The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-21

The anxiety and grlet tnat succeeded
Frank'srescue of Kate from the vault
to which her sister had consigned her,
had blanched the young mans hair and
aged him rs by the lapse of many years.
Previous to this event he had not
lived in his mothers cottage, though
when in England he frequently went TO
see her, but now, though it was torture
for him to 90 there often, he could not
keep away for more than few days at
n time.
There was no improvement in Kate's
mental condition; at any day he might
be obliged to leave England on the BUSH
ness of the firm in which he was part
ner, and in view of such contingency
he was trying to make up his mind to
brave all consequences, go to Mr. Lii
burne, and make full confession of
his share in Kate's abduction, when,
fortunately for him, Roland Ayre
visited him at his office as already de-
scribed.
But Frank was convinced that he
must be more than usually cautious.
Kate was to be considered, and he re-
solved that until he had thought the
matter over and taken counsel with his
mother, it would be best to learn all he
could and say AS little as possible.
The consequence of this course OF
conduct we know.
And now we must return to Mrs.
Fairfield's cottage, where, it will be re-
membered Roland Ayre was very UNI
willingly following Hates former nurse
into an inner room, his anxiety to
hasten to SilveTton Castle and make
Grace confess what she had done with
her sister, making him impatient of a
moments delay.
This back sitting-room was larger
than the one in which he had been re-
ceived, it was better furnished too, and
the window looked out upon a large
garden thickly planted with fruit-trees.
A work-basket with pretty bright
| pieces of silk and wool and feminine
| fancy-work lay temptingly upon small
table, but its contents were untouched,
q bright fire with guard over it burn
ed in the CRATE, and near it in low
easy-chair, with her hands clasped list
lessly upon her knee, sat Kate Lilburne.
Roland recognised her in an instant,
though he was dimly conscious of some
great change having taken place in the
woman he loved, and he sprang forward
eXclaiming.
Kate, my darling, have found you
at lastl''
But she never rose to meet his EN-
brace, she barely glanced at him, but
| SUl llOllbilltSS WIFI liti tyto hNNu No
cantly upon the fire.
A cold chill seemed to strike Roland
to the heart, and he turned in question.
ing dismay to Mrs. Fairfield, who stood
sadly looking on.
won't you speak to Mr. Ayre, Katie
darlng?n She asked in "a tone she might
have used TO wilful child; speak Il
him, dearie, and tell him you will LEI
him take you back to your father and
to Grace
The words made no impression upon
her, though Roland held her hand ten
derby while her nurse was speaking.
If there was change in her face Il
was at the name of Grace, but the frowI
was so slight as scarcely to be percepti
BILE, and beyond this she might have
been lay figure for all the heed SHIT
paid to the man who had once the pow
er above all others TO move her 10 re
spond to his devotion.
"What is the matter with her? VIVA
has caused this changer he asked fear
fully, all his eager delight turned y
grief and dismay.
"Her head has been injured; my sol
declares that she was thrown down tn
secret vault of which he speaks" wa
; the reply; but come into the next room
and Frank will give you his own &C
count about it. You shall see her agar
If you desire it before you go, but sh
is best left alone. hoped your pres
ence might rouse her, but you see sh
takes no more notice of you than sh
does of me"
b Roland tried once again to win
glance of recognition from the woma
n he loved, but all in vain; the body wa
= alive, the reasoning soul was dormai
Q or dead.
= More depressed If possible than
J. had been when he thought he had To-
II her for ever, he followed Mrs. Fairiie
n into the room where Frank was avail
s SIIow long has she been like this
d he asked dejectedly.
"Her mind has been gone since u
q hour you last saw her." was the repl
" "but She is stronger in health than 81
u has been since that dreadful night, III
-. | believe her reason may be restored
y her. Modern science has worked ev'
u greater miracles"
D. ut may belt may be" assented r
land drearily; but you have not To
~ me how she came here"
IN mo. When l told my mother, S
49, would not believe me-" replied Fra
u with ill-concealed bitterness, "but yc
~ who know what happened before Ka
was lost, may not be so sceptical. >
~ you doubt me, however, can take y
va to the very spot where she fell at
"a feet"
Az ''There is no reason why | shol
doubt YOU replied Roland sadly. N
Lilburne. who knew you well. could