The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-08-20
I es. 1t was She who mentioned your


Something of the kind. "
And NAV [ ask, Mr.. Ayre, why you /
come to me from Mr.. Lilburne? Why
lid he not come himself or send for meF /
hould have been only too ready to
ley his call.
...rm his daughter; he said you had
ven him your word never to press
your suit with her again, and that he
had as much confidence IN yOurword as
he had in mine.
"Ah,'
There was pain, satisfaction, and re-
lief in the exclamation.
\ few seconds later he spoke again:
You have not explained your inter-
est in the matter, Mr.. Ayre. l don't
understand what Miss LilbuTne was to
you.
she was my promised wife, was the
answer.
Fairfield shrank little as though he
had received a blow, and his pale face
became still paler, but he quickly re-
covered himself, and he asked with
bitter smile on his face:
"DO You seriously believe that Kate
IIIburTp r vOur promised wife would
voluntarily leave her father's roof to
run away with me-
Most certainly not, . was the prompt
reply. 49,, -.--.-, -. -.
violence, thenI'
Good Heavens, mol should not be
here talking calmly if l believed such
thing possible
"Then what made you come to me?'
81 came, as drowning men clutch at
straws. to ask if you can, or will, help
me?H was the eager response. NO
body else can, l feel convinced. 1t Is
for kates sake, rather than my own,
that l ask you. The mystery that sur
rounds her fate maddens and appals
me. love her so truly that if it would
be for her happiness l would rather see
her your wife, than have any doubt as
to her safety or welfare"
''My wife!" repeated Fairfield with
mOurnful bitterness; the woman IS not
born who will be Hly wife. But you ask
for my help, and perhaps l will give II
TO you. l must think the matter over,
however. VIII you call on me Jhree
days hence, or, better still, give me an
address where l can write to you"
And you will write TO me?" asked
Roland, as he gave him his address IN
town. ..
Yes. I will write without fail"
Then Roland reluctantly went away.
/ He would have liked 10 ask several
questions. but he felt that if he did so
the engineer would think he doubted
him. and he estimated the mans char
acter with sufficient accuracy to feel
convinced that only by treating him
with perfect trust and confidence could
he win his cooperation.
But as Roland Ayre walked away
from Fairiield's Office it was with the
diSagreeable conviction that the latter
had questioned and Cross-QueStlOned
him, and learnt all that he had TO tell.
and told him absolutely nothing IN re-
turn.
''Ihe fellow is rs close as an OYSTER y
. Z Ia g +l...v-E.
is something firm, and strong and
massive IN the mans character. while
I he gives one the idea OF possessing q
/ certain amount Of latent power which
/ only exceptional circumstances VIII
I bring into action. And how lac loves
I KaUe Surely together we ought to be
able to find her alive or dead. ~
It was with some lmpatlenCe that ne
waited, day after day, for the promised
communication; but whole week
elapsed before a brief note came from
Fairfield asking Roland to meet him on
the following day.
The appointment was kept, and when
the first brief salutation was over the
engineer said:
IF you are disengaged to-day l viii
take you to see my mother. You know
she was Miss LilbuTne's nurse?"
Yes, | have heard she was her fOs-
ter-mOtheT.'
Fairfield inclined his head as he con
tiuued:
NV mother was as much devoted (
her as though Miss Kate had been he,
own child, and She is in great trouble
about her now. I promised to take yoI
to her. Perhaps you can help eacl
other
But how can help her? Does sh,
know where Kate is?"
she viii explain everything to yOl
7 herself > was the nyqSiE8 answer -
you feel disposed to go with me to m.
mothers house?' .. ..-
Certainly; my time is at your ser
vice. Where does your mother live?'
"About twenty miles this side of Sill
vert0n Castle. - was the reply, "and fift
from London; but we shall get dow
there in a couple hours.
Then the two young men went off to
Z gether Fairfield leaving word at tn
office that he should not return for tn
day. . t.r.s r... 3D..
they reached BecchcrOft. and Fairfiel
remarked that they had still three mile
to walk or ride.
Let us ride. =" said Roland inpatient
ly. Il feel as though every moment W
spend upon the road stands between u
and my. meeting with Kate
Fairfield looked at his companion i
: startled surprise, and he said with
! sigh: .- -.-
you are anticipating too much
You must prepare yourself for soma
thing the reverse of happy. Wha
made my hair turn white in singl
week can bring you no comfort nor sa
isfaCtiOn.
"Was Kate the cause of Your whit
hair?1 asked Roland in unfeigEed Sun
prise.
Yes; last Christmas Eve | was q
free from grey hairs as you are. No
[ look at me"
"But how did it happen? Why al
I you so mysterious? Whydon t you de;
frankly with mer''9
My mother Will tell you all that vO
need TO know was the answer. :
only warn you to anticipate evil rathf
I than good.
, Roland felt a chill come over hin
1t was not the keen air of early spTin
that made him shiver, but the cOldfee
. ing of dread and anxiety that Fairfield
4 words caused him.
! For. despite all reasoning to the cor
trarv. he had cherished the hope tn;
when he reached Mrs Fairtieid's co
4 tage he would clasp Kate Lilburne
, his heart. .....r.. .r
When he glanced at the white hair
his companion however, and hear
what was the cause assigned forit, !
Z felt only too well convinced that SON
dark tragedy had linked itself with Il
! fate Of his beloved .
For the rest Of the journey the tv
men were silent, one was too sad. an
the other was too neTyouSly anxious
talk. ..... ..
Il was a large handsome cottage
the gate of which they drew UP, and ;
they walked towards the door it wS
opened by Mrs Fairfield herself.
- She was a tall tme-lookIug wOma
comparatively yOung-loOking still, al
very Ike her son. though her darl
Z brown hair as yet showed no sign
approaching age.