The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-06-13


nImseiI mas norning 10 40 Win the an
tecedents. Democritus teaches that
chance Is ut the bottom Of all things,
and so reduces life-all things-to very
barren issues; not strength, truth, cour-
age, nor ability, winning the race, but
chance. And Frank wondered If this
same chance had taken Mr.. Eyre to
Synge Lane that night; but the thought
was too horrible to be pursued; and
Frank, pacing the room restlessly,
longed for the library door to open, and
his host come out to reassure him.
But Mr.. Eyre, sunk deep in slumber,
with the pen in his hand, could not
have awakened if he would, so power
fully in species of nightmare was he
held; and when Frank, after restlessly
waiting another half hour tried the
door, and found it still locked, he re-
solved to wait no longer, for he had an
errand to perform that night, and would
feel no peace till 1t was accomplished.
Half past eleven struck as he closed the
hall door behind him, and at the same
moment saw black shadow fit across
the courtyard, and disappear at the
foot tothe stone steps that led to the nur-
sery. ga r. .r
"Hester!" he exclaimed aloud, with a
sensation of intense relief that sur
prised himself; and as he passed below
Madcap's window he paused and look
ed up at the light in it, and blessed her,
and thanked God as for one who has
Just been delivered from peril.
A faint light issued from the room in
which Mr.. Eyre sat, and between the
blind and the window-frame Frank
caught glimpse of him sound asleep at
his table, his head sunk on the out
stretched arms, a pen still grasped by
his fingers.
In turning away, Frank struck his
foot against ladder placed against the
wall, but of this he thought nothing,
stone steps, and found, as he expected,
the outer door ajar. He entered, but
not 30 quickly but that warning was
given of his approach. AS he gently
pushed the nursery door open, a woman
stole behind the half-open door Of a
linen-press, and stood there trembling,
believing the newcomer to be Mr.. Eyre.
Dody lay tossing on his bed. and
Franks heart contracted with bitter
pang as he looked down on his darling,
who in dream-land clutched fast the
pillow that represented to him his
mummy" Frank had been able to
avert one sorrow from Madcap, but he
knew that he could not avert this one;
nothing short of miraclewoulde ever rea,
Dody to manhood now. The fatal cold
caught Oh the spring morning when he
had stolen out to gather that birthday
flower, had taken fast hold upon him,
and the beautiful little body in which
the lamp of health appeared to burn SO
brilliantly. was already fevered and
weakened by hidden mischief.
An inner door opened, and Josephine
entered, starting back in genuine amaze
ment at sight Of Frank.
Mrs. Clarke is here" he said, ap-
preaching her. II saw her enter" he
added, as Josephine held up her hands
and eyes in contradiction, and called
upon heaven and earth to witness that
| there was not soul there save the
children and their two selves.
And the door that l found open,''
he said, chow is that?"
The woman gave him an inscrutable
look from under her long lashes-how
many nights had she not thus left it on
the latch-then as he still looked at her,
she shrugged her shoulders.
1.-The diamonds daZZled me-" she said;
sit was in thinking of them that / for
got the door. All! mon Dieui" and she
clasped her hands, "a man might die,
commit q murder for necklace like
that"-perhaps it was of such keep
sake Mr.. Digges had been thinking,
when he had promised her-poor stupid
fool that he was-anything If she would
be his wife!
Frank smiled at the thought of the
brilliant .Frenchwoman as plain Mrs.
Digges, but the thought did not cross
his mind, as it would inevitably have
done Mr.. Eyre's, how in this stolid,
stupid mans passion for the unprin-
,ipled woman lay the elements Of a
:rime. He was thinking of Hester, and
As certain that she was In the house, as
that Josephine was ignorant Of her
presence.
He advanced to the inner room, fol-
owed by the nurse. and as they disap-
,eared, figure stole from its hiding
place, and with one rapid, passionate
kiss on Dody's brow, passed out and
down the stone steps.