The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-06-19
into the room, and he put what was left

he could, he hurried to consult me. Yo,
were, he said getting jealous; you evi
dently misunderstood us; and he mus
tell the whole story now, in justice to
himself. I was engaged with party t.
Dover, aud the room was full; so h,
joined us, in order to have an opportun
ity to say all this. OF course, in thi
crisis, my scruples gave way. My reward
is that you have believed me vile wo
man. There that's the whole. l have
told the story, perhaps, i'll hard way
I'm sorry for you, all the same. Thank
God, I've found you p
She had risen while speaking, and
caught Lydia's dress in the excitement
of telling her hurried tale. Lydia's eyes
which at first had been fixed on her sc
angrily, had fallen before her; she haG
buried her face in her hands; and now
as Mrs. Dorchester ceased, the wretched
listener sank senseless to the floor.
When Lydia revived, Mrs. Dorchester
three years in searching for his wife, and
the last time Mrs. Dorchester had heard
from him he was living in Morrisania
n. Y.
The next morning saw Lydia and Dor
cas- on their way to New York.
1t had been showing when they haG
reached the metropolis and by the time
they left the railway train which they
had taken in Morrisania it had settled
into heavy storm. Lydia wanted tc
walk; so Dorcas wrapped waterproof
cloak about her, drew the hood over hel
head and did her best to shelter her.
"Ask how we go!" was all her mistress
said. "Be quick-I want to start; but ]
must walk-I should go mad
Dorcas stepped into hotel near the
station and made her inquiries. The
road was straight enough. Mr.. Leonard
Drake, she was told, lived out beyond
the town little; she would know the
place by such and such directions
They were less than half an hour on
the way. They reached the mansion, a
handsome dwelling, half town house,
half villa, with long garden attached.
They mounted the steps and Dorcas rang
the bell.
'sYou ask" she heard her mistress
whisper.
She caught sight of her face. 1t
was lined and scanned with pain; the
dark eyes fairly strained and dilated
with suspense.
SIS Mr.. Leonard Drake in % Dorcas
asked.
s'No; he is in New York. Mrs. Drake
is at home.
Instinctively, Dorcas reached out her
arm to support Lydia as she asked,
'.Who is that-his mother? ?"
"No; his wife. Do you want to see
her?" asked the servant rather curtly,
beginning to think them people in search
of charity and not liking to encounter
the cold air.
NO" Dorcas said. "How long has
| he been married2"
"kbouU six MONTHS
| A low, choked whisper from her com
panion reached Dorcas. 1t said. "Come
away! Quick Come !"
Dorcas turned without word and
supported her mistress down the steps.
Lydia did not speak. Dorcas could
not. She put her arms about her mis-
tress and drew her on as fast as she
could. The house stood in a plot of
ground by itself. They turned the cor
ner, where the garden led down q side
street.
| x
"Nait!" said Lydia, suddenly. 81
cant go any further; let me rest little.
| Only don't speak to NEEDN'T say a
word"
They sat down on the jutting line of
stone that supported the iron fence,
Dorcas half sustaining her mistress, who
crouched forward, hiding her face with
one hand. Dorcas bent over to see the
FACET was distorted by anguish.
"Mistress, dear!" she sobbed, 'Only
speak-only"-
''Hush!" muttercd Lydia. "Come
away, can walk now. Let me alone;
don't talk yet. Help me up; I can walk. -
! Dorcas was assisting her to rise, when q
gentleman turned into the street little
way down and walked rapidly towards
them.
Mufled though he was in his great
coat. Dorcas knew him and uttered CRY
of terror.
''It's his STEP" whispered Lydia.
Sit down-he'H not know us! I prom
ised never to trouble himl l must keep
my word. Don't look up Dorcas. Sit
down, say"
The very act attracted the attention of
the gentleman. He halted in front Of
them, saying, "Why do sit here in this
storm?"
Neither answered. Dorcas felt Lydia's
hand press her arm like hand of stone.
''Can't either of you speak?" he con-
tinued, rather iInpatiently. This is not
weather for two women to be sitting out
| of DOORS"
Still no answer! Some mad idea thai
she could pull Dorcas away and run from
him seized Lydia She attempted it. The
hood fell from her face. He knew hel
and cried Lydia, Lydia'
She felt that she was fainting; that he
had caught her in his arms; then an
awful blackness closed over her.
When consciousness came back she
thought at first she must be dead; then
she knew that she was in warm, bright
room. She saw Dorcas, and a young,
pretty lady near the bed, then Leonard,
and shrieked aloud