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8
A MISSING HERO.'.'
By MRS. ALEXANDER, AUTHOR OF
“A CROOKED PATH,” “FORGING THE FETTERS,” Etc., Etc.
CHAPTER I.
High tea was proceeding somewhat
noisily at No. 1 Clifton terrace. West
bourne Grove, one soft drizzling May af
ternoon a good may years ago—the con
vives being at an age when there is but
one step from silent shyness to uproarious
mirth.
A little girl's birthday was being cele
brated at Mr. Stenner's “private hotel.”
as he liked to call it. an establishment
| well known to Anglo-Indians of moderate
means.
The guests were few. though they
sounded numerous, two little girls, besides
the heroine of the evening and two boys
of perhaps ten.
The young ladles were accompanied by
their ayah, a small, rad-looking, dark wo
man. swathed tightly In gay colored print
with a kind of muslin veil over her head,
who assisted to carry round cakes and sop
up spilt lea and milk, and occasionally
to keen the peace between Master Bolleau.
son of General Bolleau. C. 8.. and Freddy
Innes, youngest son of «n "iregular cav
alry" captain.
Freddy's sisters were exceedingly de
mure and conscious of their beat frocks,
also silently antagonistic to Herbert
Montmorenci Bolleau. the spoiled only
son of an elderly father. The little host
ess was shy and silent, and by no means
elated by her prominent position.
••What a row those children are mak
ing." s-ild the taller of the two ladles
as they ascended the hall doorsteps, at
the moment when every one had groan
familiar and thrown off their company
manners. "I hope they are enjoying
th< mselvea. poor little souls! For my
part. I cannot say I believe much in the
joys of childhood, you are always made
to do something you don't want to do,
and if you get your own way you gener
ally regret it bitterly. I've had pretty
bad times since 1 was 'grown up.’ but I
don't want to go ba«-k to the nursery!”
Sb" rang sharply at the d«H»r as she
rpoke. It was Immediately opened by
a s’out. elderly man whore appearance
lespke respect ability so high that it bor
-- red on nubility.
It is strong testimony, by the way. to
the Infinite superiority of cren’ion's lords
—the different Impression made by houses
where the door Is opened by a man in
broadcloth; compared to those where a
mere female slavey. In scanty skirts. In
spects th- Inquirer through a half open
porta! The one stamps Itself "apart
ments.” the other meekly suggests “fur
nished lodgings."
"Well. Mr. S’enner.” continued the
speaker with a bright condescending
smile. "I hope my young friend* are not
turning your house out of ‘the windows!' ”
"By no means. Mrs. Merrick, m. chil
dren will be children, we was al! young
once! I've put your tea In the drawing |
room. ladies! Mr. I.lsle called about an I
hour ago. and begged me to say he would
call again as he wanted to see you very
particular.”
“Did he! Come. Mary. I’ll Just look In
on th- balms, then we must renqj'ate.
This horrid weather takes one’s hair out
of curl.”
The speaker was a tall, handsome wo
man with dark gray eyes, a brilliantly fair
complexion, a lot of fluffy fair hair, golden
but not dyefl. and what was generally
*.n«! I' red a fin- figure.
She wa* becomingly dresstd in slight
mourning an ! had an a’r of being thor
oughly. good humoredly well pleased with
herself.
Her companion was small, slight, neat,
but pleasing with a soft kindly expres
sion and a certain unpretending air of
refinement.
She look- -I rath-r eag—ly Into the dining
room as Mrs. Merrick opened the door.
•nd her quiet face cloud-d a little as she
perceived the occupants were only chll-
"W« I*, my darlings”’ cried Mrs. Merrick
In a strong v Ice. with a joyous tone, "how
have you been getting on? Have had
enough cakes and strawberries? Whit
are you going to do next? We’ll have th—
things cleared away, and as soon as we
c n take off our bonnets Miss Gilmore and
I will come and have a grand game of
forfeits with you. see! I have some i
funny prizes here!” and she held up a pa- .
per parcel.
"Oh! make haste, do! Mrs. Merrick"
cried Freddy. Jumping up to kiss her and •
nearly knocking her pretty airy bonnet
off. "You are such a dear. We have had
lots of cakes! I feel as if I must let cut a
J, ie In my belt. Bertie Bolleau must be
pre--!,. uncomfortable ts he doesn't let
cut throe."
"That no business of yours,” retorted
the lordly Bertie with some scorn.
"Fr< ddy. you are tin impudent little
Jnckanap .-’ I don’t envy your dear moth- i
er,” eri-d Mrs. Merrick laughing.
"Ah! but mother w mid not give me
f r my w> ght In g Id!" replied that prom
ising y< 'ir e g-ntbnian.
Mrs. Merrl-k shook her linger at him i
arid rars: the bell for the house servant I
to n nr't the tea things, addressing some
v ; Hit to the ay.ih which!
caus I that sad looking female to brighten i
■ f « :h -• doubled dtli- I
g n ■ t- cl- ar away the fragments of the ,
ft ast. ;
"lh 'e or no haste.” crird Mrs. Mer- |
rick :■ - h mounted lightly and swiftly I
to the bedroom cccuplcj by both ladies, I
’ ■ Bit.-t crimp my hair! I could not see ■
<' fr-v I. le as I am. did you ever see 1
e .ch an obj-ct! I wond-r what he wants ■
to -*« rr. • particularly for?"
- Illy white J
har d." <ugy«strd her companion. ’’Ho i
e> •!• n: admires you Immensely.”
"» ■< ! | flatter myself he does, but as to
matrimony, that's another pair of shoes! j
For one thing I cm almost nine years -
older than h- is. and Geoff, though In i
rome ways a Jolly good fellow, will want
a fine ady for a w ife. No, no. thwt is all
pun sense!”
- I
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"You are philosophic, Mrs. Merrick!”
"My dear. I haven't a grain of philoso
phy. but thank God! I have a trifle of
common sense. Besides. Geoffrey Lisle
would be an expensive luxury as a hus
band, and quite beyond my means! Nor
would I ever care for any man who want
ed to put his hand In my pocket! I don’t
suppose he has a rap left of the decent
bit of capital he came into scarcely a
year ago.”
"What!” exclaimed the other, "that
nice, gentle, refined youth!”
"Gentle Indeed! I don't know much
h IHI WfL
: A€ 1 W Mr
Ol\ mm I /
f I
“And I Leave You Under the Care of This ‘Preux Chevalier,*” With a Wave of Mis Hand Toward
the General as He Left the Box.
about him. but I have a strong suspicion
he Is a refliilar dare devil. What is it?"
I breaking off suddenly and laying down the
; curling tor.gs which she had manipulated
! dexterously as a tap at the door caught
her ear.
"If you please m, Mr. Lisle is in th”
drawing room."
“Very well: I am coming.”
A few adroit touches, and tho handsome
widow was ready for action.
"Come with me. Mary.” she said au
thoritatively.
"Aro you sure you want mo?"
“Do you supi>cso I'd ask you if I did
not?”
Both ladles descended the stairs to a
pleasant sitting room considerably smart
ened by prints, books, flowers, which did
not belong to it, where a young man dis
tinguished. well dressed and w« 11 set up,
was walking to and fro slowly and
thoughtfully.
Ho was tall, not very tall, slight, grace
ful. almost delicate looking, with light
red brown hair, small youthful mustache,
a straight aristocratic profile and large
siseaking. caressing brown eyes. Ills loi g
lashes and straight, well defined eyebrows
were a shade or two darker than his hair.
“Well, Mr. Lisle! 1 am longing to know
why you want to see me socially. Aiiss
Gilmore and I have lieen busy shopping
all this miserable exhausting afternoon. I
protest the plains in the hot season are
bracing compared to Louden on a warm,
damp, drizzling May day. Is it a comid* n
; tial communication? Shall 1 send Miss
, Gilmore away*?’ They shook hands as
. she spoke.
“No. by no means!” returned Lis'*.
“Miss Gilmore Is a party concerned. You
both expressed a wish last week to hear
I'tccoiomlui in the Traviata! It is not
easy *o get a box now. she is quite the
rage, but I have secured ono by a fluke
for this evening. 1 hope you are dis
engaged and wiil allow me to escort you.
and sup with me after the opera ui
, Verey’a.”
"Why! you are just the sweetest boy
in all the world! cried Mrs. Merrick. "Os
course we’U put on our bo-t bibs and tuck
i ers and be leady ut the moment appoinl-
• ed! I’ve uianugid to seo a great deal of
I London, and enjoyed it. Oh! haver.’; A
, but the opera has been a bit above me!"
"Don’t tempt me to exact 100 ample a
reward by your praises!” exclaimed Lisie,
1 laughing, but with a glance tiiat brought
, the coio.' to Mrs. Merrick’s cheek in spite
; of her common sense ami superiority in
• years. "1 am unfortunately engaged fur
I dinner, and it Is partly a business en-
I gagement. or —”
"Business!” Interrupted Mrs. Merrick.
' "What in the world have y ou to do with
business or business with you. Monsieur
j Cupldon ?“
1 "Ah! isn’t it unjust and cruel that a
I butterfly like myself should be shattered
by such a blunderbuss a« business! How
ever, curiosity has something to do with
my dinner tc-day! A rumor has reached
me that my Uncle Marmaduke is about
i to commit matrimony! and if there is any
truth in It, the family solicitor will be
sure to know, so I offered to dine with
him today. He is not a bad old boy, and
has excellent port. I dare rot put him
off!”
'*Oh! Geoff! my dear boy, who Is this
[ evil-disposed uncle?”
• "Lisle of Linton Chase. The man who
I stops the way—any way at least. I say,
Mrs. Merrick, you have been some time
In India and they have lovely subtle
poisons there. Could you get me an ef
fective th ...»leful to arrest this delin
quent before he accomplishes his diabol
ical purpose?"
"I wish I could I believe you might
coax me into fearful criminality.”
"Hush! Pray remember that Miss Gll
! more’s serene though accusing glance
Is upon us! and she does not under
’ stand the Innocent harmlessness of my
nature. I understand you have a blrth
■ day party for that sweet little Sissy.
' May I be permitted to join the rebels
’ for a brief space. I brought a email of-
I feeing for the young heroine of the
fete.”
’’You arc too good natured really!
Yes. we promised to go down, hut your
delightful plan put the juveniles out
! of my head. Poor Sissy? It Is her last
j treat. She goes to school on Satur
! day.”
"Why do you send her to school? I/Ot
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA, GA., MONDAY, JULY », 1900.
her grow up natural, unschooled, un
tortured. Heavens, what a charming
woman she would make.”
"But hardly a hnppy one,” said Miss
Gilmore, breaking her long silence.
"My dear Geoff, you don’t know what
a wild solitude my brother’s farm In
Northumberland Is. It would be a sin
to let any girl grow' up there, but of
course you do not know what you are
talking about.”
"Is she your niece, then?”
"No, she is a little orphan half-sister —
come along.”
While this Interview was taking place
the fragments of the feast below had
been cleared away and the table pushed
to one side, leaving the youngsters room
to romp if they so desired.
"I wish Mrs. Merrick would come,
j She said she would,” exclaimed Freddy
• Innes. “What shall we do?”
' "I can play a polka If you would like
to dance,” aaM Sissy timidly.
"Oh. dan< Ing Is no good, cried Bertie.
"I only care to dance to a hand. I.ast
Christmas holidays wo went to a party
at Lady Bertha Barnes’s, and she had
a regular quadrille band and a master
of the ceremonies.”
"Oh crikey!” cried Freddy with mock
admiration, "how ■11«1 he every come
down to a parlor In ‘furnished lodgings!’
Come, Miss Hissy, I’ll dance the sword
dance for you! Here, Mona McLeod”
(to hlx eldest sister, mi advanced young
lady of twelv ) “you piay for me and. you,
Bertie of Battersea, got the poker and
tongs.”
“I don’t live at Battersea,” said young
Bolleau. sulkily.
Miss Mona McLeod started up and
opened an undent cottage piano which
stood tn an obscure corner. It emitted
woeful and uncertain sounds, but Mona
I Mcljeod tackled 1t pluckib and evoked
from its ag'-d chords something like t;
strathspey. whereu|K»n the Indefatigable
Fred<ly dash. <1 into the. Intricacies of the
famous dar./e, to the delight of the girls
an i the contemptuous wonder of Bertie.
"You have touched the poker, Freddy!”
cried his younger sister, who was watch*
Ing him intently. "It’s gone quite
crooked.”
"No. I haven’t," retorted Freddy. "I’d
know if I had.”
I "Ye/, you did!" exclaimed Bertie, jlf
' lighted to find fault. "If I were you I
I wouldn't pretend to do what I couldn’t!”
j "Then\ vou never pretend at all, trC
■ boy, for I suspect it’s precious little you
: can do!’’
"How do you know?" cried Bertie,
I swelling with wrath at such an insult
I from an Inferior, as he considered Freddy.
"Do you brush your own hair, or docs
your mother s maid titivate for the darl
ing boy?” said Freddy breaking into a
I mil.! hornpipe kind of dance.
“You are a vulgar, impudent cad, and
' I’ll give you a good thrashing!" shouted
I Bertie, rushing at him. He was a big.
■ heavy boy. and Freddy, knowing he would
i have little or no chance in a fight with
j him. dodged hither and thither, still danc
i Ing.
"Boiler. Mr. Boiler, don’t bust up, Mr.
Boiler! Lots of hot water always ready.
Eh. Mr. Boiler?"
"You must not fight, boys,” cried Mona
McLeod with tho superior air young ladies
of her ago are fond of assuming. “You
I are a wicked boy. Fred. You began it
I all.”
i "My father would not allow me to play
with you If he knew what a cad you are,”
1 Kahl Bertie choking with rage. ”I'll stop
' your sniggering. There, tike that!” and
he dealt Freddy a strong blow In tho
! chest, which, as he was taken by surprise,
Itowled the slight bov over. He was up
In an instant. "Oh, if that’s what you
want, here goes," putting himself into a
scientific position, dancing round his an
tagonist as If selecting a place on which
to plant his first blow, when the door
opened and Mrs. Merrick, followed by
Miss Gilmore and Lisle, came in, paus
ing 1n dismay art<J amusement at the
scene.
“Oh, boyw' boys! this Is scandalous!
What has happened? Why, gentlemen
never light before ladies!” exclaimed Mrs.
Merrick. "I am shocked. You must make
friends tlris minute!”
"It’s Mr. Boiler’s fault. He’s such a
thin skinned chap! Come along. Boiler,
now you’ve let off the steam; let’s make
up!”
"Look, here's poor little Sissy* In tears,”
said Miss Gilmore.
While Mrs. Merrick remonstrated with
the combatants IJsle sat down and lifted
Sissy on his knee.
"Are you frightened, my little love?
What matter If those rude boys knock
each other about. I’m afraid you are a
coward," whispered Lisle.
Sissy was a slight little creature with a
quantity' of real nut-brown hair, softly
waved and tied back with a knot of blue
ribbon, her delicate face boasted no
country roses, but her pallor was clear
and healthy and the eyes she lifted to
Lisle’s when he spoke were deep lustrous
blue eyes that Inclined all who looked
Into them to look again—
" Ties! she said, low and soft, though
her accent smacked of the north, ‘lt hurts
me to see them hurt eacu other!”
“You unlucky little darting! If you are
going to be hurt by the hurts of others
you’ll have a bad time of it in the coming
by and by!”
"But it does make me unhappy! I don’t
like to see Freddy struck. I am fond of
Freddy; he makes me laugh, but Bertie
always pulls poor pussy's tall and makes
her cry.”
“So this Is your birthday; how old are
you. Sissy?”
"Nirte years old.”
“So much! you do not look It and you
are going to school? They might let you
waft awhile.”
“I do not want to waft; I like to go;
there will be many little girls to play with
and—and I know nothing.”
"Look here. Sissy, when I heard this
j afternoon that you hnd a birthday I went
i off ind found present for you."
The child ?o.,j:<.<j u D eagerly as he drew
I a long, thing morocco case from ills
■ br t pocket. Opening It he displayed a
i dainty, simp’ necklace of silver daisies
with golden hearts.
' “oh, flow lovely!" cried the child, look
big it It with i< Iglhted eyes, but not at
tempting to take it from its dark blue
velvet bed. "It 's just like the real
d.ilsii I gather >y tho burn at home, and
tho yelk m mid ! log! how do they make
It ?”
"Very glad vou are pleased. Ix t me put
It on your neck."
“Oh, no! not yet. I only want to look at
It; is it quite mine, all for me?”
"Quite your a; no one's but yours. If
any one presumes to meddle with It, tell
Ulf.”
Sissy looked Jong and lovingly at this
new treasure, th< r. she let I4sle clasp It
ruond her neck and stealing her little
hand up to h.s should r, she nestled her
head Imo the hollow beside his neck and
murmured: "I do love you."
"Thank you! you .w-et llttlo soul.”
whisper'd Lis. , liokili her close to him.
"How an old follow ot forty or fifty who
has had his day Would adore a loving
daughter like this til; the left him tor
some younger follow that she adored!
Gad! 1 feel quite paternal myself!”
thought Ln ie as he clasped the necklace
; round tine child s neck, "1 wonder if you
, will deign to wear tills ten years hence
i wnen you are nineteen. ehj mjf little
love'."’ he said more to himself than to
I Sissy.
I “Yes; to be sure! No one else will ever
i give me anything so beautiful."
, ery well, God knows where we shall
' born be by that time, bat don’t forget
■ me, my sweet."
I “Wliy, w aero are you g Ing?’’
i "GoU, knows!" returned Lisle lightly.
“Ah, blssy, what is that you have
i there?" cried Mrs. Alerrick, coin.ng across
' to her little sister. "What a lovesy pres
| ent! Geoff, you iuo too ger runs. Aly lil
i tie girlie never saw so eharming a trinket
I in n, r bricl life before. Come! we are
, going to bury a;i diJlervtiecs in a game ot
, forfeits, so rub up your memory or your
. invention my dear i’rince Charming. ’Bow
I to the wittiest, dance to the prittlest,
and kiss the cue you love best.’ ”
! “By all means!" returned Lisle putting
I down tils little sweetheart. "This various
homage will bo uttered on one shrine! Tire
last clause must be in ’camera.’ ”
“You are a most audacious young scape
grace! Come, Master Bolleau,” said Airs.
Merrick, "Come and sit between blssy and
Mona McLeod Innes! The post lias gone
out from Constantinople to Croydon!
Make hrste, .Miss Glitnore Is Croydon.!
Who is SU Petersburg? Oh! Je de Innes,
and Cronstadt? Where in the world is
Cronstodt? 1 never could learn Georgra
phy!” •
"Cronstadt Is a strong fortress, and
seaport of Rut:la,” said Berths Bolleau
bcntentiously.
“Bravo! There’s a learned nuftl for
you! Go up top!” cried the irrepressible
Freddy, and the little party was soon
absorbed in the excitement of forfeits.
Finally Lisle, after a few words In an
undertone to Mrs. Alerrick, took up Sissy
in his arms and kissed her brow. “I sup
' 1-oso you will boa solemn young lady
from school, when I see you again,' ne
said. “1 shall not venture to take you
on my knee and kiss you."
“Why? I shall try and be a good girl,
very, very good, and 1 will kiss yeti!”
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“Thanks sweet one! Well, if you are
very very, very good; I’ll not say no!
Goodby, my darling, I shall be late.
A couple of hours later Mrs. Merrick,
looking exceedingly handsome In eve
ning dess, found Miss Gllmoee engrossed
by' a letter she W'as reading by the lust
gleams of daylight.
"I hope ho will not keep us waiting!"
exclaimed the widow. "Ah! you have a
letter from my brother. What does he
s;.y?”
"He cannot come up until the end of
rext week.” returned Miss Gilmore. He
thinks it would be well If we could man
age our marriage while he Is In town,
and pass a brief honeymoon at York on
our way home!”
"A Very good suggestion—only”—
"Mr. Lisle,” announced the landlord,
throwing the door open.
A rapid, earnest aiology and Lisle swept
them off to the carriage that walled be
low.
Lisle seemed In unusually high spirits,
and their drive from the far west to
"Her Majesty’s” seemed wonderfully
short.
"There’s an uncommon fine woman!”
taJd one of two men who might,
from their aspect, have been medical stu
dents. They stood close to tho entrance,
but on the wrong side, as Lisle and ala
comiianions passed through the doorway.
"Yes,” said tho other, "but not quite the
same stamp as the man with her. Did
you notice him?”
"I did. Do you know him?”
"No. but I know who he is—a deuced
deal too well—ire is Geoffrey Lisle, a
precious young scamp. Only fo,r him I'd be
next heir to fifteen thousand a year and a
tine old place.”
"Keep out of his way, then, or you’ll
be tempted to give him a bill. He Is a
regular swell."
“Anyhow, ho is going the pace pretty
fast, but he doesn't drink. So he may
lajst a good while yet.”
"Well, Morris! I'd rather not be tho
chap that stood in your way,” returned
the elder with a chuckle.
"Pooh, nonsense. Do you think I’d be
such a precious fool as to risk my neck
even for .fl:teen thousand a year?”
”W. i, I don't kn >w," began the other,
and they moved off into the transparent
darkness of a summer nlgnt.
Meantime Lisle and his friends ascend
ed to tho box ho had secured, anxious to
bo in their places at the beginning of the
opera.
The curtain had risen, however, and
they hastily settled themselves while,
from behind tiu chairs of the ladies Lisle
silently surveyed the house.
At the end of the first act a stout gentle
man of middle height, with gray hair,
tierce, waxed moustaches, angry, light
eyes, and a weil a >t up, soldierly carriage,
presented himself.
Lisle greeted him with a friendly nod,
and Mrs. Merrick exclaimed:
"General Blair! I thought you had gone
to Scotland?"
"No. my plans are a little altered. Good
evening. Miss Gilmore. Didn’t think young
ladies were brought to plays of this kind,
eh ?”
"No, general. Only wicked old women
like me,” said Airs. Merrick, shaking her
fan at him.
”1 admit your wickedness only In ono
serse, my dear lady.”
"Now that is a cruel speech. Mr. Lisle,
you must not Jet the general abuse me.”
"General! Beware!” cried Lisle, dramat
ically.
"What a delightful box.” Mrs. Merrick
continued, "one can see every part of the
house so well. Who aro those people In
the stage Iwx!”
Whereupon Lisle began to explain who
| was who to his interested listeners until
I tite curtain drew up and both became ab
i sorbed in the joys and sorrows of the
i fascinating ' j>oiirlnaire.”
When Ute crop scene next went down.
Ute genetai, who had been annoyed be
cause Lisle had put him right about some
choice bits of high life scandal, now took
his revenge.
"Lisle, my dear boy, I atn deuced sorry
to hear that your uncle is to be married
next month to the Hon. Miss D>never.
Bad luck for you, eh?”
"Infernaliy bad, general!"
"Wnat do you think of doing? The
holidays are over; you must go back to
School, eh!”
"I’ll enlist tn your regiment, general! I
hear you are to have a command in the
northwest provinces!”
"Indeed! I did not think the appoint
ment was generally known! In tact, 1
thought of retiring!"
"And why, pray?” asked Mrs. Merrick
with a delightful smile. "I am sure you
are as tit to command a division as when
1 met you at Kumehuuder."
"Will you excuse me. Mrs. Merrick!'
said Lisle, who had been looking down for
the last minute or two ftom behind her,
his glass fixed on the stalls. "1 sec a. man
I want to speak to down there, and 1
I know he is going out of town. May 1 go
I and catch him - .’”
"My lent Mr. Lisle! Why. of course!”
, “And 1 leave you under the care, of this
I 'preux chevalier,’ ” with a wave of his
hand toward the general as he left the
1 box.
"it's perfectly astounding how rarely
one meta u sensible, unaffected, young
man, nowadays,” growled the genera.,
I looking angrily after him.
"Aly dear general, it Geoff Lisle is any
thing in particular, he is unaffected.”
"1 cannot ccntradict a lady," pompous
ly, "but it you knew the estimation ho Is
jield in by men!”
"Fray, why can you not contradict a
lad,', my Gear general? Because we are
children—or idiots? i’ray, do not make
uncivil speeches.”
"Bless my soul, Mrs. Merrick! you know
I would not say an uncivil word to you.
not to win tho chief command of—of—”
"Then, why do you do it? 1 feel quite
hurt! You know I don't like you to think
little of me! I never could bear it!” and
she looked bewitohingly at him.
"My dear Mrs. Merrick, my dear lady,
I—l—think you are—in short. I'm afraid
to say how much 1 think of you,” stam
mered the general, ctnpietely routed. “I
lag you to believe that 1 have the highest
esteem and regard for you, by Jove!”
"Do look at that lady in the third box
from the stage, left side,” interrupted
Mrs. Merrick. "Is she not wonderfully like
Lady Alarkham? You remember Sir Gil
bert Markham's pretty little wife, up at
Glmla? ’
"No, I can't say I see the likeness."
“1 am almost disp >s d to tnink It i.»
Lady Markham herself." Mrs. Merrick
protracted the discussion In spite of her
elderly admirer's attempts to return to a
more perse mil subject till the cm tain
drew up again.
Meantime, her attenth tho deepen
ing tragedy of the oi* ra v. diverted by
her increasing surprise ut Lisle's con
tinued absence.
The curtain fell again, and still their
host did r.ot reappear. General Biair went
away for a lew minutes to speak to some
Indian friends in a box near them.
During his absence Miss Gilmore iipoke:
"What ii.is become of A?r. Lisle?"
"Heaven Knows! It is not like him to
show any slight to his guests, especially
lady guests.”
"No, indeed. He has been buttonholed
by somebody.”
"It is very tiresome! ami that ill-tem
pered general will abuse him lor rude
ness and ill-breeding.”
"Hasn't your all-accomplished young
admirer returned?” asked General Blair
when he returned
“No!” replied Mrs. Merrick. "I can't
think what has become of him. f hope
he has not met with any accident.”
"Not .ie! Fallen In with some line lady
enchantress and gone away to sup with
her, and her friends, or more likely tete-a
tete!” and he laughed a rather wheezy’
laugh.
"No, no! Geoffrey JJsle is far too
thoroughly a gentleman to be guilty of
such rudeness. Why. he had Invited Miss
Gilmore and myself to sup with himl”
"That makes matters a trifle worse
Believe me. you do not know what
audacious young scamp Lisle is—vtnere
did you meet him?”
"Oh. at the Caresfords—Colonel Cares
ford commanded my husband's regimen .
I wish ho would come back. Why, tn
curtain will fall In a few minutes, and 1
can’t attend to this scene.”
"I wouldn’t trouble myself, if I were
you! I am quite at your service; I’ll see
you home, and find out tomorrow, if 1
what has befallen that young
scamp!” ,
“Oh, General Blair! he will be sure to
come! I feel quite uncomfortable! If I
thought he could behave so dlsgrace
fU"iy7hould not like to be In his shoes
when he next meets you! Indeed he would
deserve any punishment If he has deser.-
ed you In this Infamous manner."
The minutes slipped swiftly past, the
last strains of the dying songstress ceased,
the enthusiastic plaudits of the audience
recalled her to life and the great house
began to empty Itself, the attendants ap
peared with coverings to place over the
velvet upholstery, still Lisle was absent
without leave. ,
“No use waiting any longer; a few min
utes more and we shall not be able to
get a cab. Come, my dear Mrs. Merrick.
Let me put on your cloak. Miss Gil
more. here's your scarf. It's deuced odd.
I don't know what young men are com-
Ing to nowadays. By George. I nave
seen a man shot for less Insulting con
duct to a woman (and such a woman) than
this,” cried the general who looked very
much alive not to say triumphant, and he
led hfs silent, mortified companions to
tho exit. There he stopped a young man
who was hurrying out. “Hullo! Calvert,
have you seen Lisles anywhere about .
"Yes; about an hour ago he was leav
ing the house with Algy Moore and a
lady.” . „ , , , ,
“Just so! just as I thought, chuckled
the general as with the help of an obse
quious commissionaire he secured a four
wheeler.
"It is quits the most extraordinary
thing,” murmured Mrs. Merrick, throning
herself into a corner.
”1 am sure something very unforeseen
has occurred,” said Miss Gilmore thought
fully, “for I am quite sure that only some
necessity of the last Importance wou.d
have induced Mr. Lisle to leave us with
such scant ceremony.”
Little more was said by either of the
ladles. The general talked at intervals
with politeness and animation, but the
trio were subdued and depressed by this
strange disappearance.
Arrived at Clifton Terrace, General Bla’.r
assisted the ladles to alight and opened
the door for them with Mrs. Merrick's
latchkey.
"No, my dear mailatn, I will not go up
stairs. You ought to go to bed nnd try
to sleep off the unpleasant effect of this
confounded contretemps. Take my advice,
have some brandy and soda, with a lump
of ice in It before you go to bed. It
will he reviving as well as cooling. I'll
look In tomorrow afternoon if you'll al
low me, to let you know what Information
I may collect. Good night, my dear lady;
good night.”
“You may be sure I shall tell Mr. Lisle ]
my opinion very plainly. I never was
treated tn such away in my life before,”
cried Mrs. Merrick, refraining with some
difficulty from tears.
"Goodby, Miss Gilmore; goodby my dear
Mrs. Merrick. God bless you.” He grasp
ed her hand painfully tight and left them.
When they reached their bedroom to
Miss Gilmore’s great surprise the bright, j
buoyant widow suddenly sat down and !
burst into tears.
"My dear Mrs. Merrick.” exclaimed her
friend in a tone of astonishment.
"Yes, dear; I am an awful fool! I
didn’t think I cared so much for that de
lightful boy! But to think he should make
so little of me before that disagreeable,
cantankerous, contemptuous general. Oh!
I will tel! him how disappointed and mor
tified I am and that I will never have
anything more to do with him. never,
never, never! T always felt, though I
did not acknowledge It to myself, that he
was just of pride and looked
down on middle class people, and why,
pray? what did he or his ever do for the
good of his country? My husband’s peo
ple have fought and bled for England
these hundred years, and I thought he
really liked me—l mean ns a confidential
friend. Good heavens! what a fool I am
making of myself,” breaking off suddenly
and drying her eyes.
"Well, yes; I think you are.” returned
her companion, “and It's not like you. Tn
| my opinion Mr. Lisle Is not proud, he
has the simplicity of a real gentleman. T
.am more uneasy than offended. I l<elleve
he has got Into some terrible trouble—
but there 1s no use In conjecturing. We
have no clew. Let us go to bed.”
Tomorrow, however, brought no clew
I nor many tomorrows. In vain the fam
| II" solicitor, who loved young Geoffrey ;
I Lisle, soutrht the aid of police and detec
j fives. The papers, then much more re;l
- cent than at present, gave paragraphs on
the subject. Not a creature had seen or
spoken with him since he bid good night
to Algy Moore and his sister. His valet
had had leave to go out for the evening t
and on his return found everything just !
as he had left It before going out. The
landlord of Lisle's rooms said he had '
heard no one come In, though he had been
kept awake by toothache. Mrs Merrick's i
I wrath melted into the most poignant anx
j h ty, all sorts of dreadful crimes suggested ;
; themselves; she wished the river to be
* dragged for his mangled remains. Every- :
! one was eagerly curious and sincere!" dls
| turbed for the prescribed nine days, after
’ which things resumed their usual course. |
; Marmaduke Lisle. Esq., of Lynton Chace,
: who took little or no trouble about h!s ■
; nephew, was married with due pomp. Mrs. I
i Merrick, after some wise reflections, !
agreed to take command of the general ■
nnd started for India soon after her broth
er had carried off Mary Gilmore to hfs
Northumberland home, .and perhaps the
only faithful memory was little dreamy,
silent Sissy's, who at the end of eaeh
quiet day in her new school offered a lov- I
Ing prayer to God that He would watch
over and preserve her "missing hero.”
CHAPTER IT.
Away In still, savage South Africa, in
which the first seed of many future rail
roads had just l»een sown, where ostrich
farms, diamonds and gold had not as
yet suggested themselves to the original
colonists, the sun was setting one fresh,
almost cold, evening toward the end of
March, over a wide, open and somewhat
desolate stretch of country, the features
of which were shrouded bv the fast clos
ing shadows of coming night.
Under the clear dark blue sky a group
wore standing as If to draw breath after ,
a severe struggle to drag one of the hugs :
unwieldy trader’s wagons which taxed
the strength of the span (some twelve
oxen) which had successfully brought
It through a somewhat deep ford and
up a steep bank to the level surface of
the veldt.
To guid» the panting animals, a tall
slight, black sat on the chest fitting across
the front of the wagon, and wielded a
formidable "sjambok" with its many
feet of bamboo pole and as m.uiy more
rheimpys for the lash (strips of stelnbok I
skin) which for the pres -lit rested from I
Its lalors. '
Two or three other coloted servants
were occupied soothing and rubbing down
some strong, well bred horses, which were
wet and uncomfortable after crossing the
drift (ford.)
A tall, powerful man, sunburned almost
to an African tint, seemed to be in com
mand. He spoke much and loudly In a
mixed lingo of English. Dutch and some
native dialect.
Besides these individuals, two men i
stood apart and conversed together, in j
what may be termed "upper ten Eng
lish.”
These fellow travelers were much of
the same age. between twenty and thirty.
One was shorter, broader and stouter than
the other. He was fair, with rather
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scanty reddish hair and light gray, won
dering. near-sighted eyes; hts nose wai
Ion" and upturned, a carefully cultivated
mustache did not quite hide a wide, loose
goodnatured mouth. II" was rather a
contrast to his companion, a slight, but
well built man. with a small, well-sha: <1
head. neat, small features and pier ing
black eyes set rather too closely tog th' r.
He carried himself with an air of as
surance and an unfailing regard for the
graceful and becoming.
"It’s an Infernal nuisance to have a
mother who insists on playing provider.ee
for you!” exclaimed tho stout, fair man,
as ho struck a match, his enunciation was
slightly Impaired by a cigar held betwe n ■
his teeth. “Why does she Insist on my
distinguishing myself! T go' on very w d
t in England, just as well as any other
' fellow. I’m not a bad shot, and I can
waltz well enough. I'm sure when I was
best man at Kilfane’s wedding I returned
thanks for the bridesmaids’ uncommon
well, and had no end of applause. It's
deuced uncomfortable jogging on In that
! Noah's ark on wheels, besides having a
1 brace of Hottentots alongside. Very un
pleasant companions, too. By Jove. I
I feel like a sort of glorified traveling tink
er. Just look at that lot of pots and pans,
kettles and cans, lashed to tho frame un
derneath. It's all too extraordinary. I
shouldn’t mind so much if we could h ve
a chance of meeting some elephant- feed
ing. It would be grand to go home and
say I had shot an elephant; In fact, one
might say several elephants If you had
shot one actually, but the knowing brut '
seem to have made tracks for safer quar
ters. eh. Forrester?”
His companion had been watching the
man who was rubbing down a fine brown
horse, the best of the steeds, and did not
pay much attention to his interlocutor.
"D’ye hear me?” asked the latter, af
ter waiting a moment.
"Y s yes. of course; we'll find ele
phant- and game of all sorts as we go on.
AV tit till we meet this mighty Nimrod,
‘the elepaant smatsher.’ He’ll show us
no end of sport and as you say, you as
by no means a bad shot.”
“That’s all very well, but when shall we
come up with him?”
“Oh, all in good time; there is no use
being in a hurry. Come. Mactler," ad
dressing tho man who seemed in author
ity. “we had better press on to the pl.i-o
you Intend to stop at. Mr. St. Maur v
be wanting his dinner or his supper, ar 1
we’ll want to make things snug for ih«
night first.”
“It’s not far off.” returned the man ho
spoke to. with an unmistakably Scotch •
accent, “and we haven't done badly to
day. Twenty miles In eighteen hours, tip
hill and down dale, there's not another
span In the colony would do it."
“Hurrv up "Verdompte ker!e.’ " to b'-
men, “we'll get under the lee of a kop ■.
al>out a mile and a half further, whl’h
will shelter us from the northeast,
for I can tell you the daybreaks are <•<•' 1
as we travel north at this time of year.”
After some thrashing and much bii
language in various tongues, the unwiel'
equipped got under way and rolled slow
ly forward.
As the evening was chill the two Ens -
lishme.n mounted their horses and led
their Scotch “Wturlno.” if we may b 1 -
row that term, rode smartly forward into
tho fast gathering gloom.
Mactier had been engaged not only to
pilot the strangers, but to provide trans
port, commissariat, everything except am
munition and horses; it was a good I'-a .
to save trouble, but an expensive meth
of going to work. That did not matter
which, however, to the Hon. Tom S'
Maur, for his mother, the wealthy aii’l
ambitious countess of Bamborough, pa‘<
the piper, with no stinted hand, hoping
her somewhat disappointing second -
might gather a respectable crop .jf “lau
rels” among the various’opportunities o '
South African life.
Forrester, the secretary adviser, an 1
nurse of the young sprig of nobility under
his charge, rode on silently, but St. Maur
who, having very little tn say. as usual,
did a great deal of talking, chattered on
to tlzeir conductor, plying him with ques
tions and offering him suggestions of a
rather childish description.
"Good Lord!” mused Mactier, “what a
'bletherin’ Miot to have such a ’comman
do’ under his heel. Money must be plenty
where he comes from.
“Then this elephant smasher Is no end
of a shot.” pursued St. Maur, little imag
ining the estimate his employee was form
ing of him. “Did you ever speak to him ’
Is he a stuck-up snuff the moon’ sort ot
a chap?”
“Speak to him?” echoed Mactier, "why J
I was one of his first friends m the colony.
M' h" it must be between eight or nine
years since I met him at Natal and pret
ty hard up he was. I’ve a fancy he came
from South America. I got him his first »
decent bit of work as ’after rtd?r* to a big *
hunting ex|>editlon up beyond the Drach
enfels; after that there was no more
♦rouble. He was sought after right and
left, and soon started an expedition of his
own, but he’s a first rate fellow. He
never forgets a friend; he gave me a ring
a few years back when he had not much
to part with, I 11 show’ It to you when we
have any light."
"What’s his name, this ‘elephant smash
ing’ hunter?” asked Forrester.
"Oh. North. Graham North! Come! I see
the lights of cur party. Let’s go back.
Carlo will show you how a venison steak
can be cooked In the open.”
St. Alaur was a first rate judge of
cooking in general, and expressed his ap
proval of the food set before him In no
Continued on Tenth Pose.
