The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-05-10

| you one question. You have just professcd
| 10 hold me in utter contempt How Is II
| then. you did not place the matter in the
hands Of detective! How il II you deal
with me personality In other words. how
came you here, and what do you want with
mc,.'
| As he asked her this he turned suddenly
and sharply around and looked her full in
| the face.
The question was perfectly natural: but
| the effect was extraordinary. and had he
| not been in the mood that rendered him
proof against surprise, Fairfax would have
| eyinccd this.
| Lydia gasped. shrank back upon her seat
| and, under the keen scrutiny OF those
| searching eyes. became crimson. then pale,
| and in her confusion it seemed to her that
| the quiet, strong face gazing SO fixedly 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 faced manner:
IF you know all, why do you ask.'
"Ah.' replied he, mistaking the meaning
of her answer, but still failing to compre
bend the cause of her confusion, ..yes, dc
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 to make it publics
| In asking this disconposing question Of his
Fairfax had been actuated only by a desire
to learn what was publicly known about the
abduction of the Princess-if his accom-
| pieces had been discovered: if others, be
| sides Lydia, knew of his guilt and where
abouts; or il she only had gained the secret.
He had made no accusation at all against
her; and was, therefore, taken aback and
completely mystified by this behavior. What
did she mean! He could not stop to reflect
He was resolved upon this plan.
His future, at any rate, was ruined-so he
took it for granted. Still he would make
the best of circumstances. He would Sc
cure Lydia as a. shield to protect, from the
shafts of justice, Dick and his other accom-
plices. He continued:
NOW, will tell you all about it. You
know"
"Stop.' she cried, beseechingly. She
had become desperate. stop! Mr. Fair
| fax. Unjust explain myself. You say you
know all. You do not. am not the bold
creature you believe me-
Fairfax listened with growing astonish
ment. Lydia continued:
'Some time after Natalie's disappear
ance, singular dream awakened in my
mind an unpleasant suspicion. ! drove il
away, time and again. But, time and
again, it returned. A brief conference
with Louvait, the French detective, only
confirmed my belief that this unwelcomt
visitor was right in demanding entertain
ment. But, on such slight grounds, how
could bring accusation against an individ
ual whom supposed not only gentleman
/ but man of sincerity-one Of the elias.
which my experience. as rich woman
with flatterers and sycophants has led mi
hitherto TO believe either fictitious or de
funct. could not do it; and yet that sus
picion refused to be put down. There wa
but one resort left me-either to prove i,
or disproye it; and that by myself, alone
Oh! do not then think it holiness or shame
lessness that led me over the sea in this vi
womanly manner"
Fairfax listened in wonder. Did sh
really mean that she had done this to shiel
hint Was it possible that, after all, Die
was right.
Turning toward her again, he abrupt
asked:
do you mean to say that you actuall
came to America wishing to prove my innt
cence.'
Il do" answered she, fearlessly, an,
looking unflinchingly into his eyes.
Fairfax, seeing that the girl was yer
highly wrought-up and keenly felt the di.
grace and awkwardness of her position, ri
solved to comfort her. Besides, he was moi
tai and could scarcely repress a secret fee
ing of exultation over the fact that he, tn
man Of humble fortune had, to suchRn ur
suspected extent aroused the interest o
the greatest ''catch'' in England.
"You are mistaken said he, II do no
consider you bold or shameless. 1t is
who am disgraced; who have ruined m,
| reputation in the eyes of two lovely women
And yet am not the abandoned wretch vol
must think me- told you the truth at tina
fatal ball at the Warehouses. never ha,
| seen the Princess before that evening
about shutdown ] saw her-and If YOU will
have it-loyed her The whole thing wa
an affair of but moment You think sh
has suffered and been unhappy. do not
believe she has never been happier sine
her brothers death / never troubled he
until to-day, when she discovered who
was, and. naturally, was indignant at learr
ing my course of duplicity She is the low,
lest, purest and most angelic being o
earthr'
AYE! that she So warmly added Lydi
without the least tinge of jealousy
'sOf course he went on to say, II hay
promised to free her. and ] think you mu.
have been sent here by merciful prov
dencc to take her back. ] shall put her
your sole charge. The steamer by which sf
came is still in New York, but will tel
graph the captain to stop here for yo
You will not refuse to take charge of he
viii YOU" said he, looking up inquiringl
i have failed after risking literally ever
thing. l even borrowed large sum
order to carry out my plans. If have not
ing else to work for, shall at least stri,
to repay that. You do not know that a
, poor and PROFESSIONALISM
Il know it ALL replied Lydia, quietl
II know all about YOU"
"How,' asked he, in surprise.
She answered simply:
Il have been at your home'
.'Ah, then you are the lovely Miss earn
ford.''
Lydia blushcd.
, Fairfax looked at the girl She ccrtainl
must be remarkable woman to ha,
undertaken such an crrand as she declare
she had come upon. Next to his own Pri
| CESS Suc WAS, dSSuFcOly. TIC uucSt WOmd
. he had ever seen.
She felt his scrutinizing gaze, and BEGAN
visibly embarrassed. BY no means w;
her regard for this man yet gone.
Il ask of you one more favor" he col
tinucd. Il shall not see the Princess aga
at least, to speak with her. Will you te
her-that if her suspicious are aroused
to my confederates in the deed, reque
her too keep them to herself. If JUST.
must be satisfied, l myself will appear alor
and suffer any penalty that may free ii
others. But feel quite sure that she wi
divulge not even the name of the steamt
that brought her here and takes her back
France: and think the Lady Lydia is SIT
friend enough to stand by me in keeping tn
request herself
"Yon may depend upon me- said Lydi
holding out her unglovcd hand. and placr
, it in Fairfax's in sign Of friendship.
Here Fairfax stopped the horse. The
were at the entrance TO Ed Field.
Handing the rcins to Lydia, he said:
If you want my assistance. send no
over to the cottage yonder. where my au
, and am STAYING Meanwhile will ord