A WOMAN'S FAITH:

Olt, THE

Mystery of a Buncl. of Tansies.

By CHARLES T. MANNERS,

AUTHOR OF

The Lord of Lyle," "Octavia's Pride," "The Blenkarno Emeralds," "The Flaw in the Diamond," "Dragging Him Down,"

A Silver Brand," &c. &c,

CHAPTER I

WHAT ..ALLY I'IIISI.KV SAW

" On, the Lord forgive mo ! I b'liovo 'twas the Evil One hissclf as tempted mo ! Why didn't I mind my own affairs? Oh, why didn't IV" It was a very humble Fatima who sighed this, and Blue Heard's luckless wifo could not havo shown a deadlier look of horror than now dilated the round black eyes of little Sal Chisloy as she cowered down in the gloom of the old clothes-closet, in which she had hidden herself for the indulgence of the curiosity that had already turned upon her in punishment. Croat drops gathered on hor forehead, her heart beat like a trip-hammer ; her hair would certainly have risen on end but that the short, kinky curls—the bequeathed gift of a quadroon grandmother—wore twisted too closely to be unwound. !' Oh, what will become of me V What will they do to me if they find me here? What did I come for?" wailed Sally, in a panic that had eorne upon her in as swift retribu tiot: a-. F.itima's blood-stained key.

V6u must know that Sally had listened to a conversation carried on in cautious whispers that morning between hor mistress and the hitter's maiden sister concerning certain mysterious movements of a gentle man who had taken a rear room on the first floor, which was all let out in this way to various lodgers ; and thoir remarks had made a forcible impression upon Sally's active mind.

" Now, don't you set up your mind to be prying into it, Eliza Jane," said the mis tress. " It's nothing to do with us that he expects visitors in a coach so lato at night. He's paid mo handsomely, and given mo notice not to be alarmed at seeing the strangers."

" But he's a very queer man, sister Abby."

" Yes, 1 know ; but what of that ? He's a medical student, perhaps, or an experi menter of sonic kind, and that's what's going on to-night. Don't you go to prying into it, and sotting the lodgers to talking about old maids."

And with this speech the corpulent land lady had given a commanding glance at her thin, angular sister, and taken herself away to her duties.

Sally's sharp cars had caught every word, and Sally's fertile, lively imagination had lent even more meaning and mystery to the words than either of them had dreamed of conveying.

Presently her duties took her through the lodging-rooms to gather up towels and liil tho water-ewers, and once in that of the mysterious lodger, her roused curiosity had been still further sharpened by perceiving the addition of certain locked boxes to the Ordinary furniture of the room.

Sally tiptoed around, examining every thing with eager eyes, muttering : •' "Sperimonts to-night ! Cood gracious now, Sally, don't yer wish ycr might sec 'cm too. Don't blame Miss Eli/.y Jane : not a mite, I don't. It's awful dull here in this poky house anyhow. 1 wish "

And hero Sally's oyes lighted on the closet door, and blazed all over with sudden gleam.

" That closet is locked, and don't belong with the room. Missis has got a lot of winter bedding stowed there, I know, 'cause I went in with her ono day to get blankets. Hurrah !"

The last because the quick-witted daughter of Eve had pounced upon an ex pedient.

" I know where she hangs the closet key, and I can forget to give her back this key. The gentleman don't come in till long after supper. What's to hinder my spy ing around, and getting tho work done, and then being awful sleepy and going to bed early ? Missis never conies up to my garret at night. 'Twouldn't bo nothing to slip in hero and lock things up behind me ; and 'twould be jest as easy getting out again, 'cause the gentleman must, go into the bedroom to sleep, and I can get around like a cat. It's jest as easy as can be. And what fun ! My ! wouldn't Miss Eli/.y -lane like the chance? Suro's I'm nlivu, I'll see the 'sporiments, too !"

From that moment Sally had scarcely a fugitive thought on any other subject, though her fleet step and dexterous hand despatched the evening housework after a fashion that called forth even the mistress's tardy praise, until she found herftclf reposing upon the pile of blankets sho had piled up into a comfortable couch, just at tlio right height for the keyholo or for tho yawning crack in the long-seasoned boarding.

At first she tickled forth into low bursts of mellow laughter, giddy with the triumph of a successful ruzc, and enjoying hugely tho excitement of the position ; wondering what " Miss Elizy Jane " would say if she could soc her, and how the missis would storm if she knew that the sleepy figure upon the garret bed Mas only the bolster dressed in Sally's nightgown and cap.

Sho enjoyed tho exhilaration of a victorious general as she grasped the two keys that <zave admittance to tho '"speri ments " and egress to safety, and she shook them over her head as she bad seen a Southern dance-girl shako her tambourine, and was sorely tempted to try a fandango dance horself, then and there."

Bui, presently I he silence and gathering dimness sobered her, and for the first timo she began to conjecture as to tbe nature of the show she expected to witness; and certain uncanny -lories crept, into her head, and Ihe warm thrill and exhilaration died out into a vague and chilly expectation of something horrible and hurtful.

Twice she lifted the key of thoclpsctto thru-! it into the keyhole and allow herself a hasty retreat, and the last time would hardly have failed, so faint had her courage grown, Iml that the sound of another key, clicking in the lock of the outer door, warned her that her retreat was cut off.

Sally sank back upon her blanket couch, and hold her hands against her loudly be.'iti.ig heart, while the linn, slow stop eclioed'throiigji Ihe room and paused at tho mantel. It gave her new spirit when, in answer to the sharply - drawn match, a faint ■dimmer brondened to a warm glow, and revealed to her flu- illuminated room within. All '.live again with interest, little Sally leaned against the door, her keen black eve close to tho aperture.

He wasn tall straight man, this mysterious lodger, and with the look of one .aged more by wearisome cues than by the years that sprinkled silver plentifully in the thick black locks nnd long full whiskers. This inexperienced, untaught girl could not

have given any words to her impressions, but sho was keen and true iv hor intuitions concerning him.

"It's ono of yor upper-crust gentry, I know, if ho does wear clothes like common folks, and ho's downhearted about some thing or other," soliloquised she. Sally saw him pass into the tiny bed room, and presently otnergc with a bright now hammer and chisel in hand.

"To open tho boxes! What a fool I'd have been to cut and run without seeing a littlo something first," quoth Sally, secretly, and cautiously changed her position to give a lower view.

Yes, that was undoubtedly his object, though Sally was hardly much wiser for tho array of glass vessels and the long cases that wero presently transferred to tho table. Thoy seemed to be of much interest, however, to their owner, for ho examined ono and all carefully. And next, ho pro duced a hear) volume, and sitting down to the table, ho pored over it with close and anxious attention. Then, with a long, deeply-drawn sigh, ho closed the book, and rising, paced to and fro across the room, his arms folded across his chest, his head drooping low. Twico he made a pause close beside tho closet-door, and the daring intruder there held her breath, lest ir should betray her presence. And once, as if soniothing suggested surveillance of somo sort, lie laid his hand upon the knob and tried it, satisfied to find it locked apparently, for he went back to the table, took out n well-worn diary or momoranda-book, and glanced back over many well-worn and closely-written pages. " I wish this noed not linvo been re quired," he spoke, suddenly and sharply. " It is disagreeable business, and there's no telling how little a thing may rouse sus picion. Hut there's no help for it," he broke out again, " there's no turning back now. They ought to be here within an hour."

And with this he fell to arranging the bottles again, and he had scarcely settled back in his chair when there came four low but peculiar knocks at his door.

1 lo started up quickly, and going (hither, unlocked and openod the dour, admitting some one who stood just without Sally's range of vision. She heard the holt shoot into its socket again behind him, and imme diately after a man's husky voice say : "I'ood evening, sir. You're ready, 1

" Yes, Jack; and how is it with your part of the business ." returned the other.

"All right, sir. 1 expect they'll bo along at the appointed time. You look tired, sir."

"Yes, how can I help it? It's an ugly business. Jack, and my heart revolts from it. But it must be carried out."

Jack had no answer for this, but he evidently felt the force of the assertion, for lie shuttled to and fro a moment, and came forward far enough for Sully to catch a view of a tarpaulin hat hold in uneasy, fidgeting fingers that wore brown and plainly familiar with lobourof thocoarsersor.

" You are sure you have found a man who understands the business ? Wo can't afford to have any bungling," continued he who was evidently the master.

" Oh, yes, sir. An old hand at the bloody work, and one who doesn't tremble over it. It took a big sum to hire him, though." "And tho young follow, the other one, doosn'tsuspect how he is tube entrapped ?" "How could he, sir? We arranged to grab him without giving any warning. I don't believe tkero's a chance for anything to fail. I carried out every one of your orders, even to—having the rojfrn on hand, and taking it off where none will be the wiser."

A shudder ran through the leader's frame, and after that there was a long silence.

" It's almost time for mc to be out there watching with the other.-, and ready with my help," said the subordinate.

"Yes," came hoarsely, "Go as quietly as possible I have given tho landlady here a plausible story, but. 1 don't want to attract anybody's attention if I can help it. Civo the same knock softly when you come back."

And once again tho door was unlocked and re-bolted.

The dark-browed man walked to and fro with hands clenched together. " A risky business I i feel a_s if my own neck wero in the halter. Poor fellow ! poor follow ! 1 wonder has he a singlo suspicion of our meaning? 1 didn't think I should be so nervous."

To Sally it seemed trehlo the actual period of time before the signal knock again announced approach to the innor door-way.

The confusion of soveral people entering finally subsided, and most of the group came within the focus of that fascinated yet horror-filmed eye watching from behind the closet-door. Two gentlemen faced her. The mysterious lodger and a handsome young man, who, looking earnestly nt the other, said, in a clear, musical voice :

"I havo obeyed youroommniids, you per ceive, sorely against, my inclination, a good deal also against my judgmout. I would much rather face the tiling openly there, in my proper sphere. Nevertheless I yield to your superior knowledge of this odious mystery which has haunted me always like a deadly nightmare."

"You did well—nobly and generously, as I am proud to say you have alwayH done. 1 am constrained to toll yen, now and hero, that you havo compelled me to honour and respect you," returned the lodger, with cvidont emotion.

"Thank you. And you will givo mc now a full explanation, as you promised. The other bowed silently, and taking out Ihe well-worn diary, opened it at a certain page, and passed it to the young man's

The latter bent over the book, turning to ward the _ table for better light, his noble face lit up with eager expectation. Behind his back tho mysterious lodger made a swift, peremptory signal of some sort, and Sally Chislev saw two mon step ping swiftly forward, ono with n largo sponge nnd towel in his band. How it was done she could hardly toll, but in an ins! ant more, after the sounds of a slight seville, a cry of " treachery " was silenced in a low gurgle and gasp, and the young man was lying in the chair with closed eyes, help less in his captors' hands.

Sally's teeth chattered ; her heart was like a dying thing, paralysed as it were in a gasp of horror ; but her fascinated eyes fol lowed the scone with dosporate attention. What would they do next ?

The closer gathering of the actors in a measure intercepted her view, but. she knew that tho table was wheeled away, a long box pushed into tho contro of the room, and (hat the young man's form, divested of its upper clothing, was laid upon it. She bit her lips to repress a scream when sho saw another stranger approach, with something long and glittering in his hand like tho bared blade of a butcher's knife.

" For Heaven's sake, lie expeditious and sure of hand !" spoko the lodger, in a low, hoarse whisper.

Tho cruel ham! that held (he knife went forward mercilessly.

Sally saw cloths' laid to catch the blood, and behold the first red stain that poured over their whiteness, nnd hero honor and desperate terror overcame tho poor child. She hud otic swimming, dizzy view of the whito, still, handsome face, with its closed eyes and pallid, stirlcs lips, looking

up from the red swathes that covered the lacerated breast, and then sank back, for the first timo in her young, healthy life, fainting dead away. When sho revived nnd consciousness re turned, the cautious whispering outside re called her to a quick realisation of her posi tion. Whon sho had strength and courngo enough to look again, she saw thorn moving the table back into its former position, and there was no sign of tho young man. "It is such a relief to have it over. I feel confident wo shall havo no furthor trouble or danger. Tako away the coffin in the qoach. Jack, as quickly as possible. You understand how to dispose of it. 1 shall burn all this clothing and stained cloths to night, and not a trace shall be loft to attract suspicion." Then ho turned to the "wicked murderer " as Sally fiercely called him, and thrust something into his hand, but what it was, or what ho said, was lost to her, for the man Jack moved botwoen.

Scarcely fifteen minutes more, and the room was back to its original undisturbed quiet. The visitors had gone, the boxes and their contents wero carried away, and the mysterious lodger walked softly into the bedroom, and closed the door behind him. But ho had loft the light burning, and much as poor, sorely-punished Sally longed to fiy, she dared not, until sho was sure that he had retired.

He came out, just when desperation suggested an attempt to escape, and seizing his nut, muttered :

"I must have one breath of fresh air, or I shall never endure the night's vigil."

And unbolting the door cautiously, ho went out.

Sally t'hisley did not miss the precious opportunity. Though her hands shook, and her feet dragged like leaden ones, she shoved back her pile of blankets, un lockod hor closet door, and sped across tho room.

As sho closed the outer door it seemed to her that a low, gasping moan followed her.

Shaking with superstitious terror, as well as nearly dazed with horror, Sally sped up to her own poor bed, hurrying into it with out removing her clothing, and drawing up the ragged coverlet far beyond hor head, she clung to the dressed bolster as if there was protection even in its dumb companion ship.

It was a slow, dragging night of torture for the poor, ignorant child, and when tho longed-for daylight came she scarcely found the relief she expected, but all daylong she moved about stealthily, glancing nervously behind her as if expecting that glittering knife to descend upon her own breast, or that ghostly white face to rise up nnd con front her.

She heard her mistress tell "Elizy Jane " that the lodger had a headache and wanted a bowl of gruel made, and didn't wish to bo disturbed at all, but would look after his room himself.

And her teeth chattered at the thought of going into tho room again, even to drop her towels or take a pitcher of water.

She longed to tell her story, but did not dare relate her own share of wrong-doing. While wiping the dinner dishes she did venture to inquire of the mistress " How folks went to work to tako up robbers and bad folks ? If they had anything to do but just toll the policeman ?"

" Bless your heart, of course you do !" returned the wary landlady. "It won't do to say a word unless you can prove it all. They'd take up the ono as told, if he couldn't make it clear."

This was quite enough to complete Sally's panic. She had felt herself pursued by in visibledanger before : now she seemed to see a tangible trouble crouching in front of her. What if the murdered man should be traced there, and she had to own to hiding in the closet, to coming out of that room at that dead hour of night? Would they say she helped?

The girl went nearly mad, and ended by packing up her bundle and running away at the expiration of a week's timo. Sho managed to get a free passage in return for her assistance to the stewardess in a Baltimore boat, and only drew a free respiration when sho saw tho roof and spires of this Northern dwelling-place fade out in the misty distance. CHAPTER 11. A STUA-VCK AFFAIR. Foivrv-i-K-iiT hours afterward, when the whole city was agitated by the mystery, those who passed the public gardens-gate of a prosperous American city at that early hour of tho day counted themselves curiously fortunate in being able to say : " I was there myself. 1 saw the beauti ful young lady and the handsome horseman with my own eyes."

And every slightest detail was of the ut most significance and im|.ortniico, and remembered for years afterward.

At tho present moment, though no one among tho passers-by had any impression of sjiecial foreboding or importance, yet nil turned to look in keen interest and involun tary admiration when the daintily-equipped !>ony-carriago drew up at the gateway. Of course, varying tastes selected different ob ject-* for special admiration.

The devotes of tho turf would havo noticed chiefly the incomparable black ponies with their graceful fleetnc** of move ment. For others the air of luxurious elegance and high-breeding which pervadod tho group within the airy-wicker carriago would have held the chief charm. But I fancy the majority passed over the aristo cratic Mrs Marcliniont, whose dainty hands held the reins, notwithstanding her elegant attire and fashionable look, and ignored tho grand, dark Colonel Rivers, who sat beside her, to be entirely absorbed and con quered by the youthful maiden counten ance which was turned eagerly toward the garden gate, as the girlish figure raised itself lightly from the rear seat to gain a better view into the park.

And it was not more symmetry of feature and delicacy of colouring that gave that face its greatest charm, but some wondrous inner radiance shining through, which lent the eye.- such limpid light, and Hooded overy feature with an indescribable ex pression of cxhaustless brightness, purity, and truth a soul-fulness that told only of a heart throbbing with fervent trust in the goodness and beauty of a happy world.

An arch smile curved her lips as sho caught sight of a strait and fearless rider guiding his black horse by the shortest path through the crowded street below.

"Sec, my dear Mrs Marchmont," shesaid, gayly, " now your last scruple may bo set at rest. Yonder comes Conway Senile to keep me company in tho gardens, and help me to examine this wonderful flower. Now you may leavo me without the slight est apprehension." Colonel Hirers knit his black eyebrows, while he interposed:

"So you have an appointment, Helena You should have said so before."

"She is a sly creature after all ! This explains the long time ho took to wrap your shawl .about you .at the party," laughed Mrs Marchmont, shaking a playful linger at the girl. " \'on .are not quite the unsophis ticated schoolgirl this guardian believes you !"

"An appointmont! You could hardly call it that. But he knew I was coming to see the flowers, nnd he was curious about it himself," answered Helena Yorriii"ton, quietly. Then in a moment sho added, gravely, " Nevertheless, I did expect to see

him lioro. Ido not seek to hido that truth." "And therefore woro that bewitching hat. Woll done, littlo novice. Behold the smilo of welcome which already overspreads his face."

" Do bo quiet, Clara," spoke tho gcntlo man, a littlo impatiently. "Of course you will call hero again for Helena when your shopping errand is executed." " And interrupt a delightful letc-a-ftHc! No, I thank you. lam not fond of finding myself detrop. Good morning, Mr Soarlo. Aro you also blossom -smitten V"

The horseman had reached tho spot, vaulted lightly to tho ground, thrown his horse's rein to tho eager hand of a hoy who was standing near, and now approached the carriago door. Tho lingering passers saw the fine-looking young fellow assist tho beautiful young lady from the carriage, givo hor his arm, and bear her proudly into the gardens, while tho pony carriago whirled away with tho pretty, smiling driver and tho dark-browed gentleman. This was tho shifting tableau the passing crowd boheld and remembered. And the saddled steed waited pationtly outside with the gamin's brown hand clutched tightly upon tho bridle-rein.

Waited pationtly nearly an hour. Then the spirited creature fretted, and pawed restlessly, and was scarcoly quieted by the boy's walking him up and down tho street.

A pensive, sentimental milliner's appren tice ovor tho way sighed softly over her feathers and ribbons.

"They are enjoying such an elysium, what wonder tho timo passes without their knowing it. Ah, how differently lives mo cast !"

And the smart apothecary at the noxt door stroked his pet moustache, while he said, jocosely, to his follow :

" By .love ! I shouldn't mind if I myself wore in that fellow's place. The horse wouldn't get any more thought from me, I'm afraid."

And still the horse fretted, and even the street Arab grew uneasy, and cast anxious glances toward the gate way, and began to question if his reward would be broad enough to recompense the fatigue and I'tinin. And one hour passed, and two, and three, and the poor little gamin was earning more than his expected feo, however generous ho may have fixed its sum, for the spirited animal was really fractious now, and jerked fiercely at his rein, and reared and bounded, declaring as eloquently as speech itself could that the limit of patience was passed.

The uneasy boy watched tho gate way with anxious eyes, and his face brightened visibly when ho recognised tho young lady coming slowly down the path, hardly, how ever, with the bright and glad expression of countenanco which had been such a winning charm before. One might almost say that the fresh, red lips pouted in vexa tion, nnd that a cloud of annoyance hung over her forehead. But tho moment that hor eyes fell upon the waiting horse a flash of astonishment and perploxity swept off their gloom.

Sho came forward with swift, unfaltering steps.

"What! are you waiting still?" she asked, in a clear, earnost voice. " Has not tho gentleman taken his horse yet ?" "No indeed, mann, he has not, and I'm wishing powerfully that he would ; the beast is troublesome enough,"was the boy's reply, pulling at the ragged cap that covered his unkempt, bushy locks.

The soft, deep eyes took on a troubled look. The beautiful young lady turned her face toward the garden again, a grow ing alarm gathering ovor it. "Not here either! His horse left un called for ! That is strange—stranger even than that he has kept mo waiting so long :" she murmured. " Can anything have happened to him ? But how silly I am ! He went for the flower, and there was none at tho stand, and the foolish fellow is search ing for one. I will go back. I will tell him, boy, that the horse is troublesome. Have patience a littlo longer." And sho hurried back to tho gaidons, crossed the intersecting avenues swiftly, and stood at length at tlio stand of flowers and shrubs that occupied a rear position on the lower wall.

Her face was flushed with her haste, nnd hor eyes eager, but a sudden white dismay dropped upon it when she saw a magnificent basket of nannies occupying a conspicuous placo amid the embowering bloom.

Yet sho advanced promptly, and a grave determination spoke in her voice as she asked tho vender, simply :

"Have you sold any pansios within two hours, or, it may bo throe? It seems as long since I sent somo one for a bunch."

"To a young gentleman? Yes, miss. He was very particular to select tho finest. It was two hours ago, precisely ; for tho bells of the clock yonder were striking then, as now."

The slender, daintily gloved-hands caught at the railing of the stand with a desperate grasp. "Something has happened to him!" spoke she, sharply. " What can it be?"

She turned her eyes toward him in such wistfulness of piteous appeal thut the man hastened to reply, soothingly :

" Lord bless you, my dear, that couldn't be, right hero in tho gardens, whero theri are so many people. He has beon called bnck to his business, remembering some thing ho forgot, maybn."

" He would have brought mo the pansies ; he would not have left mo without a word," sho repeated, slowly and drearily. And then she added, with a brave attempt at a smile : " He camo hero on horseback, and tho horse is still waiting. That is enough to make mo think it strange, is it not ?"

"(lentlemen are forgotful sometimes; and then something important might havo turned up. He went back up that path, as he camo ; that is all 1 can tell you. There's only one path here that is secluded. I re member a girl fainted there one day, and wasn't found for quite a while. But this gentleman was well-looking. Don't worry ; he'll bo buck in a minute."

She turned slowly, and walked back to the shaded garden-seat by the lakelet, whore ho had left her to brill" the bunch of pansios, and sat down, with a perplexed sigh. Then she sprang up restlessly, and carefully and methodically passed over every path, scanning closely trie face and figure of every gentleman among the scattered groups, and ended by coming bad- to the gateway, where tho black horse still waited for his rider.

A bluc-eoatcd policeman was just loung ing in sight. After a single moment's hesitation, Helena Yerrington walked quietly up to him, and relating her story, ending with : " Now will you please to tell mc if I havo any ground fortius wild foar that something wrong has happened to him? He could not. bo drowned in the pond there, nor robbed, nor — murdered, there on tho public park, in tho broad day, could he?"

" Impossible !" was tho prompt rejoinder, with a curious glance into the troubled, beautiful face. " And yet, I admit, it does not have a right look. You—arc—certain the gontleman—would not leavo you — voluntarily?"

Tho last was asked in slow and cautious accents.

"He was to bring mo tho pansios—l told you that. Of course, ho intonded to take leave after that," wns answered, steadily. "I meant, do you think tho gentleman might possibly havo a reason for wishing to escape the conclusion of your interview?"

The deep, dark eyes glistened with gathering dew.

"There was every reason for him to ro turn," she said vehemently. " The pansies were for mo to wear to-night as a sign for him to confer with my guardian concerning our engagement. I know he Mould havo brought thorn to mc promptly had not some unknown obstacle intervened. Besides, sir, hero is his horse waiting still. lam con vinced that there is some trouble-— or—l should not spoak to you in this way. Oh-" }

Sho broke off suddonly, to step forward nuicklv, with outstretched hands, to greet the tall, il.uk, middle-aged gontloman who was ci'Msing the Hags from the other side.

"Colonel Rivers ! how thankful I am to see you !"

" Holona I still here at tho gardons? Clara would insist that it was so, but I could not credit it," was spoken in a tone of poorly-veiled disploasurc. "Hush ! you shall hear what it means. Something very strange has happened to Conway Soarlo. Ho left mo moro than two hours ago to buy me a bunch of pansios at the stand on tho mall. He purclmsod thorn, and started back with them, and myste riously disappeared. I waited these two hours. He has not come yet," sho answered, hurriedly.

"The waiting was an unpardonablepieco of clemency oii your part, Holona. Why did you not call a carriage, and como homo at once? I am sorry you should givo him cause to think he could treat you so un oavaliorly. Hu will not bo likely to repeat it, after I see him again. Come, let mo give you my arm. 1 will find a carriago somewhere," interposed the gentleman, in dignantly. Hut the girl drew back resolutely. " You do not heed my meaning, guardy. Itellyou something has happened to (...u way Searle. Hero is his horse still waiting." "Let it wait. That is his own business. .Mine is to see that Miss Yerrington is not imposed upon by a handsome young cox comb. I ask you to return home with me at once. Helena. 1 trust you remember my annoyance at leaving you here this morning. You will see now that I was not so far out ot the way."

While he spoke thus, in a haughty, irate tone, he was drawing that littlo tremulous hand, in its dainty primrose glove, under his arm.

A change came over the girl. Scarcely would ono have known her for that eager, frightened, excited creature who had'ap pealed to the policeman, shivering under her vague alarms. Throwing back her head haughtily, with eyes flashing as resolutely and angrily ns his own, with stern, white lips, she said, icily :

"And Colonel Rivers also fotgets him solf, I think. Even that you are my guardian does not excuse an unwarranted attack upon an absent gentleman, nor an idle reflection upon my dignity. If I enter the coach it will be to drive to the lawyers' office, where Mr Searle is now a junior member of the firm. I shall not withdraw until I have put the affair into tho hands of his friends. If Mr Searle were at liberty, and alive, ho would have been here before this time to bring me my pnnsies, nnd to claim his horse. I need no assurance of that from anyone." Colonel Rivers bit his lip nervously, and then, looking down wistfully into tho pale, indignant face, said, penitently : "Forgive mc, Helena. In my anger at this ungentlemanly treatment of you, 1 have spoken hastily. You shall leavo what in formation you please at chat office. Only let me get you away from this spot, for, see, a crowd is gathering. (lood heavens I let us save your name from being mixed up in this affair, whatever comes of it."

At that moment the flower-vendor camo hurrying through the gateway, and seeing the little group, he called out to stop them from retreat.

He held in his hand two broken fragments of a light cane.

"See," cried he. "I found these under tho Althea hedge. Can the lady toll if it belonged to the gentleman she is lookin" for?"

While ho spake tho policeman bent down, and pointed to tho tiny silver plate let in for a collar to tho carved hound., head. "C.S." wero the letters legibly engraved there.

Helena Yerrington snatched her hand away from her guardian's hold, and took the fragment hastily from him.

"Yes," she said, in a low, suffocated voice, "this is Conway's cane. What has happened ?"

"It looks as if it had been twisted around, to break the wood in that way," spoke the policeman. " I will go into the square, and see where you found it. Some body will care for tho horse, boy, in a few moments more. Young lady, you needn't be under any apprehension. I'll sift the matter myself. But it isn't likely anything really bad could happen there, and at this time o' day."

"Let. us go," implored Helena, turn ing suddenly to her guardian. " Let us lose no time going to the office." Without anothor word of romonstrnnco Colonel Rivers hurried her to tho first carriago stand, and securing a coach, drovo with her to tho office of ono of the most respectable legal firms in the city. He sent for the senior to come to a lady waiting in a carriage, and that astonished gentleman made a prompt appearance. " Mr Searle ?" spoke Helena Yerrington, quickly lifting her face from the hands she had clasped so closely over it. " Where is Mr Searle?"

" Indeed that is what I am asking my self. He excused himself for a two hours' ride, but promised to be back in season for a visit to tho court. He is usually the most prompt and methodical of all tho young fel lows I deal with. I shall scold him."

But here thcbl.ind smile suddenly dropped from the speaker's face, and ho demanded, in a startled voice :

" What have you come to tell mc ? What has happened to Searle?"

Helena motioned to her guardian to make the communication, and Colonel Rivers complied, stating the case in a few tcrso words.

"If ho wero like snmo young mon I should give it no heed," spoke tho lawyer, gravely; " but Conway Searlo. is ono to bo depended upon. I will go down to the chief's office promptly, if I do i*>t find him nt his rooms at the bonrding-houso."

"And lose no time—and spare no ex ponse," implored Helena.

The lawyer gave her a closer scrutiny, and said, in a gentler, sympathising voico as he bowed low :

" You may be sure T will do tho best I c.ii. I valued the lad for his own sake. Anil I will let you know the moment I obtain tho intelligence, and that will bo soon of course. Don't fret."

. " Drive on," ordered tho colonel, huskily " home nt once."

Hut Helena Yerrington's faco was hidden again from his anxious gaze, while they rolled on through the crowded streets. "Dear child, you are too sympathetic," ho said, presently. " You aro torturing yourself with every wild imago you can conjure up. It is very unwise, Helena, very unwise indeed." "Then you do not think he is murdered ?" she asked, lifting a whito, scared faco for a moment from tho clasping hands. " Certainly not. It is moro probable to

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, JANUARY 12, 188 C

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