. Vin
cent,” she said quietly, as if recover
ing her first impulse to leave Glynn,
“for I was not engaged to you.”
"Perhaps not; we will discuss that
point when we meet next,” returned
Vincent with Insolent assurance. He
made a sort of defiant bow and
turned away.
"Come and sit down in the ante
room,” said Glynn, “it is cool and
quiet; that brute has disturbed you.”
Miss Lambert silently accepted the
suggestion, and as anew dance pro
ceeded they were soon alone.
"For heaven's sake tell me what
it Is that enables that fellow to an
noy you?” said Glynn earnestly;
“you said you would tell me.”
"I never liked him, but latterly I
perceive that he has some curious
influence over my father, who has
even asked me to be civil to him.
Perhaps I ought not to tell you this,
but my father trusts you. and I—l
believe you are loyal. lam Btlll un
easy about my father. He is so rest
less, and I imagine he’is always more
restless when he has been with Mr.
Vincent. I sometimes think that my
father has had a hard, sad life,
though he tries to forgot his troubles,
and I want to make up to him for the
past. He loves me so much that I
must do everything for him, and be
with him always.”
"The young cannot always promise
for their future, and he would be
happiest knowing you were happy.”
"But I should not; he deserves all
I can do, and it would hurt me, oh!
cruelly, to think he ever wanted any
thing when I was not there to give it
to him.” The sweet, soft lips quiv
ered with feeling as she spoke.
"This is a heart worth winning,”
thought Glynn, a3 he gazed on her
pensive, downcast face.
"I wish he would tell you some
thing about Mr. Vincent before you
go,” continued Elsie. "I feel op
pressed with a sense of indefinable
mischief.”
"Before I go?” repeated Glynn.
"How do you know I am going?"
"I heard my father say you were
going, and of course you will not stay
in Paris.”
"I cannot tear myself from it,” said
Glynn, with passionate emphasis.
"Why?” asked Elsie, looking up
surprised, then meeting his gaze, a
vivid blush passed over her cheek,
fading away quickly.
"Why?” he exclaimed. "May I
come and tell you why? to-morrow
will you hear my explanation, with
kindness, with patience?"
"Ah!” she returned, shrinking
slightly, “it is late—Madame Davll
liers will be looking for me.”
“But, Elsie, may I come—will you
hear me?”
“Yes," she said, very gravely and
softly, “you may come.”
Madame Davilllers was ready to
leave the ball, and observed that the
dear child, meaning Elsie, looked
quite tired.
Glynn accompanied them to the
door, wrapping Elsie’s cloak round
her carefully.
“To-morrow," he whispered, press
ing her arm to his side. She looked
up—a serious, searching look.
“You puzzle me!” she said.
"How? but you will tell me how
and why! When may I come to
morrow?”
"In the afternoon.”
Bidding good-night to young Le
Clerc, who was returning to the ball
room, Glynn lit his cigar, and walked
slowly down the Rue de Rivoli. It
was a heavy, intensely dark night;
but he was too much excited to feel
atmospheric influences. In his own
mind he had passed the Rubicon; and
his request to Elsie for an interview
on the morrow had, he considered,
pledged him to offer his future life
for her acceptance. Would she ac
cept it? He was too deeply and truly
in love to make sure of the Impres
sion he had created himself, too much
In earnest not to be humble. Elsie
had been startled, touched; but It
did not follow that she loved him.
However she decided, he was glad he
had spoken as he did. She must
know what his intended explanation
meant; would she have promised to
hear it if she were not disposed to
hear It favorably? If!—what rap
ture of anticipation shivered through
him at the possibilities thus suggest
ed. The first faint streaks of day
light were stealing across the eastern
sky when Glynn at length entered his
hotel.
The porter handed him his key,
and with it a card, on which was
printed, "Travers Deering, Denham
Castle," and written In pencil, “Want
particularly to see you. Will call to
morrow about 2.”
“What an infernal nuisance!" was
Glynn's profane reflection; “he shall
not keep me here after 2.30 If it wore
to save his life!”
Deering was not punctual. It was
already 2 o’clock when he presented
himself, and he at once asked Glynn
to let their interview take place in
the latter's private room, as he
Wished to speak of personal matters.
They therefore adjourned from the
general salon, and Deering quickly
plunged into his subject, which was
to ask Glynn’s advice as to the organ
izing of a scheme for making a
branch from the main line of rail
ways, which ran within eight or nine
miles of Denham, to some villages on
his estate, and past a certain quarry
he had lately begun to work. The
conversation which ensued was ani
mated and interesting; but Glynn did
not forget to look at hls watch from
time to time.
“I see I am keeping you," said
Deering, observing hls movement; “I
shall not trespass any longer. I shall
follow your advice, and see the heads
of your firm as to funds on my way
through London. How is our queer
acquaintance Lambert and his in
comparable daughter? I have found
traces of a curious story connected
with him, which is true- ” as he
spoke the door was burst open, and
Lambert rushed in—Lambert in a
state of intense agonized excitement.
His eyes wild with angry terror, hls
face pallid through all the deep sun
burn of its acquired tint, a slight
froth at the corners of hls mouth, hls
necktie disarranged, hls hands glove
less; both Deering and Glynn started
to their feet at this unexpected ap
parition.
"My child!” cried Lambert, hoarse
ly, “where is iny child? Deerlng,
you limb of the devil! have you
helped that scoundrel Vincent to take
her away? For God’s sake tell me!
have mercy! I’ll do anything! Glynn,
you will help me? You are an honest,
honorable man. She’s gone, and I
am going mad!”
"Gone!” cried his hearers together,
"what do you mean?”
"Listen,” said Lambert, gasping as
if for breath, and throwing himself
into a chair. "She was at the ball
last night. Why did I ever let her
go from under my own eyes! It was
agreed that if she was late she should
stay at the Davilllers’. When I asked
for her this morning the bonne said
she had not returned, so I thought no
more about It, and went to work as
usual. I had some business appoint
ments, and then I turned into Da
vllllers’, thinking I’d walk home with
Elsie —my jewel!—if she was still
there. But sho wasn't —oh! great
heavens! they had left her at her own
door, seen her go in, and heard it
close; and now she Is gone!”
"But this is not possible! Made
moiselle Antoinette is playing some
stupid trick. Have you ”
"I tell you they are nearly as dis
tracted as I am,” interrupted Lam
bert, starting up and grasping the
back of his chair. "I rushed to your
hotel, Deerlng, for I cannot help
thinking Vincent has some hand in it.
He is a double-dyed scoundrel. Deer
lng, I charge you not to screen him!”
"How dare you accuse me of such
villainy!" cried Deerlng, In great agi
tation. “I am as Ignorant of the af
fair as you are—more so; don’t pre
tend that you are without suspicion.
She has not been taken away without
her own consent; you mußt have
some idea who it is she has gone off
with.”
Glynn, in the midst of his own
stunning horror, was struck with the
consternation which Deering’s face
expressed, and was inclined to acquit
him of any guilt in the matter.
“Have you been to the police?
No; for God’s sake let us lose no
time." Glynn slezed his hat. “I
will go with you.”
“I returned to question the con
cierge in order to get some clue be
fore going to the Prefecture of Po
lice; then I felt obliged to question
him,” nodding to Deerlng, “to tell
you—to—Oh! stand by me, Glynn,
my head is going.”
‘You must keep calm for her sake,”
said Glynn; “come on, if she is above
ground we’ll find her!”
“And I’ll second you as far as I
can,” cried Deerlng, "though you
have attacked me so shamefully.”
Lambert, with a dazed, half-stupe
fied air, stared at him, till Glynn, who
felt his own head reeling under the
shock, passed his arm through his,
and led him to the fiacre which was
waiting.
To be Continued.
Par and Pa.
A stock broker whose mind was al
ways full of business was asked a
few days ago how old his father was.
’Well," said he, abstractedly, “he’s
quoted at eighty, but there is every
prospect that he will reach par and
possibly be at a premium.”—New Or
leans Times-Democrat.
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 store there has no
room for Clothing I have 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,
$17.50 TO $20.00 SUITS
1 SELL
FOR $15.00
$12.50 to $15.00 suits, 1 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,
Jp ip C A M r T g I l Tl ?
UI JMJL A
MAYSVILLE, GEORGIA.