The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-06-18

than usual taciturnity of his demeanor, but
does not venture to enquire into the reason
of it.
Hereward knows that he cannot leave
Kingscourt. He feels perfectly certain that
his every movement is watched, and were lie
to attempt to leave the place, he would be
prevented. The knowledge is almost pleas
ant to him. He feels no personal fear he
knows that nothing can be proved against
him-or at least he thinks he knows it-and
In this fancied security he is content to abide.
That any decisive measures will be taken he
does not believe. The evidence is too slight
for that.
In the red drawing-room the curtains are
not yet drawn, though the freight dances
ruddily on carpet and rug and more imme-
date fireside surroundings The Countess
has kept her own apartments this evening,
and EVE is with her, not feeling we'll
There is nobody i'll the drawing-room but
the Fraulein, nod,ling over her crochet and
the fire, and Blount and Miss Middleton,
flirting, as usual, ON the ottoman. He has
got her fan-that ever useful medium-and
Is playing with it, while he bends forward
to talk to her. She is snugly ensconced in
her velvet nest, one pretty round elbow lean
ing on the cushioned arm, and her laughing
eyes raised to his. They look very happy
and have no suspicion of the shadow that
has fallen upon the house.
At the window farthest from them-so still
that one would never have guessed her
presence in the room-Lady Gladys sits in a
low chair, leaning back, with her head
against the cushion, and her eyes closed
Her face is very pale; her cheek looks al
most CHASTITY in juxtaposition with the ruby
velvet, and the line of her beautiful lips is
inexpressibly sad. Her whole attitude is
one of wearied-out, despairing rest-not
rest, indeed, but quiescence, resignation,
despair. The carpet is SO thick and soft
that she hears no footballs as Hereward,
passing by the preoccupied group at the
upper end of the room, comes quietly into
the window and stands there, with his hands
behind him, looking out.
He does not see her Immediately. He is
looking at the twilight lawn, at the shadowy
woods, at the frightening of the clouds be-
fore the unrisen moon. But she opened q
pair of blue eyes, and is Watching him as he
looks. She feels towards him now that
mysterious sympathy which the knowledge
of a mutual secret invariably gives. Moth
ing draws people SO closely together as q
common grief or danger. 1t is we'll for MIR.
Standish Cartwright that he cannot know
with what an expression the blue eyes of
his lady-love are looking at the man that he
hates.
The sky behind the woods grows more and
more light ; q little cloud takes silver bor-
der to its lower edges then another follows
its example, and another, till the east is
flecked with silver bars against the night
As the sky brightens, the woods grow dusk.
Hereward watches the sky with intent eyes,
cto, CT, IN no CHI Tol,
Gladys watches him.
The tufted tops of the trees thrown out dis
tinctly now against the east, and i'll another
moment the young May moon rises above
them, and the lake shivers in silver be-
low. The light touches Hereward's fore
head, shows his grave eyes, his dark deter
mined face.
81 did not think you were romantic
enough to watch the rising of the moon, Mr..
Hereward," Miss Middleton calls to him,
gaily, Then he turns, and sees the still fig
ure at his side.
LADY Gladys" he says, softly, forgive
me have l disturbed your"
NO" she answers smiling O little. 81
was watching the moonrise on your face.
Mr.. Hereward, want you to tell ME some
thing"
81 will tell you anything"
''Why are you content to bear this igno-
miny? You cannot venture into the vii
lage unless you prove your innocence.
There is a more powerful feeling against you
than you think. Will you be able to keep
your promise =
Lady Gladys" he answers, in the same
low tone in which she has spoken. 81 have
such powerful motive for what I do that
the greatest suffering could endure-short
of actual death-would not induce me to
break my promise to you.
"And the motive ?" Lady Gladys asks
She does not guess 1t, or she would scarcely
have PIT the question.
II cannot tell You my motive" Hereward
answers, quietly. II dare not tell you. 1t
is all-powerfll let that knowledge reassure
you"
Lady Gladys turns the diamond on her
finger restlessly. Hereward sees it flashing
in the moon. A bitter smile curls his lip as
lie turns back to the window. What indeed
can his motive be to her! Has he a right
even to be actuated by that motive? He
has most assuredly no light to make that
motive known to her, of all people in the
world.
II wish my brother were here" Lady
Gladys says presently. you would not be
allowed to leave Kinoscourt, suppose 7"
"No. think l should not just now"
81 must go to him myself, then. He
should be here.
''He is better away.
"Why?"
'.Do you not see? Were he here, he
might betray himself"
Yes, when he found you implicated, he
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