Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-07-26
AUNT AND Niece,
The Mistress Of
HazelWOOd.
ny GERALD CARLTON.
CHAPTER XVII CONTINUED.

fhNtt, VIM WAS httttu III tI6 IaDl6. started
and turned her face to him.
She saw at once that his levity had been
assnmed--that his awkwardness during the
first part of the evening had been caused
by the presence of the lady who had lust
left
There was a terrible earnestness in the
expression of his face which frightened
her, because it was so unlike his usual ex-
preston, and bscause it reminded her SO
foroiDly of the hideous face which had
haunted her several times-the one she had
sketched, and which had appeared to her
during the third drawing lesson.
The time had come.
Jack Graham's private interview with Ada
He boldly took the first step toward the
working out of his scheme by speaking in
solemn tone of voice her name.
Miss Wentworth"
Ada started from her chair when he pro-
nounced her name so very solemnly. But
he signed to her to reseat herself, and fixed
his eyes SO earnestly on hers that she.
who was subject to that kind of strange fas-
cination, could not withdraw her gaze from
him.
Miss Wentworth, Jack repeated, in
low. earnest tone, every moment of Mrs.
Harcourts absence is virtually precious.
ance. You have noticed how eager | was
that she should leave the room Don't
question my motives they are honorable. I
only desire your happiness, otherwise am
not personally concerned. Have alarmed
you too seriously. or are you able to under
stand what am saying?"
i understand your words she vacantly
returned; but 1 do not know what they
lead to- Tell me! Mystery :errifes me- !"
They lead to, he answered, quickly, mot
so much to what I said desired just now
as to the happiness of your aunt-to the
happiness of Mr. Tryfol Which is dearer
! to yOu--yours or theirs?"
Ada could not remain mistress of herself
in answer such question.
Their happiness is my happiness, she
exclaimed, involuntarily.
Il knew it, Answer me this. If You
were block to their happiness, what would
you do?"
Remove the block" she answered, in an
Intense whisper,
mo! not that not that sin!" he returned.
But remove the block-yes!"
Still under the spell Of his eyes, she left
/ her chair. and standing by it, placed one
hand on its back; with the other she toyed
nervously and unconsciously with the ends
of her hair.
Miss Wentworth, you are living here to
the desolation of the happiness of your aunt
and Mr.. Tryfoil. Your youth, your ingcn-
uousness, and your sad affection have been
played upon, and you have been treated $
a child-your life is unreal-a gross, though,
well-meant deception has been practicej
upon you. The man and woman for whom
you have the greatest affection are. out of
compassion for you, sacrificing their own
earthly happiness in order to spare you
pain" A
1t was skiIlful. devilish speech. Her
| eyes flashed, but not with the fire of insan-
| ity-her lips quivered-an electric spark
seemed to pass through her frame. With
the fair hand that had toyed with her hair,
now tightly clinched, she struck her little
bosom proudly, whispering the one word
which made her strike it" Compassion"
YES" he reioined, seeing that he had
already great advantage. Compassion
for your madness, for your unrequited love
of Tryfoil"
She started wildly when he uttered those
last words, and q faint cry half bust from
her. She covered her face with her hands.
and shuddered.
Aunt" she whispered, dearest! awaken
me from thi, strange, miserable dream"
See, Miss Wentworth, how we'll informed
ami" Jack Griham went on. "You can
doubt nothing that I tell you. / know all
that concerns them and you. Your en-
counter with the idiot beggar when he tried
90 force paper on you-your flight to the
house-your rushing into the library and
telling your secret your love.
SEEING her hands he pulled them away
from her CHASTITY face.
Wills delirious rawlings interpreted with
such demoniac cleverness by Graham, and
employed with such fend-like art, again
assisted him.
Listen to the beginning of the gross de-
ception that has been put upon you, " he
fiercely whispered. "In the library that
afternoon you were laboring under one of
| your pitiful decisions. You did not tell
your aunt that you loved Mr. Tryfoil."
"Oh, heaven! Aunt"
Miss Wentworth. you told your love to
Mr.. Tryfoil himself.
mo, no! A liza dreadful lie to madden
mel Ada cried, wildly staring around
the room, until her eyes encountered
Graham's.
Swear by the love you bear them" Jack
whispered, gancing for moment over his
shoulder at the door, and half expecting to
see some assassin standing there, for he had
almost shattered his own nerves in his vii
hinous attempt to mold her mind into the
form ne desired. "Swear By the love YOU
bear them to observe secrecy on what has
passed and Will pass between us o-night-
to account for any iii effects which my words
will cause you. by saying that you have
been suffering from mad delusion. Prom
Use. and will tell you more--will tell you
all, and show you how you can restore the
happiness you have unconsciously blighted
Promise!"
He seized her cold little hand again; but
she snatched it violently from him, then
sank into chair and hid her face.
Il promise. This his all happened be-
fore in one of my fits, she murmured pit
eously Il know what yon are going to say.
know what | am going TO answer. Coon!
Go on! promise. Tell me all
Jack placed himself behiud her chair,
and, putting his hand on the back of it,
bent his head over her shoulder SO that his
lips nearly touched her ear.
"Wifl Tryfoil does not love you; you know
it. he whispered. will Tryfoil did not love
my sister, nor is he engaged to marry her.
My sister is dead"
Ada repeated Jack Graham's last words
hoarsely. He snatched from his pocket
newspaper which in its account of the rail-
way accident had devoted few lines to
Emilys death.
Be woman, Miss Wentworth, he pro-
ceeded Raise your eyes. Read thatl'
As If abe were Walkino in her sleeD she