The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-04-01
FLORA FAIRFAX;
The Curse Of the Crimson Cross.
CHAPTER I.

Marian,-Lady Fairfax-had been one
of the most beautiful women in the coun
try when she became tie bride of Sir Roy,
nor was she less lovely now, in the second
wear of her wifehood. Tail and exquisitely
moulded, she belonaed neither to the class
of blonde nor brunette, yet united in her
ycrSonelle the chief charms of both. Her
hair was of a rich, glistening, chestnut
brown, brushed back from a transparently
clear forehead: and her soft, large ayes were
Of the clear brown which seems to melt and
grow limpid as You gaze at 1t, while her
complexion was fresh as a rose, and no
sculptor's ant could have improved on the
perfection of her small pure features.
Sir Rov Fairfax was worthy of the aristo-
cratic race from which he sprung-an
Apollo in beauty, q gladiator in strength
and size. BE was dark, with curling hair
and bright blue eyes, whose gaze was fall
con like in It's keenuess, but there wss an
expression only of the most careSslng ten
derness IN their light as he approached his
wife. Lady Fairfax's face grew brightas
she held out her jeweled hand.
''You are late tonight, Roy.
"A little late, my love, but l had letters
to write, - he answered.
Il wish You were rot going out to din
nef lO-lsGuN, bDt edlU, 4ISAinCIlNCAg l a
ing nearer to his side.
'.My darling. don't be unreasonable, he
answered. touching her bright hair fondly.
81 shall be back before you have had time
even to is me-
'tAs if 1 did not always miss you, Roy.
Don't SIT up for me, Marian. L shall
endeavor to retarn as early as possible, but
don't like the idea of those bright eyes
growing dim with midnight vigils. Prom
Use me to 90 to your room at eleven"
81 promise. Roy"
Her eyes shown softly up into his as he
bent to press a good bye kiss upon the
dewy scarlet of her lovely lips, and thus
they parted.
SIR Roy's footsteps had long died away
in the corridors, aud the little clock had
chimed several times, when Lady Fairfax
sounded the small silver hand-bell on the
table. Her maid answered the summons
q grave, middle-aged woman.
Are there lights in my room. Wharton?
s.Yes, my lady. DO you wish to retire?"
81 may as well go up stairs, as to sit
here, said LADY Fairfax, YEARLY. prom
ised Sir Roy not TO be late"
s.Has Sir Roy gone out, nv LADY,"
ssYes t: he dimes at Mr.. Mountjoys to-
night"
NGSle out TO dinner, my laOAt
Lady Fairfax glanced mp in surprise.
did YOU not hear me say he was to dine
at the Mountjoy's? What is there so
strange about that?
'Nothing. my lady, to be sure" an
svered Mrs. Wharton, occupying herself
with gathering up the books and work
scattered round Lady Fairfax's table; ''only
Dickson has just come up from the game
keepers cottage, and says be saw Sir Roy
going in there"
"Dickson must be mistaken" said Lady
Fairfax placidly. You have left my casSo-
IeHe on The table, Wharton"
Mrs. Wharton followed her lady up the
broad staircase, on which a strip of velvet
CARPET deadened the sound Of footsteps
into a large and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
apartment, where the skill of The modern
upholsterer had turned the ancient walls
into a casket of beauty and freshness:
81 am rot sleepy yet, Wharton" said
Lady Fairfax, glancing around her, as she
sank into the cushione depths Of this easy
chair. 81 shall read tor sometime yet L
will ring for you when I require you"
eyes, nv lady" said the maid, quietly,
and she withdrew, leaving Lady Fairfax
alone in the beautiful room.
Suddenly Lady Fairfax started to her
feet.
clark p she exclaimed, as if to herself,
''what was that ?"
For the dreamy summer-perfumed ST.
lence Of the room had been suddenly rent
asunder, as it were, by the quick, sharp
report of a gun!