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The Wingham Times, 1908-10-08, Page 5THS WI GHAM TIMES, OCTOBER 8 1908 THE GHOST OF LOCHRAIN CASTLE BY NIRS. C. N. WILLIAIVMSON Author of ',The Princess Passes," "The Lightning Conductor, Etc., Etc. Copyright, 1906, by Mrs. C. N. Wilfamaon. ;the other as -Summer from Winter, hated their young and beautiful ri- val far the same reason; because, all against her will, she had found favor in the eyes of a man they both loved. Elspeth went straight from Lady Ardcliffe's room to Mr. McGowan's office, where she wished to explain— if he had come—why her duties for the afternoon had been neglected. Perhaps he would blame her for hav- ing gone out with Mr. Kenrith in the motor car, she thought; yet he could hardly do that, as she had gone in her free hour, and could not possibly know that an accident would happen to delay and incapacitate her for her duties. Still, she rather dreaded seeing the manager, and her heart began to beat fast when she heard his voice on the other side of the door. So he had returned. "Have you any proof of this?" he was saying. "It was my daughter herself who told me," replied another voice, which Elspeth knew too well. It was that of Lady Lambart. "It is disgrace - "You must think him very changeable." Jul. I really do think that, in justice 'to your guests, Mr. McGowan, you should discharge such a person. She is not the one for such a position of trust as you have given her; and, be- sides the things which I have told you, if it's necessary to say more, she goes about the hotel retailing gossip to one person about another, back and forth; and since her com- ing this house has been nothing more nor less than a nest of scandal. She has contrived to set at least half a dozen persons who used to be friend- ly violently against each other. But, as I am the one who has suffered most, I consider that I have the right to ask you to send her away." "I will at least think it over," re- plied Mr. McGowan. "If you have ;not been misinformed, Miss Dean must certainly go. But, of course, she must be given a chance to defend 'herself. I will send for her present - "She, is is here now, Mr. McGowan," said Elspeth at the door. "I couldn't ;help hearing the last few words." "It is just as well," returned Mr. McGowan rather coldly. "Did you 'hear that Lady Lambart accused you .of accepting bribes from Captain Ox- ford to give notes from him to Lady :Milary Vane?" "I knew she accused me of some- thing of that sort," I said Elspeth, ¢looking at Lady Lambart, who held • up her lorgnette and stared super- . ciliously. "Have you ever assisted the Cap- tain to communicate with Lady Hi- lary?" "Yes, But—" began Elspeth, and faltered painfully, as she realized for the first time that she had no answer to give which could be truthful and at the same time no incriminating to herself. -.4/ ,; Mr. McGowan; who evidently had ate , expected an indignant denial, looked -,very grave. or such a suspicion against -your pru- dence and good sense could not have arisen." Until this moment Elspeth had re- ceived nothing but praise from Mr. McGowan, and neryous and worn as �e she was, this rebuke seemed almost ing into one of the many rntncate beyond hearing. corridors, she stumbled against some Tears sprang to her eyes, but she one who had just come down the choked them back, determined that stairs she was about to ascend. I the manager should not see her cry- beg your pardon!" she exclaimed bas- ing like a scolded child. In spite of tily, and involuntarily looked up. her efforts at self-control, however, This corridor was dimly lit, but at the girlish face betrayed something the foot of the stairs stood a bronze of the heart's distress, and Mr. Mc- figure in armor, holding a lamp, and Gowan, who was an extremely kind- the light from the lamp struck full hearted man, though a disciplinarian upon the face of the person with whom as a manager, repented his harshness. she had collided. With a little cry "You had better tell me every- Elspeth started back, for the face was thing," he said. the same that she had seen in her "I—don't think I can do that, room, framed in the white mystery of though as far as Lady Hilary Vane moonlight. is concerned there's practically no- For a second the eyes, the too bril- thing to tell," replied Elspeth. Rant eyes, gazed into hers with an "What! You refuse to speak?" Mr. intent and strangely piercing look, al - McGowan exclaimed, his vexation most an anxious look, it seemed. rising again. Then the tall man bowed slightly, "I once took a message—an abso- murmured something in response to lutely insignificant message—from her request for pardon, and passed on. Captain Oxford to Lady Hilary, whom Elspeth stood still, watching, half he has known for a long time." inclined to follow, yet not daring to "Is that all—on your word of bion-' do so; for there could be no doubt dr?" that this was a man of flesh and "Practically all." blood, and no ghost. He was in mod - "That is not a satisfactory answer." ern dress, and did not vanish by ap- "I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid it's parently melting through the wall, the best that I can give." 1 but walked quietly, if somewhat ,has - "Then, Miss Dean, I must say I tily, round the corner into another am very much disappointed in you." corridor. "Would you prefer to have me go The features were as like aae before away?". the girl asked, trying with to Captain Oxford's, but now that all her might to steady her voice. I she had seen them in a fuller light Mr. McGowan had not intended . Elspeth told herself that it was diffi- matters to touch this extremity. Els- I cult to believe the man was wearing a peth's work was excellent beyond his disguise. The short, pointed beard expectations, and she was well liked looked absolutely natural, and the by every one in the hotel to whom face seemed much older than that of probability, he would write to the i erienees which had so severely tried Mr. Trowbridge were to be summon. agency, from which she had been sent I Elspeth's nerves. It would be hers! ed to this task; and without an in- to him, say that Miss .Dean was not but for a fortnight longer. She must stant's hesitation Elspeth sped satisfactory, and ask for some one else in her place. What a downfall, after her high hopes, and the encouraging opinion Miss Smith had had of her ability. To be sure, she had been told that she was too young, but she had meant t glass d How courage to show that that opinion was a min- had rieen to the task of finding a sola take. Oh, she had meant.to do so tion for all the mysteries unassisted by well, and she had believed that she any one. Now she would go away was succeeding. She had borne her- and never know the explanation. self as bravely as she could, through Ken- rith o when hat t would ulyd,Mr. Ken - strange and trying experiences, inperhaps the hope of obtaining the success for which she strove, and this was her reward for everything. All these thoughts rushed through her mind as she left Mr. McGowan's room. She walked with her head down, hoping to meet no one she knew, and hurried through the hall, almost deserted now, as people were preparing for dinn r. Suddenly turn - go, and he did not know where. through corridor after corridor on her How she had admired this room a way to his sitting room. She had week ago, and how proud she had , not had time to knock at the door, been of it! How she had enjoyed the , when, it opened and he came out. thought of all the nice books whose ' "Miss Dean!" he exclaimed in sur- ggilded covers winked at her from be- prise at the sight of her flushed face. hnd las cors her c r "I've come to ask you to save Lady Hilary," she burst out abruptly. "Save Lady Hilary?" No one who saw him then could have doubted the sincerity 0!' his Love. "From Lady Ardcliffe and the Coun- tess," Elspeth went on, breathlessly. "All their jewels have been stolen in the night. For some reason or other they suspect Lady Hilary and are go- ing to accuse her as a thief. They hate her, you know. They are down- stairs in the great hall now, talking to Mr. McGowan, who is trying to dissuade them; but I know he can- not. You, perhaps, may. I think it's the only hope. Oh, do make haste. If Lady Hilary should come down, as she generally does about this time, there will be a horrible scene, unless you prevent it"— The look on his face frightened Els- peth. "I will prevent it," he said. "Go to her. Keep her in her room if you can. Make any excuse. Give me a little time, that's all I ask," Then he was gone, and Elspeth did not stop to look after him. She flew off in the opposite direction, which was that of Lady Hilary's room, but she had not gone far when she saw the girl approaching with her mother. Elspeth paused, bewildered. What could she do now? After the miser- able scene yesterday, when Lady Lam- bart had done what she could to ruin her, how would it be possible to accost the ladies and prevent them from 'going downstairs? Yet some- how the object must be accomplished. Lady Lambart saw her from afar off. Elspeth could see the handsome face freeze into haughtiness. Though she could not hear the words, she knew that Lady Lambart was forbid- ding her daughter to speak in pass- ing, and it did flash through Elspeth's head that, if she were revengeful, she could satisfy all cravings by letting the two go on to their fate. But at this moment she would not only have sacrificed a thousand revenges, but her hopes for her own future happi- ness, to save Hilary Vane, and care- less of consequences to herself, she stepped forward, saying, "Don't go downstairs just yet, I beg, Lady Hil- ary. I can't tell you why, but -but if you'll wait—if ;-ou'll breakfast in your room, I hope } ou may save your- self and—Lady I:ambart -a very dis- agreeable experience. Elspeth expected an insulting an- swer from Lady Lambart, but, to her surprise, none came. Mother and daughter stopped abruptly, the girl turning pale, the woman flushing scarlet under her rouge and powder. "Oh, mother," exclaimed Hilary. "It has come." Instantly Elspeth guessed the thought in their minds. She remem- bered the words she had overheard yesterday, when Lady Lambart had said to her daughter that "to -morrow a summons would be served." They thought now that this dreaded thing had happened, and that, if they obey- ed the warning she had given, they might somehow hide from disaster. Elspeth decided that, for Lady Hil- ary's sake, the best thing she could do would be to let the impression re- main undisturbed for the present. "I told you what would happen, but I didn't know it would come quite so soon," half whispered Lady Lam- hart. "Now, will you be sensible and save us both in the only way you can? It isn't too late yet." "I must—I see now that I must," said Lady Hilary. "If I could see him, I would say"— "You can't see him now. You must write a note, and quickly," replied Lady Lambart, in the same low tone she had used before. Hilary turned to Elspeth. "Miss Dean, will you come to my door for one moment, while I write a line, and then—as a great favor to me— take it immediately to the person it is intended for?" As her daughter made this request without waiting for an answer in the' affirmative, Lady Lambart turned and walked rapidly ahead of the others; in the direction of her own room. Elspeth read her thought accurately and scornfully. In spite of her cruel- ty the day before, she was willing that its victim should be made use of, though she would not seem to no- tice the girl she had so deeply in- jured. Hilary and Elspeth walked together along the corridor, but the one was too miserable, the other too anxious, to speak. "Come in and wait," the former said when they had reached her room. "Sit down a minute, and the note will be ready." Elspeth knew without asking what the note would be, and she was sick at heart. The door was open between this room and the adjoining one, where Lady Lambart could be heard moving restlessly about, therefore she dared not cry out as she longed to do. "Don't write to Mr. Trowbridge that you'll marry him. Perhaps it won't be necessary. Perhaps you may be saved in some other way.' I ady Hilary seated herself at a small writing desk in the window and began to write. As she did so Els- peth watched her wistfully, when sud- dently with a start, her gaze focussed on something bright which sparkled in a laco frill of Hilary's dress. Quickly she took a step forward and bent down to see what it was which (To be Continued,) her services had been given. She was a lady by birth and in manner, charring in appearance, and alto- gether the manager of the Lochrain Castle Hydro feared it would be im- possible to obtain another stenograph- er as desirable. Still, discipline must be maintained in the hotel, and this girl must not think she could go out of her place, mix herself up in the love affairs of the guests of the house, and after behaving with grave indis- cretion, escape with a mere repri- mand after refusing to defend herself. He valued her services too much to have dispensed with them lightly' on his own ninitiative but as she had Captain Oxford. "Who can it be?" she wondered. "Is it a guest of the hotel? • Extra-, ordinary, if so, that I've never seen his face before—almost impossible. Yet he must have been in the house, or staying near by for some time, be- cause it's almost a week since that night when the ghost -figure stepped out through the wall into my room. Now that I've seen him again—for it must be the same; I can't be mis- taken—it makes that apparition all the more mysterious. I must find out who this person is." • Slowly the girl went on toward her own room, wondering how she was practically tendered her resignation, to accomplish what she wanted, now he did not think it compatible with thatshe was no longer on pleasant his dignity or her offence to say that, terms with Mr. McGowan, and now that her odd friendship with Mr. Grant was at end. Suddenly, however, she thought of Mrs. Warden, the housekeeper. Perhaps if she describ- ed the man she had just met (she did not mean to refer to the stranger meeting) the old woman would know whether or not there was such a guest in the Hydro. She turned back, therefore, and found her way to the housekeeper's room, which she had had occasion to visit once or twice before. Mrs.. Warden was there, and as she had heard of the accident, Elspeth had to tell her all about it, before she could hope to obtain any satis- faction on another subject. Indeed, the old housekeeper flattered herself that Miss Dean must have, come to her room for the express purpose of giving the details. Elspeth gathered this from Mrs. Warden's naive thanks, and it was not worth while to hurt her feelings by disabusing her of the impression. Accordingly the girl did not contradict her, but merely said, "By -the -bye, I just met in the hall a 'middle-aged man with a short, grizzled beard, wonderfully brilliant dark eyes, and features rath- er like Captain Oxford's. I never met him before, and I wonder if he can be stopping at the hotel. Can you tell from my description of him?" Mrs. Warden looked puzzled and shook her head. "Indeed, I can't, Miss," said she. "There are plenty of gentlemen with short, grizzled beards, but I don't remember any one with particularly brilliant eyes." "You would remember, if you had seen his," broke in Elspeth. "Perhaps I should, Miss," said Mrs. Warden. "But as for his looking like in spite of all, he wished her to stay on. I must of course ask that you will either explain satisfactorily or else resign your position here," he said at last. "But I still hope that you will explain, and I give you till to- morrow morning to think it over." "That will do no good, Mr. Mc- Gowan," said Elspeth, sadly. "I know myself; and I know that I can say no more to -morrow morning than I've said already. except that I did nothing which seemed to me to be wrong." "Ah, but I must be allowed to judge whether it was wrong or not," he returned. "Then—I see that you mean me to go. Shall it be at once, or--" "Certainly not," Mr. McGowan cut in decidedly. "I cannot be left with- out any one to fill your place in the high season. Grant already has all that he can attend to, or more, and my hands are over -full. I will let you be the one to give me notice, Miss Dean, as you have, been satisfactory in your work, and I do not wish to injure your future career any more than I can avoid doing. You had bet- ter give me a fortnight's notice. In that time I can get some one else; and meanwhile I expect you to be absolutely discreet in your inter- course with the guests of the hotel. Now, I shall require nothing further from you to -day. Good evening, Miss Dean.' "Good evening. And—I suppose I ought to thank you. I believe you mean to be kind," said Elspeth. "I should like to be so, if you had made it possible for me," returned the CHAPTER XI. "You see, I was right," exclaimed Lady Lambart. "Now, what do you Intend to do?" "I must talk over this matter with Miss Dean alone, your ladyship," said the manager. "What! You still refuse to believe her guilty?" "I must know from her own lips .,what to believe, and it would be dis tressing for every one concerned if the matter were discussed in public." Discomfited, Lady Lambart swept .out of the room With an air of injur- ed dignity, and Elspeth, though deep- ly grateful to Mr. McGowan for giv- ing her the benefit of the doubt and .sparing her a public inquisition, trembled inwardly. She could not tell lies, yet she must not compromise -Lad;? Hilary in any way. She must beep that idea before her, whatever Happened. "Now, Mies Dean, you have your opportunity to explain," began Mr. McGowan, "I must say that Y am dismayed and annc ed to have such tt Story thrown at my head on the mo - Punt of my return from a business journey. You must, to say the least have noted with imprudence, . and .0a1...9.1.4.4 /400 ; raffia 1S--Wg, manager. There was nothing, more for her to . Captain Oxford, I don't think I've say or do, and bowing her head to ever yet seen that young gentleman, hide the tears, she left the room. though I've heard plenty about him After all, Lady Lambart had scored. from one person or another. A sudden flash of enlightenment told "Surely you must have teen him," Elspeth that the elder woman could Elspeth persisted. "He's extremely not forgive her the kindness and con- good-looking." sideration with which Mr. Kenrith "Then I'm sure I haven't, I don't had treated her. From the very first, call any of *then young gent eme"orneivrn in when she had been compelled to take i a seat in the railway carriage which looking, though some of them are well Lady Lambart had wished to keep enough in their way. But you see for her own party, she had been un- Captain Oxford arrived only a day or justly disliked. Mr. Kenrith's kind- two before you did, Miss, and almost ness to her as his secretary and her ever since he came he's kept in his association with Capt. Oxford had in- room, or maybe been in Mr. Kenrith s creased the feeling against her; but suite, except when Mr. Kenrith's had the climax had come to -day with the him out in the motor car. I've never invitation from Mr. Kenrith to go out happened to be anywhere about, when in his motor car as his equal and he was on view, as you might say, Lady Hilary's equal. That had plat- andon't curiosity,kwat I've had any ed her on a different footing. She was Particular lhe cervantthoughhs that he's no longer only the secretary; she was sip the friend as well, and Lady Lambart dead in love with that beautiful young had stopped at nothing to be rid of lady, the Countess of Lambart's her. daughter;" In a way the enmity of a woman of "Well, I'm afraid you can't tell me the world for a humble typewriter any thing about this mysterious new - Was a compliment, but Elspeth was comer then," seid Elspeth, disappoint- in no mood for that point of view. cd; "for the only way in which I She was bitterly unhappy, horribly gain describe a heim looks accurately ccratsomething ais e humiliated, and could not bear to Captain Oxford may look, twenty-five look forward to the future. She had been allowed, by Mr. Mc- or thirty years from now... Gowan's courtesy, to resign, but it was almost as bad as if she had been discharged after a week's trial at the Lochrain Castle Hydro, for after what had passed the manager would ser- tainly not give her an unqualified re- commendation. To -morrow, in all h'tspeth stood stilt, watching. from Mr. McGowan, that she had be- haved so foolishly that she had been asked to resign. She had not dared let herself dwell upon this thought before, but now it overwhelmed her, and the long re- strained torrent of her tears burst forth. She could eat no dinner, nor could she sleep that night, though she was undisturbed by any influence outside her own mind. Her head ached when she rose in the morning, and she was glad to hear the knock which told her that the servant had arrived with tea and breakfast. She was not hungry, but the tea would do her good, she thought. The man came in and placed the tray on the table, but having done so, he lingered. "There's been a ter- rible thing happened in the night, miss," said he, with that unctuous enjoyment of the sensational so often seen among persons of his class, "Lady Ardcliffe and Countess Rade- polskoi have both been robbed of all their jewels." CHAPTER XII. Had Elspeth herself been in the plot and learned thus suddenly of its discovery she could hardly have been more startled than she was by the news of the robbery. Yesterday Mr. Kenrith had lost his jewels in the most mysterious circum- stances; and now Lady Ardcliffe and Countess Rodepolskoi had been rob- bed. It was at least a strange coin- cidence that these events had fol- lowed so quickly one upon the other. Elspeth felt as if she were groping in the dark for a master key which could open all doors and lead her at length into the hidden place where the secret of these mysteries lay. It was as if she caught a glimpse of that key, shining through the twilight, and then, just as she put out her hand, it vanished again. The servant could embroider his story with very few details. He knew only that the robbery had not been discovered until morning. The maid of the Countess and the maid of Lady Ardcliffe had given the alarm, and it was said that the two ladies must have been chloroformed, as the at- mosphere of their rooms was still heavy with the drug. When Elspeth discovered that the man had little real information, she did not encourage him to stay and gossip, but hurried through her breakfast, and went out to learn what she could for herstk. She was scarcely surprised to see Lady Ardcliffe and the Countess both in the great hall, talking earnestly, to Mr. McGowan. No one else had appeared as yet, for it was very ear- ly, and there. had scarcely been time for the exciting news of the robbery to spread through the hotel. Elspeth had to pass near the group, on her way to the manager's room; and the three were so deeply absorb- ed in their conversation that they nei- ther heard nor saw the young typist. She had no intention of eavesdrop- ping, but some words uttered by Mr. McGowan reached her ears, and start-, led her so much that it was all she. could do to suppress a cry of dis- tress. "I do beg that you will help me to avoid a scandal," the manager was; saying. "If you publicly accuse Lady Hilary"— He lowered his voice, and Elspeth heard no more; but it was enough. A glanee at the Countess's hard, hand- some face ahowed her that it would take persuasions more powerful than Mr. McGowan's to induce her to re- linquish so choice a revenge. Both women hated Lady Hilary Vane, and' though it was impossible — Elspeth told herself—that she could be guilty, circumstantial evidence must some- how point to her as the thief, or they would not dare threaten to accuse her. Elspeth grew cold with fear at the sight of the pitfall prepared for her friend by these two jealous women. Even if Lady Hilary could prove her innocence, she would be made to suf- fer, and Elspeth could not bear that it should be so. How could she save the poor child? She asked herself. She rose, and Mrs. Warden, who Then, suddenly, she thought of fain would have kept her for a pleas- • Trowbridge and his passion for Lady ant little gossip, could not persuade Hilary Vane. From it had sprung her to stay. the malice of these who would ruin This evening the tower room seem- the girl; but through it she might std gloomy, as it had never seemed before, even during the ghastly ex - yet be rescued. There was nota second to spare, if 7 The Kind You Rave Always Bought, and. which bas been, in use for over 30 years, has borne the signature or and bas been made under his perm /j sonal supervision since its infancy. - • icG?.0 Ailowno one to deceive you in this. 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Daring the twelve years the Liberals have been in power the debt was in- creased only $19.000,000 and this was dne to the G. T. P. The net debt per head in 1896 was $50 80; in 1908 it was $40,60. FACTS FOR THE ELECTORS. WORSE THAN 01410 %S. Bad Breath From Indigestion Can- not be Overcome With Perfumes Nine.tenths of the offensive breath is a result of stomach trouble, It cannot be overcome by breath perfumes or any other palliative measures. If you have a bad breath; if there is heartburn, flatulence and gulpings of undigested food; if the stomaoh burns or smarts; ri there is sleeplessrese, nervousness, headaches or any other symptoms of indigestion, use Mi-o•na stomaoh tablets and get well. A 50 cent box of Mi•o na stomaoh tablets lasts for a couple of weeks and will ward off a dozen mild attacks of indigestion; while its continued use will give an absolute and complete Dore. 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