YET SHE LOVED HIM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 226, 21 September 1894, Page 3

YET SHE LOVED HIM.

By MBS. KATE VAUGHN.

Aothbr of 'The MotheVs Legacy,' .'The Banker's Daughter,' • Brih'Go-Bragh,' •

* The False Friend,' etc., etc.

CHAPTER XXXIII,

While Lorrimer bad been in purauib of L&dy Margaret) he fhad nob forgotten the hinb Terry-hnd given him as to.the possibility otgbi John having been previously married. He did not hope too much, for he knew the tendency there is to make such statements among womenjof a certain order ; but on the mere chance it was worth enquiring into, and be had written from Dublin to employ a skilful .detective who had bean highly recommended to him on account of his sagacity. ..And when he reached London his first step was to send for this man. • He had resolved, if satisfied with him, bo employ him to trace Madge. He had lost faibh in his own unaided efforts* and he had hitherto shrunk from employing detective aid. in finding tho woman he loved. ;. .. ~'■:..-,.

Mr Martin made his appearance in answer to his summons. A guileless-looking little man he was, and .one little likely feo inspire respecb for his acuteness. 'Have you any information for me, Mr Martin ?'asked Lorrimer. - ;.'.«.

' Yes,l have,' replied the detective. ' I will give you the facts so far as I havo ascertained them. I find that Captain Sb. John, of the —th rapimenb of foot), was thought by many to be married while in Canada, and a lady was there who, although ihe bore another name, frequently had declared in confidence she was bis wife. I then traced this lady back to,a village near. Oxford, where I find she bad baan living with her mother at the time of her marriage, if any took place* I went to thab village and learned that the mother vras dead k that one daughter had married and gone abroad, the other had eloped with a Lieutenant St. John. I find the description of the lady agrees exactly with that) of the one who was known as Mrs Varley in Canada. I have endeavoured, to find a marriage entry, by having the books of many London churches, examined, but withoub other clue. It will be a very long and hopeless task. The only hope ia of finding the lady, or aoiiia news of her death,'

'Yes, but,' said Lorrimer, somewhat impatiently, '.we are searching unsuccessfully after our lady already, and we may have no better fortune with the other.'

'That is true, yeb I venture to think^we may have a better chance with the first Mrs St. John, for I have positive information that she went to New York, and that she did hob land in England with her presumed husband ; also thai, he has sent money to a Mra Varley, in New York, bub nob for the last few months. Now here we have a good clue to go upon. We can advertise for the lady who called at Captain St. John's chambers or we may send to America and try to find out as, much as possible about her there.' .. ... '.. >•; :

' No, we must not advertise. To do thai is to pub St. John on his guard, and may result in the frustration of our plans/, . ;

' Yes, that is my idea too. My theory is that the lady came to see after her husband and has been cajoled or bribed into returning bo America, as she hafi evidently not been interfering with his movements fecen£ly.' ..: . ' , ■ ".: , ' Bub,' said Lorrimer, 'do you think a man of St. John's stamp is likely to have Married unless for money V

' Yes. From whan I learn, be was, eight) years ago, different from the calculating Villain he is now, and many a selfish youth does a disinterested thing to gratify liiuaeelf, which, he tries in vain to undo later.' * Vy hat do you propose, then ¥

'That, the search beebnductedin Ameribia rather than here, or- rather, both here and there,: for, this reason : While in. Canada, Captain Sb. John had his wife under his control.; He could prevent her talking, if he wished, by secluding her, as I find he did. It was, no doubt, while there that he first began to feel the tie irksome, bub since she has been left in New: York she has been free ;to form acquaintances, which sho has doubtless done, and even if she is not there, pussibly all the information we need may be obtained there.' •

"That seems feasible,' said Lorrimer, thoughtfully. 'Could you go over yourself?'' ' '

'I regrcb to say I cannot leave London. You see I am not one of a company of detectives. lamon my own hook, as it were, and I should loseagood dealhere'; and, as I have no correspondence with detectives on the other side of the water, and have never been there, 1 should be at) a great disadvantage. If I mighb offer a suggestion, ib would be thabyou, sir, are the fittest person to go. You are an American, and another thing I can tell you is that you yourself are being watched by Captain St. John. Yoar arrival from Ireland has beeu looked for, and your movements are all under espionage, that is why I carry this book of tailors'.patterns,' .ho continued, pointing to the morroco case he held. ' 1 am unknown to the general run of detectives, and shall, I expect, be taken for a tailor come to measure you.'

Lorrimer was revolving the astonishing idea presented to him—thab he should go to America and leave Madge still unfound. It) did not seem possible be could do that; be might be absanb a month. What might not happen in thab time. He told Mr Martin the reason he could nob think of going. • You will pardon me, but that is one reason why I think you should go. Your departure, bub nob its cause, wifl bo known to Captain St. John, who will suppose yon have given up the pursuit, and, perhaps, think you believe the lady to have perished in the fire. At all events, he will be loss cautious, and I will find the lady if she is living. I will not leave a move he makes un watched.'

'I must think of this, Mr Martin, but whether Igo or do not, I wish to secure your aid in tracing Lady Margaret St. John.'

Mr Martin bowed ; he probably thought it would have been better had that step been taken at firsts but ho said nothing, and proceeded to note down all that he did nob know about the case, and»then he took Mb leave.

Lorrimer eat down to think. What should he do? Reason told him thab Margaret would suffer nothing by his absence, that Martin would do for her discovery all ho could do if he were nob on the spob, and more, perhaps, than if he was. He was known 'to.be her champion, and when he seemed to give up her cause, no doubt St. John would be less cautious, believing her friendless, might even get reck* less. But if she should be found, and ho aw ay—where would she go? The idea that his going to New* York might result in him finding Lady Margaret virtually a free woman was so tempting that it took away much from „ his reluctance to leave England. He might go and be back in London within a month. But ib seemod liko deserting Madge to go from the country, even for a time, where she might be suffering and so sorely need his aid. Jußt aa his thoughts reached this point) Terry entered, looking much embarrassed and shamefaced.

' Mr Lorry more, sir, I've come to tell you ay a change I'm thinking of making.'

' You surely.lire hot going to leave me* Terry !' cried Lorrimer. t

'Ro, sir, indeed I'm nob; bub Jennie and me have talked it over, an' seeing she's "no home in London and wants to stay, till Lady ; M argareb is heard of, we'vo agreed to get married.'

'Bravo, Terry! I thought I'd seen somebhing of the Bbrb between ybtt ani Jennie. Well, whab do you want me to do? Give away the bride?' 'Oh," no, sir,' said Terry, flushing fiery red with pleasure. •We would nob be asking the like ay thabj bub if you could spare me for a few hours till we find a litbfe place to live in, and If you'd nob mind my leaving you every evening and return itt the morning: as you're nob a gentleman that needs valeting in the evening"or when you dress, like some, I have nothing"to do, anyhow.' .

* Of course* Terry, ib makes no difference to me ; bub I think I know a way in Which your marriage will be the very-thing for my plane. Waib a few hours before you look for your litble place. Wish Jennie joy forme. And thiß is~to buy her wed-ding-dress.' So sayirig; ■ Lbfrime*r ;:"pub a ten-pound note into Terry's 'hand, telling him he would nob want him again bill evening. ■ '-'" > .■■■■-'■■■■■■ ■';. ' ; ■ -■'. ■ /.■;,'

He then went out and, jumping into » cab, had himself driven to a suburban realestate agent and there asked for a list of furnished cottages ; and when he returned to his chambers, some hours later, he called for Terry, who had returned from a shopping expedition with his future wife.

' Terry, lam going to America^' Terry's face was a picture to e'ee. Bub Lorrimer hasbened to refissure him.

'I shall be absent only one month, and before I return Lady Margaret may ba found and need a home. I have taken a little house ab Brompton, into which you and Jennie can go and keep ib for me till my return, when, if it is nob -needed for Lady Margaret's use, I ehall keep house myself, with Jetihy to"manage for me.' Such: an ideal existence as Jennie and .himself in Mr Lorrimer's service was 'euch a glorious prospect for Terry tbab h6 ftljHosb loeb eight, in the contemplation of ib, thab his master was going away, and even when he did, he was but human ; and attached as the faithful, fellow, was Ito Lorrimer. the prospect of a month's uninterrupted -bliss with Jennie went far feo comfort him.

To ie Continued.)