CHAPTER XXIV. The Young SOUTHERN MAKES A STARTLING Discovery.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 312, 31 October 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXIV. The Young SOUTH ERN MAKES A STARTLING Discovery.

It wab settled that Everet Mapl»son was to accompany Bob Wbittaker, the miner, to the mines of New Mexico, and two day.s after the conversation related in the pre\ious chapter found them on their way thither. Arming at their destination, about a week later, they found that what had been a small mining camp in thooe eaily day.s, when Bob Whittaker had worked for Captain William Dale, was now a thriving village, or ' city,' as the place was dosi^natcd in that region, and the miner could hardly realiso that it was the same place which had once been .so familiar to him. leveret looked about the town with a great deal of interest, after which he visited the tiny lot where, overshadowed by a venerable cypress tree, all that remained of beau tit ul Annie Dale rested. There was no sign of any grave there now ; every trace of it had disappeared. There was nothing save a simple head -stone of pure Italian marble, witn the single name ' Ann ik ' inscribed upon it, "tanding in the centre of the inclosnre, to mark the spot wheie she had beer. laid. Two or three varieties of ivy had been planted by tome loving hand beside (ho fence which surrounded it, and a luxuriant growth now almost concealed it from view, and embowei ed the little plot of ground in a framework of living green. Everet remained hero a long lime, silting upon the .stump of -i tree near by, and tiying to think out the knotty problem of how Annie had come to be there in that remote portion of the country, and with— whom ? Several times a suspicion had forced itself upon his mind Avhich might explain it ; but he had instantly rejected it as too improbable — impossible even, in spite of what had seemed to point to it. He had nob really expected to gain any light upon the question by coming there, and yet a strange fascination had seemed to urge him on to visit the place — a lestle^s, impatient feeling, mingled with the determination to leave no stone unturned to ferret out the truth. The small house where the beautiful girl had lived during that short, happy year, and where her child was born — whote, as

Everet Mapleson firmly believed, Geoffrey J)alt Until rem wat borne stood near this spotv, and was still empty. No one bad e\cr lived in it since the poor young mother died, one of the older inhabitants of the village told him. It was believod that the same gentleman owned it still, though ho had not been seen there for 1 years, and would nor< allow anyone else to occupy it. It scorned as if he deemed the place too sacied to be invaded by straugoiy, and so had preferred to sacrifice it to desolation and decay. Eveiet passed through the small yard, now thickly overgrown with vines and brambles, to the tiny porch, and looked in through the side-lights of the front door. The doors on each bide ot the small hall were all open, and the place was bare and torloin in the extreme, and in ttiange and gloomy contrast with that luxurious little nest near the old mill at home, that had been Annie l>ale's former home. lie went around the hou&e, peeping in at each window ; but theic was nothing to be seen save bate floors, and walls horn which the rich papoi, that had once adorned them, was falling away, while cvciy nook and corner was infested with dust and cobwebs. He came back again, after a time, to the fiout porch, where he sat down upon one of the step^, wondering where he should turn next to pick up the tin cad which seemed to have suddenly broken and vanished irom siirht again here. lie sat there tor a long time poudeiing the mysteiy — who was tlio man who had called himself William Dale V — whither had ho gone after leaving that place, and which way should ho - Evoret Mapleson— turn now to hunt him down ? Unt he could airi\c «'it no definite conclubion ; thcie was only one tiling that he could think ot to do, to satisfy himself legaidmg the tiutli ot a suspicion that haunted him continually, and that he shrank fiom with a feeling that was akin to honor ; while it might icsult in nothing save making a tool ot hiinselt and his becoming an ob|ect ot lidieule and scorn. He aro«e at last, with a *igh of wcaiincss and disfoiu igcmunt, toictum to the public hou c o uhcie he was staying ana to seek his new fnend, Bob Whittakcr. l»ut, owing to the etamped position m which he had been sitting, one ot his leet had 'gone to deep,' and he found he could not w .ilk ;i step. l!e stain cod vigoiously, and impatiently too, for the intense piickling sensation with winch oil eolation began to lo.if-seit itself, h titated him, when, without the f-li^liLest warning, the on which he was standing gave way and ho was unceremoniously piecipitated into the lank giass and among the brambles which gicw oil about it. He picked himself u\ aftei giving \cnt to a somewhat unrefined expression of annoyance, leecued his hat, which had lodged in a piickly cactus near by, and then turned to see how much damage he had done. The step was a complete wreck, the top boaul being split emiioly acios., white the lotten supports beneath weie wholly demolished, and lav in a ciumbled heap on the ground. He "cue the mass . t kick with his loot, scatteiing it right and lott, when suddenly a gleam of light fiom something ainonu it Hashed into his eye. He stooped tt i -ee what had caused it, when, to his intense surprise, he found a small ling, the irold all blackened and tarnished, but with a beautiful diamond, clear and biilliant as a drop of dew iti the sunlight, set in its delicate crown. ' Well, I imagine I have found a treasuie now,' Everet exclaimed, oageily, as he turned it over and over to examine it more closely. He saw that there was some insci iption upon its inner siutacc, but it was so black ened with age and so filled with dirt that ho could not make it out. 4 Aha '' he cried, exultantly, ' I'll wager almost anything that 1 have at last found the end of the bioken thread that will unravel the mystciy.' He sat down again upon the uppci step of the poicli, dehbciately dicw a cigai fiom his [>ocket, lighted it, and began to smoke. The first ashes that ho had detached from it he caief ully saved upon a piece of wood, and, using his handkerchief, began to poli-h the di-eolomed ling with them It was not long befoic hih etloi ts weic ie warded — the inner surface ot the ring began to take on it* original colout and the insci iption to stand out moie plainly. ' It is evidently an engagement ling with only some initial? and a date engraven upon it,' the young man murmuicd, as '^c hold it up to inspect it mnie closely. The next instant lie lifted his head with an ail of triumph, though his face was as white as a sheet. ' It is the key to the whole mysteiy,' he said. ' This will take mo stiaight to the heai t ot the seciet.' While Eveiet Mapleson was following the trail ot tlio mysteiy th.it possessed s lU 'h a power of fascination over him, August lluntresa and lih family wcie luxuriating at Saratoga. Mr Huntress had obstinately insisted that Geollrey should have a long holiday, alter the clo.-e apphcanon ot the la "it three j ears, although the young man himself would have much prcfeneci and was veiy eagci to »*egin the real business of his life at once. ' It is time that 1 wan at woik for myself, 1 he had pleaded, 'and if you would only u.se voiu influence, % Unclc August, to help me into some good position, my conscience would be easier.' ' Your conscience needn't trouble you, and 1 won't hear a woul about business feu thiee months to come,' replied hisfiicud, decisively. ' You've given yourself no rest during all your college course, and now, my boy, I'm de'ermined that we shall all have a lolly good time togcthci to cclcbiate your own and Gladys's iclca-e from school life.' So, by the middle of July, they weie settled for the summer in pleasant rooms at I the G rand Union, and wcie as happy and united a pai t,v as ever visited that lesort of gayetv and fashion. Gladys was very much admired from the first, her beauty and charming manneis winning her legions of friends. Hut none ot them were to be complied to Geoflrey, and the lovers managed to bo much by themselves, in spite of the fact that 'that delightful Miss Huntress was such a favourite with everybody.' One morning they weie leisurely strolling through one of the shady avenues ot Congress I 'ark, when they saw a distinguished looking gentleman advancing towaid them. Ho did not appear to notice them, how ever, until he was almost upon them, when, suddenly looking up, he gave a violent start ot surprise ; then he advanced with an eager smile and extended hand, exclaiming: 'Why, Everet Mapleson! Where on earth did you drop from ? I should as soon have thought ot seeing the Emperor of .Russia as yourself this morning.' Gcoflrey lifted his hat and bowed politely to the speaker, as he replied : ' You have made a slight mistake, sir ; I am not Everet Mapleson, although this is not the first time that I have been taken for him.' ' Nonsense ; don't try to play such a joke on nil 1 -I've known you too many years for you to palm yoursolf oil as anyone cl.^e,' returned the gentleman, laughingly, while

lie shot an amused glance at the young man's companion, as if he suspected bhab she was bhe cause of his wishing to remain incog. ' 1 assure you, sir, I am speaking only the truth. 1 am not Everet Mapleson,' Geofl'roy reiterated. The sti anger's face grew suddenly overcast. 'Then who in thunder aro you ?' he demanded, in sharp, ovcifced accents. ' My name is Geoffrey Dale Huntress, at your service, sir,' Geoffrey responded, courteously, although he had flushed hotly at the curt question. ' Ueo/lrci/ Dale! Good heavens!' cried the man, shrinking back as if ho had been dealt a violent blow, and growing deathly pale. Geoffrey himself turned white at this. Ifc was ever on the alert to gain some knowledge of hit. parentage, and this man's strange manner made him think that perhaps he might know something ot his eaily hisboi y. 1 Yes, sir ; 1 perceive that the name si fleets yon strangely. Did you ever hear it before?' he asked, earnestly, .searching the stranger's face. ' Ah — years ago — a friend — cxcu.se me— [ am very much overcome' the man murmured, incoherently, as he staggered to a rustic bench near by, whcie, sinking upon it and bowing his head upon his hand", ho gioaned aloud. Geoffrey stood transfixed, his face plainly betraying anxiety, dread, and perplexity, and he was inwardly so excited over this stiange meeting that Gladys, as she leaned upon his arm, could feel him trembling in e\ery limb. 'Willjou kindly explain yourself, sir?' Geoflie\ pleaded at length, and teeling that the silence and mystery were becoming intolerable. 'Do you know aught of mo — ot (tin/ person named Dale?' The gentleman shivered, as if the question had jarred upon some sensitive choid. ' Yes' he answered, after a moment of hesitation, while he lifted a haggard face to his questioner : ' years ago F had a friend by thab name ; but- but - ' Will you relate the history ol thab iiiund tome?' Geoffrey asked, with while lips, and speaking with an effort. Something seemed to tell him that he was standing upon the very threshold of bhe i c\ elation foi .vhich he had longed tor so many \ ears. Again the strange) shrank as if he had been smitten. ' Why do you ask me that f he huskily demanded. ' Because,' Geoflicy leturncd, with grave earnestness, ' there is, a my»toiy connected with my own life — because, when J was a child I was abandoned in the monfc cruel manner, and but for the goodness of the man who found me an outcast in the -ticets of Now Yoik ' ' JY' n- York ' How came you than '' intenupted his listenei, amazed. ' 1 hat is moi c than 1 can tell you, sir. This gent cm.m found me in a -late of lm-bec-ility, took me to hi-, home, eared for me until 1 was restored to my light mind, and then adopted and educated me as Ins own son; but for him I should -till \\a\q been an imbecile, and moie pitiable than the lowest paupeis that wander about the stiect* of that city ' ' What i what is thab you aie telling mo ? An imbecile ! I cannot understand,' cued the man, looking- bewi'dcied. ' J don't know how 1 came to be in &ueh a state,' Geothey continued ; ' the physicans said it was caused by some injuiy while 1 wii" vciy young, so my lite before that- time has lemained a mystery to myself and those who have befriended me. It you can thiow any light upon it, sir, I entreat you to do so. ' ' '* The man quickly arose from his seat at this appeal, bub staggered like a person who had been di inking deeply, and seemed like one who had sustained a terrible mental shock. ' I cannot tell you anything now," he said, putting his hand to his head. ' I shall have to risk you to excise me. J cannot think; I must ha\c time to recover myself.' ' 1 do not understand your excessive emotinn, sii. I do nob understand your desire to <i void explaining your very strange woids and manner,' Geofhey intei poseTl. lookin» both pained and anxious ; ' bub I am renibly in earnest, about this matter, anil if you know anything about my tamilv oi antecedents, T beg thab you will nob keep me in suspense 'Some other time i will talk with you again.' murmured the -.branyer, turning aside, and striving to keep his eyes .iveited. 'When' name any place and horn, and I will come to you,' said Geofhoy cagei ly. The man thought a moment}, then said : 'Come tome at live o'clock this aftoinoon, at the United .States; inquire for room lorb\ live.' He (in ned abruptly away, and would hsivc parsed on, but Geothey detained him. ' What js your name, please ?' he asked. ' Thab you shall know when we meet again,' was the e\a?ivc leply. ' Tell me one thing,' pleaded the young man, gieatly agitated ; 'did this — friend of yours, have a son bearing the name that I hn\ c given you ?' A gioan of pain escaped the man. ' Come to me at five o'clock. lam not fit to talk moie with you now,' was the tremulous reply, and the man moved weakly away, seeming more like a person eighty year- ot age than like the upright distin-guished-looking individual of fifty whom the \oung couple had met a few moments before. ( Tn be Continue a. ) j