Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-19

Sarah was just turning away from the
MAntel-Plece; and by she clock it Yves
JUST Tour minutes past eight
now the time had flown between
my leaving the school-room with Sarah
ana my going into tho gardenl
CHAPTER XXI
Isat down by the table as soon a.
Sarah had left the school-room. and
rested my head ON my hands. I did
not want to cry, though few tears
trickled down between my fingers ct
the thought that I should not see
Laurence again before he went away;
but wanted to put the events of the
evening together and find out what
they meant. There was only one con-
cluslon to come to; Sarah had deliber-
ately prevented my meeting him. The
ring l heard had been Laurence's;
and, after sending him away by means
OF fasehood, she had had another
ready for me when asked who it was.
u looked again at Laurence's note.
he had called at the house at seven, he
SAID. Now l distinctly remembered
that, after had heard the bell and met
Sarah, 1 came into the school-room
and found that by the clock it was half
past six. had sat there until twenty
minutes past seven. and during that
time there had been no other ring at
the hall door. And had noticed how
very dark it was getting; then, just as
l was opening the window to go out,
Sarah had come in and asked me to
help her with the storc-list, and 1 had
been free in very short time; yet on
my arrival at my "nest," the church
clock had struck eight.
Sarah must have put the school-room
! clock back.
had found her just now turning
from the mantel-piece, and could not
she had been putting the clock right
again. This malicious persecution
| frightened me. Was / safe in the same
house with woman who would take
so much trouble merely to prevent
my having last interview with nv
| lover?
The matter-of-fact deliberateness
with which she had prevented my
meeting Laurence alarmed me. This
was Wednesday, and Mr.. Rayner
would not probably return before Sat
urday. What new proof of her hatred
might she not give me in those three
days? l turned again to Laurence's
note. Why had he thought it worth
while to mention that he saw two men
in the cart outside the stable gate when
he left ME the previous night? What
meaning could it have to him? It had
a meaning to me. certainly; but that
was because had seen Tom Parkes
bring in the portmanteau and return
across the lawn with Sarah. The men,
ton of the cart revived my curiosity
regarding last nights adventure, 7
thought would write Laurence and
tell him what had seen. Twas still
looking at the note when Sarah came
to bring my candle, an Office she seldom
undertook. l saw a look of disappoint-
ment and alarm come over her face as
her quick eyes fell on my note, and
took the precaution to learn the address
was to write to by heart before in
closing this farewell note of Laurence's
with the first, which still wore around
my neck.
The next morning received letter
from MIR. Rayner. He had been to the
Gaiety Theater the night he arrived in
town, and sent me crumpled pro-
gramme of the performance, with some
comments which did not interest me
as had never been to a theater but
once in my life. l laughed to myself
at Laurence 8 fancy that he had seen
Mir. Rayncr in the dress of NAVY at
the station that night. Then he gave
me message to deliver which l had
much rather not have been intrusted
with, and at breakfast said to Sarah;
''Mr. Rayner has sent a message to
yon in 4 letter 1 have just received
from him. He says: Tell Sarah not to
forget the work she has to do in my
absence"
AS looked up after reading this out
to her, 1saw that her face had turned
quite livid; the old hatred of me
cleaned in her eyes.
She said: Every we'll, MISS" and l
wondered what work it was.
Mrs. Rayner did not appear in the
dlning-room, and to my inquiries Sa-
rah replied that she was not well
enough to do so. was obliged to see
my hope of gaining her sympathy
fade away, and to recognize the fact |
that either she or Sarah would not al |
low me a chance of breaking down the |
barrier of reserve which had arisen be-
tween us. could let her see that |
had not forgotten her, though; and in
spired by this thought went out into |
the garden to gather her a bunch of
flowers. After long search collect
ed a fair October bouquet, and then |
thought it would look better if placed |
III 'aso winch was IN Cne drawing
room. So I ran in there, with my
frock still tucked up. the gardening
knife in one dirty hand and my basket
OF flowers on my arm. l had my hand
still on the handle of the door, when l |
saw there was gentleman in there,
standing at the window, looking out
into the garden. slipped back hasti-
ly. hoping to escape before he could
catch sight of me; but he turned,
crossed the room quickly and stopped
me.
''Miss Christle?''
1t was Mr.. Carruthers
'.They told me you were out" Sa-
rah's work, thought l.
mo; was only in the garden"
There was no help for my appear
ance now, 50 quietly took the pin out
of my frock and let it down while he