The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-26
CHAPTER XI.

Mr. Lilburne caught Kate in his arms and express
ed his delight at seeing her then he grasped Ro-
lands hand and babe him also welcome.
you see have taken you at your word, said the
bridegroom gaily. Kate and were married more
than week ago..
"A week! But where has she been all the past
year?"
ply; but where is Grace?
In the general delight at welcoming back the lost
heiress and the new bride, Grace had for the mo-
ment been forgotten
But they had not far to seek for her.
There i'll their midst she lay like one stricken with
death and people looked at each other curously as
they lifted her for this sudden swoon looked more
like the consequence of fear than the effect of joy.
Take her to her room, she has only tainted" said
Mr. Liburne to the servants who were called.
The order quickly obeyed Victor somewhat
careIessly giving his assistance.
But her father and friends noticed that Kate show
ed no sympathy for her sister, neither did she offer
in any way to help her.
| This was very unlike the Kate of former days.
Then she had been the first to hasten to the side of
the suffering and to try to assuage their pain.
But now she only looked after her sister with an
expression OH her face of wondering pity, not I'M
mixed with aversion and she neither tried to caress
nor to receive her.
The curiosity of the guests however was not to be
our heroine that she at last briefly told her friends
that in finding hiding place the previous Christ
mas she had fallen down trap-door i'll the dsused
tower and would have remained there and perish
ed if her foster brother had not rescued her
And then Roland told the rest of the story, even
There is Something she has not told US. said
Miriam Hindman to Victor Gayherd; 'she has not
fold MS what hand Grace had in her disappearance.
Depend upon it, we have only heard half the story.
Miriam's curiosity not satisfied, however; only
Mr. Lilburne was ever told how Grace had consign-
ed her sister to what she believed would be her tomb
BY this time servant came to say that Miss Grace
was conscious, but would not leave her room again
that night though she requested her guests would
not let her absence interfere with their amusement
They took her at her word; the dancing too COM
menced; and no one seemed to miss the girl
was to be q bride:
In view of the ceremony of the morrow. the party
broke up soon after the arrival of Mr., and Mrs Ro
Those guests who were not staying in the house
took their leave, and those who were went Off to
Victor Gayherd alone fingered. Roland was his
cousin and he tried to find out from him the mo-
tive which had made him keep even her father in
Ignorance of her existence for so long time.
Il cannot tell you why, but we had very good
reason" was the evasive reply
Had Grace anything to do with it?" was the next
Grace did not know that her sister alive any
probably not; she assured me she dead; but
that is no answer to my question. Did Grace know
that her sister had fallen through this trap-doorY
Il cannot tell you'll can tell you nothing"
al think it very unfair of you not to tell me; do
you know am expected to marry the girl to NOR
row."
4 would rather you than I; but question her your
self If you have any doubt.
"Oh, know what her answer will be; she is not
too careful of the TRUTH and though she is not the
great heresS she was supposed to be- still, as have
gone far, wouldn t draw back now II were
convinced thatshe was innocent OF all guilty knowl-
| edge of what had befallen her sister"
Roland made no reply.
He felt sorry for his kinsman, but he had prom
sed Kate not to expose her sister, and he felt that
he must keep his word to his wife whatever hap
pened to his cousin.
IN ask Mrs Ayre herself" exclaimed Victor, pas
sionately.
You WIN do nothing of the kind, my dear fel;
| low" said Roland firmly; my wife has had quite
enough to go through without being cross-ques-
| toned about her sister.
Use your own judgment in the matter. If loved
woman 1 should want nobody else to tell me
whether to believe in her or moi"
"And what if you didn't love herg asked Victor
| grimly.
Roland shrugged his shoulders then he held out
| his hand and said:
Goodnight"
Though he did not say so, he knew quite well what
| his cousins decision would be-
When he Joined his wife and her father in the
study of the latter, Kate asked nervously:
You have not said anything against Grace to Vie
tor have you, Rolandg'
| Certainly not was the reply; ''but he is suspi
cious, and has been questioning me-"
II shall not allow the marriage 70 take place to
morrow" said Mr.. Lilburne decidedly. Grace Il
unfit TO be the wife of any honoraDle man.
II think she must have been mad that night
Kate said gently;'T have often thought so since;
"She was thoroughly bad, returned her father
giootnily; s'she is only too like her mother
Soon after this they retired to rest: Mr., LllDurn
grateful and satisfied at the recovery of his best
words to tell in the blissfnl possession OF her nus
bands love and her restoration to her father.
The only cloud that cast a shadow upon the pei
feet contentmen of both was the reaehery OF Graet
and the question as to what would become OF her
When the cold grey morning daWned tne snos