Litchfield enquirer., 1877-12-27

The men had evidently kept as far apart as possible. The footmarks pointed toward Bar roweigh There were also in the dust two sets of footmarks pointing toward the Moor House. But these latter had not, been mada at the same time, for slight shower, which had fallen at eight o'clock that evening, had partly defaced the larger marks, while the others were fresh and perfect on the damp dust. It was evident the men had come separate, with some interval of time between the coming of the first and the comingof the second. It was also plain they had gone back toward Barrow leigh together, for at one point, about half 8 mile from the scene of the struggle, the foot marks approached one another in the middle of the road. Both had stood here and looked back toward the Moor House, for the marks were reversed, but there were then no retro gressive steps.
 ''He is safe, said Marion in low voice, as they stood once more in the parlor. He had quarrel with some man. They met and fought, an ordinary fight, and he got his coat torn in the scuff1e and could not come on here. So they went back to the village together and shook hands at the place where the footprints are close. He will be here tomorrow, Lisette. We must hide the coat, pretend we know noth ing of it. destroy it and the letters.
 She took up the letters as she spoke. The fold of paper in the strange envelope wal much smaller than the envelope, and as Ma rion raised it the sheet fell out and opened partly. Lisette's eyes followed it. At ont glance she conceived the meaning as if by in tuition. This was what was on the small sheet .s. .,..,...-5... n. .
 DAISY FARM, Wednesday Evening.
 No matter what happens, must see you this evening. Come at once, for pity's sake. have news to tell ALICE HENSLOW. z.. Alice Henslow Alice Henslow! Oh, haG it all come to thisG Was this the key to tht changed manner, the lurking dread, the cole greeting, the almost formal partings! Alice Henslow, George Henslow's wife She who had lately run away from her husband, no ont knew whither. Was she stopping at Johr Maine's house? Had it all, all come to this If when she thrust her hand into that chil water by the side of the road she had found something could it be worse than thisP .
 Now she knew it was dark Now she knew the silence of the tomb held the vacant night Now she knew the world was a waste, and lift for her was over. Marion and she occupied one room. Nothing need be done tonight Marion had not read the words on that note Lisette raised it, replaced it in it's envelope took another envelope from a drawer, wrote ever, Lisette, folded up the sheet, and put il and Alice Henslows note into the second en velope and closed it,
 ''Lisette, what did you see in that letter You have changed wonderfully. Tell me.
 "1t was private letter to John. l don think he would wish you to know what it con tains. have closed 1t up and addressed 1t tC him. We must send it to him tomorrow"
 "What did you write to him? Have you asked him to come early tomorrow ?" ...
 ''No. Let us go to bed"
 In the dark, when she was in bed, she could think of the past. The future-she need think little of it. ...I .s. .-.a.eu,a - }, - W.
 On the evening that note of Alice Henslow'i was written John Maine left the Cross House at eight o'clock and walked to Daisy Farm.
 d''This is very awkward" he muttered as ht went ''This evening, of all others. What can she have to tell me? But anyway I shal be back here at nine, and at the Moore House at ten. hope all may be well there. hope she has heard nothing"
 He was young man, about five-and twen. ty. He had blue eyes, fair face and fail
 
 CTS thrown well back. He was little, agile and of the medium height. Naturally hi countenance was frank and open; but now il was clouded and perplexed, and full of vagu. apprehension. .. .t.-....-....
 Before nine he once more found himself al Barrowleigh. His face wore even graver ex precision than on setting out. He went into the Cross House, wrote note and sealed it The night had fallen, and, as he passed under the infrequent lamps of the village, on his way to the Moor, his brows were knit and hi mouth squared, like one who had firmly made up his mind to do something which will cos painful effort, and require resolute cour. age. As he took the bleak, straight road, SC familiar to him, he unused.
 "Alice's news ScGs mportant-deparately important. So he has found out where she is, where she has been since she fled from him under whose roof she now lives. If this dis covery could have been averted for a weeh longer, something might have been done. Nov there is no knowing what may occur. Al Barrowleigh will hear of it tomorrow; and by the day after the news will be there" H. pointed with impatient anger into the dark ness ahead. Perhaps he has already writer to Lisette's mother. That would be like him What am to do? cannot back out now. must must stand by Alice-and will" @
 It was impossible to see two yards ahead Indeed, no object presented itself to test thu darkness; the night was Cimmerian.
 He walked on rapidly for more than half ar hour. No one had passed him, nor had ht overtaken any one, although the rate at whicl he went was far quicker than the usual one o pedestrians. Suddenly voice coming from { few feet right in front of him called out hi name. He knew that voice, and before h. had time to bring himself up he was within arms length of George Henslow, Alice Hens lows husband.
 John Maine could see nothing, but he knev that a much more powerful man, man talle by head, stood in his path and barred hi way. He could hear the heavy breathingof tut other. Before he had time to reply, strong hand was laid on his arm, and Henslow spok' again:
 T knew you would come this way tonight and as the place is quiet, and 1 had something to say to you, I thought I'd wait for you. Pvl been here two hours and have got a wet coat.
 s'We shall talk more freely if you let my arm go. am not accustomed to be held il that way" y -...
 s'Do you suppose am accustomed to talk ing to men who decoy my wife away from me and hide in their houses, under my own nose? ?
 Maine felt the hand tighten on his arm With sudden wrench he sprang backward The sleeve of the coat slipped, ran over thu hand, aud remained in Henslow's grasp. Witt 8 sharp, strong jerk Henslow drew it towart him, the coat yielded at the collar, and as h seized Maine with his hand, he flung behind him half the coat, saying as he did so. ''No you are not going to run away. You will b. be cooler without db0t." ...-e e..-... For while the two men stood face to fac' breathing hard. Neither could see the other Still by kind of instinct the eyes of eacl were fixed upon the eyes of the other. A length the pause was broken by Maine. m
 What have you to say to me ?"
 ''I do not know that there is much to say There may be something to do." ts5arI
 No rejoinder. -la-zgE
 "This is very quiet place for meeting and there is hardly quieter place in tn world than the bottom of one of these drain at the side of the road A-5f 4