Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1906 — The Yellow Holly [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Yellow Holly

By FERGUS HUME,

Author of ”«The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." Etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I—George Hreudon, a young Londoner, visits hi* friend. Leonard Train, who ha* lodging* In the boarding house kept by Mr*. Jersey. Among the boarder* la an elderly maiden lady. MU* Bull. Mr*. Jersey is startled by a piece of yellow holly worn by George. ll—George, whose real name U Vane, tells Train the story of his life. He is an orphan and the grandson of Lord Herrington, but the latter refu*es to recognize the marriage of George's father (Lord Herrington's ioi), who had eloped. Breudon desire* to esiubiish hit position as Lord Herrington’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. Hl—ln the night Mrs. Jersey 1* killed with a stilleto by uu unknown person. IV —Miss Bull takes charge of the house In behalf of Murgery, ueioe of the murdered woman. The house ha* been leased from Lord Herrington. V—Mrs. Ward, a heartless society woman, mother of Dorothy, is opposed to Dorothy's marriage to Breudon. The yellow holly had been given to Dorothy by her mother and by the girl to George. VT— Mr. Ireland, George's former guardian, tells him of his mother's marriage and death and his father’s murder. The latter was killed after leaving a masked ball in company with a womuu a blue domhio—who wore a sprig of yellow holly. VII— George, seeking a confession known to have been left by Mrs. Jersey, visits Miss Bull and learn* that the deud woman received an annuity from Lord Derriugton. George saves » Mr. Bawdsey from death and learns that the latter lives lathe Jersey house. Vlll—Lola Velez, a dancer, is in love with George and Is loved by Bawdsey. Lola's parents lived iu San Remo at the time of the murder of Brendou'y futher. IX and X—Mrs. Ward invites Train to dinner. He meets Lord Derriington. George visltf Dorothy and makes a favorable impression on his graudfather. I Mrs. Ward learns from Train that the latter found a yellow holly berry near the body of Mrs. Jersey. XI George visits Bawdsey, who 1* employed by Lord Derrington to watch the young man. Bawdsey warns him that he is suspected of Mrs. Jersey's murder. Xll—Lord Herrington Is visited by Brendon, who tells his grandfather that hesuw him in Mr*. Jersey* house on the night of of the murder. Brendou demands that his grandfather silence Mrs. Ward. Xlll—Lord Herrington visits Mrs. Ward and forces her to keep silence concerning the yellow holly berry found by Train, telling her that the berry was dropped by George at the finding of the body. Dorothy and her mother see Lola Velez dance. Lola later tells Dorothy that the latter will be forced to give up her lover. XlV—Lola disappears. Bawdsey tells George that Mr. Ireland knows something about his father's death. Lord Herrington's power over Mrs. Ward is due to the fact of his knowledge of her cheating at cards. Mrs. Ward produces the weapon with which Mrs. Jersey was killed, having found It in Lord Herrington's coat. Lord Derrington confiscates the stilleto. Mr. Ireland tells him that Mr*. Ward was with George's father at the San Remo ball Another blue domino there was Mrs. Ward's sister, now known as Miss Bull. XVI and XVII —Lord Derrington makes peace with his grandson. The old man denies that he was in the Jersey house on the fatal night and tells George that the man he saw was Bawdsey in his employer's coat. Lord Derrington was to have visited Mrs. Jersey that night, to warn her against George's attempt to make her reveal the secret of the marriage of George's parents. Bawdsey had drugged the lord, in order to get Mr*. Mersey's confession and money for It. Bawdsey denies that he killed Mrs. Jersey. XVTII—Miss Bull tells Brendou that, it was her sister who was accompanied home by his father on the night of the latter's murder. Lola Velez's mother in San Remo owned the daggar with which the murder was committed. XIX and XX—Lola, being in possession of Mrs. Jersey's confession, tries to destroy the church register of the marriage of George's parents, iu order to prevent his marriage to Dorothy. Lola is arrested and visited by George, who obtains Mrs. Jersey’s confession from her, after learning from Lola that she had stpleu it on the fateful night. Lola had left the daggar (obtained from her mother) in the room with Mrs. Jersey. XXI-Mrs. Jersey's confession. A ludy's maid. In love*with Mr. Vane, George’s father, she had tried, after the death of his first wife, to prevent his marriage to Jennie Howard (now Mlsr Bull). After the ball, at which she impersonated Miss Howard, wearing yellow holly for identification. she tried to stab him with a dagger ohtained from Lola's mother, hut was prevented by Mr. Ireland, who accidentally killed Mr. Vane. XXII—It transpires that Hawilsey is the former husband of Mrs. Jersey.

Dut there was uo need for fear. Lolu was brought up before the magistrates, and evidence was given as to her excitable nature. The oid sexton produced the torn register and detailed how he had been assaulted. He, thought the lady was queer, himself. Kowlaski went into the box, also Bawdsey and George. The result of their evidence as to Lola’s foreign ways was that the magistrate astonished her and inflicted a small flue. This was triumphantly paid by Kowlaski, who returned to town with ins principal dancer under his Jealous eye. More than that, Kowlaski made quite a story out of the events. It was known in Loudon that Lolu Velez had been arrested, as all the London papers copied the account of the trial which bad appeared iu the country press, Kowlaski put it about that Lola had goue off her head owing to grief for her dying mother. Few people believed this, but the public was so pleased to see the favorite again that she was saluted with cheers. In a few days every one forgot about The matter, which after all did n(ft amount to much. * it was not stated why Lola had wished to destroy the register. There were several marriage entries ou the page, and no one could say which of these she wished Obliterated. Besides, Breudon got the magistrate to suppress the book and not let the press report the matter, lie accomplished this by telling the magistrate exactly how the mutter stood. So the judicial authority used his power, and the fourth estate quailed. Everything wus settled lu a most satisfactory manner. Later ou Brendou hnd copies made of the marringe entry of Percy Vane, bachelor, and Rosiua Lockwood, spinster, and brought them to his grandfather. The old man read them carefully, then laid down the paper with a sigh of relief. ”1 never thought I would be pleased to see that lu black and white,” be said, “but everything in life is strange, and not the least strange thing is thut I kick out Waiter to make room for you. By the way, George, he will be here soon.” "Have you told him?"

“Yea, and he wants to see you about the mntter. I said that he could In iny presence. What he has to say I don’t know. There is another reason for your remaining, George. Mrs. Ward and her (laughter are coming here.” “She won’t be pleased to see me,” said Brendon. “Oh, I thiuk she will. After Ireland put her In a corner she grew afraid, and now she would like to see the matter settled at any price. When she is your mother-in-law, George, keep her out of your house or there will be trouble. Ah, here Is Walter! Well, my boy, have you come to see your new cousin?” Walter Vane entered the library with an Injured air. He looked neater and more fragile than ever and wonderfully old, considering his years. Derrington looked from him to the fine figure of George with a queer look in his eyes. “Walter,” said George, “I hope you bear me uo grudge for stepping into your shoes.” Walter took the hand in his own limp grasp. “Well, of course, it Is hard on

a fellow,” he answered In a rather whining manner, “but you aud> I got on well together, so I would rather it was you than another fellow. And what about my income?” asked Walter. “You will have what you have now.” said Derrington. “Don’t bother me about the matter. You and George can settle It between you.” Considering how he had been ousted, Walter really took things very calmly. But he had not enough vigor to protest. He sighed. His grandfather had cowed Idm, and Walter profoundly admired his newly found cousin, who did not hesitate to stand up to the despot. He began to tldnk It was a good thing that George had come into the family* He would at least save him—Walter—from constant bullying. This interesting family council was interrupted by the entrance of Mrs. Ward, as pert and pretty as ever. She had quite recovered her spirits, and knowing that Derrington would say nothing about the card cheating or about the San Uemo matter, she was prepared to be ns insolent ns she dared. But she was quite determined not to cross swords “again with the old man. As it was, she came sailing in with the prettiest air in the world and held out both hands. “My dear Lord Derrington, BCw well you are looking! How”— here her astonished eyes fell on George. "You!” said Mrs. Ward, aghast. “Mr. Brendon, and here!” "Not Mr. Brendon,” said Herrington, enjoying her confusion, “but my grandson, George Vane.” Dorothy, who had remained below to give some instructions to the footman, entered the room just In time to hear this announcement. She flew to her lover. "My dearest George, I am glad, glad, so glad,” and before them all she kissed him. Mrs. Ward screamed: “Dorothy! What manners!’' "Very good manners,” said Derrington coolly, "seeing that they nre natural. Well, Mrs. Ward, George, my grandson and heir,” added the old man with emphasis, “has something to say to you." “Really, J[ shall be most happy to hear It.” George took his cue. “I have to ask you for the haud of your daughter Dorothy,” he said. “Ileally,” said Mrs. Ward again, "I don’t know. I fancied that Walter, you see”— And she cast her eyes on the neut little man. “Oh, I scratch,” said Walter, In his elegant way. “There’s no fighting against George. He has all the luck.” "You call him George?” “Why shouldn’t I? He’s my cousin, the head of the house”— "When I go to my long home,” finished Derrington. “Well, Mrs. Ward, do you consent to the match?” “Do, mother,” said Dorothy imploringly. Knowing what Derrington knew and how obstinate both lovers were, Mrs. Ward did not see very well what else she could do. After a few sighs and baying squeesed a few tears she cried

to her daughter In a mUfHed voice-ex-pressive of deep emotion, "Dorothy, my dear child, do you love George?” "Yes,” said Dorothy simply. “You know I love him.” i_', “George, do you love my child?'’ “I do,” replied George curtly. “It- Is hard,” said Mrs. Ward, with a deep sigh, “to see a child leave Its parent. But you love her, you have won her.” Here she rose and, raising Dorothy from her knees, gave her -to George. "Take her, George, and with her take a mother's blessing.” The idea of Mrs. Ward’s blessing was too much for Walter, and he went off into a shriek of laughter which ended in his leaving the room. George was quite unmoved. He thanked Mrs. Ward and kissed Dorothy. Then he took her to a distant seat near the window, where they could talk sensibly. Lord Derrington was left to console the ufilieted mother. This he proceeded to do immediately. "Egad, you did it well,” he said, looking at the pretty woman. “I don’t believe Miss Terry or Mrs. Siddons could have done it better.” Mrs. Ward saw that it was useless to hide the truth from this keen eyed old man any longer. “Oh, don’t he nasty," she said plaintively and rustled up to him. - “Of course I wanted Dorothy tomarry Walter, but George does just as well.” “Well,” said Derrington, “you care very little about Dorothy, and you don't like George. When they are married you must sto|> away as much as Is consistent with your feelings.” “I’ll do what I like.” said Mrs. Ward, beginning to tap her foot "No; I don’t think you will. You threatened me in this room.”

“I was only playing a game,” protested Mrs. Ward. “Well, I can play a game also. Mrs. Jersey has left behind her a confession in which she details how you managed to cheht your sister, Miss Bull. If you don't leave that couple severely alone I shall show the confession to Doro thy.” “I never did anything to my sister. Mrs. Jersey tells lies”— Derrington made a gesture of disgust. “There—there,” he said, “what is the use of talking further? Things are settled. When Dorothy and George are married I’ll see what I ctfn do for you.” "Oh, thank you, dear Lord Derringtou,” she said artlessly and pressing his arm. “I lsnow you are the most generous of men. But I really can’t stop talking here all day.” She rustled over to Dorothy. “My darling, I must go and do some shopping. No; you cun stay here. I will call again in an hour.” , [TO BE CONTINUED ]

“ Walter, 1 hope you bear me no grudge .”