Part 4

A few days after at Marseilles the papers were brought on board, and an article in them instantly attracted their attention. It graphically described a fatal accident that had befallen Robert MacNeil Travers, who had just landed from a yacht at Gibraltar evidently in perfect health. He had gone up to the summit of the rock, and stood at the edge of its dangerous eastern face. His companion, the American Consul at Tangier, had stopped a moment to look out to sea with his glass, and when he turned round poor Travers had disappeared, “probably seized with vertigo,” the paper said; for Mr. Travers was heir to a large estate, and about to be married to the sister of the celebrated artist, Boardman Burke, so no idea of suicide was entertained.

Who shall say whether Miss Schuyler believed this newspaper version? Perhaps she remembered Travers’ last impassioned word, “You _shall_ know my heart is yours,” and he had taken this way, the only possible way, to show her his devotion without being dishonourable.

* * * * *

Poor little Mabel Burke wept grievously, but she is again engaged, this time to a man who is far more domestic than poor Travers.

And Miss Schuyler? She continues to be Miss Schuyler, although she is as fascinating as ever. A woman who has tested one man’s affection to the death and not found it wanting, is not easily won!

PLYMOUTH: WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, PRINTERS.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. 2. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.