The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 325, 4 January 1911, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All Uights Reserved,}

My the Author of "Stella/' "Thy Keys," Ktc, Fte.

I'AKT IS. Woco those two pages the rulhan.' whom he lad just laid low in th< dust '.' .Just I lion tli".v mot, Seavci hufrxini' towards ihoni, with a white, silii opera cloak in his hands.

" t'h, Vnrle llovert." Florence exclaimed, as she seized and clung tc his arm, "1 have just had a fearful experience—a -lai-row escape !"

"My (h'-'.d. what, is it?" the gentleman i" |uiivd. and alarmed to sec her so while and trembling, while he .■■hoi a glance of suspicion at her companion. "Two dreadful men altucked me, neatly smothering me to death, and this g.'nth-ninn saved me from them. [bit for him 1 might have been nb-d-ieled and doomed to some horrible fate," Florence tremulously explained. Aug'e t explained still further, mentioning that he had been within hearing d'stance when Mr. Scnver left his ward, and so had stepped under the shallow of a tree to remain in ar her during his absence, and so was at hand when she «'as assaulted. Jle made very light. lioucior, of the fact that he had mastered, unaided, two desperate :haracters.

Mr. leaver asserted that the wretches must have been attracted by the jewels that Florence wore, and their object was to rob her of them.

.August fell sure Ihal there was nore than robbery behind the assault lull lie. did not say so, and. after giving Mr. Seaver his name and adjress, he excused hiiuseU. Ki-1">. "Facie Robert, I want to leave Rome at once. I shall never know another moment of peace'until 1 get awav from this dreadful place." Thus spoke Florence Richardson as ?he sat, pale and heavy-eyed, at the breakfast table in the private diningroom of the Sea vers a t the Quirinal, :m the morning- following her excitng experience at the masked ball. "Well, well, yon shall do just as ou like, mv dear," her guardian returned, indulgently. "When would ,-ou like to start ?*' "To-day, if possible ; the soonor :he better," said Florence, with a Shiver. , Mr. Si aver Hew about all day, miking ready for their sudden deuiruuv, settled all hills, and made .ome hurried purchases of paintings. !)iic-a I're.c. etc.. that he had had his :>ve upon for some time, and finally

.uioked places for the following afternoon in a t rain going direct to '.lenoa. whence he intended to proved to Paris. On the morning of the day of their ■Jepariwre Mr. Seaver met Sir Walfr Leighton on the I'or.si. and informed hin" of the unexpected change in their ' plan-. 'J he tvo had become very friendly if late, and on ore occasion. when !he young man bad opened his heart | .o the lawyer, and pleaded his h>ve i "or his ward, the man had promised < to use his influence with Florence U> I .ersuade her to become Lady l.cighj ion. I The baronet looked dismayed upon i learning that they were to leave I Rome so soon, and the cause of their ■aiddeii departure. Alter questioning hint, to gain the iletai's. he inquired : '•When- do you go from here' 1 " ■•To l'aris," Mr. Seaver replied.

"How 10n..-; will you remain there ?" "A couple'of moiitlis, I Honk. <>i 1 ,'niirsi'. wo shall run about a good leal, lull- l'lVis will l.:o our headquarters. We shall have to get back In ! Knghtnd about .June 1. "as I must ; lie homeward hound by the middle or . last of .Inly."

Sir V\ alter then insisted ihai th-' ! parly would visit at Worthing j Towers, aiul remain hi* guests for : r.ome time.

I That afternoon tho Seavers and j their wanl left for l'aris. I Sir V.'alttr met them at the station j to se> them off. and took a Under I leave of Florence, nun-muring some i words in h-i- ear at the last moment I whieh told her that he still enter- ! tttiivd the hope that he should yet win .li r as his wife. * * * » * *

; J.et us now go hack to the d.iy i when Monica and hie?, met in tin. j -hop on the Via lUibuino. I We ) now . how the former elwd-d i .er cousin, and was rolling rapidly j towards the I'incian Hill in Mrs. j Sidney's carriage, when her cousin ! reached the street in pursuit of her. ; She was so agituted whim sh" sunk ■ upon the seat beside the. maid that ! tin- woman regarded her with its-. j tonishment.

"What, is (lie matter, Miss ?" .she inquired. •'Notliin-K serious, oniy 1 have had finite a I'right," Monica responded, and no more was said, about tl)e matter. Hut upon reaching home Monica .■ontided in -Mrs. Sidney, and expr-ss-•d Die fear that -Inez and lief father, having learned of her presence in Koine, would leave no .stone unturned hi recapture her, and perhaps doom her to even a worse fate than -on'mcinrnl in a sanatorium, ■•Then v.e "ill <i'o away at once, my dear," mi id her kind irienil : "IniL 1 i\o wish \ou could hear noii! I hut mi::hi; man to whom yor w i ote."

" August ■.' S cs. i! is wry sti-anec Dial 1 have reeeiwd no reply to in\ i, tier." replied M.mica. with a blush .mil u look oi ke.-n pain leaping into le'i' i'U'S.

sli>. Si(!n">' beti'au l hat wry da\ In ari'e.iUM- h,r i heir ret urn. to Naples, hui she was taken ver\ ill the fi dlov. ine da.v. and in less t lulu a • 1W ..,-!. had closed her ,e es lor r'.n on a!i 'hine- earihly. She scaled 1 o klloW 1 I'olll I lie lir.-.t that sh • could no I fero\ el . ;illd calmly made ail a rra ne-'-meut s tor le-r----scli, f,,r M,.niea. and her maid. She llesir.'d I M hf (|'liel I v buriei! in i );;■ I'roi est an! i.vim-i er\ until hei childrei! con!.! iiUi'iiil i<> tie.- reuio\ aj Oi ill'!' leiiUHJls to England,

Sh • i ,-,.i'.- he v. i'i. fir ,•;■■! i 'ng no one of h.-r !"<;>;. '-is. and seu.'-,.,j a. iiandMU...' sum ii| ori .Monica. i hat -he mighi ha\c mciins < o l:c!p her win bark her for tern-. Sim v, jsked Ix'r. ai i. n |.-d by I Ik' maid, i o ivi urn imnirdiaii'ly I o Fngland. and upon h<-r arrival in London, uo direct.lv in her son and ask his assistance in bringing her treacherous cousin to s| I.v justice. Monica, assisted by i in* private secretary to I lie Knglish Consul, who had been '.cry kind to her during 1 lu's time of trouble, carried out the wishes o\ her friend regarding her burial, anil then, upon the afternoon following this sad event, with as heavy a heart as she had ever known, 'turned, her face towards F.ngland, little dreaming or the wonderful revelations that were awaiting her on the way thitijir^

CIIAFTFi; XML The Seavots left on 'Mursday ftfternoou. and it was wil hp, long brealh of relief and a vighl er heart than she had known since the bal masque that Florence heard the last sienal given and felt the train moving out. of the station. I'.very mile traversed served to lift more and more the cloud «lint had settled upon h-r. ami when-, as they readied Civita Yoeehia. their train ran alone' lhe shore of the beautiful Mediterranean, where the s<-e n ery is ■harming. In r colour returned. her ?yos- sparkled with delight and their old brilliancy, and her merry laugh frequently rippled over her dps. her friends eongrat ula ted themselves that they had acceded to her request, to leave. Home.

They all retired early, for they were Wearied after their hurried efforts to get away that day, and Florence slept soundly and sweetly the whole night through. She awoke long before the sun was up. and. lifting the curtain to the. window of her sleeping-berth, lay for a long' time watching the lovely •scenery along the shore of that :leep. deep blue sea. "We must be getting near to Oenoa." she said to herself, when nearly n n hour had passed thus. "I believe 1 will get up and dress before auntie awakes, and then she -•an have the toilet-room to herself."

Suiting her action to her words, die gathered together lon- toilet ar:icles. and. slipping quietly out of ior berth, made her way to the :lressing-room. She found it locked. Some one lad secured it before her.

She stepped back to a window, ind while she waited stood watching he sea. which seemed like a sheet •)f azure velvet spread out before ier, and tipped here and therewith 1 silvery sheen uhen- the sunlight ilinted on it .

She stood thus for. perhaps, ten ninut.es. feeling very peaceful and lappy. and softly humming an Ilal-

an air which she had reeenlly learnd. Then she heard the key turn in hi' lock behind her. the door of the oilel-room opened, and she swung ■oiind to be ready to pass in- as oon as the present occupant should •ame out .

Mat a b>ok of blank astonishment aiddenly ovrr.-pread her features, mil for a moment she was struck iiimb wit li wiinili r. "Why !"" site brea'hed. in a scarcely audible lone. "Why !" was echoed, with no less imn'.emeiit . by the lovely girl who :oii!'ronted her. And it was not strange, either, for 'loreive Kichard.-on and Monica \ing. each the very counterpart. of he other in all save dress, stood ace to face, while each girl for the nomeiit seemed to be gazing at her own rellection in a mirror. Florence was the first to recover lerself. "I beg your pardon." she said, .villi a smile of (harming frankless. "but. real'.v. this singular encounter almost lakes my breath jway, and ma: es me doubt if I ho I." "Il is certainly very wonderful that;ve. whi are utter s! rangers, should 00k so much alike." replied Monica, while she siudied (he countenance of ; ier double with earnest scrutiny. "And t am sure you mu.-a be an Americi 11. lil-.r myf-elf?" said Florence, inquiringly •

••Vis: at least, my parents were •■olli Americans. 1 was horn in Mexico." responded .Monica. "Ale urn gong lac's to America iumi ?" (j'uri.d I'iori'iice. who was vi-rowing more and more interested in her companion. ••!—camioi tell at present." said Monica, hesitatingly : "but I am now on my way to Knglawl." ••Shall you go to I'aris ?" "We shall pass throng), Paris." "Oh. then, we shall peihaps be companions for some time yet," -aid Florence, brightly, and wondering who else comprised "we :" "and if on are agreea.b'e, we will by-and-bv' talk more about our singular resemblance to each other." '•Yes, certainly : I shall be glad 1,, do so. It seems as if there must be some reason for it—some tie of Mood that can account for it."Monica thoughtfully observed, as she searched the sweet blue ;\\ es look,ng so earnestly into he's and thinking that it would be lovely to discover a relative., however distant, in this bright, genial girl. "Then 1 will see you later," Florence responded. "I must hurry to dress now. for someone else will want tic room :" and will) another smile and friendly nod she disappeared. Half an hour later, as soon as she h a d m a de her toilet, Florence sought her new acquaintance in the car, where sho found her quietly con\c!s:ng with a woman whom she -aw at once was u maid. "Come over and sit with me." she said, after exchanging a few word.with Monica, "and let us compare notes." , They sat down side by side, and anv one beholding them would have sworn they were twin sisters.

'•Mv name if l-'lon lev Uicharson," our pretty heroine began, with the ■m.st emjairin",- frankness, after she had made' her guest comfortable. ••Mv home is in -\ew "i ork City, wil'h mv LTiiardiau. Mr. Itobeii Seaser. who i.- really almost like a !; ,i |,..|- to me. and we have been tra\'e|li,ie- a!-ro ; ,d evvr sbwe lasi duly." ••And I am Moimu King." Monica |e",an. v« hen Clorenee United upul bet- wit h a e' r "a I starl . ■■ K 'ng ' " : li" in'."erupted, vn Mi aimost breathle» luist". "Why. mamma had a -i-ter who clo—who mat'-

i-fed a man by the .name of Kir;,e. ' "Was \o.ir mother's maiden namr. (■'osier?" ipn-.'-icd Monica. ;1 quirk flush rising to h"r brow o\'T the word that I'loi.nee had cut shod. " Yes. Lloi.me-. Foster : 1 was mimed for her. FT or sister's name was llelen." "That was jjiy mother's name. 'lll n we are"— "Cousins 1 l-'irst cousins !" interpose! Florence, eagerly, as she put. forth a cordial hand and grasped Now, isn't thai, just Ihi most delightful discover;,- in the world ?" she went on, a bright little laugh breaking from her. Why. 1 have been wanting somebody to love all my life —somebody who really lielongs to me. you know. How strange it seems ! And yet something fold me the moment, 1 saw you that there was the tie of blood between us. it is wonderful that, we should have encountered each ot hotin this way—in a train, in a foreign country ! You must tell me all about yourself—that is," she added, smiling and bending forward to look into the eyes of her companion, "if you will own me as a relative and trust me."

Monica's trembling fingers eiosi d almost convulsively over the hand that clasped hers, and quick tears sprang in'o her eyes. "Oh. I am so glad, and you are so kind." she faltered, with quivering lips. "I was feeling so forlorn and alone in (he world tin's morning. Of course. 1 will own you. and after such a lovely greeting i'roni vuu. how could 1 help trust ing yiW ? I know," she went on without giving Florence an opportunity to reply,

"that my mother ran away from her home to many my father. Her friends did not approve of him l-.e-cause ho was poor, and went into the mines to try to make his fortune, and his position in society was not equal to hers. But lie adored her, and he was a gentleman, if he was not rich. Mamma's father and mother never forgave Iter —that is. Lhey told her they would not, and •o. when papa moved from place to ;>laee, hoping to better his condition, she did not let them know her address, and never heard from them, fapa said that she never expressed a regret for having married him contrary to their wishes, although she did sometimes grieve for her sister, whom she had loved most tenderly." "Yes, and 1 once heard my mother say that the separation from her sis:er Helen, the uncertainty regarding her fate, was the one thing in life .0 which she had never become reconciled," Florence observed as Moaica paused. Papa and mamma had a hard time luring the first five years of their ife," the young girl resumed, "and t seemed as if fortune would never avour them. They wandered from dace to place in the Far West, but liuilly went down into -Mexico, ,\ here papa very soon made a lucky iiid. Then he grew rich very fast ; itit mamma only lived about five .ears after that." "And had you no brothers or siscrs ?" inquired Florence. " Xo. I was the only child ; out"

Monica was suddenly interrupted at .his point, for Florence sprang ti ier feet as Mr. and Mrs. Seaver, laving just completed their toilet, low appeared upon the scene. "Oil, uncle and auntie," she cried, is lhey reached her section. " the iiost wonderful thing imaginable has nappened. I—l have found my cousin ! Monica," she continued, dropping easily into cousinly familiarly, "this is my guardian, Mr. Sea>er. and this is his wife. Vncle and umtie. let me introduce Miss Monica

iving." The lady and gentleman both looked tho astonishment they experienced it the announcement of their ward, is well as at (he remarkable resemalance of tlie two girls. They greeted tho stranger with cofiial kindness, however ; but, there .v«s no time for further explanations list then, as the v were at that moment entering Ihe station, at Genoa, where they were U» breakfast and mend a couple of hours before takng another train for Nice. "Von must come with us, Moni;a." Florence observed, as Seacer began to gather up their traps ; ■•' but who is it 1 saw hi the ear wnh you," '•She, was maid to a lady who has loon very kind to me, but who died [his week at Komc. She is reluming with me to lier friends in l.on:k>n." Monica explained. "Well. Hi.n. we will all make one ,)arty," said Mr. Seavor, kindly : and when the train stopped they all went ton-other to the nearest hotel for breakfast . This having been despatched. Mr. Seavor soon red a private room for their accommodation, when Monica and Florence resumed the history of their past. Mr. Scaver became very indignant as he listened to Monica's account of the persecution and wrong she had endured from Carl King and his daughter. "They are. robbers —almost, murderers." he said, sternly; and t ho.\ should be made to suffer to the extent of the law for their crimes and treachery. What a heartless being (his man must bo—very different metal from your father, i should judge ?" '•lndeed he is," said the girl, with starting tears, a.s she recalled how invariably kind and tender her father's manner towards her had always been. "He was a cousin to papa, but was always envious of him, even when they were boys, lie became even more so as they grew older, for papa loved his books, and was 1 omul to have an education, and would not. go among the rough associates with whom his cousin mingled. Hut after he followed papa to Mexico ami begged a place i a his mine, this <nvious feeling seemed to have been entirely annihilated, for he worked very zealously for papa's interests, and was dually made foreman at the mine. Tlvn papa brought Inez home, and she grew up and was educated will" me, and everything moved along \ ei'.v harmoniously until papa died. and Carl orevailed i upon me to choose him as my guar- '■ dian." i "And this man has the unlimited c(in'''ol mi all your fortune?" scud Mr. Sea.', er. inquiringly. ■•Yi-s. of everything. Indeed, 1 mielit just as we'll be annihilated for all' the good I reap from my money. ': I am practically annihilated, as far I a- i hey are concerned," Monica, re* i plied. ' i .(To be CoßtiflUt\d)=-