CHAPTER X.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 201, 30 April 1887, Page 11

CHAPTER X.

DISCOVERY — THE DECEASED ATTORNEY. It was on the evening of Tuesday that Dr. Ralph Ashmore left the hospital for the purpose of visiting the Grange, at Covedale. The next day, Wednesday, passed without any uneasiness on the part of the good president; but when evening came, and the young man had not returned, there was disappointment. Dr. Digby, who had volunteered to take care of Ashmore's patients, was obliged to be absent, or suffer great inconvenience. Daybrook allowed him to go, and offered himself to take Ralph's place. At the Grange Morna did not feel greatly disappointed at not seeing her dear lover on the evening of Tuesday, though he had led her to look for him at that time ; but when Wednesday came, and passed away to evening, and she did not even hear from him, she was more than disappointed ; she began to feel alarmed j and she resolved if she aid not see or hear from him by the morning of Thursday, that she would ride over and learn what had happened. A nameless, shapeless fear — almost a terror — had "settled down upon her. On that Wednesday morning, despite the mud and the puddles,icaused by the heavy rain of the previous night, she had walked out to visit two of her charges elderly women, who were quite sick — and on the way she had met Jonas Crandal and his son. Tom Crandal she had recognised the moment she saw him, She remembered him as a cruel, heartless youth, whom even the dogs in the neighbourhood had feared. He had seemed cruel to her, because she had witnessed his wanton abuse of an aged servant who had unintentionally offended him, and she had also seen him abuse dumb creatures. Yes she knew that many girls in the place admired him, and were proud of his smiles.

Jonas had stopped her, and Tom had introduced himself. But few words were spoken, and those seemingly of the kindest) but their, looks had frightened her. She could not tell why it was so ; she only felt it in her heart j and she could riot put the dread away. < Thursday biorntng daAvned, and when Di\ Laybrook entered his office at the hospital he found that Ralph Ashmore had not yet returned. He sent a messenger to his hotel, to inquire for him there. The man went swiftly, and came back bootless. The young physician had not been seen, or heard from, at the hotel since Tuesday. Then the old doctor proposed, fcliafc one of the men of the institution .should procure a horse, and vide to "Dale Grange without delay. Ashmore might be sick. The man was upon tho point pi leaving the office when a messenger came in with two telegrams, -one for Dr. Laybrook; the other for Ralph Ajjhmore^ ""Stop!" said the president. And ho opened the missive— it was from Portsmouth, —and read. A deep groan burst from his lips, and the hand holding the telegram fell at his side, "0 ! 0 1-That explains Ashmore's absence !" " What is it, Doctor ?" asked one of the physicians. Before an&woving, Laybrook raised the telegram, and read it again. " Alas !<!! <! he groaned, his whole frame quivering, " I can scarcely find words to tell you ! The Regulus was caught in a terrific tornado, four hundred miles beyond the Cape of (Jood Hope, and went down instantly. Every soul — every soul - perished '." "Oood heavens! Doctor Dale was on boawl that ship V " Yes. 1 saw him last on her quarterdeck. Oh! this is dieadful ! And this telegram for Ashmore is a duplicate of mine. I have a mind to cirry it to him myself. I may be able to u word of comfort tohim ! - " " Miss Dale !" i-poke a porter, us he opened the door, and held it ior the young lady to enter. Ami Morna ctune in, the very mcture of disquiet and alarm. " Dr. Laybrook !" said the fair visitor, the old physician's tioublo *o tying his tongue that he had not been able to speak even a >\ord of greeting, "whene is Ralph? Mr Ashmore? Tell me 0! tell me, there is no trouble !" The old doctor was thunder-struck. " Why — when — when - did he leave you ?" "Who? Ralph? I have not seen him. Something has happened ! I see it in your •face ! 0 ! tell me ! Tell me at once !" "Miss Dale! Morna ! Dear girl, Mill ;you sit down ? Henry bring some wine •and a glass." " No ! no ! no !" cried the terrified girl, •clinging to the old man's arm with frantic energy, -" Tell me what it ib-. You are killing me with suspense." The good old doctor struggled mightily. He must be calm if he would be of assistance to the poor girl before him. But how •could he be calm with such a iburden of torturing anxiety on his mind ? Wihat <xmld .have become of Ralph Ashraore ? Tht death •of Lawrence Dale was forgotten -or nearly ißo— in this new horror. It occurred to him, iin the midst of his tribulation, that it might .be better to break to the girl now the news of her father's death ; and with the thought came the determination to do so. " Dear Morna," he said, gently moving he?" towards a chair, and at the Jeame time motioning for the others to leave the room, " if you will sit down I will give you information. " She sat in an instant - sat down in the great easy-chair — and looked up .eagerly. The doctor also took a seat, afc the same ttime taking one of her hands. " Morna, here is a telegram which 1 have just received from Portsmouth. Another like it came at the same time for Ralph. It is from it is about— your your — father." "My father is dead !" she said. " I have felt it - here ! - for a long time. How was it 2 How did he die ?" Her voice was calm, ■but the dead whiteness of her face told the feeling of her heart. Laybroak read to her the telegrom. When he had finished she continued to look into Ms face, as though waiting to heax* more. At length, as he did not speak, she asked him : " Why did Ralp^ go without opening his telegram ?' "Go ? -ftalph ?— Where ?" gasped the doctor, bewildered. " Has he not gone to find out— to inquire —about papa f The good man was agaiw at sea. He arose and got the wine, which had been brought in, and poured some into a glass. "No ! no ! no !" the girl cried, starting to her feet, and putting the glass away, before the doctor could speak. " I cannot drink it. I do not want it. Tell me of Ralph. Where is he ?" He gently forced hor back in the chair, then resumed his own seat, and then told her the truth. Ralph had left the office on Tuesday evening for the express* purpose of visiting her ; and he had left in haste, in order that he might, if possible, reach the Grange before the storm should set in. " Until you came — until this present time," he added— "we believed he waa with you ; and when this telegram came, I felt relieved in the thought that this had kept him by your side." For a little time Morna Dale sat like one stunned. By and by life returned, and she arose to her feet. She was still pale, but not with the deathly whiteness that had appeared a short time before. There was a tinge of colour in her lips, and her eyes had become warmly bright and moist. *' Dr Laybrook, do not think that I forget to mourn for my father. 0, he was a food father ! -how good to me ! But we now he is gone. We can look upward, and find consolation. But, 0 ! where is Ralph? Of him I think in this terrible hour. What more can you tell me ? What can you suggest? What what— do you think? 0, dear Doctor, yu must think something. Ralph -Ralph, I shall die if he be snatched from me ! Have mercy ! have mercy, Doctor, and teil me something, even thongh it be only what you think. Speak to me ! For the love of Heaven, speak I" She clung to him in her wild paroxysm, her arms around his neck, and her head pillowed on his shoulder. He had been like a second father to her j had always smiled upon the love between herself and Ralph ; and next to her father and her dear lover, she loved the good old man best of all the world. Before the doctor could reply to her the door was unceremoniously opened, and Jonas Crandal entered, followed by his son. At that moment their presence was a wonderful relief to the good doctor ; and even Morna, when she had seen who they were, was not sorry they had come. They might help to find Ralph, or, at least, to tell something about him } for in her deepest detestation of both father and son, she nad not yet allowed herself to think them assassins. A few informal words ' of greeting were spoken ; then the newcomers were pointed to chairs, Dr. Laybrook at the same time gently seating the stricken girl, after which c drew up a chair for himself. (To be OoMinwd.)