The Hartford herald., 1875-02-24
CHAPTER XVI.
FEVER.

become hateful 10 her If she could have
left it the night that witnessed the depar-
ture of Mr.. Yorke, she would have done
so. Preparations, however, had to be
made, orders given, notice to people in
Offord TO send in their accounts, notice to
J be given to Saxonbury of their arrival.
Maria would have left all arrangements
undone, have confided TO an agent the
settling of affairs, but that she feared her
hasty removal following that of Mr..
Yorke's might excite suspicion. Terrible
fears were at work within her.
And, what with the years to come, and
the horror she had passed through; what
welded life, for she really had grown to
love and esteem her husband; before those
preparations were completed, and the day
of departure had come, Maria Yorke was
stricken with fever. Almost brain fe-
yer.
1t was all Olivia Hardisty's care to keep
people from the room. She knew not what
Maria might give vent to in her rawlings.
Constituting herself chief nurse, she barred
the door to all save the doctors and Finch.
Finch had to be admitted occasionally;
there was no help for 1.-THE doctors of
course No longer Mr. Janson. He. poor
fellow, would never more attend any; never
more, never more The gentleman who
had temporarily taken charge of his pa
tients came to Mrs. Yorke, with physi-
clan from a distance. They could not
think what could have brought on brain
fever - r
Neither could Finch. Finch, who was
given to talk necessarily, faithful servant
though she was, did not cease expressing
her wonder to Miss Hardisty. And Finch
could make nothing of the rawlings ..-. .
''She seems to be forever mixing Mr..
Janson and master up together, as if they
were haying,a perpetual quarrel It's odd
that that should run in her mind.
at would be very odd if her thoughts
did not run on Mr. Janson, considering the
circumstance returned Miss Hardisty,
with composure. Poor Mr.. Janson went
straight out from her presence to his mur-
der, as may be said, and she had to give
the evidence that she did. do wonder
whether the thousand pounds reward. Of
fered by Mr.. Yorke, will bring anything
to lightf u ,..t ,.-... Ell .f... -.t.
"it's to be hoped it will,". said Finch.
"Td lay another thousand, if had 1t, that
it was some of the same gang. Wouldn't
you, maam2 They are all returned con-
victs, it is said"
Miss Hardisty coughed "Those re-
turned convicts are, many Of them, dread
full men, standing at nothing"
"What's the oldest thing to me of it
all" cried Finch, sis, that master does not
come. A fortnight tomorrow since my
| mistress was taken i'll, and he has never
been herel" "a. .' 20 .-f'
"He does not know of it." said Miss
Hardisty, in her imperturbable manner
with his wife in this insensible state, l
deemed it useless to write to him.
| shall write when she is little better"
II should write now if knew where he
was" said Finch, independently "But
don't He was not going to Saxonbury
when he left here. His things were di-
rected for London"
Maria survived the disease, and began
slowly to improve. Olivia Hardisty, when
the danger was over, wrote to Mr.. Yorke
to tell him of her illness, addressing the
letter TO his bankers in London. Just a
few lines, telling of the bare fact-she had
been in danger, but was going on to recov-
ery.
Partial recovery came more speedily
than they could have hoped. But with
the recovery of body, all the distress OF
mind returned.
Take me from here" implored the in
valid of Miss Hardisty, the first day she
sat up. 81 cannot bear it. | seem to see
the murder in every corner" --
"You shall go, my dear, as soon as ever
you are strong enough to bear the jour-
uey," was the soothing answer.
A few more days, and she was able to
move into sitting-room. Orders were
given for their departure on the next day
but one. @
sit might be tomorrow" pleaded Ma
ria, her wan face, beautiful in its attenua-
ton, looking eagerly up from the pillow;
Of her fauteIil. T H.-. r..a
ave may not risk second illness fol
you, Maria" was the reply Of Miss Har-
disty. Thursday will be The very earliest
day that you must venture"
. Maria sighed. She was feverishly ca.
ger to get away from Oford; to get bach
to Saxonbury; but a conviction every nov
and then arose in her heart that Saxon
|, bury might prove even less tolerable. He
whole life-and she saw it-must be on'
of ceaseless terror; there could be no res
/. anywhere. Lady Saxonbury had been il
herself, and could not come to her in thi
illness Maria was glad to be spared he
presence: she seemed to turn with a sicl
feeling Of despair from all whom she haC
, ever known. ....
esquire Hipgrave's asking for you ma
am" said Charlotte, putting her head in
side the room door and addressing Mis-
Hardisty "He's in the drawing-room"
Miss Hardisty rose, folded her work to
gether, and descended, not acknowledge
> to herself that she felt glad to escape tn
= monotony of the sick-room. Squire Hip
= grave was standing at the window, look
ing out. .s .-..-.
"Good morning" said he, turning t
shake hands. "Mrs. Yorke's better | fine
r Will she be well enough to hear the news
e We have caught the murderer of Mr.. Jan
:, son."
A mist came over Olivia Hardisty's sigh
She felt her way to chair. Did Squir
Hipgrave mean the real murderer?
E II thought I'd come and tell you tn
u first thing" continued the squire. "There
e not a doubt that Yorke's thousand pound
p has unearthed the fellow"
Miss Hardisty began to inquire into pal
V ticulars. but she felt that her voice SOUND
ed sharp and shrill
at was the man, King, who had bee
seen with the other two in the afternoon
% While the two watched for young Loutl
e King thought he'd do little business o
1t his own account, and attacked Mr. Jar
son. He has been in hiding ever since.
I i IL