River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-03-08

! and in her confusion It seemed 70 her that
| the quiet. strong face gazing so ixedlT into
hers seemed to read all; that those resist
less eyes pierced TO her very souls depths
and caught its inmOst secrets, and seemed
to say: Whatever your answer, know all
She stammered out breathlessly, in ter
rified. shame-f faced manner:
If YOU know all, why do you aski''
I 'Ah," replied he, installing the meaning
OF her answer, but still falling to compre-
| bend the cause Of her confusion, Eyes, do
/ know ALL =
She hid her face in her hands to conceal
her feeling Of shame. He could have no re-
| spect for her now; and-horrible thought
| supposing he were 70 make it publicl
In asking this discomposing question Of his,
| Fairfax had been actuated only by desire
70 learn what was publicly known about the
/ abduction Of the Princess-n his accom-
| pieces had been discovered; if others, be-
sides Lydia, knew Of his guilt and where
| abOuts; or if she only had gained the secret
He had made no accusation at all against
her; and was, therefore, taken abaok and
completely mystified by this behavior. What
did she meant he could not stop to reflect.
He was resolved upon this plan.
His future, ct any rate, was ruined-so he
took it for granted. Stin he would make
the best Of circumstances. he would Sc
cure Lydia as shield to protect, from the
shafts Of justice. Dick and his other accom-
plices. He continued:
''Sow, will tell you all about it. You
/ know
"StOpr' she cried, beseechingly. She
had become desperate. ''Stopl Mr.. Fair
| fax. ] must explain myself You say you
know all. You do not. am not the bold
creature you believe me"
/ 4 h
/ ment. Lydia continued:
.'SOme time after Natalie's disappear
ance, q singular dream awakened in my
mind an unpleasant suspicion I drove it
away, time and again. But, time and
again, il returned. A brief conference
with LOuvait, the French detective, only
confirmed my belief that this unwelcome
/ visitor was right In demanding entertain
ment- But, on such slight grounds, how
could bring accusation against an individ-
| Jfal whom l supposed not only gentleman
I bot a man Of sincerity-One of the class
/ which my experience, as a rich woman
with latterers and sycophants has led me
| hitherto to believe either fictitious or de-
I functl 1 could not do it; and yet that sus-
piciOn refused to be put down. There was
| but one resort left me-either TO prove it.
/ o. disprOve il; and that by myself, alone.
I Oh! do not then think it holiness or shame
/ lessness that led me over the sea in this I'M
I womanly manner"
Fairfax listened in wonder. Did she
I really mean that she had done this to shield
I hint Was it possible that, after all, Dick
was right
Turning toward her again, he abruptly
\ asked:
DO you mean to say that you actually
{ came to America wishing to prove my limo
I cencei"
Il do" answered she, fearlessly, and
I looking unflinchingly into his eyes.
I Fairfax, seeing that the girl was very
I highly wrought-up and keenly felt the dis
[ grace and awl1wardness of her position, re
/ solved 70 comfort her. Besides, he was NOR
I tai and could scarcely repress a secret feel
I ing Of exultation over the fact that he, the
man Of humble fortune had, 10 such an un-
/ suspected extent, aroused the interest of
/ the greatest catch in England.
''You are Mistaken" said he, II do not
/ consider you bold or shameless. 1t is
I who am disgraced; who have ruined my
reputa ION IN tie eyes Of two lovely women.
[ And Jet am not the abandoned wretch you
must think me. / told you the truth at that
fatal ball At the MarchiOness' / never had
7 seen the Princess before that evening,
about shutdown. saw her-and if you will
.
an affair Of but moment You think she
has suffered and been unhappy. do not.
believe she has never been happier since
her brothers death. l never troubled her
until today, when she discovered who
was, and, naturally, was indignant at learn
/ ing my course of duplicity. She is the love
hest, purest and most angelic being on
earthp'
AYE that she is - warmly added Lydia,
without the least tinge of jealousy
''Of course, he went on TO say, II have
promised 10 free her, and think you must
have been sent here by merciful provi-
dence 10 take her back. | shall put her in
( your sole charge. The steamer by which she
came IS still in New York, but will tele-
grapi. the captain TO stop here for you.
You win not refuse to take charge of her.
will yOul' said he, looking up inquiringly
/ Il have failed after risking literally every
I thing. 1 even borrowed large sum in
order to carry out my plans. If l have moth
ing else 70 work for, | shall at least strive
to repay that. You do not know that am
poor and PROFESSIONALISM
Il know it all" replied Lydia, quietly.
I Il know oil about you"
''How," asked he. in surprise.
She answered simply;
i have been at your home"
'Ah, then you are the lovely Miss earns
ford ~
lydia blushed
Fairfax looked at the girl She certainly
must be a remarkable woman TO have
undertaken such an errand as she declared
she had come upon. Next TO mis- own Prin-
cess she was, assuredly, the finest woman
he had ever seen.
She felt his scrutinizing gaze, and became
visibly embarrassed. BY no means was
her regard for this man yet gone.
Il ask Of you one more favor" he con-
tinued- Il shall not see the Princess again
at least, 10 speak with her. viii you tell
her-that if her suspicious are aroused as
to my cOnfederates in the deed, l request
her too keep them TO herself If justice
must be satisfied, myself viii appear alone
and suffer any penalty that may free the
others. But l feel quite sure that she viii
divulge not even the name Of the steamer
that brought her here ana takes her back to
France; and think the Lady Lydia is still
friend enough 10 stand by me in keeping this
request herself"
You may depend upon me- said Lydia,
holding out her ungloyod hand, and placing
it in Fairfax's in sign of friendship.
Here Fairfax stopped the horse They
were at the entrance to Eld-Field.
Handing the reins 10 Lydia, he said:
If you want my assistance, send note
over to the cottage yOnder, where my aunt
and am staying. Meanwhile will order
Blanche, the Princess maid, TO prepare all
things for departure, and will let her know
when the steamer IS expected"
With a bow, Fairfax was gone, and Lydia
slowly drove in alone through the gates Of
Eld-Field.
She believed now in her first intuition
this was the one man Of her life
CHAPTER XIV.
LIVED AND LOvEDi
An xrae or,iat af,ostf sI,a I,o,,aa The bfi,da