San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-10
CHAPTER xxx.


n NEW SURPRISE.
My life at Gwendovey was quiet and un,
eventful enough. found decent lodging
in the house of one Mark Drew-the elderly
man who had advised me, in friendly way,
TO run for it, just when was about to tackle
the champion Oi the mine. 1t was white
washed cottage on the skirts Of the moor
and sufficiently removed from the noise and
hustle of the mine itself. | had a bedroom
and small parlOr, 50 that when had got
around me my small stock OF worldly goods,
including few books, was tolerably com
Portable. and as cOntcnted--well, as content
ed as one crossed in love can be.
\ fortnight passed away Short as was
the time, it seemed an age to me, hungering
as was for some news from home. had
received one letter. written by Annie, in
which she told me that no change had taken
place since my departure but made no men
ton whatever OF Madeline Graham or George
Redruth. To this had replied in as cheer
fu a strain as possible, but shamefacedly
keeping silence on the subject nearest to my
heart | was full, therefore, of secret anx-
iety.
As for the chance of any stray rumOr
reaching me concerning changes at st. Cur
lofts, 1t was fully rs remote as il had been
dWcilcr on the other side of the earth. The
village where dwelt resemblcd an island
surrounded by an unnayigablc sea, and the
people in it knew as much or more of KANT
schatka as they knew of st. GurlOtrs. From
generation to generation. they dwelt apart;
TroglodytcS of the mine. they knew of moth
ing beyond it, Very few among them had
ever beheld the sea, though its nearest point
One Sunday, the second after my arrival,
was astoniShed to see light country cart
drs~ up at the door, containing John Rudd
ard my cousin annie. Startled and fear
ing some bad news, ] stepped out to greet
them, and learned that they had driven over
nom yarmouth, a town some twenty miles
distant where they had arrived in the car
rier's wagon on thc previous night.
assisted Annie clown, and saw that she
was very pale ami trcmbled. Then while
John Rudd drove away to the beerhOuse,
where he was Ia put up the horse, led my
cousin into the cottage.
Directly we were alone, she burst into
tears.
Something has happened" l cried.
Speak, Annie! don't keep me in suspense!
Is anything wrong at homer"
My fear was that some evil had befallen
my poor uncle, but was Immediately reas-
sured.
"AI's well at home, Hugh dear; it's not
that which brought me over. came to tell
you that the marriage day is fixed. They are
to be welded in St GurlOttS next Wednes-
day morning."
l knew of whom she spoke, though she
mentioned no names, and was both sur
prsed and angry that she should travel to
me with 50 sorry u message. She saw the
darkness gathering in my face, and cried
eagerly:
Hugh, dear don't be angry felt must
come and tell yOu-for oh! it is breaking my
heart, as well as yours"
looked at her in amaZcmCnt
Breaking your hearth echoed. "What
is it to your
at is everything to me. Master George,
though he is going to wed Miss Graham, is
my husband in the sight of GOdr'
Then was rightr' cried. 81 was right
from the first The villainl He led you
from your hOme!
She bent her he I'd in weeping acqueScencc.
All my spirit arose once more against her,
for though | had suspected the truth, her
confession came upon me like thunderbOlt
] looked at her in horror as, stretching out
her hands pitifully to me, she proceeded.
Hugh, dear, promised that | would one
day tell you everything, and it is for that |
came. l waited on till the last, thought to
hold my peace, hoped and prayed that he
would never 90 so far; but when heard the
day was fixed, my mind was made up-to
hold my peace no more. But first went to
him, and prayed to him on my knees Then,
finding that it was all in vain, determined
to come here"
you are speaking of George Redruth?" l
asked, sternly.
"Yes-Of the young master"
you left home In his company? You
were together in LOndonT'
God help me-yesp
"Why have you screened him so lOngy'
Because made him promise. Because
/ believed until the very last that he might
make amends. Because because-I did not
wish TO see him harmed! Oh, Hugh, forgive
me don't look at me like thatI You prom
ised TO be brother to me always. Keep
your promise now"
How could resist her sad appeal? was
q chur 30 repulse her. even for moment
But, casting off the mask of severity, kiss.
ed her, and placed her in a chair. As she
looked up at me with her pleading fearful
eyes, | silently cursed the scOundrel who
had been the cause of her trouble; but for
her, poor girl, l had only sympathy and love-
Then thought crossed my mind, and l ask
ed eagerly:
''Have you spoken of this to any one else?
Does my uncle knOwp'
She shook her head.
.No one knows but yourself" she replied.
"llOw could speak of il to any one but
yOu?'
80 much the better" returned. EVIL
enough has come of all this already, and |
would not for the world that it should reach
the old mans ears. He believes George Red
ruth blameless. God knows what he might
do if he knew him to be as guilty as you
say"
Full OF the new thoughts her confession
had awakened, | walked up and down the
room; after a little while l bent over her
again, and took her hand.
annie, l must know everything; not part
of the truth, but the whole; then, perhaps, 1
can help you. But first, about this marrlage2
You say II is now certain thing?'
"Yes, Hugh. That is why l came"
you did well" answered. Now, tell
me the whole story"
She obeyed me, and listened in deep agi-
tation. Simply, clearly, she described to me
all that had taken place, from the day she
had first left her home.
CHAPTER xxx.
ANNIE's STORY.
1t was long and painful story, delivered,
not consecutively, but brokenly, in series
OF vivid episodes; and so agitated was by
what heard that II yyas soma tina hafora I