The fact is, an old acquaintance, Mr.Dawson, telegraphed me yesterday to meet him here on urgent business, and I felt obliged to go there first." Mrs.Randolph's eyes sparkled with a sudden gratified intelligence, but her manner seemed rather to increase than abate its grim precision.
"Our meeting this morning, Mr.Mallory, is both fortunate and unfortunate, for I regret to say that your daughter, who has not been quite herself since the earthquake, was missing early this morning and has not yet been found, though we have searched everywhere.

Understand me," she said, as the stranger started, "I have no fear for her PERSONAL safety, I am only concerned for any INDISCRETION that she may commit in the presence of these strangers whose company she would seem to prefer to ours." "But I don't understand you, madam," said Mallory, sternly; "you are speaking of my daughter, and"-- "Excuse me, Mr.Mallory," said Mrs.Randolph, lifting her hand with her driest deprecation and her most desiccating smile, "I'm not passing judgment or criticism.

I am of a foreign race, and consequently do not understand the freedom of American young ladies, and their familiarity with the opposite sex.

I make no charges, I only wish to assure you that she will no doubt be found in the company and under the protection of her own countrymen.

There is," she added with ironical distinctness, "a young mechanic, or field hand, or 'quack well-doctor,' whom she seems to admire, and with whom she appears to be on equal terms." Mallory regarded her for a moment fixedly, and then his sternness relaxed to a mischievously complacent smile.