Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-11-07

ln-law, MISS Annabclla, IN her own
room with nervous headache. The
maid said she had had an hysterical
attack to-day. and that the doctor had
been in the house two hours, and had
looked grave when he left.
We'll, so you have condescendcd to
come home at last = said Sir John, dis
agreeably, as his pretty wife came in
to the room. with a face iull of the
most penitent, coaXins. delicious
smiles imaginable.
% John, am so sorry,' but the
Leytons came, and missed the train =
And there was no telegraph at the
post office, of course ? said her husband
grimly.
'Ah ] never thought of that till too
late, said Lady Hancock, with the old
tell-tale blush. But don't be angry.
John, dear, please. You may be sure
1 did not miss the train on purpose
You know how much hate irresu.
larity, Lucy he answered, still grum-
blingly. If somewhat Modified. Women
are such nuffs.' They never can do
things with precision or forethought =
Now don't scold me ; there's dar-
ling. pleaded the lady in her sweetest
voice; and, after n little more hail.
surly annoyance on his part, and
great Deal of lovc-making on hers.
peace was re-established between
them, and Lady Hancock went up
stairs to her sister-iu-law.
Lucy. Lucy, dear what is III. ex-
claimed Annabella, starting up from
her bed as Lady Hancock entered, and
seizing her by both hands. while her
white, wan face searched into hers for
the warrant of death or Of life.
lie cannot live, dear He was dy-
Ing when ! was there she answered.
Poor little fellow He will soon be no
longer perplexity to any ofus.
Ny poor boy my child " murmured
the girl. Lucy, | can scarcely stay
away from him. ought to 60.
And betray eyerythingF No, dear,
! you can do no good TO him now what
ever. 10 yourself only infinite harm.
The risk was awful TO me to-day; YOU
must be satisfied, and you must CON
troll Yourself
For Annabela, weak by nature and
weaker still by suffering. hal begun
again 10 sob and lament so passion
ately that another nervous attack was
imminent if she could not be Gained
in time. No one in the world save
Lady Hancock had anv real power
over this poor creature but even she
failed to-day and in the midst of her
| exhortations her sister.in-law went OF
into strong Mysteries, and the noise of
her sobs and shrieks arrested Sir John
As he was passisg her door on his way
To his own dressing-room. SO this
again was another ruille on the not too
smooth surface Of the baronet's tenn
per, and his wife had 10 bear the effect
as well as she might.
Poor LAZY Hancock she was the
one to be pitied among them all. With.
out fault of her own, here she was en-
tangled in the meshes OF disgracetnl
secret; a secret which, if known either
IN its reality or only rs it might ap-
pear. would es;range her husband from
his only sister forever. and anger him
gravely with herself; secret which
forced her to tell lies and commit de-
ceptions. 10 put herself ia the power
of Others Gas just now of the station
master at Three Lanes.) and which
was as burdensome to keep as it was
impossible to impart- with apparently
no end to the disasters and miseries
involved.
But with Annabella's restored senses
the difficulties of the day were by no
means over. Late in the evening. "A
knock came at the hall door-an un-
usual thing, as we all know. an the
country, where even day visits are
rare-and loud, boi,terous voice was
heard, asking for lady Hancock in the
hall.
Why, there's that beast GAY = said
Sir John with IA frown. What on earth
brings him here tonight
Lady Hancock felt her face grow
white, and for moment she thought
she should have tainted. Her husband
looked at her sharply. An atmosphere
of mystery makes itself felt; and Sir
John was becoming suspicious and
aroused. But he had not much time
to note his wife's changing looks for
the servant announced Err. Gay; and
Mr.. Gay came into the room
A bold, handsome, snowy man, with
loud voice and great display of
shirt-front. a swaggcr in his walk, and
smile of assurance on his face-a
man whose whole manner of being ex-
planned at first sight why a man like
Sir John Hancock, naughty, reserved
and not of the most amiable temper.
should hold in supreme abhorence-
this was their visitor, Mr.. Gay, local
| attorney.
Evening, Sir: John evening, my la
dy, said Mr.. Gay, with familiar cor
diality. Late visitor, amt /? Hooe