That Stick

'When Herbert came home-the 29th or 30th of June,' said Ida, trembling. 'He must find him, uncle; don't fear!'

It was a strange groaning sigh that answered; then, with a great effort-

'Thank you, Ida; I can't understand it yet-I can't talk! Good-night!' Then, with an afterthought, when he had almost shut his door, he turned the handle again to say, 'Who did you say saw-thought she saw-my boy? Where?'

'Rose Rollstone, uncle; first at the North Station-then at Waterloo! And Louisa Hall too!'

'I thank you; good-night!'

And for what a night of strange dreams, prayers, and uncertainties did Frank shut himself in-only forcing himself by resolute will into sleeping at last, because he knew that strength and coolness were needful for to- morrow's investigation.

CHAPTER XXXVII. HOPE

That last sleep lasted long, till the sound of the little tinkling bell came through the open window, and then the first waking thought that Mite was alive was at first taken for a mere blissful dream. It was only the sight of the woolly dog that recalled with certainty the conversation with Ida.

To pursue that strange hint was of course the one impulse. The bell had ceased before Frank had been able to finish dressing, but the house was so far from having wakened to full life, that remembering the lateness of the breakfast hour, he decided on hastening out to lay his anxious, throbbing feelings before his God, if only to join in the prayer that our desires may be granted as may be most expedient for us.

Nor was he without a hope that the girl whom Constance described as so devout and religious might be found there.

And she was; he knew her by sight well enough to accost her when she came out with 'Miss Rollstone, I believe?'

She bowed, her heart thumping almost as much as the father's, in the importance of what she had to tell, and the doubt how much she had a right to speak without betrayal.

'I am told,' Lord Northmoor said, with a tremble in his voice, 'that you think you saw my poor little boy.'

'I am almost sure I did,' said Rose.

'And when, may I ask?'

'On the evening of the Wednesday in Whitsun week,' said Rose.

'Just when he was lost-and where?'

'At the North Station. I had got into the train at the main station. I saw him put into the train at the North one, and taken out at Waterloo.'

'And why-why, may I ask, have we been left-have we never heard this before?'

His voice shook, as he thought of all the misery to himself and his wife that might have been spared, as well as the danger of the child. Rose hesitated, doubting how much she ought to say, and Mr. Deyncourt came out.

'May I introduce myself?' said Frank, hoping for an auxiliary,-'Lord Northmoor. I have just heard that Miss Rollstone thinks she saw my little boy in the London train the day he disappeared; and I am trying to understand whether there is really any hope that she is right, and that we can recover him.'

Mr. Deyncourt was infinitely surprised, and spoke a few words of wonder that this had not been made known. Rose found it easier to speak to him.

'I saw Louisa Hall with him; I did not know she was not still his maid. I thought she had been sent to take him somewhere. And when I heard from home that he-he was-drowned, I only thought the likeness had deceived me. It was not till Mr. Morton came home, and we talked it over, that I understood that Louisa Hall was dismissed long ago, and was eloping to Canada.

'And then,' for she had spoken falteringly, and with an effort, as their sounds of inquiry elicited each sentence-'and then, Mr. Morton said he would follow her to Canada. He did not want Lady Northmoor to be tortured with uncertainty.'

'Very strange,' said the gentlemen one to the other, Lord Northmoor adding-

'Thank you, Miss Rollstone; I will not detain you, unless you can tell me more.'

Rose was glad to be released, though pained and vexed not to dare to express her reasons for full certainty.

'Is this only a girl's fancy?' sighed the father.

'I think she is a sensible girl.'

'And my nephew Herbert is a hard-headed fellow, not likely to fly off on a vague notion. Is this Hall girl's mother still living here?'

'Certainly. It has been a bad business, her going off with that Jones; but I ascertained that she was married to him.'

'Jones-Sam Jones, or Rattler?'

'Even so.'

'Ah! She was dismissed on his account. And I detected him in imposing on Miss Morton. Yet-where does this Mrs. Hall live?'

'Along this alley. Shall I come with you?'

'Thank you.'

'It may induce her to speak out, if there is anything to hear. I dare not hope! It is too incredible, and I don't understand those children's silence.'

He spoke it almost to himself, and the clergyman thought it kinder not to interrupt his thoughts during the few steps down the evil-smelling alley that led to the house, where Mrs. Hall was washing up her cup after breakfast. It was Mr. Deyncourt who spoke, seeing that the swelling hope and doubt were almost too much for his companion.

'Good morning, Mrs. Hall; we have come to you early, but Lord Northmoor is very anxious to know whether you can throw any light on what has become of his little boy.'

Mrs. Hall was in a very different state of mind from when she had denied all knowledge to Herbert, a mere boy, whom she did not like, and when she was anxious to shelter her daughter, whose silence had by this time begun to offend her. The sight of the clergyman and the other gentleman alarmed her, and she began by maundering out-

'I am sure, sir, I don't know nothing. My daughter have never writ one line to me.'

'He was with her!' gasped out Lord Northmoor.

'I am sure, sir, it was none of my doing, no, nor my daughter wouldn't neither, only the young lady over persuaded her. 'Tis she as was the guilty party, as I'll always say.'

'She-who?'

'Miss Morton-Miss Hida, sir; and my gal wouldn't never have done it, sir, but for the stories she told, fictious stories they was, I'm sure, that the child wasn't none of my lady's, only a brat picked up in foreign parts to put her brother out of his chance.'

'What are you saying?' exclaimed Lord Northmoor. 'My niece never could have said any such thing.'

'Indeed, but she did, sir, my Lord, and that's what worked on my daughter, though I always told her not to believe any such nonsense; but then you see, she couldn't get her passage paid to go out with Rattler, and Miss Hida give her the money if so be she would take off the child to Canada with her.'

'And where?' hoarsely asked the father.

'That I can't tell, my Lord; Louey have never written, and I knows no more than nothing at all. She've not been a dutiful gal to me, as have done everything for her.'

There was no more to be made out of Mrs. Hall, and they went their way.

'There is no doubt that the little fellow is alive,' said Mr. Deyncourt.

'Who can guess what those wretches have done to him?' said Lord Northmoor under his breath. 'Not that I am unthankful for the blessed hope,' he added, uncovering his head, 'but I am astounded more than I can say, by this-'

'It must be invention of the woman,' said Mr. Deyncourt.

'I hope so,' was the answer.