Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-08-22

the quiet. strong face gazing SO ixedly into
hers seemed to read all; that those resist
less eyes pierced To her very souls depths
and caught its iamost secrets, and scanned
70 say: Whatever q u answer, l know al.
She stltnnIersd out breathlessly, in a ter.
ritiel, shame-faeed manner:
"lf you know all, why do you ask"
"Ah." replied he, installing the meaning
OF her answer, but still failing to connpra-
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
surprising he were to make 1t publics
In asking this dlscomposing question of his,
Fairfax had been actnated only by a desire
TO learn what was publicly known about the
abduction OF the Princess-if his accom-
plices 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 aback and
completely mystified by this behavior. What
did she meant He could not stop to reflect.
He was resolved upon this plan.
His future, at any rate, was ruined--sp he
took 1t 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, l will tell you all about it. You
know
Stop she cried, beseechingly. She
bad become desperate. stop! Mr.. Fair
fax. Imast 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, a singular dream awakened in my
mind an unpleasant suspicion. ! drove it
away, time and again. But, time and
again, it returned. A brief conference
with Louvait. the French detective, only
confirmed my belief that this unwelcome
visitor was right III demanding entertain
ment. But, on such slight grounds, how
could l bring accusation against al indNid-
ual whom l supposed moi only a gentleman
but II man of sincerity-onc of the Class
which my experience, as a rich woman
with tatterers and ~sycophauts has led me
hitherto to believe either fictitious or de-
fuucti | could not do it; and yet that sIs-
picion refused to be put down. There was
but one resort left me-either to prove it,
or disprove it; and that by myself, alone.
Oh! do not then think it boldness or shaiue-
lessuess that led me 0vsr the sea in this IN
wonlanly manner"
Fairfax listened in wonder. Did she
really mean that she had done this to shield
lin 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 inno-
eepce!'
Il do,n answered she, fearlessly, and
looking unfiinchingly into his eyes.
Fairfax, seeing that the girl was very
highly wrought-up and keenly felt the dis
grace and awkwardness of her position, re-
solved to comfort her. Besides, he was NOR
tai and could scarcely repress a secret feel
ing of e%xultation over the fact that he, the
man of humble fortune had, TO 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 !
who am disgraced; l who have ruined my
reputation in the eyes of two lovely women.
And yet / am not the abandoned wretch YOU
must think me. l told you the truth at that
fatal ball at the Marchioness'. Inever had
seen the Princess before that evening,
about shutdown. 1 saw her-and if you viii
have it-loved her. The whole thing was
an affair of but q moment. You think she
has suffered and been unhappy. 1 do not.
l believe she has never been happier since
her brothers death. never troubled her
until to-day, when she discovered who I
was, and, naturally, was indignant at learn
ing my course of duplieity. She is the love
Hest, purest and most angelic being on
earth!n
"Aye. that she is ~ warmly added Lydia,
without the least tinge Of jealousy"
"Of COURSE" he went on to say, 81 have
promised to free her, and think you must
have been sent here by a merciful proyi-
dence to take her back. l shall put her in
your sole charge. The steamer by which she
came is still in New York, but I will tele-
graph the captain to stop here for you.
You will not refuse to take charge of her,
will your said he, looking up i~nquiringly.
81 have failed after risking literally every
thing. l even borrowed a large sum in
order to carry out my plans. If l have moth
ing else to work for, l shall at least strive
to repay that. You do not know that l an,
| poor and PROFESSIONALISM
Il know it ALL" replied Lydia, quietly.
II know all about you"
"How," asked he, in surprise.
She answered simply:
L uaVe DeeH Ut yOuf nome"
"Ah, then you are the lovely Miss earns
| fordl"
Lydia blushed.
Fairfax looked at the girl. She certainly
must be q remarkable woman to have
undertaken such an errand as she declared
she had come upon. Next to his own Prin-
cess she was, a~ssurcdly, the finest woman
he had eyer seen.
She felt his scrutInlzing gaze, and became
visibly embarrassed. By no means was
her regard for this man yet gone.
81 ask of you one more favor he con-
tinued. Il shall not see the Princess again
at least, to speak with her. Will you tell
her-that if her suspicious are aroused as
to my Confederates in the deed, | request
her too keep them to herself. II Justice
must be satisfied, | myself will appear alone
and suffer any penalty that may free the
others. But l feel quite sure that she will
divulge not even then name Of the steamer
that brought her here and takes her back to
France; and l thinl the Lady Lydia is still
friend enough to stand by me in keeping this
request herself
"You MAJ depend upon me- said Lydia,
holding out her ungloved hand, and placing
it in Fairfax's in sign of friendship.
Here Fairfax stopped the horse. They
were at the entrance to Eld-Fiefd.
Handing the reins to Lydia, he said:
"f you want my assistance, send a note
over to the cottage yonder, where my aunt
and I 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
E1d-Field.
She believed now in her first intuition
this was the one man of her life.
CHAPTER XIV.
LIVED n LOyEDi
All was quiet about the house. Thsbhnds
were closed, giving the impression that the
| inmates 1rnl.n nu.u1. riia nlinhtel lied