The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-22
LIGHT AT LAST.

Editha Vane had known for a long
while there was something out Of the
usual order in the lives the two broth
ers, Adrian and Vivian Long, led at
Laurel Cottage, the pretty country
place they had purchased one year be-
fore.
The young men went abroad freely,
welcome visitors at every fireside in
the neighDorhOOd, but no one had ever
been known to cross the threshold of
their own door.
The few persistent persons who made
their way to the cottage uninvited-as
some did-were invariably met by the
grum old hou:ekeeper with the infor-
nation that her young masters were
out for the day, or some message to
the same purpOrt, and she would stand
patiently in the open door until such
visitors had gone down the walk and
disappeared. OF course curiosity was
excited, and had not the young men
conducted themselves with strict pro.
priety abroad, most damaging suspi-
cions would have prevailed.
"The Longs are certainly hiding
some secret" their numerous friends
said; "but they are such exemplary
gentlemen it must be a harmless one. -
Accident furnished Editha Vane
with an inkling Of the truth. She was
riding out one morning when her horse
took fright at some trifle, just as she
was passing the cottage, and threw her
within rod Of the gate. The young
girl was stunned for moment Or two,
and when she recovered little.
Adrian and Vivian were both bending
over her with pale anxious faces.
Are you hurt, Miss Vanep" they in
quired in one breath.
She made an effort to sit up.
mo. feel giddy and confused
that is ALL"
Even as she spoke everything again
grew dark before her eyes.
Vivian's voice seemed to come from
a remote distance, as he said hastily to
his brother. 1.-THE poor girl has tainted
again. We must take her in, and call
Mrs. Garth"
"Would it he quite safe3" remon-
strated Adrian.
I'VE must run tho risk. It would
be inhuman to do otherWise.''
Like one in a helpless dream, Editha
felt herself lifted up, and born along
tAo Walk u Cuc mousse.
The strong arms that held her were
Abrams however, and for one instant
their pressure was almost suffocating
ere he placed her in the easy cha II
which Vivian wheeled quickly to the
open window.
"Now tell Mrs. Garth to come with
restoratiVes," he cried.
When the girls mind cleared, they
were all three beside her.
She said little at first, but sat gazing
curiously about the apartment.
1t was a pleasant room, elegantly
furnished, filed with such pretty tritles
as only a woman's deft fingers can
arrange, and yet, as Editha glanced
furtiyely at the somewhat awkward
Manufactured house-keeper, she felt
intuitively that Mrs. Garth could have
had nothing to do with this adjoining.
''Who them"
She had just asked herself the mental
question when footsteps were heard
overhead, and there came sound as
OF some one beating againt a closed
door.
The brothers exchanged glances, and
Adrian turned hastily to leave the
room. At the same instant Editha
heard q woman's voice crying-"L Let
me out. How dare you lock me IN
herep L will not submit to it,"
Adrian sprang up the stairs, scaling
two at q time. A key clicked in its
lock, and his musical tones reached
the listening ears below, breathing
words of gentle remonstrance. "Be
quiet, Florine. Do not excite yourself
80. 1t is best you should remain in
your chamber for awhile"
''Humphi You are planning some
mischief. Otherwise you would neve,
dream Of locking me in like some un.
ruly child. l intend to find out what
it is"
The woman's wild laugh seemed to
pierce Editha's ear. There came the
sound OF brief struggle-then all was
still.
" hen Editha ventured to look al
Vivian at length he was pale as death
and trembling in every limb.
"What Is the meaning Of all this?'
she demanded. 81 cannot tell you.
dare not," he answered with groan
TRY to forget that you have seen OF
heard anything unusual here"
But who is that woman?"
"a poor half-crazed creature my
brother and l have taken in out O1
pity"
Pray, Miss Vane. do not speak OF
her presence here to any one outside OF
the house." Editha's lip curled scorn
fully. Fear nothing," she said
your secret is safe with me, Mr.
Long"
A few minutes later Adrian reap
peared, Editha had never seen him loOh
so white and troubled.
Are you better, he inquired anx
iously. my own horse Is at the door