The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 331, 25 January 1911, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All Ki;;h!s T'Joscrvecl.)

l\y the Author of ".Stella," "Tw» Keys." Etc., Etc.

PAKT 2 1. "1 ha\e been hearing the strangest noises n v.v ami thru during the last hail' hour. Firs! I thought I he-arc a .oice calling faintly, as if in dist rexs. ami limn a scraping anil l-nodiing on the wall. ]t has al' stoPl'id now. though." she concluded, as she dropped tin- curtail:ami came towards her cousin. •■ \M)n . what is it '?" she miestion■d. sudd,•!:!>-. j rt s she caught the peculiav impression upon Florence's faee. •■Snisii' good nev.s for you. Monica." ill.- fair girl replied. "Can you liciir to In' startled for the sake ol hain iilv something very delightful?" l!in'i'a grew sudden'y pah.'. I hoi: bracing herself she said, stoutly : "Yes. tell mo. I'o not keep me in MIS]. |lS.'." •'ih n know that. 1 have just seen August Castaldi" '■" August 7 Here in England?" panled Monica. "Yes. dear. I judge ho has been abroad with the Kings for some linie." Florence replied. "He did not know that y U u were hero, though and my information to that effect was a tremendous surprise to him. He simply came to see I'ncle Robert, because he had learned that he is a lawyer and an American, and having made some important discoveries in connection with your properly, he wanted immediate advice. He came secretly, a nd 1 chanced to meet him in the garden. Ho does not want his presence known if he can prevent it. for he says that Sir Walter l.eighton was attentive to Miss King in Paris and Home, and he distrusts him. lie says he has received no letters from you, dear—that he has sought you everywhere, r.ut he will u-11 you all about, that himself. He is in the summer-house awaiting you." By this time Monica's face was shining with joy. "Ahi it will be good to see an old :"riond." she said. wilh gleaming ?yes, "and August, was always such 1 true friend to both papa and me. Yes, yes ; I will go to him at once. Mid yet."—her colour deepening—'it s necessary that he act very cautiously, for there is no knowing .•.hat th"se dreadful relatives of , ours would do if they ■ should sus>cct his purpose." "1 see. Vis. it is wiser not to ia\e his presence known. And now I will go." res] onded Monica, tuning to leave Ihe room. "Wait, dear," said I'lorence. deaining' her. "You hum not be ,eeu liitting about ihe grounds in .hat ligb'/ dress. Where is your ravelling ulster '.'"

She sprang to a wardrobe, found lie garment sh'-' wanted, and helped ler cousin, to slip it on. Then kissing her fondly --lit' smilrigly said : •'Now hasten, and joy go with .Oil." '1 lie moment the door eiosed after ver Klo. n-e sank into a chair with i sigh of weariness. " \\hat on hour this last has leen!" she exclaimed, while her leui't aC' a in rt)St ' '» ,1<)l rebellion at he remembrance of Sir Waller's lii'eais. "How dared he assert hat lam his wife? And .vet lie ia> ever.\ ihing very cle\ er!y arrangci (o prove, thai I am. He has dotted \cr.v cunningly li> carry out lis purpo-.-. l'.nt 1 camioi uncler--t;;i:d how any man with a particle if self-respect can wish lo for'e a .viiiini!! t<i take a inme and occupy i position which he knows she abiors. I feel." she went on. with mining cheeks and e.\ es full of corn, "as if 1 could not sleep all- - night under his roof or eat ul ot!u.r morsel at his table. Yes. I'm-le Robert sh si I know lh" whole ■itor.v immediately, and I will insist upon returning to London to-inor-i(v.v. It will be belter for Monica ;ilso to lease the Towers, for Sir Walter may cany his revenge again-' me so far as to try. to inure her !>y allying himself with the Kin;s against her.'' Shy fell into deep thought. hut lifter a lew moments she drew forth from the neck of her dress the slender ihain she alwajs wore and ga/cd reflectively at the little ring which for so long had been a mystery to her.

•■'lie sa>s this was his mother's ring," flic observed as she looked. ••['Toiiios that statement slavered inn'.'!' than am thing else he lias .■\er 'aid legarding that wretched ! a!'a;r. 1 was so sure that, no one, IsaM- He' mysterious stranger and I, I kii<'\\ of tin existence of 1 lie thing. j now Sir Walter has described it so accurately there call be no doubt whatever that he has seen, it many linns. lie says these are Creek characters" —bending nearer the light to examine the engraving on the plate—"and they mean ' l-ove and hone.' Oh, what 0 tantalizing' puzzle' il all it;' 1 Hark! What was j that ?" She broke 0 (T suddenly and started ! from her chair, as a curious tapping ! or pounding upon the wall near her attracted her attention. Instantly recalling what lUoniea had to!<l her about hearing strange noises behind the panel, she sprang forward and lifted the curtain and bent her head close to the wall to listen. Once auain she heard the pounding that had before attracted her attention, and now she was sure it was accompanied by a sob or moan of | distress. ; Almost involuntarily she raised her ; hand and gave two or three answering thumps upon the panel. | when she was startled by a faint ; <wt shrill scream, followed by UlO | pathetic, appeal : j "Oh. let me out ! " | Oil \PTKi; NNIX. ; MONICAS JSKTUOTHAL. .Monica. alter lea\'ing Florence, ;'p.-d ,!o\\ n a side staircase and out i 1,!,, (he gi-iuind.-, without meeting | ~,,■ ~r •. 0•; t niiatel> , and then huri-;. ,1 i o Hi ' lil ' le sumue.-rhouse ■,<;."!>• Aic.u- i. w a- a'.\ ait.ing her. licr h.'arL v.ui bailing with co-rick,

imp;:lirnl. throbs, and filled with a wild, s'.vie! hope. Angus), her old-time friend, her secret lover, as she foiv.lly believed, was hi.'re dose at hand. Oh. it would be joy to see him. to hear his well-remembered voice once more, lo t-mch his hand, to look into his tender eyes ' An 1 he had long been searching for h> r. Iv had told I'lorence. Then he had not. believed the story which Carl King and his daughter must, have fabricated to account for her disappcai ance. He had doubtless suspected something of their treachery, and so had taken it upon himself to seek her. with the hope of helping to right her wrongs. l'asier and faster she flew over the lawn until she came in sight of Ihe summei'house. when she slackened her pace and tried to still her wild-ly-throbbing heart. " P.ut Castaldi had caught the sound of her step, light as it was, a nd muffled by Ihe velvet turf, and he sprang to ihe door to meet her just as she paused before it. ">'cuorita ! senorita!" he breathed, in his rich tones, which were vibrant with a tenderness which he strove in vain to repress, for, although h- had long worshipped the daughter of his late employer, he* felt that it would be presumption to betray his affection while he was poor and she the heiress to millions. "August, oh,' August !" Monica panted in reply, and stretching nut both hands to him wilh an onferness and .mv not to be mistaken. He gathered them both into his, and for a moment neither eoulci speak, limy were so overcome by Ihe meeting. Tlie act "" was so full of tenderness and protection, it was more than Monica could bear. Bowing her head upon their clasped hands, she burst into a passion of tears and sobs that shook her slight frame like a reed.

August was also deeply moved ; IvM- emotion nearly unmanned him. ■•Alma mia ! alma niia !" lie murimiicd. tenderly, and gently drawing her wiihin the .siii'niiier-house. made her si I down- Ibit the flood-gates, nn--v lifted, was not an easy matter for Monica to receover herself, and. realising only thai, she was in the presence of litis homo friend, whom she both trust" d and loved, she almost unconsciously rested her head upon h's shoulder while site sobbed out the ii-t-ii.'i" of her long-burdened, homesick heart. August was thrilled to his soul, for her words, her tears, her abandonment all told him that he was beloved, even as he loved. In this moment of transport he also forgot everything- Iml the fact of her presence, and, folding her in his strong arms, he laid his cheek against her golden head and murmured fond, soothing terms of endearment in his musical Spanish tongue. (Jraduall.v. however, the girl began to regain her self-control, and h--r tears and sobs grew less copious and freipK'ut. until only deep sighs hoavi (1 her chest at intervals. i'.ut si ill she lay passive in her lo\er's eiiilna e. tranquil and happy in the consciousness of his presence, and somehow' feeling as if her troubles were all over for all time. August was the first to recover from his emotion and break the sileive. a feeling- very like guilt oppressing him because he had so far forgotten himself as to confess his affection for his benefactor's wealthy daughter. •'Senorita. forgive me,'' he began, huiiil.lv . as he gently released her; this meeting, so sudden, so unexpected, has surprised me into confessions which, under other circum>tances. torture would not have extracted f.om my lips.'' Monica put up one small hand and arnsti-d (lie words upon those selfsame lips. ■■Hush. August !" she whispered, "Von ha\e made them, and—antt—L :lo not v. Mi them unsaid." She could feel the great shock of ioy (hat wen! quivering through him at her wold;. ••Alma mia ! —alma mia !" he exclaimed his tones tremulous with luippin- ss. •'(.'an it lie possible? Dare 1 lufpe that you return my great 10-e for you? Ah, i have hardly dared to dream of so much ioy." '■Then 1 am afraid you ha- e been o\ er-modesl . August," said Monica, wiih a sh.\ but happy little laugh;

adding, as she lifted her head from his shoulder and drew herself a little away from him : "Hut I am sure ;,ui! will not think that of me. 1 forgot ui.vseif entirely. It was so I'-oms'o: ling to know that \ oil were here. 1 'Oild nol restrain my U>y ; and somehow it seemed to me that \oiir heart spoke to me oven before your lips ino\i d." The voting man put forth his arms and again drew the slight form close to his breast. "Ah. but this isi a blessed revelalion. m\ darling." lie said, with in-xpressible tenderness. "Hut for it, it might have been a long time before Augustine Castaldi would have presumed to speak words of love to the rich senorita. Perhaps he would never have felt justified in so doing, although of late hope has seemed to point to a promising future for him. Afv-nica rested contentedly in his embrace as she listened to him. . "What are riches, August, compared with happiness ?" she questioned, lifting her face confidingly to him. "And. really, 1 haven't anv at present. No girl co'dd be poorer than I this moment, for I am wholly dependent upon my cousin's generosity. How very strange it is," she went on, with animation, "that \ou should have met Florence in Home ! Howl wonderful it was that you should have been the one to rescue her from those two men in the palace garden ! Po you suppose that Inez" plotted for that ab(lucthn. mistaking my cousin for me ?" "1 am sure oi it, darling, for the mantle which those radians used to smother her cries was the train which Inez King wore earlier in the evening, and discarded at the unmasking." "Ah. can thai be possible ?" cried t!v -girl, in surprise. "Weil," she ldde'd, with a sigh, "dreadful as the hoel-i mu.-f have been to Florence, it was, alter alt. a loftunate. occurrence ,for me, for it drove her from Koine ( ,n the same day and train on which 1 ic-i't. for Paris, and thus we met and <liseo\ ered our relationship to "av'h other. She has been just lovely to me, August, taking nic right into her heart- and insisting

th.it J shall shar.-. like ;1 si:-(er. with .'!(.■!' : v. liii' 1 h •;' tiiKU <!ian. Mr. Sea,'er, is throwing liiinsi.'!i' heart ami soul into iii.\' in ti.'l'csi s. mid declares that lie will yet bring Carl King iii:l his daughter, together with their 001, Pi-. Flint,.to speedy justice." ".Miss Kichardson and Mr. Scavcr 'isive my everlasting gratitude." said \ugust, earnestly, "and 1 have inormation in my possession thai will .really assist the gentleman in his roseciitiin of Vhii King.*' "1 was sure yon would have if we could only communicate with you. It was so strange you did not receive my letters," said Monica. Then, without giving him time to -speak, she inquired ' "Pid you also mistake my cousin for me when you met her in Home ?" •'\o, love." he tenderly replied. "Po you not, ihink we look alike?" ".\h, -very like, sweet ; and I was greatly startled for an instam the •first time 1 met Miss Richardson. Hut after a second glance my heart 'old iik; at once that she was not the one to whom it h:id sworn allegiance. Love is quick and keen to discern its own." "And yet everybody else has mis taken each for the other." said Monica, musingly. ''We are (list in. guished only by our dress by the guests here. inn" —with a soft sigh of infinite conlm' —"I am glad you were not deceived. August. When did you come abroad ?" she questioned,•, moment later. "I sailed on tb*? same .steamer as yourself, dear." •August!" cried the girl, starting up in astonishment. 16-19. "It is true." he asserted, "from the moment that Carl King proposed to take .you abroad T suspected he had some evil plot in mind against you. and 1 have followed you from place to place in all your travels, up to the time that you were taken to Dr. Flint's sanatorium." "August, that seems almost incredible ! Why did you never make yourself known ?" exclaimed Monica "I dared not." he gravely replied. "Mr. King believed me to be at home caring for Ihe place, and I knew that, if lie should discover that 1 was following you he would at once suspect tin? ren-'-on. and so I had to be very wary." "Jsut if he left the place in your care, bow dared you leave it ?'* queried Monica. "1 have a faithful friend who Promised that he woiifd perform all my duties and neglect nothing ; my mother, too. is there to superintend, and she also keeps me posted regarding all that occurs there," August explained. ".But you must have been disguised, August, if you came over on the same steamer with us, or I should surely have detected you,"' Monica observed, reflectively. "I was, dear. Po you remember buying bonbons of a Spanish woman while you were in N'cw York ?" The girl gave a violent- .start. "Why, yes, August ; but" ."That was 1 in disguise, dearest," (.he young- man returned. "1 was hungry for n look into your eyes, and to hear the sound of your voice yo F conceived the plan of turn!!:: pedlar, and waylaying you as yo went out of your hotel." " Ah," said Monica, musingly, "now 1 know why her voice moved me so ; I thought at the time it was simply because of its familiar Spanish sweetness."

•'And in London, 100, I was near you in tho .same character, only I went out with a basket of small wares instead of bonbons, and I did not care to approach you for fear Lhat you would recognise me as 1 lie tvotnan whom you had seen in New York and suspect me. Jt was enough lor me to know" that you were well ind happy, and it would have secm:nl presumptuous in me to force ■nyself upon your notice. Still, I ivntched. Something told uie that .our cousins wort; plotting against .on ; day and night 1 haunted tho vicinity of your lodgings in St. lames's-square. One day 1 saw L'arl King and his daughter go out ilone. That evening I saw him 'lake a vicious-looking man in with aim. Later an ambulance was driven to the door, and you were wrought out and put into it. When t di ove away 1 rode, on the steps uehind, and so learned where you vvere taken. For three weeks afterwards I haunted the place in the .-haracter of a gipsy pedlar. 1 made friends with one of the servants, and in that, way managed to keep posted regarding your condition, while 1 was all i lie time secretly plotting to release- \uu as soon as you should he well enough to go out. Put uo opportunity offered, and one day I was told that you had escaped. Although 1 was overjoyed to learn that, you were free, yet I was almost distracted to have lost track of you. I literally scoured London in search of you,' but without gaining the -lightest clue to your whereabouts. Then there came a cable message from my mother informing me that Car! King was on the. point of returning to Mexico, and wanted me to report with all possible despatch to the Senorita Inez in Paris, to act as her private secretary, courier, etc. But for the hope of learning something of you by remaining abroad I should hare refused to comply with this request. But I thought if your cousins had again got you into their power T might possibly discover it by remaining in their service, while if you also remained abroad there was always the cha.n -e of meeting- you. So 1 joined Miss Jnez at the appointed lime. 1 learned through my mother and unfriend of whom I have spoken that Carl King's especial object in retunrng to Mexico was to purchase a claim adjoining the okl mine—a claim which he had discovered contained a richer vein of ore than any that had ever been struck in that region. lie found it had already been purchased. My darling.. } am now the owner of that claim." '•You, August !'' Monica repeated, in surprise, as he paused. '•Yes, love; your father told me the secret of it that night lie lay dying in the mine.'' "Dying. August : ' cried Monica. "1 thought lie was dead when you found him ! " (To be Continued.)