The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-11-22

up number of stairs and along a num-
Der of corridors, and then, opening a
door, he stood aside to let her pass into
room. A moment afterwards Kate heard
the sound of the door being locked, and,
turning hastily round, she found herself
alone with the baronet. Then she knew
she had been duped, and she felt faint
with fear. Sir Geoffry stood before her
with logged look in his eyes, which
were slightly bloodshot.
"Where is Charlie?' asked Kate. with
a huge effort to appear unconcerned.
He has gone to A." answered Sir
Geoffry.
Then why did you lie to me, and
bring me here - demanded Kate angri-
ly, hoping that her indignation might
COW him as it had done on q former oc-
casion. But the baronet was this time
fully prepared.
81 lied to you to bring You here, he
said sullenly. "And / brought you here
because am resolved you shall be mine.'
''Sir Geoffry are you mad 90 cried Kate
passionately.
"And if I am, you are the cause was
the answer. Glove for you has driven
me to this-has made villain of me-"
He did not attempt to approach her,
but spoke iercely, gesticulating wildly.
He was evidently terribly in earnest.
Kate, although her apprehension increas-
ed every moment, did not lose her pres
ence of mind. She affected to laugh, and
gave him an opportunity to draw back
from an enterprise which would be
fraught with nothing but misery to him.
'There, Sir Geoffry,' she said; "you
have had your joke, and although it has
not been in the best of taste, l forgive
you. Now let me 60 or Charlie will be
home and anxious about he."
Sir Geoffry sat down before answering;
then he said:
Kate, you are deceiving yourself. I've
loved you from the first day we met, and
| told you so by the river side. You
oSoluCd lit OuCb, UuU ludU ulduS luO iON0
you the more, and I swore you should be
mine"
"Then, as you persevere in OBTAINING
me, must rouse the house." said Kate.
Help! Help she cried frantically.
Sir Geoffry made no attempt to stop
her, but remained immovable in his chair.
When she paused, he said quietly:
"You are wasting your exertions. 1
sent my man to London this morning,
aud the housekeeper and her husband
are at the furthest extremity of the
house. Besides, she is, as you know, as
deaf as post, and the old man is not
much better.
Then, seeing her glance toward the
window, he continued.
That window overlooks an old court
yard, and remember we are in the third
story. You will see by all this how much
in earnest am
Kate did now see only too clearly.
what is it you PROPOSE" she asked
family.
THAT we go away together at once
he answered promptly. "The mare is in
the dog cart; train for London stops at
- at 11:45. We can be in Paris to-
morrow night. As you know, am rich;
and your every wish shall be gratifed.
And when Charlie seeks divorce, which,
no doubt, he will, you will become Lady
Wild"
If anything proved that Sir Geoffry
Wild was for the time being partially
| bereft of his sences, it was the method
with which his plot was arranged.
method SO totally foreign to the mans
cratic and impulsive nature. To this
conclusion Kate arrived, but in no wise
it served to lessen her cruel fears. She
endeavored by conversation to gain time.
"And if refuse your proEosal?" she
asked.
eff you refuse? Well-you remain
here"
"But You can't keep ME here forever,'
she said, forcing smile.
"No; but if you only remain one night
it would be impossible for you to return
to Charlie"
Kate was about to make passionate
retort, and to heap invectives upon her
prosecutor, but, rejecting that it would
do no good, she refrained. Then she
leaned her head upon her hand, and ap-
| peared to consider; at the same time she
cautiously examined the room in the
hope of discovering some means of es-
cape. The apartment was of oblong
shape and modern dimensions, and was
evidently one used by the baronet DUR
ing his stay, for upon table near the
window, covered with white cloth, were
the remains of meal. The walls were
hung with pictures of a sporting charac-
ter, and on either side of the door were
rows Of book-shelves partially hidden by
red baize curtains. All this Kate took
in at a glance.
| Suddenly a thought struck her which
almost caused her heart to cease beating.
/
wild and so improbable of successful re-
suits, that for moment she was inclined
to put it aside as absurd. But then time
was passing, and Charlie would be home,
and there would be a world of misery
which she might avert. Upon second
thoughts she liked the scheme better,
and determined upon giving it trial.
The first difficulty was to get Sir Geoffry
from the room. If he were only away
for few minutes she might succeed.
''Sir Geoffry," she said at last, with
gentleness in her voice which would have
put woman upon her guard, but which
the baronet accepted as sign that she
was softening, "Sir Geoffry, would like
to talk this matter over with you, but it
has all been so sudden that l feel faint
and i'll. l think some wine would revive
me; can you get it for me?''
For one moment only Sir Geoffry had
a suspicion that she had purpose in get
ting him from the room, but the refiec-
ton that he could bolt the door after
him, and one glance at the pleading face,
decided him, and he smiled and said:
''There is some wine in the dining
room; l will get it,
Then he unlocked the door, passed out,
| and turned the kew on the Their side.