The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-28
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Tor cannot be. Nay, more, you would feel
asnaned That you had put me to the neoes-
sty OF asking second time that you would
forget that we had ever met"
The directness of this final appeal and
the tremulous earnestness with which II was
urged struck the right cord in Lord Algv's
nature I4 lie was perplexed to account for
"lhtred's connection with the establish
ment IN Cayendish street, but the earnest
ness OF her manner and the touching terms
IN winch she threw herself upon his gener-
GUS lorpearance convinced him that in some
way ne could not conceive Of Winifred had
lal9 herself open to suspicious that were as
undeserved as they were injurious. AL
ready he felt ashamed of his designs. and he
lost no time IN beating retreat.
Il sincerely beg your pardon, Mrs. Deni.
son, Tor thrusting myself upon you," he
| SAID. II will not repeat the Intrusion nor
attempt to pry into your secret"
| And raising his hat and bowling pro-
foTndly Lord Algy passed on his way
Wlnlfreds eyes We're full of unshed tears
as she was driven back to Glen Orloch. She
mad ESCAPED from a menaoinc situation
with flying colors, thanks to her tact and
hrmness, but her mind was i'll at ease as
she brooded upon her position as Lady Fal-
conridge's guest Was she not STAYING at
Glen-Orloch on false pretensese If Lady
talconridgs knew the truth would she not
condemn her for duplicity in masouerading
under the name of Winifred West when she
was the wife of Sir Reginald Denisons
A wave or remorse passed over her as she
thought OF the false step that she had taken
IN accepting Lady talconridge's invitation.
AS Nurse West, living an unattached life
and owing no social duties, she felt that it
was matter OF Indifference by what name
she was called. But she realized now that
IN stepping out of the line she had origi-
nally prescribed for herself when she in
sisted on separating her life from her hus-
bands, she had created difficulties for her
sell such as she had not contemplated. She
could see no way Of escape except By with
drawing from her engagement to Lady
Falconridge and leaving Glen Orloch. She
felt that she had not the courage to tell her
the miserable story Of her Inflated mar
riage. even if the sense Of loyalty that she
felt that she owed to the compact with her
husband did not prevent her from unsealing
her lips on the subject.
What excuse could she find for leaving
Glen-Orloch2 She could think of none.
There was nothing for it, she felt, but to
continue as she had begun. The weeks
would soon pass that would bring her en-
free to return to her old unattached life,
which she promised to herself she would not
again depart from.
And SO the days drew on TO Christmas.
and the period of her emancipation from
the false position into which had allowed
herself in momentary weakness to be be-
trayed approached an end. She worked
hard at her procession, aud made rapid
progress. The water-color drawing Of the
Lancer and his Charger had been purchased
by Lord POlehampton, who delighted to
play the role of Maecenas to young artists
Of promise, for large SUN. Lord Pole
hampton was so favorably impressed by the
proof Of Winifred's genius furnished by
her spirited drawing that he had given her
two commissions and sent a kind message
OF interest in her welfare, promising to Sc
cure her further patronage. With so much
to encourage her she devoted herself with
more untiring industry until she excited
Lady Falconridge's fears lest her health
would gave way under the strain.
One morning the post brought letter
from Claude, who was coming to Glen
Orloch, in accordance with tae arrange
meuts made with his mother, hoping to
secure Winifred for his wife.
As Winifred still maintained silence con-
corning the three years of her life that fol-
lowed her fathers death, Lady Falconridge
felt that the time bad come for her 10 make
an attempt to penetrate through her re-
serve.
II have noticed that you never say any,
thing of your affairs before you entered
upon the career of nurse. Will you not
tell me of that time dears" she said, as they
sat alone in the drawing-room.
Lady Falconridges manner was kind, but
Winifred started as if something had s.ung
her. The color fled from her checks, and
she raised her hands above her head in an
attitude of despair. Then, fiinging herself
ALa k-.xs- II
Lady Falconridge was sitting, she hid her
head IN her lap and broke into passionate
weeping.
"Do not trouble about it, my child" said
Lady Falconridge, soothingly.. as she
stroked the heavy masses Of her rich brown
hair as she spoke.
81 should be glad il you could give me
your confidence, but if it hurts you to say
anything of that time we will not speak
of itn
"Oh, how wish could tell you," cried
Winifred, between her sobs. 1T is a secret,
a horrible secret. 1t is not my secret alone;
if it were | would tell you all; but l must
keep it," and Winifred's agitation became
so great that Lady Falconridge was COM
PEELED to forbear pressing her inquiries
further.
Claude when he came was told what had
happened, and strange fear crept into his
heart as he saw how great was the cnange
which had passed over Winifred since last
he saw her. She seemed as if turned to
stone. She gave him her hand shyly and
timidly, and scarcely ventured to raise her
eyes to his.
~ will not distress her by speaking to
he said afterward to his mother, NOR shall
she be questioned any more. But l will
penetrate this secret of hers, and then she
shall be mine-be the secret what it may"
Claude returned to London next day, and
as Lady Falconridge's manner became more
kinder and moro thoughtful than ever
Winifred's spirits slowly revived. though
the memory Of Lady Falconridge's question
remained with her TO keep her in perpetual
renembrasce how hopeless was the passion
she CHERISHED in her heart for Claude
Maclean. One thought conforted her. She
aloue had TO bear this misery OF futile
love. SO she imagined. If she had KNOWN
CHAPTER XII.
"a task too strong for wizard spells
This squire bad brought about;
vTis easy dropping stones IN wells
But who shall get them outf