The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 332, 28 January 1911, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All Kights ilo.scrvecJ.y

[sy Lhe Anllioi- of "Stella," "Two Keys," Etc., Etc.

PART LV>. "No dv-ar. lie was living-, and lie iokl hk' many things. but I have 1101, dared to speak of them." Ihe > oung man explained. "l ie liad 10n.".' l-.nov. n of this vein, and intended to purchase it: but lie told nil* it 1 could make use of the secret to do so. Yon and your cousins had lioi boon gone from Mexico a week when it was purchased by my I'riciiil. and in his name, but with our united capital, and to-day. darling- we are making" rapid strides towards a llliiem-e. I cannot .vet match \our millions, my love, but the time is rot tar distant when I can hope to iWYcr \<mi enough to absolve me I'rom all .suspicion of being- a fortunehunter.' '

•• I hi-h, August ! I would not mind if ymi did not possess a penny, so long as I know that I love you. and that \on will ta.Ku care of me" "Take care of you, dear ! I would defend you with my life!" said the voting man, fervently. "I promised vour father that I would watch over you and guard your interests. Me suspected "his cousin of treachery some time before his accident: he learned that day that he was a heartless villain, and when he was dying he. confided to tny care some documents to put away for you until you should become of age. They are even now lying safely locked in a safety vault in Los Angeles, :uvaiting your disposal." "Ah, then 1 a>» n °t quite a pauper. oven though my cousins have rontrol of the bulk of my fortune !" exclaimed Monica, -with a sigh ot relief : for she had felt inexpressibly galled, in spite of Florence's generosity. to le "dependent upon the bounty of any one. "No. indeed; t here is a handsome amount represented by railway shares —and it has teen accumulating" interest. It is fortunate, as it will, perhaps, take a good deal of money to light Carl King, although 1 am hoping, with the Senor Seaver's help, to get him in so tight a place that he will quietly disgorge iiis stolen wealth." " So papa distrusted him!" said Monica, musingly. "I always thought that lie placed the utmost confidence in him." "lie did until within a short time of that—accident. He had already begun to lay his plans to circumvent the man's schemes, and had he lind I am sure lie would have succeeded," August explained, .lie did not like to tell her that Carl King had murdered her father — he could not bear to shock her to that extent, and was resolved that — unless driven to the necessity of making the fact publicly known in order to bring the villain to terms —the secret should for ever remain

locked within his own breast. The lovers continued to converse for some time longer, each explaining to the other many things that had occurred during,' their separation; then August said it was time he should see Mr. Seaver. if he was to have an interview with him that evening. and asked Monica if she would return to her cousin and tell her lo send the gentleman to him there.

She immediately arose, to comply with his request, and said she would try to have him come immediately. August arose also, and once more folded her close in his aims in ft parting embrace. "My love ! —my love !" he whispered. with passionate tenderness. "I did not dream of this ,i. >y .vln n I came here to-night. Oh, .nlonica. lo know that you love me —that some d\iy \ ou will Tie my v.'ilV —is happiness almost too great to seem real." "Some day !" murmured Monica, shyly, yet appealtngly. The young man started. "Monica, would you marry 1110 now —at once'.'" lie questioned. "Why not, August?" she plainlively inquired. "I am so aloneit would lie such a comfort to have a protector: and (hen, you know, vou would have a perfect right to light, my battles for nie.'' ""Vou are right, darling, anil wo will lose no time." he gravely responded. after a moment of thought. "I will talk tin; matter over with Mr. Seaver this very night.'' lie bent his lace to hers: their lips mei in their betrothal kiss, then. gently disengaging her.siilt from liis lingering embrace, Monica, sped back to Hi" Towers, to lind Mr, Scaler and send h>m to her lover. CITAI'TKU WW A Yolt'K IN THK 1 > A 11K . Monica met the lawyer on the balcony just a s she was about to enter I 1 lie house, and thinking to save lime : by communicating directly with hi.n. instead of through Florence, she i drew him one side. briefly told him ! a part, of what had ot ;c,| rred. and ! tiled sent him out tp llie sunuiiei--house to meet Aligns).. The young man was waiting impatiently at the door l'Qr him. and greeted htm eagerly as he apiH'oaclv ed. ! "Well, well," began the cider man, | as he shook his hand heartily, "I must confess this is a singular coincidence. and I am more glad than 1 can express that you have put in an appearance .iust at this time, for alj though I'm working up a, pretty j strong case for Miss King, 1 am sure j you will be able to give me many points that will greatly assist me." "Yes. sir. I think I can." August returned. "I have it in my power to prove Carlos King a robber from ; beginning to end. i think, if need be. we can even prove him murderer, for Mr. Wfiuuti King—Monica's father —told me when hi' was dying thai his cousin struck. (liebliiv that sent those decaying timbers crashing down upon him. and then left htm to die, like ra' i K: a trap." "Are \ mi sure, you can prove : .'" Mr. Sea\er gravely inquired. I "If you found him dying there in i.hs: j mine, as yi>u say, and were aUmS

with him, might be that \ on. fabricated I h. • story. h will need some! iiing more. substantial than your word to prove it." "Well. I ran it' prove t hat. lie ga\e into my possession \uluable papers which had been signed that vei\ day. a "d which he wished me to deposit in I.os Angeles in the name of his daughter. That at the same time lie told me where to lind other valuable document r, which he wished disposed of in the same way. lie also conlided to me a. secret regarding a new vein of rich ore, recently discovered, and which he accused his cousin of secretly mining. He gave me his diagram of this new vein, and told me to make use of it for myself if 1 could." "These are strong points. Mr. Castaldi, and they will certainly piovc that Air. King was able and did converse with you alter his accident : the paper signed on that same day will be very strong evidence. Hut. of course. Carl King's crime agiii' ist - h'* cousin and his robbery of Monica are offences which must be answered for in the country where they were committed, and the man is here in England with no intention. I fear. of returning to America."

"No, sir; they are making every preparation to remain abroad. I have at Mr. King's orders been putting his affairs into shape during the last week to enable him to turn all his property into money with all possible despatch. 1 have an idea that he means to conduct, this business through an agent, and thus it may be dilHcult to bring the law of his own country to hear upon him. Hut 1 have secretly made copies of all my work, so that 1 know just where every dollar is invested, and how much there is of it."

"That will lie n great help : hut it is a wonder to me that the man would trust yoti so far as to make you his private secretary, knowing your affection for Monica and her lather," Mr. Heaver observed, musingly. "Me thinks 1 believe the report regarding Monica's death." August explained. "Of course, if she were not Jiving, he and his daughter would he her direct, heirs, and 110 one could question their right to succeed to her property, and so. believing me t<> be trustworthy, and knowing that I am familiar with his art'airs, it would be far less trouble to him to have inn to do the work than be obliged to explain everything to ;1 stranger." ''That, is true, my young friend, and you deserve a great deal of credit for the manner in which you have conducted this business," said Mr. Heaver, in a commendatory tone, "llut I want to clinch this business right here, and I am more than glad that lie has pursued his crimes in this country, else we might, have found it dillicult to corner him. His sending Monica to l'r. Flint's sanatorium gives us just, t lie pretext we want to have him arrested, and I think 1 will go directly to London to-morrow morning and get a warrant for his arrest. (I nd also one lor that scamp of a doctor. I intended to leave the matter until next week, when our visit here would be over ; bnt I am now of the opinion that we had better be as expeditious as possible in our movements." "I am sure that would be wise, sir." August gravely observed : "it will take me one day more to finish up my accounts, then T will join you heart and hand. I hope." lie added, with evident anxiety, "that Carl King will not learn that Monica is here."

"lie knows it already," Mr. Seaver replied. and then explained how they had met, and passed Mr. King and his daughter on the day of their arrival at the Towers. "All !" exclaimed his companion, with a \ iolcnt, start. "Then I am sure they already have some scheme afloat to get her back into their power, lor an evil-looking man has been to see Carl King three or four times during 'lie past. werk. and they have been closeted privately. T beg, sir." he continued in a troubled tone, "that, you will guard her most carefully until after t o-niorrow, and then, with \ our approval. 1 think we will be married and he explained, further, that he and Monica had decided that it would In; as well to take the si cp immediately. "1 am not sure but -yon are right, niv young friend, for then you could be with her constantly and guard her continually." Mr. Seaver returned. "Meantime wo will do our best, for her here. 1 will caution her not to leave the house alone, and will lie careful that she has a proper escort whenever she is abroad" "Hark !" interposed August, in an admonitory whisper, while he touched his companion upon the arm. P>oth men listened and could plainly detect the sound of stealthy steps creeping over the lawn towards the summer-house. "Some one—a man —is comingstraight here," said August, with his lips close to -Mr. Spavcr's ear. Mr. Seaver arose. "Then you must keep in the background. Yon must not be seen here." the lawyer returncd under his breath. "I will station myself at the door, and the moment, he presents himself there, I will light some matches and Hare the light in his face, and do you look sharp and see if he is the man who lias been closeted with King. If he is, yon can signify it by a cough." The two men subsided into silence and listened again, and the next moment, a tall figure darkened the entrance to the summer-house, Instantly Mr, Seaver, who had taken his stand near the door, si ruck a match, and as the flame flared upon the intruder it. revealed an ugly-looking specimen of humanity, with sinister eyes and n cruel, heavy mouth. August gave a slight cough. "Weil, sir, what are von doing here '.' What are von prowling- about in t his fashion for'.'" demanded Mr. Seaver, in a stern, authoritative tone, as lie boldly confronted the in! ruder and si ruck allot h''r match. The man was taken aback for insiaiit, Int. quickly recovering himself. he pulled his hat low over his face and rudely responded >: *-It ' s none o' \ el" - business Then he f-'n-e abr'ip'.!.- and made oh' wi I h all i" • it.i < ■ spee-i. i,mil ering anui 11 ■ m himself. as it greatly de-tui-i• o h«\e had !u----presenee e<

"Yes, that is the same man who has been closeted with Carl King several times during the last week," said August . in a troubled time, as the man disappeared ; "and he must, have been here before, or he would not have been so familiar with the position of the summer-house. Doubtless he has made it his hidingplace." "I believe you arc right in your conjecture." Mr. Seaver gravely replied. "Hut we will put a stop to all such devilry before another fortyeight hours are past." "Hut much can happen in fortyeight hours," said August, anxiously. "J am sure that wretch has orders to kidnap Monica, or perhaps do even worse. Ah, if anything should happen to her, now that victory and happiness seem so near !"

"Nothing shall happen to her, my friend." said Air. Seaver, soothingly. "1 will caution my wife and both girls to be very careful. You say von will be through with the Kings to-morrow ?" he added, after a moment's reflection. "Yes ; and 1 shall feel as if released from a, terrible bondage when the day is done," said August, with an anticipatory sigh of relief. "Then suppose you meet me here again to-morrow evening about this time, and I will let you know the result of my visit to London '?" Mr. .Seaver suggested. "Very well 1 will be here." lhe voting man replied ; and after a lewmore questions and answers relative to Monica's confinement in Dr. Clint 's sanatorium, its location, the name of the servant with whom August had l een so friendly in his character of the gipsy pedlar, etc.. the two men shook hands cordially and parted. Mr. Seaver returned thoughtfully to the Towers, while August sped swiftly down the avenue to a spot where, among a thick growth of trees, he had a horse concealed. ****** Monica, after sending Mr. Seaver to meet her lover, hastened swiftlyupstairs to seek Florence, and confide to her her happy secret and all that August had told her. As shi! slipped quietly into her chamber to throw aside her wrap, she was astonished to find her cousin upon her knees before the panel, behind which she had heard such strange noises before she went out. "Why, Florence," she exclaimed, "have you. too. been hearing those uncanny sounds "Yes ; such queer noises." said the young girl, looking up with a troubled face. "I really believe there is some one in distress behind this door or panel, or whatever it may be. And jet I have always thought, that this side of the room was a solid wall. Hut I have certainly heard sobs and moans, and once it seemed as if a Weak voice said. ' Oh, let me out !' "

"The house may be haunted." said Monica, laughing, her heart just at that moment too lull of her own happiness to give much heed to mysterious sobs and moans. You'd l etter stop your investigations, or the ghost of the castle may appear to you." it is a pretty lively and substantial ghost, if such it is, with its cries and clamour," Florence returned. "There, listen !" she continued. as the tapping began again, and accompanied by moans. "Oh. do you suppose this was once a door ?" she went on, turning her attention again to the panel. "1 have been trying for a long Lime to find some way to open it. I have read and heard so much about sliding panels in these old Knglish houses. There ! Yes, 1 believe it will move .'" she cried, joyously, as she pushed with all her strength, and it seemed to give a trifle. "Wait," said Monica, now thoroughly interested ; "there may be a spring or a bolt somewhere that holds it."

They both began to search for the proverbial secret spring, but apparently there was nothing of the kind that operated the panel, and meantime the noises on the other side had ceased. It seems like a hopeless case, ' said Florence at last, with a sigh of weariness. 'T am afraid we shall have to give it. up ; but my curiosity is thoroughly aroused, and I am very loth to do so." "Wait," said Monica again, as she began at the floor on side to search every inch of space upwards. "What is this ?" she exclaimed ft moment, later, as she touched what looked like a square-headed nail the top of a lower section of the panel. Tt had been, pointed the same colour as the panel, and would never frave been noticed bv a careless observer. •'Oh, that, is nothing but a nail," said Florence, who had become weary of their long a nd fruitless search. "1 am not so sure of that. I believe it is the head of a bolt, that holds the door," said her eotisin ; and springing to a table she seized a strong pair of scissors, and. returning, tried to pvy the object from its place. After a few vigorous efforts it began to yield. "Yes, it is a bolt," she cried, in a voice of triumph, -"and it fastens the door in place, I am sure. See ! See ! There !"—as it yielded still more, and had slipped fully three inches into view. "Now, I believe., wo can slide the panel either one way or the other. Push, Florence ; push up !" Florence did as she was requested, all her energy returning as she saw a prospect of having their efforts rewarded. The panel moved slowly upwards a couple of inches, when it stopped as if caught, and their united strength could not stir it even the fraction of an inch further. ".It is of no use ; that is as far as it will go," said Florence, panting from her efforts. "ISut perhaps now wo can (bid out what is on the other side." She dropped upon her knees again, and putting her face close to the aperture peered curiously through it. She could distinguish nothing, for ihe opening beyond was perfectly, dark. I!> 11 preset) i p.- the touch of a small, i< ;■ ijjpiij up,,;, h'.-i cheek a shock of I'eai .i e'i dn-L'nav through he r. (To bo Continued); :