The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 322, 21 December 1910, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All High Is Reserved'.)"

+ Oy the Author of "Stella,"- "Two Koys," Etc., Etc.

PART 15. "No, sir ; this be a pi'i v a.lc carriage, an' '(.won't do to leave the 'osscs, sir," she heard the coachman respond, and know by the sound 01 his voice that his back was towards her, while a sigh of rebel escaped her 011 li'aui'n"' that it was a priva'e carriage. With the boldness of desperation she tiptoed to the door oi the carriage, which, fortunate for her purpose, was ajar, opened it, crept inside, and crouched upon the floor just as Pr. Flint called out again : "Have .vow seen a young girl dressed in a brown dress pass along this street within (lie last few minutes ?" "Yes, sir," responded the coachman : "she passed me right 'ere not three minutes hack. She must a"\ c turned the corner by this time, but p'r'aps you'll catch 'cr up if you're quick'." With a muttered oath Dr. Flint banged his door and dashed down the steps and along the street as if his feet were shod with wings, while the driver turned back to his horses, never once suspecting the presence of the trembling passenger within the carriage. Almost at the same moment the door of the house before which the carriage was standing was opened and a gentleman of middle age descended the sfeps, while Monica with a gasp of fear huddled herself more closely into her corner.

"William, you can drive me directly back to the odice. f!o quickly, as I*have an important appointment at twelve," the gentleman commanded, in smooth, pleasant tones. '•Yes, sir," returned. the man, springing nimbly to his box as his master entered the carriage, and he was hardly seated before the wheels began to move. The next instant he uttered an exclamation of astonishment. "Ye gods ! what have we h*e ?" he observed, curiously.

Monica was discovered. "Oh, sir !" she cried, lifting her white, beautiful face to him. and resolving to throw herself upon his protection. "I have just escaped from the power of a wretch. He was almost upon me ; but the fog and this carnage hid me. He called to your coachman to know if he had seen mo pass, and described me to him. The man turned to answer him—telling him "c had seen me—and I sprang in here to hide. T beg. sir, that you will allow me lo ride with vou "away from this place, then [ will'get out and try to find a place of refuge." The stranger had leaned towards her, intently studying her face while she was speaking, and he realised at o n ee, both from her language and appearance, that she was a latiy. "My child," he said, with grave kindness, "pray rise and be comfortably seated. Then tell me all you story, and you may be sure that I shall not let you get out until 1 canfind a place of safety for you." As he spoke he lifted her by the hand to the scat beside him, and the act of kindness, together with his gentle tones, were too much for Monica's long-tired nerves, and slubroke into 'almost hysterical weeping, sob after sob escaping her colourless lips, while she trembled in every limb from excitement. Her companion considerately allowed her emotion to have its way for a . time, and thus left to herself the girl managed to recover her composure much .sooner than she otherwise would have done. "I'iav excuse mc," she said, when she could eontrol herself. "Your kindness, when I was almost past the point of looked for kindness from any one, caused such emotion that 1 could not help .breaking down." She then gave him a brief account of her illness and imprisonment in Dr. Flint's hospital, and described how for long weeks she had been planning some way to escape, but only that day had been able to effect it.

The man listened attentively to her, his stern face but feebly expressing the indignation lie experenced in view of so much wrong and persecution. "I have heard something about this Dr. Flint before," lie remarked, when at length she paused, " but I never paid much attention to the reports—l thought they might be merely the malicious slander of some disgruntled patient—but, my dear young lady, I assure you that after listening to vour story I will make it my business to see that his character and methods are investigated just as soon as I can find time to attend to it. I am a lawyer ; Archibald .Sidney is my name. And now will you kindly tell me yours '?" he concluded, with a fatherly smile. "My real name is Monica King." she unhesitatingly replied ; "but until 1 can put myself under the protection of some one who will help me to prosecute those who have wronged me so. I think I would like to be known by some other. My middle name is Helen, and my mother's maiden name was foster, [ wonder if i .might call myself Helen Foster '.'" "IV. haps." said Mr. Sidney, thoughtfully. "We will think about it, though t confess I have a prejudice against assumed names Now, will you tell me a little more about this cousin, and how he happened to get such unlimited control of your affairs '?" Monica then told him something of her life in Mexico, of her father's death, and how Carl King had managed to induce her to sign papers making him her guardian and giving him power of attorney. "Miss King," said Archibald Sidney, when she concluded, "I can see that you need a staunch, reliable protector, or you may get into a worse situation than that from which you have just escaped. May I take you to my own home and to my wife, until"l can sift jour history a, little more thoroughly, in order to ascer-

tain what can be done for you ? You will be very comfortable, for w'e arc both fond of young people, and we have none in the house. my L'hildnn all being married and away from home.'' Mi nica lifted a face of gratitude t 0 her kind-hearted companion. "You are very, very good," she said, tremulously, "and 1 would so like to accept \our generous offer: but it does not seem quite right that I. a total stranger, should become such a responsibility loyou." The gentleman smiled. He was strangely drawn towards this muchwronged chilci. 'T am rather inclined to think that we should find you a very pleasant responsibility." 'he said. kindly : "but it you are going t<> experience an uncomfortable sense of obligation yon shall —if T am successful in winning back your fortune for you —pay me my fee. the.same as any client." There was an amused twinli'e in his eyes as he said this, which indicated thai he had purposely refrained from naming the amount of his fee. "All. thai I shall be so glad to do !" said Monica., eagerly. " And I cannot tell \ou whal a terrible burden has been lifted from my heart in s,, unexpectedly finding such fl friend." Then, with n sudden thought she inquired : "Is Miur eoa<hmnn perfectly reliable. Mr. Sidney ? 1 know that l>r. Flint would give a large rewar-d to r cover me. and if your man should see and rei oM'nise me when I leave Ihe carriage, he might, be tempi ed t,, put the doctor on my track. lam sure he did not see my face (lis t i n ct ly v. In n I passed him. hut he would certainly remember my dress. "1 was asking myself that same qursiiin." the gentleman replied.

••William has appeared lo he honest and faithful tlius far ; but. lie has nol been in my employ very long-, so I think i! may lie wise to use canCon and be on the safe side. We are n.iw very nvar my odice. \\ lien th-" carriage stops f will lea" out of the window 'and attract his attention for a moment or two. while oj quietly .slip out of the opposite door, cross the street to a stationer's jhop. where you ran easily make an errand, and where, as soon as 1 have sent William home, I will join you." lie lm'nstcned the door for her a* he si oke, but requested Monica to hold it closed until the carriage slopped. Presently it drew up before a large stone building-, and Air. Sidney leaned out of the window and called to him. This obliged the man to lean over on that side, and thus Monica was enabled lo steal forth from the opposite door, which she did so quietly and nimbly that he had no suspicion that the carriage had contained anv passenger save his master. A moment later she had crossed the M-feet and entered the stationer's shop, as Mr. Sidney had directed her to do. When that gentleman was assured that she was out of sight, he leisurely alighted, paused to give one more order, which he appeared lc nave forgotten, he entered the building in which his oP-ice was situated, while William drove away on an errand which would require a couple of hours to execute, thus giving Mr. Sidney and his fair protege an opportunity lo reach his residence without fc a r of encountering him. As soon as the carriage was out of sight the lawyer* hastened to rejoin Monica, whom he found serenely whirled towards his house.

she had just purchased. She. greeted him with a confiding smile, and he felt his heart thro! afresh with indignation as ho looked into her pure, "beautiful face and thought of the terrible fate to which her heartless relatives would h'ave doomed her. He led her to the nearest cabstand, assisted her into a hansom, and a moment later 1 hey were being rapid ly whirled towards hi house.

CHAPTER XV 1.1 r. JN T HOME. In half an hour the carriage halted at the door of Mr. Sidney's residence. Conducting his protege into a charming little morning-room. th< gentleman drew a comfortable chaii before ih> fire in which there was r cheerful blaze, then excusing himseb for a few minutes while he went U seek his wife. lie was absent nearly half an hour whin he returni'd with a lady -, littli younger ih n n himself, and whom lv introduced to Monica a.s Airs. Sidm-v. She gave her a gentle welcome and continued to talk on in an easy, pleasant vein, not giving Monica an opportunity to say much. unii lunch was, announced, when the;.- al' repaired to the dining-room, when the vo'iig girl was formally install ed in the place at table which wa henrefori li to 1 e hers, and i' wa.soon known throughout t !,-> linns l that the master had brought home ; beautiful \oung- lady. Miss Foster. t< whom lie 'had 'been appoint*, d guar d' a: i. That wry afternoon M; s. Sidn'.v at the suggest u.n of her husband took Monica out to a shop in Ke gent-st ri et. where she insisted upot providing her with a complete and handsome u ut lit . 'I h ■ fair girl demurred seiisit ive'.\ against this hi\ ish expenditure : but she was assured that it was abso lately necessary, in ordi r to eiiabh h,r to sustain her character as Mr. Sidney's ward. and before evening t wo large trunks mar!" d "If. !'■" were delivered at his resilience and talin to "Miss Foster's" rooms. This. of course, was a, blessed chan-.'e for Monica. Hi.' felt like " a bird release,l from the snare of Ike fowlers." ami she recuperated very -quickly, both menially and pli.v sically. and :een,ed like a uew creature, while Mr. and Mrs. Sidney, who were both earnestly studying their protege, found her a charming addition to their household. Little by little, as he had leisure, the lawyer drew i'i'om her the history of her family, making careful notes upon points which he regarded as important. Imt he could not obtain a ver.v clear id-ea pertaining t <> Mr. King's business affairs and Carl Kin'-i's connection with them. fo' Monica knew very little about lliem. She told him. however, that she felt sure that August Caslaldi. who had been her fal tier's confidential clerk, would be able to give him all

Ihc informal ion he desired, while the principal of tin.', seminary in los Angeles, where she had received her education, would he aide to identify her as Wiiliatu Kind's daughter and heiress, for she h«d two photogral lis i)f herself, taken at different times. .Mr. Sidney told her that he would soon write to Ihem. Meantime he wanted her to p\it all care and worry aside and have just as good a I ime as possible. So for a month Monica lived in a chann.'d atmosphere. -Towing happy, rosy, and lovelier than ever. AI. length one morning Mr. Sidney told her'that he was n ol going < o 1)0 very busy for a few days, and that very evening he would write the longpromised letters if she would help him. hut. alas for Monica, alas foi Archibald Sidney • the generous, whole-hearted man was brought 1 o his homo late thai very afternoon—ilead ! \ stroke of paralysis had •nded his career instantly and painlessly and the persoeut. d girl thus lost the only friend upon whom she could depend. Who shall describe the week ihat followed this s ; id event •? Mrs. Sidney was utterly prostrated by I lie crushing' and un".\"perl ed blow, and for a while it seemed as if she would soon follow her husband. Tail Monica now h'.ul an opportunity i<i prove h"' tfratitude for the unexampled kindness she had ro-:-ei\ed. She devoted hei'.s-lf tirelessly to the -trick-en woman, scarcely leaving her bedside, and was "so helpful, so gentle and lovable. that Mrs. Sidney clung to her as if she' had been her own daughter. She was very ill more thaitwo months, but finally began to rally slowly, alt hoiie j, it was evident to every one that she would never be anything hut the wrerl-i of her former self. As soon as she was able to go out. her doctor ordered her to Italy, with commands to remain there until the weather should become too warm for comfort, and tlv heartbroken woman consented lo go il Monica would accompany her. So to Italy they went . about the first of iVcomher. taking one servant, with them to act as maid. They spent, six weeks i n Naples, occupying : \ lovely \illa overlooking the beautiful hay. where. with orange, lemon, and oli\e groves all around them. Vesuvius. with lier crown of smoke by day and of (lame l\v night, towering above them, anc: the blue waters of ihe Mare Tyrrhenuni spread out before them, they lived a peaceful. <;tiiet. restful life, that was very soothing to their sat and aching hearts. 1-Tere Mrs. Sidney improved fat more rapidly than any one had believed possible, and about the middle of January she suddenly made up her mind that she would go to Home for a change, and remain up,til after the carnival. It was a great pity, she thought. for a .young and beautiful girl like Monica to bo ostracised from all society and shut up alone with a grieving woman, and she resolved that .she would bmv her selfish sorrow in Iter own hear' and ex,mm herself to show her about the Kternai City, which she had visited many times, and around which clustered so much of interest.

Accordingly, a , '<-'" tV l, a. v - Ui'er them pleasantly installed on tliL I'iiu'iaii Mill, from which point tlmy could easily reach many points ol ■interest, and where i hey also had a fine, view of St. T'etcr's and cert air other important sections of the city One afternoon, while Monica and the maid were ret urn-ing from a visit to the Colosseum, they passe,. a couple of gentlemen on horseback, just after emerging from the Triumphal Arch of Titus, and Monica was both startled and puzzled when oil'. of them dolled his hat and bower verv low to her. his face all aglow with pleasure. his eves gleaming with admiral ion. while he involuntarily drew his bridle. ;IS if he wished to stop and speak with Iv-r. She llushrd vividly as she lifted a look of innocent surprise to his fare. without, of course, returning hit salutation Tie in turn coloured, holly. thei: grew suddenly pate. and putting spurs to his horse rode on alter his companion. "'I hat was very strange, Susan." Monica observed to 'he maid beside her. "I wonder who he can be? "Did you not know him, Miss Helen?" questioned the girl. "No-: 1 am sure I never saw him be-fore.-" "Then tie must, have lake,, you for someone else —some one that. In l,n.'W very well—of he'd ue\er have bowed first," the maid observed : and with this view of the matter the incident was for the time forgotten by them both. 'That same evening- a noted American artist, gave a reception in his handsome apartments in ihe Via l.istina. and among the many who were invited were our old friends Mr. and Mrs. Sea\er and Mieir I"'autiful ward. Florence Kichardsom They had spent n most delightful summer and autumn travelling with their party, and hnri now come 1c Koine for the remainder of the winter. The only drawl.acl-t to Florence's pleasure had been the fact that Mr. Merrill had. from the moment ol their leaving Kngland, attached him-.-.•lf to her. and', later, the otter oi his hand and heart . "All ! l'erhaps \on think there arc obstacles that cannot, he removed."' he said, when she rejected him—" a certain ceremony, for instance? I was one of the witnesses you know." "You—a witness !" gasped the fair girl, losing all her brilliant colour, but feeling intensely relieved. "Yes. I had the honour of escorting vi.ui both to and from Kosedale Chapel." the young man explained. Florence Hashed a -mick, searching look into his face. Then after a moment she artfully observed, with a musing air. although she literalU held her breath for ids answer : "Then you were one of those who witnessed my miiiriage to Walter 1 .eight on ?" "I certainly acted the part of best man during that ceremony," Theodore Addison .Merrill—usually called Ted for short—evasively returned. ■•Then.'" demanded Florence, with white lips, but Hashing eyes, "if \ <>n believed me to be Walter LeighUm's wife, how dared you insult m:j with proposals of marriage ?" .Mr. Merrill smiled wisely. (To be Continued).