Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-01-06
CHAPTER Ky.


turned pale on seeing her at first sug-
gested itself to Nadine, it S speedily
routed. Mr., Annerley, coming up to her,
holds ont his hand with quite beaming
smile.
YOU 1t is not one of your da VS.,
SURELY he says.
His tone is crisp, abrupt; in another
man it might be called Hurried. A long,
light overcoat covers him from his neck
to his boots. Even though she cannot
see the clothes beneathy some sudden
fancy strikes Nadine that he is slightly
Ell fete. This idea, too, however, is put
to flight before it has time to harden on
her brain.
mo. 1t is not one of my days, butt
She is so astonished at seeing him here
in Mrs. Brands house, that she finds a
difficulty in speaking quickly or freely.
You are going, " interrupts he, shortly,
$50 am l. Come =
He opens the hall door as he speaks,
and motions to her to precede him. 1t is
all done in q moment. If he had meant
to get her out of the house with a speed
that admitted of no delay, he could not
have done it more promptly. Still de-
vOured with surprise at his presence in
Park Lane Nadine forgets to comment
upon this, even in her thoughts. until
long afterward.
AS they leave Mrs. Brands house be-
hind them Annerley's manner undergoes
a change 1t loses its briskness, and re-
turns to it's usual calm habit.
But you-perhaps you did not want to
come away 50 soon, y says Nadine, in q
low bewildered tone.
What could a city clerk want in Mrs.
Brands house ut that hour?
Eyes; | was quite ready. Ny business
was Finished returns he, steadily.
Your business? Business with Mrs.
Brandt
'EAnd very serious business So Sc
rious that it is conducted as secretly as
possible"
''It has to do with your-your-firm?''
asks she, in an awed tone.
'With-my firm? Yes. l was sorry
you met me here. 1t is of the utmost
consequence that my comings and goings
at that house should be kept dark
He chances at her keenly as he speaks.
''You need not be afraid, - says Nadine,
quietly. Il shall say nothing of it. I
shall not mention having met you. You
may be at rest about that. But 1 confess
/ am amaZed-astOnished
"Come in here. 1t is a fine evening.
A walk will do you good, and-I have
something to say to you"
Entering the principal entrance to the
park, they stroll together in silence
pass the row, the drive, the last touch of
humanity in the shape Of 1ifeguardsmen
and nursery maids, until they find them
selves in n dull, cut of the way spot, and
virtually speaking alone.
Yes; I am more surprised than I can
tell You says Nadine again, pausing to
look into his face. ITO meet ZQn thereI
And this s. ret business-I hope it means
no harm to Millicent-Miss Gregg
04 oil I To
laughs easily. Il shall not harm Miss
Grey. My business, 50 far as she is con-
cerned, will very soon be at an end. -
"Then she is mixed up with it. D."
'Well, yes
Paul says Nadine, leaning forward
and speaking in low tone, II think l
have guessed it. lit has something to
do with-her sapphires."
An extraordinary CLEAN flashes across
Mr.. Annerley's features. 1t is moment
airy, but brilliant Fear, suspicion and
something stronger still are blended in it.
1t may be that he is Disconnected at hav-
ing his business with Mrs. Brand thus
publicly put into words. To be discOv-
cred, no matter how innocent the Offense,
is disagreeable to most.
You are not pleased that [ have found
it outs' suggests Nadine, timidly. But
do not let it distress you. I shall bury
be the wiser for it.
''YOu will do well to do sO,' says An
nerley. recovering himself with an effort.
''You will take care also not to let it be
known by word or glance that you met
me tonight at Mrs. Brands. Much de-
ponds upon your faithfulness in this
matter"
Then you have found clew to the
thief? You are on his track?n asks she,
breathleSSly.
YES; there is a clew" He pauses a
moment, looking down into her eyes as
though he would read her very soul.
''Swear to me you will not mention hav-
ing met me tonight, - he says at last in g
low. vehement tone.
His intensity frightens her.
"There is no need for it, l have prom
ised; but if you wish it, yes-I swear not
to reveal our having met she answers,
nervously. "Was it this you wished to
say to me, Paul?''
''This-and something else. But
first''-
He breaks off abruptly, and laying his
hands upon her shoulders, turns her so
ne can see her better. He has been gaz-
ing at her intently, and the extreme
beauty of her flower like face, enhanced
by the touch of timidity his stern voice
and manner have brought into it, has
set on fire the love that already burns
brightly in his bosom. She is the one
solitary thing on earth that he cares for
the one human creature he adores with
a passion, wild, ungOvernable, that some
times from the very strength of it makes
even him tremble. If he should lose herl
The very idea makes the blood rush tU-
multuOusly to his head. And there is
that to be said to her tonight that
But she will not fail him-she shall nOtl
''Nadiner' eXclaims he, in a suppressed
tone-low, vehement ''TeIl me that you
love me! l have loved you so well that
l will not believe you have given me no
return. All my heart-nay, my very
soul, is yours to save or ruin, as you
will. Is such devotion to go unrewardede
See! l am notwithstanding before you
as the veriest leaf that grows, lest your
word fail me. Does not this touch you?
Are you insensible, heartless? Well, them
if you cannot from your heart say that
you love me, at least tell me that your
heart is empty-that you are Indifferent
to all the world -
He waited breathIessly But as the
waiting lengthens dark frown gathers
on his brow, and a savage expression
curves his lips Nadine, faint, terrified,
and still with that terrible numbness
Overpowering her, draws back a step or
two and presses her hand convulsively
against her face. Annerley, laying his
hands upon her shoulders, gives her
violent shake. A low cry escapes her.
This cry releases her from the nervous
bondage in which she has been held
"Speak, girlr' cries he roughly 'It
is true you never yet told me that you
love me. Am l now to learn that you
have made that confession TO another
man?''
"Oh! no! nor The assurance falls
from her with a fervOr which he places
TO a wrong account. With passionate
thankfulness she tells herself that she
can at least answer this last question
with truth. To no man has she said.
II love you.
''Ahr' says Annerley, drawing a long
breath of eager relief, ''that is well for
my rival had he existed y
There is such subdued ferocitv in his
tone that Nadine shivers.
BE content" she says, calmly. ssyou
have no rival There is no one can
marry''-
Except me- That is as it should be-,
He signs heavily, and still regards her
with a lowering brow Now for nv
news,'' he says
Tomorrow. Will not tomorrow dop"
asks she, family, feeling tired and over
done.
GsTo-uorrow shall nrohabIv be- 80 "a