Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-02-07

could be no doubt; but how Mr.. Daub-
eney, daubing away at his pictures, could
have anything to do with her passed my
comprehension.
Two or three DAYS later saw strange
man walking up and down in front OF
No. 2, looking up at the windows, and
then strolling on a bit and standing, with
his hands in his pockets, staring at the
sea. All day he remained about, never
going out Of sight, and evidently watch
| ing something or somebody. Ought | to
warn Mrs. Darlington? l did not like to
| brighten her; but. when dusk came on,
and | could still make out the figure of a
man sauntering up and down, | decided
1 that | would run in and give Mrs. Car
| rington a hint that the house was being
watched SO, transferring Reggie to-
/ James charge, Nth box of beads 10
/ thread for his amusement, | went in
! boldly. walking past the man, who just
/ glanced at me carelessly, and then re-
/ sumed his pacing up and down.
/ Mrs. Darlington looked more troubled
and unhappy than usual.
"How is Mrs. Matthew'S | asked.
"1Iuch worse. l have been up all
! night she answered quietly, her white
/ cheeks and dull heavy eyes confirming
! her words.
II wish you would let me send for
doctor" l said.
"Impossible!" she replied hastily. "No
doctor could do any good and vet, oh, il
is a terrible burden to bear all alone, and
in silence! l think sometimes that
snail go madv
Dear Mrs. Darlington" | said, taking
her hand in mine, Il do not seek to pry
into your troubles; but | came in here to-
night to tell you--mlnd, there may be
nothing in lt-that a strange man has
been walking up and down outside your
house all day"
II know have seen him." she an
swered quietly. 1T can be only a few
days, and then no power on earth can
harm us any more raising her sad
beautiful eyes, which had am almost eth
eraal expression in them. "Ee viii be
safe, she said softly; mo one can harm
him then
Of whom was she talking? Was this
sweet-faced woman devoid of reason? l
could not understand.
The next day she sent for me to go to
her at once. When | entered the room
where she was sitting, | found that all
I her usual calmuess Of manner was gone.
She seemed beside herself with grief and
terror.
81 must speak to you" she cried-"I
must speak To some one! On, / dare not
be here by myself when the end comes!"
Tell me your trouble and it shall be
sacred with me, | said solemnly, 'and
will help you if l can.
} "Alas, no one could help me, she an.
. swered, sadly. "But YOU have good
heart, and VIII tell you all. y
She sat down on a chair opposite to
me, with her back 10 the light and began
her story in a low hurried voice.
"Non must know she said. that for
two or three years before | was married
+ there lived with us a young lady who
was under age and an heiress; her name
] was Sihyl Graham. She was very
beautiful girl, but very wilful, and | do
not think that at any time she added
much to the happiness of our home: but
my mother and | were poor, and we were
glad indeed of the money that Miss Ora.
= hams guardians paid to us. She had two
J guardians, one of whom, Mr.. Darlington,
J afterwards became my husband. They
? used to come pretty often to see then
J ward, and to know if she was happy and
had every thing She wanted,
!: "Sibvl Graham was very selfish girl.
! / worshipped her for her beauty, and she
& made q slave OF nle--such awiling slave
J OF her two guardians she always said she
& liked Mr. Darlington least. | know she
/. was always Quarreling with him. Mr..
? Dene-that was the name Of the other
guardian-was an older and a different
2 sort Of man. which might have accounted
q for her feeling more kindly towards him,
Well, the time went on; and, when Slbyl
was in one of her cross proud moods,