The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 327, 11 January 1911, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All nights Reserved:?

.!y the Author of "Stella," -"Two Ke.\ s," Etc., Etc.

l'Airr "Never mind." said LeigMon, as he saw Florence's anxious face, "we u change and get in with them at the tint stopping-place." lie mad'' her a* comfortable a? possible, and then took his own place lies Id • her. 'I hey i luiiicd in a friendly way upon various topics for a while, Hllhotigh Florence appeared a trifle I'est'ess and const rained. At 1. ngth. alter a short pause. Sir iValier inquired : •• lias .Mr. Sraver lold you of nty it ap. to have von all visit me at \\ortipng Towers next, month?" "Yes.'and lie appears to be anticipating it with a great deal of plea.'ire. I have heard that your new loaie is very lovely." Florence redied. but wishing the train would nop 'o that they could rejoin their "fiends, for the recent pause had made her uncomfortable. " It certainly is," Sir Walter relumed, his lace lighting with pride. 'lt is an ideal spot. It overlooks Lhe sea at. the south, and a beauti"ul stretch of country in all other lireet iens. lam not going to weary .mi with a description, however: L dial! leave you to judge of its nerits for yourself." "Yo:i were certainly very fortunate ;o f a ll heir to so handsome a lu'o>erty. to say nothing about. the title." the fair girl remarked, for lv sake of sa\ing something, for another pause had seemed imminent. "That is true." said her companion, gravely : ' but—even F.di-n would >e desolate without its F.ve. Florence, when may I claim —my wite ?

CirAI'TKU XXIV. I Al! U ATI L'VI N<! I'WSCoY F/U Y. Florence flushed holly at this l '~ .vet and unexpected attack, and for a nomeni she did not reply. Then liitny a look of grave surprise to her | :ompanion's face, she quietly returnI '-d : : "I thought thai matter had been ietlled long ago. Sir Waller." ! "I'd not say that. Florence." the ,-ouiig man pleaded, earnest.ly. .1 •ammi give you up—l have never riven up the hope of winning' you. know you seemed inclined to draw >ack and regret the step we took asi summer. T love you. my daring. rs will to-day as I did then, (lid h;i \ e iu'vcr ceased t<_> hope that .<_>■! will some day be willing" to ! tcknowledge the tie that unites lis." "No iie binds us to each other, iValter." Florence coldly respondHi. "I. 1;now you assume there does lot. dear." said .1-eight on. losing >ome of his colour. tout leaving : |-,at out of the question, after havnjr |•lii i•t id yO'.ir laith to me and .one to the \ery altar, surely you •an hard : y say that I have no claim iron yiiii." "1 know what you say is true." I'loren-.'e admitted, with a weary ; ;igh. "I did become engaged to ion —'■ did consent to a clandestine 1 narriage : and since then I have : alien wondered how 1 could have | been so tip,wise—so reckless. I luive ! -ometimes I "en half-inclined to think : lhat > 0 1 1 really did mesmerise me in|to consenting to that- wrong and ' fii•.llisli act. There were times.when il b 'lievetl lhat my happiness de!n nk (| nil,.n our union, and then i here woiiid come graver moments when I felt that we were both making; ;l fatal mistake. F»csideS, 1 had :;o.\n up with the idea thai I must carry out my father's wishes !>y marrying the son of his friend."

A peculiar look swept ovei' Sir Walter's fare at Umt Jitst observat ion. IK: I!;»;•!• not pnss her too far iust i! j,r i si-■ 11 . ior ho feared she might reins 1 to |ii'('oim> l\is finest. and ho f' >ll ill \ believed that o'K'O sh'' saw Ids leaulifnl home and realised the position she would occupy as his wile, ih" 1 empt r. I ion would be more than .-lie could resist. Sir Waller lore himself very well during l lu' remainder of tin.' journev . lie "v. as, pel haps, a lit'lo more c; ia \ e than usual, but his manner wa'< free and unconst rained whenever he addressed Florence. and ho was .iisl as kindly attentive as ever. I"P< n their arrival in London he aw ih' parly pleasantly installed in their hotel, then bidding them an re'oir. in view of their promised \ i.i t coupl" of we.-ks later, 1 returned to Worthing' Towers. ****** H is now linn: that wo were intpiiri li -i how iife had been prospering wilii .Mr. Carroll during" this long" inter al. After closing with the oi'lVr of th" London firm, as has been previously related, lie left I'-llg'land to Lake up his new duties and see what h • (o ild do towards turning" t'ort!;n ■'s wheel revolving the other wuy fur himselfHe was absent three months, during which everything prospered with him most, encouragingly. and \vh--n he reiunied to London liis firm expressed themselves ns more than pleased with tlie result 01 his labours. lie found .lames, his little protege, luo'-.irg strong and robust. i:,i had l',i own taller, and his form had !':l!-'d out round and full ; his rue v. as ihi.de d wilii the hue of 1,i. ; 11111. his e; es were bright ami .-parkl'im; with bo.\ ish misehii.-f. and Ins d"light in having his kind friend | I i,'k w as IlltboUlulotl. Thy. spenl a li;>PT'> inoui ii ' oeeiher, and tiien .Mr, Carrol was obliged l o £o upon a no t lier I ri p. '.l'll is t i nn: lie was absent four months, and wltalever lie toiieiied si-emed to turn to his favour, and when he again presented himseli in l.niitlmi in" had the eneru'Si'- manii,.i- a".d bearing •>! oie' realised l hal If was fasi sweeping all ob-ta-eles from liis path, and was inakj i:o- iapid ri rides toward- t'ne g"al to wliirh le' aspired. 11, was .\ pri I w in n he ret urii'-d I In second time, and his busine.-- would now k<_ep him in th'." inetiopolio for several moil' h-. 1 his j'act wa* lljc suurcc vi great

delight to James. '-1 ".Jiiinie.'* ns his fri. ml afiVc! i.dia'.-iy railed him. '1 he lad appear d to regard him with all tin: .Mi'. 1 '" h m of a sun for his father, and was ne\er so happy as v hen ho was with him. After ..-eho.d and business hours wre o\er. tli'? two liad many a jolly time 1 together. as they sought various places of amusement and interest. or made excursions out into the surrounding country. Occasionally ihoy would pay a visit, to Tom .Dill, who never grew weary 01 telling" .lamie and his friend the story of how he rescued Hie boy and his nurse from the burning hotel. One afternoon, while returning from one of these "visits, as they were turning a corner 01 the street, they came suddenly upon a woman bearing a large bundle in her arms. llefore Air. Carrol couldi swerve aside he had Knocked the package to the ground, and then with a quickly out-st retched hand barely saved its bearer a fall upon it. "1 lug your pardon, madam." he exclaimed courteously. "I did not s.'e you in time to avoid a collision." lie recovered the bundle, and was in the act of restoring- it .to her. when, for the first time, 110 looked her squarely in the face. A shock of mingled surprise ami 3xultat ion went thrilling through him. for he instantly recognised her. She was no other than " Mad Moll." whom he had seen in the hospital so long ago, and for whom afterwards he had made such diligent but fruitless search. "I hope you are not hurt," he added. by way of prolonging the interview anil with the hope of perhaps being able to carry out a long-cherished plan. "No, sir." i.ricfly replied the woman as she regarded liim with a halfnuzzled. half-vacant, stare. "Your name is Mary, isn't it, and iou used to live in the .Liverpool Hospital, did you not?" "Yes, sir." "Do you remember a gentleman ivho came to see*you there last aut.llllll v" The woman shook her head doubt'nlly ; yet there was a look on her 'ace which told her questioner that die had a vague remembrance of "lis visit . "I don't live there now," she stoidly remarked, while her eyes wanlered with a wistful look to Jamie, .vho was standing quietly beside his riend. "Whore is \ our home now?" Mr. .'arrol inquired. "No. 1"• (!coi'ge-st root.'' "Do .you live alone 7" "Yes, nil 1 , and I'm doing washing low." "Why did you leave Iho hospital?" "I'd scrubbed Hoofs long enough 'or nothing." Mary answered, with 1 tinge of suHoliness jn her lone, litis showing" that her reasoning acuities were not entirely dormant. lh"n. reaching out one hand. she >at tod Jamie softly. on the shoullcr, and remarked :

"This is a 11 iit l !c (hap." Mi - , Carrol's hear! leaped at her .vcirds. Was (lii.s a g'eam of the old alfec.ion for tin* child of bur care ninnies ting- itself ? "Po you 'ill' children •?" lie asked. "Vi'-s —I—think1—think so." said the wonan, dreamily. "Po you get. plenty of work to :lo .questioned the gvntknian, glancing at her bundle. "No. sir." she sighed. "I couldn't nay the rent last week, and the landnrd said lie wouldn't, wait longer :han this week." "I will give you some washing" to Jo." said Mr. Carrol, wiih sudden nspiratioii. "and 1 ihink 1 know of some one else who will also give ,ou work." "Do you. sir '?" and a look oi ineivst for a moment sprang into lie poor creature's face. "Yes. If you will eome with 111 c omy lodgings —t hey are not far Yoni here— I will make up a package 'or vim now." the gentleman re.lied'.

Stio seoi i n(1 to I ru-l liiiM inM metively. and liirniiei" about, signified ■,ier readiness to go with him.

Jamie had not once spoken during the interview but he appeared to be vreally interested, and frequently turned an inquiring look upon the woman as they walked on towards hoi i ie.

Arriving a' ilieir lodgings, Mr. Carrol conducted Mary to liis rooms, and then telling Jamie to remain I h"ie Willi her for a lew moments, he went directly to his old friend and helper. Mr. Field, lo whom he related what, hail occurred. •'Now. will you take her in hand? he eagerly inquired, adding': "I am sure she could (.ell us some' hing very important- in connection with •Jamie s history, if her memory could be restored." Mr. Field consented lo do what he could, and with a heart heatinghigh with hope. Air. Carrol returned to his rooms and conducted Mary to the doctor's house, telling' her that while she was talking' with the lady lie would make tip a package for her. Thus it happened that "Mad Moll" became a patient of Mr. Field, who so arranged her work that she would be obliged to come to him every few and at the expiration of a month she really began to show gleams of returning- intelligence that greatly encouraged her friends. Mr. Carrol said nothing- to Jamie regarding his belief that the woman was his old nurse, or his hope that her mental restoration would result in his own identification, for lie did not wish to arouse his curiosity or a spirit of restlessness which would naturally follow such a disclosure, but. in his h''art he fii'mH believed i hat the time was not- distant when he would be able to restore the long-lost child to the bosom of his family. H was now tin- lusi wei.-k in May. and I.midon was beginning to be \ ery hoi a"d uti (, omfori abl". ••'.la uiii', ii;i\ !• \ on e\er seen tin s.-a ?" Mr. Carrol inquired one morning; during- bivakfu.-.! . as a sudden longing' f"r a glimpse 01 die oceai. fastened itself upon him. "No. Mr. Carrol. f don't think 'I ~\vr have." the boy replied, lookim slig-lltiy Oil/zled : "but I've drcailH'C ~b,,ii\ it lots of limes, rend it w« l It ■■am i fn!. ••| low would \ 'HI like to go w-1 time 111 til • s.' tl -ide lor a. HhU' trip-. 1 ' 1111e-1 ioned his I'riend. I s 11, , 11 ! d |o\ e I ~ w il li ; OU any ■ Mr." S'lbl I lie child. with a fond iip» »>■>', glJHt'-c. " l li,ink \ou. • I auoe," said Carrol lunching, ' "1 am sure that 1 have

at least one tr.ue admirer in u ' j world. Wol!. then, I think th-- j morrow wo uill go away an I t j ourseh > s to a holiday 01 ;- t \\f- j -o. and get a good long breath ; -ea air." Mr. Carro: hail I icon arranging !. • business with a view to this v ; mid pleasure for some weeks ba>' reeling i lint he had earned it. an that it would do .Jamie ,} great. d- = ! of «.ood. Accordingly, tlie foil'! : ing morning they sei off in hi; I spirits, and evening found them n, ; j quiet little (own by the sc a in-ai j Bright onSeveral days passed, and Mr. Car rol and his protege were en/oyint themselves fo their heart's content One morning Jamie took it inn his head to hunt starfish, and Cairo), seeking his favourite resort, wassooit deeply absorbed in a maga zine. Tie had been engaged thus but n short time when he f aught. tin sound of steps (piite near him. | lie glanced up carelessly 10 so< who was passing. I The next instant he sprang to his 'oet white as the handkerchief which he had knotted loosely round he neck, and confronted the intrudei with uplifted head and haughty' mh n. "You here in England !" lie exclaimed. in cold, hitter tones. "So it seems. Js there any special reason why 1 should not be hero in England ' as well as vonr■self?" sarcastically responded Sit Walter Leighton, jet nevertheless appearing not a little disconcerted jpon recognising his companion. CHAPTER XXV. THE BRINK OF A PRECIPICE. "Certainly not,," gravely replied Mr. Carrol, after a moment of reflection : "you are, of course, free to go and come as you choose regardless of my movements. At the same time 1 confess it is something of a surprise to me to meet i'ou here." " What are you doing" in Engand ?" abruptly inquired Sir Waller, while he searched his companion's face with a suspicious glance and an uneasy look in his eyes. "Trying to retrieve my fallen fortunes," "responded Carrol, laconi:ally. ■ "Ah, and is this the way you are loing that ?" questioned the baronet, with a short laugh and a .scornful glance at the book in the young .nan's hand and the rug from which le had just arisen. "Oh, we are simply taking a little Much-needed rest : we go back to ;own the day after to-morrow," Carrol coldly explained. "We ?"' repeated Sir Walter, inquiringly. "Yes ; T have Well, what is it, Jamie ?" queried the speaker, suddenly interrupting himself as the boy :ame running towards him and callng to him eagerly.

"Oh, uncle, J have just found the oiliest starfish," Jamie exclaimed. \s lie drew nearer and breathlessly leld up his trophy, his face glowng with pleasure, for he had searchid long and diligently for his treasure. Sir Walter turned and glanced curously at the child. "Ah, so makes the ' we,' and he .-alls you ' uncle,' " he observed, in a .lerisive tone. "A'ay I inquire who ,ie is ?" " A poor little waif whom fate has recently thrown upon my protection-" "Humph ! T.s that so really ? But what has happened to his feet and legs '?" ] .eighton queried, as his glance fell upon Jamie's scarred limbs, which would always carry the marks of the flames through which he had passed. '■' Oh, ije was badly burned when lie was about two years old," Carrol explained. '•"Burned ! How ?" demanded the naronet. with a sudden inward shock, while he bent a more searching look upon the boy. who, finding his "uncle" engaged—and having been lold he must never interrupt a conversation —had retreated a few steps and was absorbed in the examination of his starfish. "lie and his nurse were stopping at a hotel which was destroyed by fire, and they barely escaped with their lives through the bravery of a plucky fireman." Carrol replied, but with an air which plainly betrayed that he was wearying oi th> interview.

Hut Sir Walter l.eighton had grown ghastly white during his explanation and stooped suddenly to pick up a pebble that lay at his feet in order to conceal the effects ol the shock which momentarily nearly deprived him of his self-possession. J)iit the next instant he asked with bated breath : "So they were loth rescued? What became of the nurse ?" "She was injured on the head by a falling brick, and has never been herself since." "What is the boy's other name, ,] amie—what ?" "Me has no other, save the one ' have lent him, ' said Carrol, a tender light gleaming in his eyes as they rested upon his protege. "What ? Couldn't the nurse givi any account of him '!" "No ; she has never been able t( as vet. Her mind was so shattered by "the blow a nd the illness that lo: lowed that she could remember no thing on her recovery that occurred previous lo that dreadful night. A look of relief swept over tlv baronet's face at this information. But he had been terribly shaken and was still all of a nervous tre mor, for he was firmly convimvi that, the "poor little waif" before him was none other than the soi and heir of Sir .Julian I.eightonCarrol's story regarding him ac cot'ded exactly wiili what Messrs Wellington and Hayes had told bin regarding I he mysterious disappea: ance of the heir of Worthing Tower and his nurse: and if the facts u which he had hist listened shoub ever reach ill'.' ears of the lawyer, he knew tiiat his own brilliant ca reer would he suddenly cut l and he would have to go back to hi: former treadmill life. "What are. yott going to do wit] the little chap?" he asked, after ; noUK'nt oi silence. "Trv my inmost, to iJiscowr hi: identity and rest ore him to his fain jlv : but failing in that. .1 will d< !n \ |,e>i to make a good man o hint and give him such, advantage as f am a Me."- (T, be C. ...... ..