Bad Hugh

As Hugh read the date his heart gave one great throb, for that was the

summer, that the month when he lost the Golden Haired. Something, too,

reminded him of the warm moonlight night, when the little snowy fingers,

over which the fierce waters were soon to beat, had strayed through his

heavy locks, which the girl had said were too long to be becoming,

playfully severing them at random, and saying "she means to keep the

fleece to fill a cushion with."

"I wonder whose it is?" Adah said; "I've thought it might have been her

mother's."

"Her lover's more likely," suggested Hugh, glancing once more at the

picture, which certainly had in it a resemblance to the Golden Haired,

save that the curls were darker, and the eyes a deeper blue.

"Will mas'r have de carriage? He say something 'bout it," Cæsar said,

just then thrusting his woolly head in at the door, and thus reminding

Hugh that Adah had yet to hear of Aunt Eunice and his plan of taking her

thither.

With a burst of tears, Adah listened to him, and then insisted upon

going away, as she had done the previous night. She had no claim on him,

and she could not be a burden.

"You, madam, think it best, I'm sure," she said, appealing to Mrs.

Worthington, whose heart yearned strangely toward the unprotected

stranger, and who answered, promptly: "I do not, I am willing you should remain until your friends are found."

Adah offered no further remonstrance, but turning to Hugh, said,

hesitatingly: "I may hear from my advertisement. Do you take the Herald?"

"Yes, though I can't say I think much of it," Hugh replied, and Adah

continued: "Then if you ever find anything for me, you'll tell me, and I can go

away. I said, 'Direct to Adah Hastings.' Somebody will be sure to see

it. Maybe George, and then he'll know of Willie," and the white face

brightened with eager anticipation as Adah thought of George reading

that advertisement, a part of which had lighted Dr. Richards' cigar.

With a muttered invective against the "villain," Hugh left the room to

see that the carriage was ready, while his mother, following him into

the hall, offered to go herself with Adah if he liked. Glad to be

relieved, as he had business that afternoon in Versailles, and was

anxious to set off as soon as possible, Hugh accepted at once, and half

an hour later, the Spring Bank carriage drove slowly from the door,

'Lina calling after her mother to send Cæsar back immediately.