The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-02-05
SBURG, PA. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 5. 1886.
"a t,lk- Where are the proofsr Such

one of which I received, l am at liberty
to bring q friend with me. What viii you
sav if / escort Lady Nswen herself2'
"You can't do it. You'll never compass
It. III lay you q hundred even you don't
bring her" exclaimed Archie Freeland,
ezcitedly humping the table with his fist.
"Done," said Gabriel, making a note of
the bet in his pocket book. You are wit
nesses, gentlemen. Till we meet again at
brakes supper table, TeU0ir, 1iessjeurs,"
and with these words the singer strobe to
the door, and left his friends to discuss
his affairs, and calculate his chances Of
success.
Lady Newen sat in her boudoir in Bed
ford-squarc alone. 1t was a charming lit
tie room, essentially feminine, delicious
nest Of old lace, blue china, and velvet,
with Venetian looking glasses, and Dres-
den 6Cures, and pretty porcelain brackets
fixed up against the canary tinted walls.
Lady Newen sank down on the sOftest of
Welding divans and took up a letter
which lay open on the table near at hand.
1t was from her husband in Paris, where
he had been delayed, as he wrote, on di-
| piomatic business much beyond the time
note, bidding his wife take care Of her
dear self for his sake and to keep the
warmest Of welcomes for her truant on
his return. IL shall probably not be home
for another week, but shall he able to say
/ for certain to morrow. l think, however,
/ perhaps had better advise you to ex-
/ pect me when you see me, so you will not
/ be disappointed"
Lady Newen missed her husbands
/ pleasant society. She had grown to feel
| a very dee. q love for !.im during the
/ two years ia Calcutta following her mar
/ riacc, and she did not like his being away.
Perhaps she had fallen into semi-slum-
| Der over her visions OF the past. and her
! castle-building. at any rate. she started to
/ her feet as a loud double-kuock sounded
/ through the quiet house.
! She mechanically sInoothed her ruffied
yellow hair (Which is a sort of instinct
with women, from the daiIymaid to the
. duchess), and bright light shone in her
/ soft blue eyes.
/ Perhaps II Is Cuthbert-it must be!
/ No one else could come at this hour. Oh,
| am glad he has returned. Yes, here he
! is;r and Mysie ran to the door and open
/ ed it.
On the threshold stood the butler, and
behind him, in the shadow, Gabriel Cole.
Lady Newen drew back for moment
into the room, while the pale color deep
ened to crimson in her cheeks. Then ad-
/ dressing the butler. she said:
Morris, this is not a usual hour to adj
NIT callers" Then turning to Gabriel: :
"Mr Cole, I nm sorry I cannot see you
dis evening, l trust your business is not
~ sUch pressing nature but that it can
wait till 70 morrow. l never am at home
! to any one, except my husband, after six"
and she moved away.
The servant went down stairs.
Pardon me for my intrusion, Lady
1 Newen," was Gabriers formal reply; 'but
| the business which brings me here
I tonight is Of most urgent nature, as
you will allow when l acquaint you with
] il. 1 must speak with you. II IS mat
ter Of life and DEATH and he opened his
big black eyes, and looked very ominous
and tragic.
/ "Come in, them" she replied, little i'm
/ patiently. II am listening. Be seated"
! And she preceded him into the boudoir,
and stood on the rug by the fire, awaiting
his news, while she carelessly warmed
her hands and turned her rings round on
her white fingers.
al come, as / say, bound on an errand
most urgent. come from dying wo-
man, to beg you to follow me to her bed
side, and since her hours are numbered,
she wishes to make her peace with God
and man. She feels she needs your for
giveness before her soul can find rest
She has sent me TO you. begging you to
go to her while yet there is time"
What do you meant Who is this dying
woman vino wishes to see me7" asked
Mysie. turning = startled face from con-
templating the fire.
..Lorita Leopard. Can You refuse the
last petition of one who even now may be
passing beyond the reach of your for
giveness? Even now she may"
Stay; I will not refuse. l will follow
you instantly. Wait for me"
Aud lifting the p0rteire. she glided into
an adjoining room.
When she returned, her face and form
were hidden by n long. black, r-lined
cloak. with hood drawn down over the
head.
Mysir's checks were very pale, and her
eyes shone with excitement
u am ready to follow you. Do not let
us delay longer. or we may be too late"
For IL moment Gabriel hesitated-the
part ne was about to play seemed so ut
terly contemptible. But the horrible al
ternative Of losing the wager. and becom-
ing the laughing stock Of London. soon
settled the point. He held open the door,
aud Mysic swept down the staircase.
Gabriel opened the front door. and the
two walked quickly across the square.
and down side street, lill they came to
the cat-staud.
It was silent drive. Mysies heart
beat fast with great anxiety lest she might
even now arrive too late. Gabriel, for
once, was feeling really nervous as to the
issue Of this adventure.
suddenly the hanson .ame to a stand
still. Gabriel threw back the doors with
much noise. and perhal =, = little brava-
do, held out his hand to Mvaie, dismissed
the cab. and then offered his arm To his
companion.
There were bright lights in an upper
window and the gayest sounds cf re evelI-v.
She followed Gabriel up "A shcI% wind
iu. isrclse. dimly lighted. As they as
Su.de,i - steps the noise grew lou,ler.
Leua iaughter. cliuking Of glasses. bass
voices Ginning IN with scrap Of songs
refrain. and "a label of womeu's chatter
and mems applause.
Tncy crossed short passage. dark as
night. and with heart that, figuratively,
sank into his boots. Gabriel threw open a
door and almost dragged Mysie into the
room. But she retreated at once on To
the threshold. where she stood, with her
hood fallen back on to her shoulders and
L