Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1905 — The Yellow Holly By FERGUS HUME. Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." Etc. [ARTICLE]

The Yellow Holly By FERGUS HUME. Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." Etc.

By FERGUS HUME.

Author of “The Myitery of a Hansom Cab.” Etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. 1 CHAPTER I—George Brendon, a young I Londoner, visits his friend, Leonard Train, who has lodging* in the boarding house kept by Mrs. Jersey. Among the boarders is an elderly maiden lady. Miss Hull. Mrs. Jersey is startled by a pleoetrf yellow holly worn by George. ll—George, whose real name is Vane, tells Train the story of his I life. He is an orphan and the grandson of I Lord Iterrington, but the latter refuses to recognize the marriage of George's father (Lord Derrington’s son), who had eloped. Brendon desires to establish his position as Lord Derrington’s heir in order to marry Dorothy Ward. The place of marriage of George's parents is known only to Mrs. Jersey, formerly maid to George's mother. His mother died at his birth, and his father had been murdered in San Remo, Italy, years before. Ill—ln the night Mrs. Jersey is killed with a stilleto by an unknown person. IV—Miss Bull takes charge of the house in behalf of Margery, neioe of the murdered woman. The house has been leased from Lord Derrington. Brendon saw that she wax simply making an excuse to rid herself of his presence so as to leave the way clear for Walter Vane. But he was too strong a man to be foiled In this way and speedily made up his mind how to .act. “Shall we leave the matter to Miss Ward?” "That means you wish to see her,” said the mother cleverly. “Oh, well, there is no reason why you should not. But it will be for the last time, remember. Your character must bear inspection.” “I think it does,” cried George, rather nettled. Mrs. Ward, who by this time was nearly at the door, turned lightly and replied in her most kittenish way: "Ah, my dear Mr. Brendon, I know more than you think. Lola Velez”— “Lola Velez!” George looked and felt uneasy. "You change color. Oh. I have heard til about you and that dancer.” “I assure you that my connection with that lady is perfectly Innocent” Mrs. Ward scoffed. “Lady!” she •aid, sneering. “What next? However, I do not wish to hear the particulars. Buch creatures are nothing to me. And if you clear yourself of this very shady business in Amelia square by discovering the tmdF assassin I ■hall overlook Lola Velez.” “There Is no need to overlook her or me.” • “I think there Is,” said Mrs. Ward frigidly and with a wave of her slim band. "There is no more to be said, Mr. Brendon. You know my decision,

and as Dorothy’s mother I have some , power, I hope. Now I will send her to you, and you can say what you like— | in fact, you can communicate to her the state of my feelings. But,” added Mrs. Ward, shooting a Parthian arrow, ”1 should not mention Lola Velez if I were you. Goodby. I shall not see you for many a long day, I expect.” “And hope,” said Brendon, much mortified. “And hope,” replied Mrs. Ward coolly. “You are the last man in the I world I should like for my son-in-law. I Marry that dancer." And. with a shrill, unpleasant laugh, Mrs. Ward vanished. Brendon paced the room, waiting for i Dorothy. How Mrs. Ward had learned of his connection with Lola Velez he could not understand. Brendon. was perfectly innocent, and what be ' had done for the dancer was dictated by pure kindness. But even if he explained the whole circumstances of his meeting and of his philanthropy to Dorothy, she was a woman, when all was said and done, and might not be- j Hove him. On the whole, he decided i to take Mrs. Ward's advice and hold bls tongue on the subject of the dancer.l On some future occasion be might be able to explain, and at the present moment he had the satisfaction of knowing that Ills conscience was clear.; He had just arrived at this decision when Dorothy entered the room. The next moment she was iu- his arms, and the two entered paradise at once. “My dearest, I am so glad to see you,” said Dorothy In her soft voice as I they sat down. “I wrote, but you did 1 not come.” “I was engaged, darling.” Dorothy nodded. “I know, at the in- , quest which was held on that poor 1 creature.” "Why do you take an Interest in the case, Dorothy?” “Oh, because you went to stop at the 1 house, and it was strange that she should have died on that very night.” | “So your mother says,” said George uncomfortably. “I really think she believes that I have something to do with the matter.” “Oh, that’s nonsense,” said Dorothy serenely, “but mother does not like you very much, George, and”— "She hates me, you mean.” “Well,” responded Miss Ward candidly, "if you ask me to tell the truth,

I think she does. But you know what my mother is. I—no, if I cannot say good of her, let me at least say nothing bad. But I love you, George, you know that.” “My own heart,” and Brendon took her in his strong arms, thanking God for the gift of so steadfast a heart. Dorothy was tall and slim and dark. Her dark beauty contrasted well with the fair comeliness of George Brendon, and seated side by side on the sofa they looked an extremely handsome couple. Certainly they might have appeared happier, for Dorothy was downcast, and in Brendon’s blue eyes there lurked a worried look. He was wondering how he could communicate Mrs. Ward's decision to the girl. Dorothy looked at him and smiled. “A penny for your thoughts, George,” she said, taking his band. “I’ll sell them as bankrupt stock,” said Brendon, drawing her closer. And then be took his courage in both hands for the necessary confession. “This may be my last visit, Dorothy,” he said. She looked at him in surprise. “Why do you say that?” “Your mother”— “Ob, never mind my mother,” broke in the girl petulantly. “I know she objects to our marriage, so”— “On the contrary, she told me that she would not object if I could clear myself of complicity in this crime!” “George! Did she accuse you of”— “Not in so many words,” interrupted the lover, “but I saw very plainly what she meant The fact that I slept in that bouse on the night Mrs. Jersey was murdered is to her mind a proof that I have something to do with the matter." “But you can prove conclusively that you have not,” insisted Dorothy. “Certainly. Mr. Train, with whom I was stopping, can prove that I did not leave my room. The key of the sitting room door was in his possession, and to get out I should have had to make use of him.” George paused and thought for a moment. “But there is one thing”— “What is it?” asked Dorothy, seeing that he hesitated. “I don’t know if I ought to tell you.” “Whatever concerns you concerns me,” she said. "You know that I love you as dearly as you love me, and nothing you tell me shall ever part us;" “Oh, I don’t think what I am about to say will have that effect,” was Brendon’s reply. “But I have a confession to make about my—my birth.” Dorotliy looked at him in amazement “About your birth ?” she repeated. “Yea. You may as well know all. And I know you will not betray me, even to your mother." “To her least of all,” said Dorothy vehemently. “Tell me quick.” Encouraged by her faith and by the tender clasp of her hand, George related to her the story of his birth and of his connection with Lord Derrington. Also he detailed how he had gone

to seek Mrs. Jersey, and how she had been murdered before he could get the truth out of her. “Or even see her,” finished George. “And now you know, dearest, why I do not wish you to repeat this story. If your mother knew it she might think—think—well, she certainly would not let you marry me.” “She has made her mind up already bo far as that is concerned,” said Dorothy quickly. “It is Mr. Vane whom she wishes me to marry.” “My cousin, although he does not know it,” said George quietly; “but I want your advice, Dorothy, and will be guided by it. What shall I do? You Bee, now that Mrs. Jersey is dead there 1b no chance of getting at the truth.” “Why not advertise?” “I have tried that for some months in every country paper in the kingdom, but there has been no response. My father and mother must have been married in some out of the way village, in some lonely church. The parson and those who know about the marriage may be dead. In fact, it is extremely probable that they are. Mrs. Jersey was present as my mother's maid, and she might have been able .to tell me where the church is. I only want to find the register of the marriage and get the certificate. Then I shall see Lord Derrington and insist on my rights being recognized. He can’t leave either the title or the money away from me.” Dorothy shuddered. “Your grandfather is a terrible old man. He always reminds me of one of those Italian despots. There is nothing he would not do provided that the law could not touch him.” “And I dare say, from your description, the things he desires to do are of the kind that the law would make him answerable for.” “George,” said Dorothy after a pause, “do you think he has anything to do with this murder?” Brendon turned' slightly pale and set his Ups firmly. “No, dearest,” was his ’ reply, but delivered with some uncertainty. "He does not know—at all events from me—that I am seeking for a restitution of my rights, and therefore would have no reason to rid himself of this woman. Besides, I don’t know if he is aware of her existence.” It will be seen that Brendon was ignorant that Lord Derrington was the owner of the Jersey mansion and had allowed madame an annuity. Had be known this much he might have been able to shape his course better; but, being in the dark, be bad to do the best he could with Dorothy’s assistance. He had asked for her advice and she gave it “George, I should get back my birthright If I were you.” “But I may be dragged into this murder case.” “No. Mr. Train can save you from being accused of that It is only right that you should take your proper position In society. You owe it to your dead mother and to yourself to show

that you have the right to your father’s name.” “The first thing I shall do will be to see Mr. Ireland, my guardian. He took charge of me after my grandfather Lockwood died, and it was by his advice that I changed my name to baffle the inquiries of Lord Derrington. He will know all about the marriage and may be able to indicate where my parents went when they eloped. I have never asked him for a detailed statement, but 1 shall do so now. Once I Arid a clew I shall not rest until I prove my legitimacy. For your sake, my dear—for your sake,” and he kissed her. , They parted at the door. Brendon was just stepping out into the ball when a thought occurred to him. He re-entered and closed the door. “Dorothy,” he asked in a low whisper, “why did you give me the yellow holly on that night?” She looked surprised. “It was to please you,” Bbe said softly, “and to tell you the truth, George, I thought that the holly was a proof that my mother was relenting toward you." “How do you mean, Dorothy?” “It was my mother who gave me the holly,” she explained. “I came from the park and told her you were going to stop with Mr. Train and that she could set her mind at rest, as I should not see you for a few days. She seemed pleased, and, taking the yellow holly from a vase in her boudoir, she gave me a sprig, saying that I could give it to you for consolation. Why do you ask me this, George?*’ “There is no reason for my asking,” he replied, suppressing the truth, “but yellow holly is rare.” “Very rare. I don’t know where my mother got the sprig.” After this they parted, and Brendon walked thoughtfully away. Mrs. Jersey had been startled by the sight of the holly. Mrs. Ward had given the sprig to Dorothy, who had presented it to him. He asked himself if there was a reason for Mrs. Ward’s action. [TO BB CONTINUBD.]