Sharp County record., 1880-05-20

! "Wlll you go up W my lOoln "lIH
meP" l asked, rising and locking my
desk.
Mono; do not Co." she half
gasped; "tell me what you know of
Walterr'
"Oh, of Walter" said l. "Didn't l
finish telling you about himP Why, he
says, or rather his friend writes for
him, that if any of his friends at Somer-
vile House wish to see him, they must
90 to Cadlands at once. That is ALL"
"All Miss Herbert" she cried.
"All Is it not enough, in Heavens
name? When did you receive the let
ter?"
yesterday morning." Irepled.
And are you not going to him?"
she asked.
fear 1 snail not be able to CO." Ire
piled, coolly.
"And is this your boasted cousinly
love and friendship for him?" said
George; "this your Sisterly tender
ness, that congeals into ice when he is
most in need of your sympathy and
kindnessP May be delivered from all
suchn
"You are getting excited, Miss Alb
bott," | remarked. "YOu are one of
Mr.. Marston's friends why do you not
90 to him?"
But she did not deign me an answer,
as, with curling lip and cheeks like
the pale lilies of the Valley that hung
upon her bosom, she swept from the
room.
81 wonder what will be her next
step?" said, mentally, as followed
her moodily from the school-room.
"Will she 60 to Walter alone-will her
pride allow her to do that?'
ga letter for you, Miss Herbert, " said
Mrs. Abbott at that moment, coming
suddenly upon me. II have had it in
my possession since this morning. My
neglect is quite inexcusable. | am well
aware"
With an eagerness that | could not
well account for, | took the letter from
her hand, and turned unceremoniously
into the room I had LETT The address
on it was in the familiar handwriting of
Walter Marston. Why did l trembleto
break the seal? With fingers that seemed
10th to do nv bidding, tore it open
and read:
"DEAR ELSA: Come to Cadlands at once. l
have not time now to explain, only to say If
you value the happiness of human heart,
! or care to prOlOng for few days one human
''-N' walter MARsToN."
What did it mean? Whose life could
prolong; whose happiness insure by
going to Cadlands? Was it a little hoax
of Walters? No, it could not be; the
note was too earnest and emphatic for
that, besides the freakw was not all like
one of his. Had Robert returned? No,
that was not possible, for but few
weeks before | had been told that he
was in Italy. I was in maze of doubt
and wonder, looking about me vainly
for something that would throw the
faintest ray of light upon the mystery.
But the light did not appear, and so |
set myself rapidly about preparing for
my sudden departure, having first OBJ
tanned leave of absence from Mrs. How
ard, and explained that, as most likely
her daughter would wish to 60, | could
accompany her. All this while. as |
hustled hurriedly about my chamber, l
was conscious that the occupant OF the
room above my own was preparing to
leave home. | could hear the moving
of trunks, the hurried orders as to the
disposal of this thing and that, given to
her maid, and occasionally recognized
the fleet step of George Abbott, as she
sprang nervously up and down the
stairs. My suspicious that she was
making ready for visit to Cadlands
were confirmed beyond doubt, when
the fly came to take me to the station,
for the same carriage also started her
upon her journey.
at seems you have changed your
mind, Miss Herbert" she said, haughti-
ly, to me.
II have received another letter since
l saw you," l replied.
"How was hep" she faltered.
"In such a condition that my pres
ence was demanded there at once,' L
replied. 81 could not treat the urgent
request lightly, and SO have left every
thing for the sake Of complying with
it,
"Heaven grant that may not be too
late" murmured George, sinking back
upon the seat beside me. "Oh, Miss
Herbert, am so very, very misera-
ble!'
drew the trembling form of the
Young girl close to my side, and bade
her be Of good cheer. Looking upon
her pale face as she leaned her head
upon my shoulder 1 condemned myself
bitterly for the part had taken in the
really cruel affair. For moment re-
solved to confess it all to her, trusting
to her good sense and her warm love
for Walter for her forgiveness, but the
+bourbt of tho Stranrp mystical letter