The Morning herald., 1877-04-06
coRp AND CREESE.
CHAPTER LvI.
uRs. coMPToN's SECRET.

!s.u ua inn he saw an unusual spectacle-the
W. " NAN mai on the bnlconcy, tho crowd ei
OH !I'.ssrs ~ around, the universal excite
men, Hn entering the inn he found some one
w W. for some time had been waiting to
W .aJ him. in It was Phillips. Philips had
W. ''me s early in the morning, and had been
~n" 'vsr 10 the cottage. He bad learned all
wv, shant the affair at the inn, and narrated it
a' wv Brandon, who listened with his u.s.
nj ~I ealmness. He then gave him a letter
t' %ao Frank, which Brandon read and put
IN bis pocket.
Then Phillips told him the news which
10 had learned at the cottage about Lang
Sst;, Lapghetti and Despard were both
there there vet, the former very dangerously ILL.
He He also told about the affair on the road
,be seizure Of Clark, and his delivery into
he hands Of the authorities.
Brandon heard all this with the deepest
interest," While the excitement at the inn
,s still at its height, he hurried off to the
magistrate into whose hands Clark had
I@sen @ committed. After an interview with
him he returned. He found the excite.
nept unabated. He then went to the cot
t,ge close by the inn, Where Beatrice had
lppda home, and Langhetti a refuge
Phillips was with him.
On knocking at the door Asgeelo opened
| il. They entered the parlor, and in a
short time Mrs. Compton appeared. Bran
Jons first inquiry was after Langhet,i,
He is about the eame. said Mrs. Comp
ton,
Does the doctor hold out any hopes of
bis recovery? asked Brandon.
Very little, said Mrs. Compton.
Who nurses him?
Miss Potts and Mr.. Despard. .
Are they both here?
Yes.
Brandon was silent.
Twill go and tell them that you are
here, said Mrs. Compton.
Brandon made no reply, and Mrs. Comp
ton, taking silence for assent went to an
nounce his arrival.
In a short time they appeared. Beatrice
enteead first. She was grave, and cold,
and solemn; Despard was gloomy and
stern. They both shook hands with Bran.
don in silence. Beatrice gave her hand
without word liielessly and coldly; Des-
mrd took his mad abstractedly.
Brandon looked earnestly at Beatrice as
she stood there before him, calm, sad,
almost repellant in her demean-
Or and wondered what the cause might be
osuch change.
Mrs. Compton stood apart at little dis.
tsnee near Phillips, and looked on with
strange expression, half wistful and half
hnl.
There was silence which al length be-
came embarrassing.
From the room mhere they were sitting
the inn could plainly be seen, with the
crowd outside. Beatrice's eyes were d.
Ieted toward this.
Dssmrd said not a'word, At another time
e might have been strongly interested in
bis man, who on so many accounts was so
(ose|y connected with him; but now the
over Of some dominant and all engross-
,g idea possessed him, and he seemed to
Ike no notice of anything whatever either
ithout the house or within.
After looking at the inn in silence for
ing time Beatrice withdrew her gaze.-
'ardon regarded her with fxed and earn
st glance, as though he would read her in
lost soul. She looked at him and cast
own her eyes.
You abiior mev' said he in loud thrill
ng voice.
She said nothing but pointed toward the
IN.
You know all rbout that.
Beatrice bowed her head silently.
Ana you look upon me as guilty.
she gazed at him but said moth ng. 1t
'as cold, austere gaze, without one touch
u softness.
!, After all, said she, he was my father
lou had your vengeance tn take, and you
nave taken it. You may now exult, but
ny heart bleeds.
Brandon started to his feet.
As God lives, he cried, I did not do that
dhg.
S!.satrice looked up mournfully and in
|q:ngly.
!iit had been his base life which sought
w w Brandon, vehemently, I might have
"a afn it long ago. He was surrounded on
sides by my power. He could not es-
aR' Officers Of the law stood ready to
~ 70 my bidding. Yet I allowed him to
aVe ,' the Hall in safety. ! might have
tISen his hearts blood. I miget have
Da1aed him over to the law. l did not.
-. No. said Beatrice, in icy tones, you did
nU; you sought deeper vengeance. You