Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-08
1.-THE Count has dcns great wiekednsss,
and hhnA left him fnrarnr y

and have lett MIN forever.
Bathurst had very little insight into the
world "high folks" lived in and that il
contained wicked husbands and runaway
wives was startling piece of enlighten-
ment. To use his. own expression, che
did not know which end of him was up
permost :" he only knew there was mys.
FERROUS power in the mild authority Of
tho young nnistress's voice which con.
strained him TO obey.
He huddled on his clothes in the dark,
and led the way down the ladder steps
and through the news, without any of It's
other occupants being any the wiser.
When they reached the road, the old
man turned towards Westminster There
was only one quiet and respectable house
he know of to which he could take the
lady at such IN hour Of night, and that
was small lodging house kept by his
niece. 1t was across Westminster Bridge.
The strangely assorted companions
walked in almost uubroken silence till the
bridge was reached but just as they
vera about to cross it, the great clock
rang out the first stroke OF three, and
Lucia, speaking upon a sudden impulse
Of fear, said, III have been away an hour.
If they should have missed me "
"They couldn't tell which way you had
taken, my lady" responded the old man.
seeking to soothe her. "And you'll be
under shelter in q few minutes now. 1t
isn't for the likes Of you to be walking
the streets at bull noon
Fortunately Bathhurt's niece had va
cant bedroom, and though It was very
poor and meagre compared with the one
she had left, Lucia lay down to rest III ii
with feeling Of security and relief that
she had never known i'll the other. She
was soon asleep, and she slept heavily.
for mind and body were alike exhausted
and young weariness rarely woes sleep
in vain.
She did not wake till the woman OF the
house came in at half-past eight to bring
her a cup of tea. But then she rose has
tily and dressed.
| She had planned out her work for the
day in the long hours Of her forced innc-
ton and her first purpose WAS to 60 to a
firm of lawyers who had once managed
her fathers property, ana put her charge
against the Count in their hands.
However, she was afraid to venture
there on foot, lest she should be recog.
missed by some friend Of the Counts; and
as she stood outside tho door ct the lods-
ing house, looking about Tor convey
ance, a man whose Respectable clothes dld
not quite accori with the expression OF
his face, stepped up to her and said, with
a slightly foreign accent, 'ShaH get
you cab, lady 2
Lucia started; but she would have
started at any abrupt address, and Plero
saw there was no recognition in her quick
glance as she said, II you please,
There was cab-stand near with which
he was familiar, though the Westminster
Bridge Road was an uutracked wild to the
Countess Silvestrclli, and he returned in
a couple Of minutes with fou1- wheeler.
Where would you 90, lady?' be asked.
after Lucia had taken her seat md drop
ped small coin in his palm.
ITO Lincoln Inn.
He delivered her message, but as the
cab rolled away lie looked atterit, mutter-
ing curiously, "What does she want with
a lawyer p For Picro had seen what
made him divine that size might need one
shortly.