The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-10-23

asleep u was with tho determination TO un-
rayel the mystery mt any cost.
After breakfast he drew Lois aside. and
asked II he could see her alone In tho libra
~. She answered in the Affirmative. look
ing little surprised at so strange re-
quest. and led the way TO the room at once.
Arthur closed the door and motioned TO
her 10 take "A seat on the sofa. She did so.
and he sat down by nor side. little puz-
zled how best 10 begin his task. The light
fell full on her face. He could see every
change In its expression. which was exact
ly what he desired.
Miss dis Arthur began. Il have not
told you. l think. that the best friend / have
on earth is Cyril Hartwell.
Every particle OF color forsook her face. a
nervous trembling seized her. and she put
out her hand implo ingv toward him.
do not speak OF him.. she said. in low.
shaken voice. IL cannot-bear IL; and
and IL is useless. What said three years
ago / must say now.
But / have some hing to tell you-some-
thing you must hear, said Arthur
1T can make no difference in-in any
thing" she said. still in the same low. hest
tating voice.
Il must insist. however. that you listen
TO what have TO tell YOU. Miss Drayton.
/ assure you that you will not regret having
done so. i did not know until Just before
i came down here what it-was that had so
saddened Cyril Hartwers life. / have
known him only a little more than two
years. and he is not one to carry his heart
on his sleeve. But he told me the story OF
his acquaintance with YOU the night before
/ let town; but he could not tell me why IL
was that you refused TO marry him the
very day before the one set for the we'd
ding"
Il have never told any ono that. l never
shall. 1t is useless to ask me to do SO. l
would die sooner.
"will YOU not let me til him?" asked
Arthur. will you not let me explain 10
him that IL was through the Vaccinations
of an artful woman that he was robbed OF
his bride. and that YOU were cruelty
cheated? Miss Lois. did You not know
enough OF the character OF Rose Ellis 10
make you doubt"
Lois started up. her eyes glittering. a
deathly pallor on her lovely face.
Rose! Was it RoseY she cried. Il
never knew that never even suspected IT,
For heavens sake. tell mel Do not keep
me in SUSPENSE"
She sank back. trembling. on the sofa.
her. delicate hands clpsped IN piteous ap-
pal.
For a moment Arthur was silent. He
scarcely knew how TO proceed.
Did you never suspect. then. that your
cousin Henry was attached 10 this girl. and
that it WIS through lis influence tina. you
were made so wretched?" he asked at
lencth.
Henry attached to Rosel" said Lois.
slowly. why. Henry"
She paused, Dlushing painfully.
Henry has repeatedly assured you OF his
attachment 10 yourself, you would say
suggested Arthur.
Yes. lie has long desired 10 marry ne.
even before my engagement to-to-MaJor
Hartwell."
And yet. three years ago. he promised to
marry Lose Ellis. She has returned home
now, determined to make him fulfill that
promise. H. has put hes of from time 10
time with the excuse that he was poor. and
has tod her that at your death he would
inherit your money. ana could then marry
her. He tells her that you cannot live long.
but thar If he married her now you would
not ltave him penny, and that she must
therefore have patience"
Lois pale cheeks had flushed. The
was an angry sparkle in the soft, dark eyes
raised TO Ar:hurs lace.
How have you learned all this. Mr..
Hazardg" she asked.
viii you not tell me first how Rose
Ellis managed to deceive YOU
III l only dared" murmured the poor
girl. signing. Il have kept silent 50 long
that now
For your own sGke-for Cyrirsl"
Ste did not speak for moment. Her
face WAS hidden in her hands. and nerv-
Gus tenor shook her from head 10 foot.
1T must nave been from some powerful
motive that you have kept silent so long"
said Arthur. looking at hor pity.ngly.
1T was for his sake. for his alone" she
burst out. almost wildly. Il did not
think OF myself at all But. oh. l could
not have his blood upon my hands. Mr..
Hazard. you will think me foolish. even
worse than that. fear; but was always a
coward ana easily frightened. 4 he evening
before l was TO lie married, / went with old
Mrs. Kinds 10 see n sick child. TO whom ]
was much attached. It was DUSK before /
started for home. and took "a path through
the wood, which was suotter than going
around by tho road All at once heavy
cloak WAS thrown over my head. and was
forced 10 nay knees. Then the cloak was
torn aside, and looking up j saw a woman
standing over me. Her face was concealed
by hideous black mask, and / did not
recognize her voice. She told me that she
loved Cyril. and had sworn 10 kill him
sooner than see any other woman than her
self become his wife. She said that ii /
dared marry him she would shoot him
through the heart within an hour after the
ceremony. She swore this. calling on
heaven TO witness her vow. and so solemn
was her manner that did not doubt Tor an
instant that she would carry out her threat
IL fulfilled my engagement 10 Cyril. had
heard frequently Of Just such desperate
deeds committed by Jealous and re-
vengeful women. On my knees
promised her that l would give Cyril up,
and would refuse any explanation OF the
act She told me that ii married him his
blood would be upon my head. This was
nv reason for breaking my engagement.
and dared not sec Cyril for fear he would
wiring my secret from me, ana tnen per-
suade me there was no danger. and insist
on running the risk. My love for Cyril gave
me courage 10 shield him from danger at no
matter what cost 20 myself. If l married
him it was at the risk OF his life. l could
not thus put it in jeopardy"
How cruelty you have suffered" said
Arthur. And then he told her OF the con-
versation he had overheard the night
before.
Your cousins motive in preventing your
marriage is very plain" he said. in con-
clusion. He hoped 10 win you for him.
self, while he led Rose TO believe that il
was simply that he might come into pos
session of your money in case you died I'M
married"
Il would not have believed Henry so base.
so cruell" said Lois
Suppose we send for Rose and ask
her few plain questionsY" suggested Ar
thur.
DO just what you think right. said Lois;
Il do not fear her now.
A servant was dispatched 10 the cottage
at once, and soon returned accompanied
by Rose, who had not imagined for a mo-
ment the real reason why her presence was
desired.
She had thought Mrs. Andrews wanted
to send some special message 10 her grand
mother which could not be intrusted to a
servant, and when she was ushered into
tho library and saw the Squire Mrs. An
drews. Lois and Arthur Hazard i'm council.
she was thoroughly frightened for once in
her bold, reckless life.