A CRADLE MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 3 (Supplement)

A CRADLE MYSTERY.

BY MRS. GEOItGIK SHELDON. Author of "Queen Bess," "The Forsaken Bride," " Brownie's Triumph," etc. CHAPTER XLl.(Continued.) MR. TROWBRIDGE MAKES A PROPOSAL TO LAURA. It happened that Mr. Trowbridge received Laura's note that very clay, but at first he thought lie would not go near her. A f or a day or two, however, his heart softened towards htr. "If the girl is really sick it won't do to let her sutler," he mused. " But she's a tricky jade—a chip from the old block—and I'm afraid of her; bub I guess I'd better step around and see what is the matter." Thus we find him, dressed in his new suit, and on his way to make the birthday call upon Agnes, stopping to ascertain how the world was going with Laura. " 1 got your note," ho said, bluntly, as he sat. down beside her. "So you're sick ; what's the matter?"

" Haven't I had trouble enough to make me sick ?" Laura asked in a weak, languid voice.

" Well, I suppose you have had something of a disappointment; but then, if the money wasn't rightly yours, you ought to be glad to give it up," responded the honest man. " I don't suppose," he added, " that it is any harder for you than ib was for Mrs. Remington when you took everything she had away from her."'

Laura winced at this reminder of her coldblooded greediness, at the time of her coming into the Remington estate.

" Well, but she had Max and hosts of friends, while I have nobody," Laura replied, putting her handkerchief to her eyes. " Folks can always make friends if they will," senbentiously remarked her companion. A sob from the lounge was the only response to this axiom. " What are you going to do now Mr. Trowbridge inquired, with some curiosity. "I don't know ; I suppose 1 must go to work for my living," Laura answered, with a long-drawn sigh. " Well, work never hurt anybody yetthat is, a moderate amount of it," ho corrected, as he remembered Agnes' pale face and sunken eyes, after she had toiled for long days over those wearisome corset covers, and been only half paid at that. "What can you do?" ho continued; "didn't you tell mo that you made your own dresses ? If I'm any judge, they seem to be about up to the mark, and maybe I can get you a place in somo dressmaker's shop, if you like." Laura felt as if she would like to choke him for making such a proposition ; bub she wisely foreborefrom displaying anything of her anger, and said, with assumed humility : " Yes, I can sew very nicely, only steady work of that kind gives me a pain in my side."

" Well, are you good at figures ? —could yoy keep a set of books? I guess I could fix you all right in that case." " No; mathematics were always an abomination to me."

"Then suppose you try clerking it. Anybody with a good address can do that, and I know a man who will give you a place to-morrow, if you desire it, with a chance to advance."

Laura was nearly choking herself now with passion over this proposal to stand all day behind a counter for a few dollars a week, while he had thousands lying idle. Still she had too much at stake to anger him by betraying ib, until she had played out her hand, so with another little Bob she appeared to acquiesce. " Thank you," she said ; "I suppose I could do that, and ib would bo a good deal better than nothing ; but"—as if the idea had suddenly occurred to her—"l wonder if you would bo willing to let me come to keep house for you, as you once proposed? I would try real hard to make you comfortable."

"I am all provided for; Agnes is going to take care of me," Mr. Trowbridge returned, giving a sharp glance at the figure beside him, and wondering if she was really as subdued as she appeared. _ "But I thought she was going to bo married," the girl replied. She had heard nothing of the kind, however; this was only put forth as a feeler. The " feeler" brought forth a responso for which she was wholly unprepared. " I expect she is," calmly responded Mr. Trowbridge, " bub she is going to take care of me all the same ; I am to live with her, for—l havo adopted her. _ " What !" cried Laura, bounding to a sitting posture, and actually gasping for breath.

" It's a fact," continued her companion, with a satisfied nod. " I've proved her, and she's turned out to bo pure gold through and through. She's been mighty kind to an old follow who hasn't a friend in the world; I was a crusty old codger, and she's just made everything all sunshine to me, and what's more, she didn't expcct to gain anything by it either. She was as much surprised as anybody wlu.n she learned that I had plenty of well-filled money-bags, and that sho was going to have them all."

"All!" wailed Laura, completely overcome by this startling revelation. " Every dollar of it I've mado my will; it's signed, sealed, and in the hands of my lawyer. I've been looking for an honest man or woman all my life, and I've found what I wanted at last."

"Oh, some people havo everything and others nothing," sobbed Laura, sinking back and burying her face in the pillow, too utterly wretched to care to conceal the fact.

" Well, Laura, you might have been in Agnes' place to-day if you'd taken the right way," Mr. I'rowbridge said, gravely. "You had tho chance. I offered to give you a home—an humble one, it is true—but that was only done to try you. If you'd accepted it cheerfully and done the best you could for me, you might have been independent to-day. But you scorned my offer ; you sneered at the old bachelor in his oldfashioned toggery; you turned up your nose at his homely way of living, and now you're getting you're pay for it. Still, I'll never let anyone suffer who is willing to work, and if you'll take a clerkship, I'll find a chance for you to-morrow, and then if you do well, you shall havo a rise by and by."

If Laura had only known what kind of a " rise" he meant, she would doubtless havo received his proposition differently, for it was but another test.

But, blinded by passion, malice, hatred, and jealousy, she threw aside all self-control and gave free reign to her anger. " A clerkship !" she cried, starting to her feet and confronting him with a crimson face ; " stand behind a counter all day with the common herd ! No, you stingy old miser ! I'll make my wits serve mo a better turn than that !" and with this last fling, she bounced angrily from the room, leaving her visitor alone.

Mr. Trowbridge picked up his hat from the floor, and sat gazing meditatwely into it for several minutes.

"Hum! Well, that was pretty vigorously dono for an invalid, he finally remarked to some imaginary presence in tho hat; and with that observation, ho adjusted it upon his head and left tho house.

CHAPTER XLII. A MANSION FOII THIS IiUIDK-KLKCT.

After leaving Laura's boarding-house Mr. Trowbridgo proceeded directly to Mrs. Remington's, where ho found that lady, together with Max and Agnes, awaiting him.

Agnes gave utterance to a little cry of delight when sho saw him, and sprang forward with outstretched hand to greet him.

During the last week she had been making rapid strides toward health. Already her cheeks were taking on a more rounded outline ; her eyes were bright with tho new energy that was vibrating through every fibre of her body, while a lovely colour testified to the purity of her blood, and tho smiles upon her lips proved that happiness had been no unimportant factor in this marked improvement.

" Oh, Undo Archibald, how nice you look !" sho whispered, as sho grasped his hand ; " and now, the very next thing I shall want you to do, will be to havo your picture taken for me."

The man stopped abruptly in tho middle of the room and stared at her blankly.

"Eh? Sit for my picture? I never did such a thing in all my life," ho solemnly said.

" Oh, but you will for mo, for I want it very much," Agnes returned, coaxingly; then she added, mischievously, " Have you looked in the glass yet?"

The old gentleman shook his head a trifle sheepishly. "No; they wanted mo to, down at tho tailor's, bub I wouldn't. I was half afraid I shouldn't know myself," he said. Agnes laughed out merrily, and slipping her hand through his arm, led him directly to the mirror.

" Allow me to introduce you to my esteemed uncle, Mr. Trowbridge," she remarked, with a roguish nod at the figure in the glass. He glanced ab tho reflection before him, gave a satisfied grunt and nod, then turned abruptly away. "I'd rather look into a pair of smiling bluo eves that I know of," he said, adding, " iNow, what do you want for a birthday present ?" The girl was very lovely as she stood there beside him, one small white hand resting upon his glossy black coab-sleevo.

She was all in white. Mrs. Remington would nob let her pub on her sombre mourning on this birthday, when they wore going to make a little feast for her, so she had consented to wear a simple white flannel wrapper, with one beautiful pink rosebud, which was her only ornament, save tho costly ring which Max had slipped upon her finger a half-hour previous. It was a single pure diamond, similar to the ons which he had, through mistake, given La-.ra, but far exceeding it in value, and differently set. " lb is the seal to our troth, my darling," he had said, as he pub it in its place and then drew her close to his heart, adding, " You are all my own, willinglygladly, I hope."

For reply Agnes had simply lifted her lips and given hirn her first voluntary kiss, and feeling that there could nob be a happier girl in all the world than she was at that moment.

Noav, us she stood looking down topomlor Mr. Trowbridge's question, her eyes unconsciously rested upon her glittering ring. "I believe I cannot think of a single thing that I want," she said, " You have given me my wish," glancing smilingly over his trim figuro in its new suit, " and, altogether, I am so happy, I am sure I could nob ask for more."

The old gentlcman'o eyes had caught eight of her ring while she was speaking. "Eh—what's this?" ho inquired, bending to get a better view of it. " A diamond ! Means something, too, or I'm mistaken," he concluded, with a chuckle and a glance at Max.

Agnes coloured vividly afc this reference to her engagement. " Well, well; if women must wear such gimcracks, diamonds are the most sensible I suppose, for you can always get your money back on thorn. I shouldn't wonder if I could match that stone."

He pulled a package from one of his pockets as ho spoke, and tucked it halfguiltily into Agnes' hands. How pretty IjJio looked as she stood there untying the pink string, a smile on her lips, a look of eager anticipation in her blue eyes. The wrapper foil off, revealing a darkblue velvet case, and opening this a cry of astonishment burst from the wondering girl. In the centre of the case lay a beautiful watch and chain ; in the upper corners gleamed a pair of solitaire diamond earrings that were almost a match for Max's ring; and underneath the watch was a lovely bar-pin from which there suspended five great pure stones, like so many dewdrops strung on a golden thread. Wonder of wonders ! that Archibald Trowbridge should invest his money in such baubles as these, and his three companions were speechless from amazement. "I am afraid I ought not to have such a costly gift," Agnes at last said, with a littlo quiver in her voice. " I did not expect anything ; but they are very beautiful." " Well, children must have their toys," Mr. Trowbridge responded, with some embarrassment, as if conscious that, with all his previous boasted scorn for such things, he was fast falling into the ways of Vanity Fair. Mrs. Remington now bade them come to dinner, and the old gentleman was thus relieved from his uncomfortable sensations.

They were a merry quartet, during the meal, and when it was over Mrs. Remington engaged Mr. Trowbridge in a game of backgammon—which was the only one ho played—thus leaving the lovers free to enjoy themselves in their own way, which opportunity, it is safe to say, they improved to the best advantage. While Mrs. Remington was very thankful for the restoration of her property and her position in society, as well as for the reestablishment of her husband's honour, still, in her womanly heart she had a deep pity for the friendless, misguided girl who had sacrificed her truth and the respect of all who knew her to defraud her of her wealth.

She could nob help thinking of her all that evening, while they were so happy, and the future looked so bright before them. She wished that, in some way, she could let her know of the yearning sympathy in her heart and throw around her tender and helpful influences, to lead her into a higher and noblor way of living. There was not in the heart of this beautiful woman one feeling of resentment or anger toward her. Later in the evening Max broached the subject of a change in their household arrangements. " Of course, now that our finances are all right again, you will not care to live here very much longer," he remarked to his mother. " Moreover," ho added, in a straightforward, manly way, and with a fond glance at Agnes, " I am going to claim my wife very soon, and we shall have to come to Homo conclusion regarding the way wo intend to live." " Eh? and what am I to do without my housekeeper?" demanded Mr. Trowbridge, with a quick glance at the bride-elect. He had told Laura that Agnes was going to take care of him when she was married, and he believed that sho would ; but he had merely assumed that, during his interview with her, to suit the occasion.

"I intend to keep my promise to you. I mean to bo your housekeeper all the same," she replied, with a smile and a blush. "The old home was very pleasant and very dear," Mrs. Remington said, with a sigh ; " but," with a wistful look from Max to Agnes, " I do not believe I could ever be happy to be separated from you, while Agnes has grown to be as dear to me as if she were really my daughter." "Of course we shall never bo separated, mother mine," Max interposed with affectionate decision; such a thought never entered my mind. I simply wished you to express a wish where wo should live." " I am afraid that the old home would be hardly largo enough for us all, under the new regime," Mrs. Remington resumed, "for I know that Agnes has planned a corner in her future homo for Mr. Trowbridge, consequently I think we shall have to look about for a more commodious house."

" Hum !"—it was a very satisfied expression that issued from Mr. Trowbridge— " there is a delightful residence on the corner of Wabash Avenue and street, that has been called one of the finest in Chicago. The house is surrounded by commodious grounds, which are finely laid out and ornamented. The interior is spacious and rather nicely furnished, the upper portion being arranged in suites—" " Why, that is the Abbot mansion !" Max exclaimed, " and a perfect palace !" " So I havo heard," dryly returned Mr. Trowbridge, " but it is at the disposal of the future Mrs. Agnes Remington if sho feels inclined to occupy it. It came into my hands recently and has already been specified in a certain document as a portion of the property that will come to her by and by. Max stared at the man.

"Are you a second Monte Christo?" he asked, half laughing, but really astonished at Mr. Trowbridge's wonderful resources. " 1 couldn't say, youngster, seeing that I never mot tho man, whether I resemble him or not," Mr. Trowbridge gravely replied, for, not being a lover of light literature, ho did not understand to what tho young man referred. Agnes appeared somewhat excited over this frosli evidence of the eccentric old gentleman's regard for her; but Mrs. Remington, who all her life had been accustomed to eloganco, did not appear to be oppressed by the thought of occupying this magnificent abode. "It will bo delightful, and tho arrangement of the house is nicely adapted to our needs. Have tho Abbots gone ?" " They go next week—the place will be vacant by Tuesday," Mr. Trowbridge answered.

"It will be very expensive furnishing it," mused Mrs. Remington. " More toys for the children, madam," laconically remarked the old bachelor, " and, having nearly reached the age when I might be again classed with them, I think I'll .amuse myself by helping to fill it up. Suppose wo all take a holiday next Wednesday, look over the place, and see what is going to be needed." This proposition mot with the approbation of all parties, although Agnes was somewhat reserved about the matter. She had never dreamed of stepping into such magnificence, and the thought of becoming the mistress of one of the most elegant residences of the metropolis of the North-west was, at first, a trifle oppressive, for the home which she had fondly planned in her imagination for he-self and Max had been comparatively simple and unpretentious. The following Wednesday, according to agreement, they all drove out to the Abbot mansion, which was beautifully located on the cirner of a broad street and the broader avenue.

The spacious grounds had been exquisitely laid out. In front there was a spacious sweep of lawn, dotted here and there with fine old trees, while in various nooks and corners there were beds which in summer time were gay with rare plants and shrubs.

Tho house was stately and imposing, comprising the main portion, with its magnificent porch and entrance, and ab each side a commodious wing. The hall was wide and lofty, and communicated with the rooms on either side of it by broad and beautifully ornamented archways. The wood work of the drawingroom had been finished to resemble polished ivory, picked out with gold ; the walls were hung with heavy paper of white and gold, while the frieze was composed of wreaths

of spot:ess flowers, which stood oub from the walls with such marvellous distinctness that it seemed as if you Could reach up and break them from their stems.

The parlour and reception-room opposite were finished in light, expensive woods, delicately cirved ; the library in cherry, very highly polished, and the dining-room in massive oak. Leading from this was a large and beautiful conservatory. In the storey above there were, as Mr. Trowbridge had said, a number of suites, each consisting of a bedchamber, dressingroom, and bath, while over these were comfortable, airy rooms for servants. " What will it cost to furnish this houso as it ought to be. furnished?" Mr. Trowbridge asked Mrs. Remington, as they stood alone for a few moments in the magnificent drawing-room. She named a sum which she expected would startle him out she felt that ib would spoil everything if the furnishing and decorations were not in keeping with the dwelling. But the man surprised her by quietly remarking : •«' Very well; I don't want the thing done by halves, and if you'll take the responsibility of ordering what will be suitable, I'll foot the bills."

Mrs. Remington smiled. She would like nothing better than to attend to having the house put in perfect order for Max and his lovely bride-elect; but she replied with a decision which showed that her purpose was unalterable : " You will have to be content to do things by halves in this case, Mr. Trowbridge, for I shall insist upon defraying at least half the expense, for Max's sake. Upon that condition I will undertake to manage the matter."

" You shall have your own way, madam," he returned ; "all I am set on is to see the young folks made happy; they are an honest, true-hearted pair, and they deserve it."

Max and Agnes were standing in the conservatory, oblivious of all save the presence of each other, and as Mr. Trowbridge's glance rested upon them, his little round face expressed a whole volume of affection. " Behold the transforming powerof love !" said Mrs. Remington to herself; "it has converted this strange old man into an entirely new being, arousing emotions and sympathies which, no doubt, astonished himself, and filled his heart with generous impulses." The following week workmen were employed to make the few repairs that were needed in the Abbot residence, while Mrs. Remington, Max, and Agnes began to plan, room by room, for the furnishing. It was now nearly the first of April, and Max decreed that the wedding should occur about the first week in June, and they all decided to remain quietly where they were until that time.

It is wonderful how news will fly, but three days after their visit to their futura home, they appeared among the " table gossip" in one of the daily papers various items relative to the approaching event. The engagement of Mr. Maxwell D. Remington to Miss Agnes Walton was formally announced, and it was further stated that the young lady was the ward and adopted daughter of the wealthy Archibald Trowbriuge, Esq. ; that the Abbot estate had been purchased by that gentleman and bestowed as a wedding gift upon the fair bride-elect. The mansion was at present undergoing repairs, preparatory to furnishing, and would be ready for occupancy by tho first of June.

Thus the energetic reporters get hold of the most carefully guarded secrets with which to regale their eager patrons.

CHAPTER XLIII. A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAD.

Now that the time for the marriage of Max and Agnes had been decided upon, there was a great deal to be done to prepare for the important event. Of course all thought of Agnes going back to the old home was given up. Mrs. Remington said that it would be folly, for she had neither the strength nor the time to attend to household duties; the care of preparing for her wedding would be all that she ought to have, and she insisted that she should remain where she was until she went to her own home.

Mr. Trowbridge saw the wisdom of this reasoning and concurred in the arrangement, and he still retained his rooms at tho hotel, though a great deal of his time was spent with the Remingtons. It was further decided that it would be best to give up the rooms which they had formerly occupied ; have them finished to correspond with the other suites in the building, and rent them. Mr. Trowbridge instructed Agnes, therefore, to select whatever she wanted from their furniture, and he would dispose of the rest, either by private sale or at auction.

So, one bright morning, Mrs. Remington and Agnes repaired thither to see what would be best to reserve for their new home.

It was a sad duty for the fair girl, for it brought to mind so many tender memories, and revived her sorrow for the dear one that was gone.

" We were so happy here in these cosy rooms, and mamma was so content, after all the trouble and anxiety which sho had previously known," Agnes remarked, tears flowing freely, as she went through the lonely rooms, where everything reminded her so strongly of pleasant bygone times. They decided to reserve all the pictures and a few of the better articles of furniture, while Mrs. Remington said that all the kitchen utensils would be useful.

Agnes had not been in the house since Mr. Trowbridge went West, consequently there were a great many things belonging to her wardrobe there. These were all packed in a large trunk to be taken home with them, and then they turned their attention to Mrs. Walton's personal effects. Her clothing was all packed with that of Agnes', and then the question came up as to the disposal of her private papers, and the many little mementoes, which she had treasured for years, and which were of no real value to anyone else. "I can never examine all these letters," Agnes said, with a weary sigh, as she opened a largo box that was full of epistles received from various people during a long term of years. " I cannot understand how anyon6 can care to preserve such a quantity of old letters, most of which must really be of no importance." Perhaps it will be just as well to destroy them without looking them over," Mrs. Remington observed" that is, if you are sure there are no important papers among them."

" No ; mamma always kept all business papers locked in this large wooden box," Agnes replied, as she removed it from a bureau drawer and turned the key. Lifting the lid, she revealed numerous packages of papers, neatly arranged and tied about with pink twine. The young girl laid them out, and Mrs. Remington carefully examined them as she did so.

" I think they are mostly receipted fc'lls," she remarked, "and of course there will be no need of preserving them any longer." "I wonder what can be in this box at the bottom. I never knew it was here before," said Agnes, bringing forth a square, shallow pasteboard box, which just fitted into the bottom of the other, and was nicely bound with a blue ribbon. With considerable curiosity, she untied this and lifted the cover.

Inside there lay several flab packages wrapped in tissue paper, the edges of which had been carefully pasted together, as if to prevent the possibility of any moth or other destroying insect getting at their contents.

On top of these lay a sealed envelope, superscribed with these words — To be opened only in the event of my death.—Maky E Walton."

" What can it be 1" Agnes murmured, in a wondering tone, and growing slightly pale at tho thought of finding some message from the dead. " There is evidently a letter inside, and something else—some hard substance that I can feel."

"It is probably some little memento which your mother may have wished to leavo to some friend, together, perhaps, with some instructions for you. Give me that box of laces, dear, to look over, while you are examining it," Mrs. Remington said, her delicacy prompting her to leavo Agnes by herself while she read this last message from her dead mother. Agnes passed to her the box she designated, and then, with nervous, trembling fingers, she tore off the end of the envelope and drew forth a bulky letter, together with a tiny package also done up in tissue paper. Dropping the latter into her lap, as of second "v importance, she unfolded the close' - ten sheet of foolscap, and found that u . •, been addressed to herself.

She began to read it at first with only a feeling of curiosity ; but, as she wont on, her eyes dilated with wonder, the colour forsook her face and even her ..ps, and before she was half through she was trembling violently. Then Mrs. Remington was suddenly startled by a low cry which ended in a gasp. [I'o be continued.)