The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-09-15

Lazy O1I0uvS looks NJ ulm-6C tOo SteFOly.
sweet proAle, at the grave, deep eyes, at the
strong hand on her horses neck-the hand
which had still the mark Of her whip upon
it. Was there indeed deeper crimson stain
upon it-e stain that could never wear Of or
be removed?
Mr.. Hereward," sho sayS while her
cheeks pale and her voice trembles little,
there are reports going about-have You
heard Of them ?-reports that Robert North
was shot, not by poachers, but by rival
Fave they reached you:"
''Blount said something to me about it, he
answers, looking mp at her. but l have
heard nothing slnce.
II have then. MI. Hereward, have you
any idea whom they suspect"
None Whatever" he answers quickly.
DO they suspect any one-have they found
any clue1"
II believe they have. I have been told
that they could name the assassin.
She looks searchingly into his face as she
speaks, and sees how he starts-perceives
how his color alters, how his voice changes,
''Do you know his name?"
Il do"
''You do" he echoes, staring ather. They
have both stopped, and he stands close to
her-sO close thnt she can see down into his
eyes There is no dread or fear in them,
only intense SURPRISE
II do"
''And who ishe?'
"You, yourself"
For a moment Hereward looks at her; then
he steps back pace or two.
"And you believe this, Lady Gladys Pal
User!
''How can help believing it? There are
terrible proofs against you"
against me! What possible proof can
there be against me?"
The surprise, the utter incredulity Of his
tone almost reassure her.
''Your going to the mill, and having been
seen with the girl and being absent on the
evening of the MURDER" Lady Gladys an
swers slowly and sadly. ut il terrible
terrible, but it looks awfully conclusive. I
know not what to think"
"Do you think that I shot Robert
North?"
"If you did, think it wns accidentally" I"
she answers, meeting his look without finch
ing.
''But do you think care for Ammo Grace
Trathaway!"
"What else am to think? She does not
deny it.
''Did you ask her?" he inquiries. little
scornfully.
mo. But did ask her to tell me who
shot Robert North, if she knew. And she
confessed that it was done through some
jealousy or other, and that she was to blame
for it."
'.And you Immediately set me down as the
only possible lover" Hcreward smiles, half
contemptuously.
There is strong evidence against you. :"
Lady Gladys answers coldly. Il only hope
you may be able to disprove il. But it
seems to me an impossibility now that you
should clear yourself"
'.But do you believe me guilty?"
'.Not guilty. But it may have been done
by you accidentally"
'sWin you believe me If tell you simply
that did not do it:
She meets the dark eyes-she sees the
slow fire gathering in them, the determined
line of the mouth, and she answers:
Il may. But you will never be able tc
prove it.
Il can prove it in a moment it choose.
''Then do so, for PHYS sake! It is time
for you to do it. The whole county will be
up tomorrow. unless some stop is put tc
what is going ON. T:-ere was detective Of
fcer at Kingscourt today believe there
are several about the place.
This is Cartwrigh's doing!" Hsiew.rd
exclaims, with a bitter scorn. But he has
over-reached himself again. Lady Gladys
Palliser, did not shoot Robert North, and
never spoke o word of love to Anne Grace
Trathawway in my life. Iswear this to you,
upon my honor. Do you believe me?"
She looks down into his eager passionate
eyes.
Il do, ;" she answers, giving him her hand.
He raises the hand to his lips and kisses it.
Il think I had better tell you the truth.
You must hear it sooner or later, and can
not bear that you should doubt me again.
But need not tell you to keep the secret.
We must all guard it we'll Iknow who shot
the poor lad, but do not know how he did
it, or why. But I can guess"
.'Who was it ?" Lady Gladys asks with q
| sudden presentiment of ILL
''Your brother, Lord Heriot"
Lady Gladys face turns white as snow.
| but she does not faint. She sits in her sad
die erect and still, though she feels as if she
had received her death-blow.
my brother! she repeats, staring al
him.
Il will al you how it was, Hereward an
swers, coming close to the horse and resting
his hand ON his shoulder as he speaks, sc
close as to be able to support her should hel
strength give way. Il left the house about
three o'clock. went down to look at the
bridge, as you know. Then l walked dow1
the river-path towards Kingsleigh, on the
farther side. You know the wood where
North's body was found:"
Lady Gladys bends her head in assent.
''It ends near the village. had inst re
turned from the post-offlce, at about tel
minutes past four-I remember the time ex
actly, for the down train had just passed
| when. on entering the wood I met Lore