Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-11-08
PRIDE, PASSION AND GV'lsl7',
THT FORTUNES OF A HUNTED
HEIRESS.
- o X -
CHAPTER XVIII.

ABsCoNDED-THE STARTLING DISCOVERY OF
MADGE HoLLY-THE ESCAPE
The CONSERVATION Of the Bascombe fam
lily next morning upon knocking ut the
chamber door of Mrs. Vickory, and find
ing that she had disappeared was exceed
ingly great
The Doctor was astounded. Tom was
disguised, and Mrs. Bascombe, though
amazed, was greatly relieved. She fully
appreciated the great scandal the house
hold had escaped by the sudden disap-
pearance of the would he murderess; for.
had the facts in the ease become known,
she knew that the family would be the
talk of the country for some time TO come,
not counting the excitement necessarily
incident to an arrest and trial of the pris-
oner, for of course all the parties interest
ed would figure in the ease which would
he well entitled to rank with causes oolebre
among the legal fraternity; so Mrs. Mari
on, in opposition to her brother Tom,
thought the escape of Mrs. Nickory a We
ny fortunate circumstance indeed.
OF course it was kept from Gertrude,
who was only informed that the woman
had gone back to Mrs. Moiiarty's her
health having given way under 30 much
anxiety and work.
Mrs. Vickory did not leave Bellville
Park till nearly dawn-it was still storm
ing very hard when, with her few things
in little bundle, she crept nOiselcssly
down stairs, and made her way out of the
house, and walked rapidly in the direction
of the city, where she an wed in less
than an hour wet and worn out. She i'm
mediately directed her steps TO the board
ing house of Mrs. Moriaity. and found
that good lady already astir. She gave
Mrs M. very sufficient excuse for her
sudden appearance; informed her that
Miss Weldon was quite well. and that she
intended returning 10 her as soon rs she
collected her things, and that she intend
ed to remain with Gertrude until the lat
ter convalesced.
Then she retired TO her rom and began
to hastily pack up lcr things and get her
trunk ready for immediate departure.
While she was thus busily engaged,
Madge Holly who occupied Gertrude's
room next door. heard of her arrival, and
arose and hurr'iedly began dressing her
self. as she wished to ascertain from Mrs.
Vickory all about her dear friend Ger
tiude; Madge not having called at Bell
vile Park for nearly weclS-for she was
in the habit of going there now and then
on the invitation Of Mrs. Bascombe.
When she had finished dressing Madge
came forth arl thoughtlessly pushed open
the door Of Mrs. Vickory's room and was
about to enter, when she paused on the
threshold almost froZe with CONSERVATION
and horror.
The woman she beheld standing before
ner was no longer Mrs Vickory, but Mar
tina Markham, the house-keeper Of VIM
demerc-there she stood Invested Of her
disguise, tall, straight and defant-her
face pale, though her black eyes famed
with passion aud vindictiveness as she
realized the fact Of her detection.
..Come in" she whispered in a low voice,
approaching the dazed girl. who had rea-
son to know her well, as the reader will
soon learn IL lie has not already OWNED
the mystery--and dragging her into the
apartment said: Il see that you have
recognized me! If you utter but a sim
gle word while am in this room NADIA
line, will kill you. / am desperate
woman. Sit down there and remember
she hurried into the girls ear as she
pointed to chair standing behind the
door.
The terrified girl obeyed her without
word. She sat in fear and trembling while
the woman hastily locked her trunk ano
completed her arrangements Tor leaving
the house.
Having done this. and throwing vel
over her face she stepped out upon The
landing and called for Mrs. Moriarty--th'
latter was about TO come up when Mrs
Markham said:
.No need 10 come up, just send u ser
want for carriage. and he quick II yot
please"
The landlady instantly obeyed. and, il
about ten minutes, carriage which wa.
passing on it's way TO the early trains
pulled up before the door.
Mrs. Markham had her trunk carried
down, and as the man disappeared will
II, the woman turned to Madgc Holly ant
said:
snow Madaline am going, and wan
you 10 promise me that You will not opeI
YOUR lips for one hour after / leave her
but that you will return to your room
and there remain until you hear the break
fast bell-promise, or
Frightened and confused the poor gir
gave the pledge required Of her and enter
ed her chamber.
A few minutes afterwards the carriag
rolled away from the door Of Mrs. Mortar