The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-09-12

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.
"You ask" she heard her mistress
whisper.
She caught sight of her face. II
was lined and scanned with pain; the
dark eyes fairly strained and dilated
with suspense.
ais Mr.. Leonard Drake in?" Dorcas
asked.
"No; he is in New York. Mrs.
Drake is at home"
lnstinctivcly Dorcas reached out her
arm TO support Lydia as she asked,
"Who is that-his mothcrr
ono; his wife. Do you want to soc
herr" asked the servant rather curtly,
beginning to think them people In
search of charity and not liking to en-
counter the cold air.
"No," Dorcas said. "IIow long has
nc been narrlcdF'
"About six months"
A low, chokcd whisper from her
companion reached Dorcas. 1t said,
Come away! Quick Comc!v
Dorcas turned without n word and
supported her mistress down the steps.
Lydia did not speak. Dorcas could
not. She put her arm about her mis-
trcss and drew her OH as fast as she
could. The house stood in plot of
ground by itself They turned the
corner, where the garden led down a
side street.
"Waitp said Lydia suddenly. "II
can't go any further; LET me rest lit
tie. Only don't speak TO mc-don't
say word"
They sat down on the jutting line of
stone that supported the iron fence,
Dorcas half sustaining her mistress,
who crouchcd forward, hiding her face
with one hand. Dorcas bent over to
see the facc-it was distorted with an
euish.
"Mistress, dcar' she sobbed, "Only
speak-only-"
"IIush!" muttercd Lydia. "Comc
away; ] can walk now. Let me alone
don't talk yet. Help mo up; l can
walk"
Dorcas was assisting her to rise,
when a gentleman turned into the
street little way down and walked
rapidly towards them.
Mutlled though he was in his great
coat, Dorcas knew him and uttered |
cry of terror.
otis his STEP" whispered Lydia.
'Sit down-he'll not know us! prom
sed never TO trouble him. must
keep my word. Don't look up, Dor
,as. Sit down, | say!"
The very act attracted the attention
)f the gentleman. lie halted in front
Of them, saying, "Why do you sit here
IN this storm?"
Neither answered. Dorcas felt Ly-
iia's hand press her arm like hand of
stone.
Cant either of you speak ?' he con-
-inued, rather impaticntly. '.This is
not weather for two women to be sit
ling out of DOORS"
Still no answer! Some mad idea that
she could pull Dorcas away, and run
from him, seized Lydia. She attempt
ed it. The hood fell from her face.
Tic knew her, and cried, "Lydia,
Lydia"
She felt that she was fainting; that
he had canght her in his arms; then an
lwful blackness closed over her.
When consciousness came back she
thought at first she must be dead; then
she knew she was in warm, bright
room. She saw Dorcas, young pretty
lady near the bed, then Leonard, and
aloud.
She was held fast in his arms again
his voice sounded close TO her ear.
"Lie still, darling; it's ali clear.
NV cousins house-my Cousins wife.
Don't You remember that told YOU |
lad cousin with the same Christian
name as mvself?r