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

wards. She rides into Kingsleigh and tele-
graphs to her brother to come down to Kings
court, at once. Then she rides slowly back
through the woods.
| At a sudden turn in the path she sees
Hcreward walking on before, with his hands
w lis rock"ts. MS usual A SILVER follows
her recognition of him, and she reins back
I.cI uoIso, uuC not before he has seen her
and stopped.
At this moment morbid impulse seizes
Lady Gladys to find out all the truth then
and there. For even yet, in her heart of
hearts. she does not believe that Hereward
is absolutely guilty of Robert North's death.
If his hand indeed fired the shot, no evil
dence but his own will make her credit the
fact that it was done in cold blood. 1t was
don" accidentally, or in self-defence. But
the fact of his having quarreled with him re-
nEtlned the same.
She lets Kuhleborn take his own way and
time and Hereward waits for her to pass.
But she draws rein when she is beside him,
and he walks on at her horses shoulder,
talking quietly of the beauty of the day.
| Lady Gladys looks at him-at the sternly-
sweet profile, at the grave, deep eyes, at the
strong hand on her horses neck-the hand
which had still the mark of her whip upon
| it. Was there indeed deeper crimson stain
upon ia stain that could never wear off or
be removed?
mir Hereward," she says, while her
checks pale and her voice trembles little,
''there are reports going about-have you
heard of them ?-reports that Robert North
was shot, not by poachers but by rival
Fave they reached your"
'.Blount said something to me about it, The
answers, looking up at her. "But 1 have
heard nothing since.
81 have then. Mr.. Hereward, have YOU
any idea whom they suspect?'
'None whatever" he answers quickly.
do they suspect any one-have they found
any clue?"
81 believe they have. I have been told
that they could name the assassin"
| She looks searchingly into his face as she
speaks, and sees how he starts-perceives
how his color alters, how his voice changes,
as he asks
'Do you know his name?"
81 do"
"You do !" he echoes, staring at her. They
have both stopped, and he stands close to
her-so close that she can see down into his
eyes. There is no dread or fear in them,
only intense surprise.
81 do"
s'And who ishe?'
"You, yourself.
| For q moment Hereward looks at her; then
he steps back a pace or two.
"And you believe this, Lady Gladys Pal
User 7"
Glow can I help believing it? There are
terrible proofs against you.
against me! What possible proof can
there be against me?"
The surprise, the utter incredulity of his
tone almost reassure her.
''Your going to the mill, and having been
seen with the girl, and being absent on the
evening of the MURDER" Lady Gladys an
swers slowly and sadly. "It is terrible
terrible but it looks awfully conclusive.
know not what to think"
EDO you think that I shot Robert
North?"
"If you did, think it was accidentally"
she answers, meeting his look without finch
ing
'But do you think care for Anne Grace
Trathaway?"
"What else am to think? She does not
deny it. :"
''Did you ask her?" he inquiries, little
scornfully.
'No But I did ask her to tell me who
shot Robert North, if she knew. And she
confessed that it was done through some
jealousy or other, and that she was to blame
| for it.
'.And you Immediately set me down as the
only possible lover" Hereward smiles, half
contemptuously.
''There is strong evidence against you"
Lady Gladys answers coldly. 81 only hope
you may be able to disprove it. But it
seems to me an impossibility now that you
should clear yourself"
''But do you believe me guilty?"
''Not guilty. But it may have been done
| by you accidentally"
''Will you believe me if I tell you simply
that did not do it?'
She meets the dark eyes-she sees the
slow fire gathering in them, the determined
line of the mouth, and she answers
81 may. But you will never be able to
prove it.
81 can prove it in moment, if choose.
''Then do so, for PHYS sake 1t is time
for YOU to do it. The whole county will be
ID tomorrow, unless some stop is put to
what is going on. There was n detective of.
fcer at kinsscourt to-day; 1 believe there
ore several about the place."
''Ihis is Cartwrigh's doing!" Hereward
excllims, with a bitter Scorn. But he has
over-reached himself again. Lady Gladys
Palliser, did not shoot Robert North, and
hathaway in my life. Iswear this to you,
She looks down into his eager passionate
eyes
81 do, she answers, giving him her hand.
He raises the hand to his lips and kisses it.
Il think l had better tell you the truth.