Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-24

own mind the wisest course to take, and he ad-
hered to it. The newcomer had considerable
command over himself, also, for though he was
very pale, and his lips tsitched slightly, he put
on an expression of indignant surprise as he
bowed slightly to the intr1ding stranger.
Pardon my having boarded you in this un-
deceived by the rig of your yacht, and thought
it was some trading vessel in which might get
q passage to Italy. This lady has undeceived
me, and have but to apologize for the mis-
take"
Pray 10 not mention it," said the young
man, will. an evident effort to steady his voice
"Won't you-can't offer You something"
% No, thank you," replied the doctor cheer
fully. :" must get on shore at once; it will be
dark, presently Good evening, madam"
CHAPTER III.
DIR. Antrobus was philosopher, and by no
means easily hustered or excited; but his pulse
certainly throbbed faster than usual as he was
leaving the felucca. He had no doubt whatever
of the truth of the wifes suspicious; that she
had taken poison for some time back In in
eereasng doses he knew for certain. No suicide
has ever been known to kill him or herself pain
fully by inches, when speedier methods were at
band. There was no one about her but her
husband. He had direct interest in her death,
being almost lad, tied up to an old woman
whom he had married for money, which she
withheld. Lastly, he had not yet quite stified
his conscience, and to a student of physiognomy
his face proclaimed his guilt.
In less than twenty-fOur hours his time was
up, for the steamer which was to take him back
TO Gibraltar sailed on the following afternoon
from Messina, which port was ten miles distant
by land from the small inn where he had been
staying, and close to which he was presently
landed. 1t had been his intention to go over in
the morning, but he now felt that there was not
a moment 10 be lost If the murderer was to be
brought TO justice or his victim saved. OF the
last he had little hope-the poison had got too
much hold of her already-still there was
chance SO he ordered horse and guide, and
packed his saddle-bags at once. In vain the
lDnkeGDpT remlnStTated. roads haA
and not entirely free from bandit. The doctor
showed his pistols, and replied that he had a
better chance of making his way past any peo-
PIE who tried TO intercept him in the dark th an
by daylight, for that matter. Besides it was a
question of life or death, and he had no choice
but to go. Never had he felt so vexed and dis
oughly dissatisfied with himself for not having
made inquiries concerning names, relatives,
dates, residence in England, etc, before the
husbands return.
His disquietude eliminated when puff of
air, which at first merely breathed upon his
face strengthened till he had to tie his hat on.
If the owner of the yacht had the slightest sus-
picion of what had passed in his absence, he
would up anchor and away at the first breath.
Had he been over cautious after all? Would il
not have been the better course to denounce
the fellow to his face, and seek to carry off his
victim?
The inn-keeper had exaggerated the difficult
ties OF the road, and in two heurs the doctor
reached his friends house. He was welcomed
very heartily, but his business was not so well
received. "What! arrest an English subject
on board his own acht: take his own wife away
from him, and accuse him of attempting to
murder her! Many town had been bombs rded
for much less. Then suppose the charge could
be substantiated?"
While they were discussing the matter, the
captain of An English frigate which was cruis-
ing on the station came in, and when he was
referred to, espOused the doctors side. He saw
perfectly that there was chance of getting into
a,legal scrape, but agreed il was worth some
n Az a hot
rat, and said be was willing to take his share
OF it. The worst of it was that it was a hun
bred to one that the yacht would be out of sight
by daylight with that breeze.
There is no use IN detailing how they reused
a Sicilian official from his slumbeIs, and per-
suaded him to take action in the matter, for the
captains surmise was correct, and when the
bay where the felucca had lain was visited in
the morning, there was not a sail to be seen.
1t was with heavy heart that DIR. Autrobus
started that afternoon for Gibraltar.
The house at Hawkshaw was dull for long
while after the owner left it. DIR. AntrobuS,
though reserved and silent man at dinner par
ties and tea-fghts, which he hated, was a de-
lighful companion at home. and his aunt and
his ward missed him terribly, the girl most; for
though Granny believed in her nephew to any
extent, hers was blind faith. Whatever lie
said must be right, and any one who averred
the contrary was a wiliful hereto and wanted
burning. But as entering into the why OF
wherefore, do honestly think, without exag-
geration, that such an idea, supposing the pos
turned all the brains She did not even know
the names of the sciences which honOred him.
Ethel, on the contrary, studied the newspaper
for mention of his name, read the reports OF as
sOclatiODs and meetings connected with him
that she found there, asked him for eXplana-
ton of what she did not understand, and in a
word, enlisted her reason in the service of her
love and admiration. She could not hope ever
to comprehend all, but she did in part, and
mi ght include more and more.
The much-indulged girl found her masters
but Granny, as she continued TO call Miss An
trobus, discovered sure method of keeping her
up to the collar.
Is How pleased Uncle Gregory will be If you
can play IhalbeTg to him, or read Italian, or
German or French with him, when he comes
back"
So Ethel became an accomplished young lady,
and her industry brought its own reward, tor
learning is only irksome when we attack it list
lessly for those who put their heart into it, it is
always pleasure. Not that she was recluse,
entirely shut out from all the pleasures and
amusements common to girls of her age. Hawk
shaw was not a dissipated place, but people did
meet at one anothers houses, where the elders
played whist, and their juniors less absorbing
games. There was an archery club, too, OF
which Ethel was member, and gained prizes
mot difficult matter by the by, for they had
them for all shades of proficiency, and there
were few blanks; an occasional entertainment,
more or less dramatic in character, enlivened
the town hall of a neighboring borough, and
formed an excuse for an evenings outing; and
though the word ball would have frightened
the leading houses into fits, for Hawkshaw was
puritan, Juvenile party where dancing formed
the principal amusement, was not considered
worldly. And the Interpretation of the world
juvenile was free. Then there was the Honora-
BILE Mrs. Trefoil, a lady with an aquilne nose
and other traces of former beauty; fine wo-
man still, though old enough to have once been
a toast.
This dame having taken a great fancy to
Ethel, showed civility to Granny, who was
rather afraid of her, and insisted on calling her
"My Lady" TO Ethel, however, she was
merely good-natured, friendly neighbor, who
gave very pleasant little parties, and whose
carriage was useful in the fiower-show season.
Beyond and above all, on two several occasions,
Mrs. TTef0il turned the gloomy midwinter into
Joy and gladness by carrying Granny and
Ethel boldly off to London, and giving them a
glimpse of (theatrical) fa;ry-land.
Two years passed; the Doctor still remained
in Africa, and the last petals of childhood fell
from Ethel; fact which was first brought home
to poor Granny by the intrusion into tn .ir
peaceful life Of lover.
AT one of the friendly lawn parties given by
Mrs. Trefoil in the summer months there APP
peared stranger, who huttered the Hawkshaw
dovecot, an assistant surgeon, and the second
son Of neighboring squire, now an under
graduate, and intended for the bar, and who
might be fit for the matrimonial market in
twenty years or so, if all went well. Dudley
was the strangers name; he had no profession;
dressed well; rode valuable looking horse: was
Aa1