The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-20

IuDDtu HcI eyes dlO tAACh StC AC
membered-remembered the last look on
IMalcolms face as he turned to leave her,
Ibis message to her mother, and the bitter
task that lay before herself to-day.
And scarcely was she dressed when this
Twas forced upon her. She had not, in
Ideed, left her bedroom when Palmer
Ientered, carrying message from Mrs.
fraser OF Airdlinn, who was below, and
Iwished to know if she might come up
Istairs and speak to Nora at once.
4 Nora could not quite hide her agitation
from Palmer's quick eyes, as she listened
TO this request 1t was, of course, very
well known in the household that some
thing unusual had b~ln going on last
night-Mr Biddulph's late arrival-Al-
fred's mysterious disappearance, for he
had only returned at dawn, and would
give no further account of himself, ex cept
that Miss Stewart had sent him on a mes
sage.
Palmer was highly offended by this reti-
cence, and had scarcely spoken to Alfred
at breakfast but the young man, having
the pleasing knowledge that he was the
happy possessor of $50, part of which he
meant to spend ON present for his sweet
heart, had borne her coldness so amiably
that Palmer thought it was quite time she
was making up to him again.
Still Palmer was intensely curious to
know what it was all about; and Mrs.
Conway-Hope was more, If possible, curl
Gus still.
Therefore Palmer noted how, with quick
ened breath and paling cheeks, her young
mistress heard that Mrs. Stewart was be-
low, and wished at once to see her. And
Nora felt she could not refuse this request.
This poor mother must hear the terrible
news before the day was over, and 1t was
best to break it to her now. Therefore
Nora bade Palmer to bring Mrs. Fraser up
Etairs, and few minutes later Mrs. Jock
entered, looking fresh, smiling and well.
'How are you, my dear?" she said 60
ing up to Nora and kissing her face IN her
kind, motherly way.
Nora often thought afterward how Mrs.
Jock looked at this moment-so rosy, so
happy, a matron in her comely prime,
with her eyes, blue as poor Malcolm's,
brimful of content and good nature.
Il am not feeling very well" hesitated
Nora, with her eyes cast down.
"My poor child, am sorry for that. But
it's nothing serious hopeY"
"0h, no"
.:.That's all right, then; and, Nora, my
dear, what have YOU done with my boy?
] never was so astonished In my life when
the housemaid told me this morning that
last night, after Jock and l had retired to
bed, that Alfred had arrived with letter
from you for Malcolm, and that Malcolm
went back with him TO ROssmOre in the
boat. Did he stay all night here, or 60 to
his uncle Alick's?"
''He did not stay here" faltered Nora
''Then he's at uncle Alexis. Jock felt
bit uneasy about him, as Malcolm has
not been looking well lately, SO he pro-
posed, as soon as breakfast was over this
morning, that we should cross the water
md inquire about him. But L told Jock
ne was quite safe IN your hands" and
Mrs Jock laughed.
Poor Nora's task seemed to be growing
more difficult every moment. She turned
away her head; she gave a little gasping
sigh, and the mothers quick ears of love
heard it.
There is nothing the matter, is there p"
she asked sharply-"nothing with Nal
colmP
Upon this Nora caught her large firm
hand in her own cold trembling one.
"Oh, Mrs. Fraser" she said, Il sent
for Malcolm last night because he has got
into some trouble-because Just now he is
better away"
what do you mean?
Mrs. Jocks voice was almost stern as
che asked this question, and she fixed her
eyes on Nora's changing face with some
suspicion in her glance.
cit is terrible TO me to have to tell you"
went on Nora, "most terrible, but, Mrs.
Fraser, it was Malcolm who fired the shot.
who killed that unhappy woman in the
Glen"
"Malcolnl r' cried Mrs. Fraser, a sudden
flush passing over her face, and pushing
Nora's clinging hand away in her quick
agitation. Il don't believe a word of it.
Who has been telling you this, Nora Stew
art"
''It is only too true, Mrs. Fraser-only
too true" answered Nora turning away
her head, and her eyes filling with tears.
This is a bitter task to me, but you must
know, and Malcolm, hope, is safe. By
this time he is far away"
"What do you mean2 / ask you, what
do you mean2 You have not sent the
boy away, have you, to hide himself, as il
he had done some fearful wrong2 Where
is he? I ask you, what have you done
with my sonP
'Mrs. Fraser, last night news was
brought me, such news as almost broke
my heart. was told-it is no invention
that the woman's death in the Glen had
been traced TO Malcolm, and that to-day
this information would be given to the
police, and Malcolm would be arrested. y
cit is an invention" answered Mrs.
Fraser, with strong indignation. "What
had Malcolm TO do with this woman
Nothing? A woman he never saw-a
woman, the wife OF another man2"
'It was by accident he killed her;
but"
''Then, why did you send him away
Why did you not let him face any inquiry
that could be made? Ny boy would
speak the truth; if he shot the woman by
accident, he is not one TO deny it,"
Nora's distress was now very great II
seemed too dreadful TO destroy the poor
mothers proud confidence in her darling
son.
''where is Jock" said Nora, greatly
agitated "We had better send for him" +"
'He is at Alick Fraser's. Yes, send fol
his father, and Jock will tell you, as do
that We have not taught our boy to run
away and hide himself, whatever he has
DONE
Nora rang the bell and sent Alfred for
Jock Fraser, and in the meanwhile Mrs
Fraser continued in a state OF strong ex-
ritement and indignation. She began
walking up and down the room, glancing
occasionally angrily at Nora.
II suppose" she said presently, that
Dir. Biddulph is at the bottom OF this