The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-15

Sir Martin, people said had never recovered
from his grief at the death of both his sons
in the same year-my father in India, and
his brother of typhus fever at the Park. But
he had always been kind to me in his stern
way. Though l had long known that he
cherished the wish that | should become
James's wife, he had never clearly mentioned
it to me.
would you rather have compartment to
yourself?" Ainslie asked, as he opened the
door of one in which a middle-aged man,
much wrapped up, was already ensconced.
| had no maid with me, the dear little cot
tage at Ludford hardly sufficing for one Wis
itor.
80 dear, no!' 1 said, making myself COM
Portable. 81 will let you know how Sir Mar
tin is" And before l could say more we
were moving away from the platform Ny
thoughts, as [ tried to catch last glimpse of
him, were hardly cheerful, but they were
speedily interrupted by my companion
speaking.
"Pray excuse me-" he said suddenly; may
| ask if you were speaking of Sir Martin Nc
Michael, of Stuart Park?''
took good look at him before answer
ing, but though it was August, he was so
closely wrapped up that | could not see
much By his brown complexion [ should
have judged him to be a foreigner, His
mustache was quite white, but his face,
where l could see it, was unwrinkled-he
=
and his voice undoubtedly that of a gentle
man. Reassured by my survey, L answered:
"Yes, he has been taken III suddenly. Do
you know him?'
81 did once" he answered, with restless
movement. Are you going to Stuart Park?'
bowed, and looked out of my window,
conscious that he was scrutiniZlng me ear
nestly. He said nothing more, and, after
creeping through innumerable small stations,
we reached Stuart Town. | had announced
my coming by telegram; but there was no
carriage to meet me, an omlssion-for 1t was
two miles to the Park-which filled me with
fear My grandfather must be very i'll. De-
clinng the staton-masters offer of assist
ance, / set out to walk the distance.
Before | reached the house, when its great
stacks of chimneys and old Tudor gables
were just appearing among the trees met
James coming hastily to meet me. He seemed
nervous and perturbed, but his first words
explained this.
"Sir Martin is worse, Amber-very i'll,
fear He was attacked while [ was away
yesterday. l fastened to meet you, that
none of the servants might see you and tell
him that you were come, without prepare
ton"
That was good of you, James. am glad
that came at once"
Eyes; did you come in by the lodge-gate
or the little bridle-path"'
"By the bridle-path Are you going in
this wayY' He had turned off into path
which led to side door in the right wing.
Yes; the doctor says his nerves are pre-
ternaturally acute, and the slightest shock
or noise must be avoided
He told me other details as We passed,
without seeing anyone, to my rooms on the
first floor in the right wing. Save my maids,
all the other rooms in this wing were guest
chambers. It was lonely, but | preferred it,
for from the windows beautiful view of the
ho ,Inr
in winter, when the shrubbery outside was
leafess. My bedroom was inside the sit
ting-room. At the door of the latter 8
strange woman met us.
"Watkyns, you know. is away" said my
cousin. She has not been sent for yet"
knew of this. though 1 had momentarily
forgotten it. l passed into my bedroom TO
take off my things without the slightest
suspicion. When | came back into the
sitting room the MAZDA tall, stupid-looking
woman much older than Watkyns-was
standing by the window. On the table was
tray with luncheon. But | had no anpe-
tite and / went at once to the door. 1t was
locked.
There is something the matter with the
door," 1 said, after fumbling at it for a
moment
The woman by the window did not turn or
make any reply.
$40 you hear?' I cried, irritated by her
silence There is something the matter.
Open the door, please"
She turned, and, sullen as was her face,
she looked i'll at ease with what she had to
say.
You cannot get out, miss It's as we'll
to understand it at once. The door s
locked on the outside; and until he who
has the key comes back here You must stay"
"Are you mad?'' | cried, trying to crush
down my fears Give me the key at once,
and don't talk NONSENSE"
81 haven't got it," she said alphabetically.
at is no good being angry with me- am as
much prisoner as you are"
Good heavens" | cried; do you know
that am mistress here? My grandfather is
i'll, and l must go to him. Open this door
at once; or, if it is fastened, ring the bell"
She made no answer, but nodded grimly at
the place where the bell-rope should have
been. 1t was gone, and even the wire was
broken. Then, when l perceived it was an
arranged scheme, sudden feeling of help
lessness came over me- | remembered that
a green baiZe door shut in the little suite of
rooms, and would etfectualy prevent any
alarm reaching the other parts of the house.
The windows were securely fastened, but
even if l broke one, and shouted with all the
strength of my lunss, the noise would hardly
pierce the Strawberries. And vet, while |
felt myself growing paier. it seemed so ri
diculous that |, the mistress should be i'm
prisoned in any own rooms! What could be
the motive? Except the station master,
mad not seen any one Who would be likely to
mention my arrival. Was that why James
asked me if had passed the lodge?
Was my grandfather really ill? Yes, of
that. as the report came from Ainslie, there
could be no doubt This must be my cousin S
doing, out OF revenge for my refusal of his
suit. Improbable, almost absurd, as it
seemed, that must be the case, though
l. -.
must have my wits about me. | ate my
lunch, the woman waiting upon me respect
fully enough. How YEARLY passed the hours
until it grew dark! and then step sounded
in the passage, key was put in the lock, and
James entered and locked the door behind
him. He made sign to the woman, and
she retired into the bedroom and closed the