The Yellow Holly

d to see his guardian. From force of habit he still continued to call him so, although Mr. Ireland had long since ceased to act in that capacity. George had a sinc

he hall decorated with an immense advertisement of Bovril. Proceeding upstairs he was met on the landing by the famous cats who serve to draw attention to Nestle's Milk, and finally entered a large room on the first floor, where Mr. Ireland sat at his desk surrounded by a perfect art-gallery. Here was Fry's Chocolate; there the Magic Carpet of Cook, and the wall opposite to

et. Beside this desk stood a chair, and in one corner of the room was a safe painted green. Other furniture there was none, and what with the huge pic

often wondered at his size, considering that the man ate comparatively little. Mr. Ireland was dressed in glossy broadcloth scrupulously brushed, and wore an old-fashioned Gladstone collar. He had mild blue eyes, r

hours for walking, when he went out, whether it was wet or fine, sunny or foggy. The man was like a machine, and George, when living with him in his early days, had often found these restrictions irksome. It was one o'clock when Brendon called, and

hour, George," he said

ng the one chair. "You are not looking very well, s

a box of cigars and passing them. "At my age, and I am now seventy-five, I

" said Brendon,

that matchbox, George. Have you a light? Good. Now we

tly at the stated hour, George plunged immediately into the business which had b

mazement at the young man. "It is rather late in the day for that,

r," quoted George, puf

reland, testily. "Then, if you w

no answer

g man, coolly. "Love leads to marriage, and in my case marr

I have always main

e you?" asked G

with a red silk handkerchief. "Your father always declared that Mis

ell you where the mar

ill after your mother's death that Lord Derrington denied the marri

so, for my sake," sai

Mr. Ireland, heavily. "I was in Italy at the

my nurs

erward brought you to your grandfather

he other nurse--th

hussy. She was not bad-looking, either, and set up for being a lady." Here he began to laugh. "Would you believe i

was he

she was handsome

ecame o

" said Ireland, wi

er after she w

ot look at George when he replied. "Yes,

ndon, anxiously. "It is to know about

about your birth," s

ong othe

r how little he should tell George. And the young man looked at him anxiously. Much depended upon the speech of

ly, for he saw that the man was moved a

I loved Rosina Lockwood with all my heart and soul. I was not bad-looking in those days, George, and I had

my father, sir," s

e affair you cannot hope that I shall keep my temper. I was very badly treated b

be as well," said

ould end the conversation. He hastily poured out a glass of water and begged Ireland to loosen his neckcloth. But the man shook his head, and going to one of the windows opened it. For a few moments he inhaled the

endon, in a soothing tone. "

you were her child. How could I be angry with her child? Wai

not see the saucy face, the twirling skirts. He was thinking how strange it was that Ireland should never have confessed this love before. Certainly he had never displayed such emotion. A change had come over the man, whereby he more plainly revealed his feelings than he was

a story of the past," said Brendon, apo

g. Lockwood was famous for his method in those days, and his fame was increased by the appearance of your mother, Rosina, at many concerts. She was a most beautiful creature, and was as much admired for her beauty as for her voice. Ah! what a voice. It was like the trill of a lark, flex

fully disregarding this sign o

od he was after. I saw it--oh, yes! The eyes of love are keen, and, although Rosina would not waste a look on me, I watched her every action. Many a night have I

at the proofs of his birth would have asked him to desist. But there was too much at

would not heed. He was flattered by the attention Rosina received. All through that season Vane was in attend

go to?" asked

afterward from Paris, signing herself Vane,

randfathe

ethod of singing, and also she earned a great deal of money. The house in Amelia Square was large and required

r to leave me anything," he said, "but in what way was my--Mr

his fingers, "you see he was flattered that his d

o question of the

rdered at San Remo that he first decisively asserted that no marriage had taken place. He did so because Lockwood insis

alter Vane

our shoes. I wish you could prove the marriage, my boy," said

" replied Brendon, resolutely. "I

lady?" ask

d. You don't know

et your mother in Paris, and shortly afterward she died, giving birth to you. Eliza Stokes was with her when she died, and you were given into the charge of that woman. Your mother was buried

ever say anyt

h of Rosina her husband went to Italy. I was there, too, and it was at Mi

was

fused to marry him and hinted that she loved your father. Vane heard of this and taxed her with impertinence. The end of it was that Eliza said too muc

se had anything been wrong. On the other hand, if she had been quite c

--that he could scarcely bear you out of his sight. However, Eliza went, and Ja

return to England d

Paris, and, with you in charge of a nurse, Vane wandered about the Contine

father so much, why

arly." Ireland stopped, gulped down his emotion, and proceeded mo

me that before

have an incurable disease, which will sooner or later carry me off--no, I don't want sympathy. Let me finish the story and then we need not refer to it aga

e, thoughtfully. "But about this murd

g the room in the company of a blue domino. His body was found on the st

endon, recollecting the man

d the lady. But the truth was never known. I think myself that Vane was murdered on the parade and th

lady--the b

rtain officer. It might be that the husband--but of course I cannot say. The blue domino may not have been the woman in question. The whole thing

nurse for many years. She was at S

so was Eli

she doin

--well, George Rates, seeing that Eliza was dismissed, got her a situation at a hotel in San Remo. He came

me of her

ted. "I can't

"She was murdered the other day at t

t how do you identify Eliz

t when here one day, on a visit to you, she had met Eliza Stokes and in spite of her age and gray hairs she had recognized her. Eliza told her that she was called Mrs. Jersey and had taken a

your mother as maid when the elopement took place. Did yo

efore I could manage to speak to h

to Mrs. Jersey and was in Amelia Square," said

told

ed Miss Bull,

as the boarder who foretold a violent death to Mr

lso saw that you were in the house when Mr

you about

t the time." Ireland looked at his watc

ted. "But this i

s Miss Bull called to ask me about the lease of the house to Mrs. Jersey. I knew

o my gra

nt. Since then I heard nothing more about the house. I did not even know it was a boarding-establishment

n exp

gathered that from the description given by Miss Bull in the course of our conversation. My suspici

George spoke more to h

here was a marriage, and assisted Mrs. Jersey so that she should hold her tong

, as the old man was most obstinate. "One moment," he said, on the door-step

. Except that she wore a piece of holl

eorge, astounded

the holly worn by the blue domino with whom your fa