Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-12-05

W SIt1h W MN.
The woman answered: my master has
gone out
The doctor watched the mothers face. No
sign of hesitation appeared in 1.-THE one
thought in her mind now was the thought Of
! the child. She called the maid back.
Order the carriage
AT what time do you want it, ma amp
AT oncev'
XVII.
Mrs Linley's first impulse in ordering the
| carriage was to use il herself. One look ut
| the child reminded her that her freedom Of
action began and ended at the bedside. Two
hours mt least must clapse before Sydney
WeSteriield could be brought back to Mount
MOrven. The bare thought of what might
happen in that interval, if she was absent,
filled the mother with horror. She wrote to
Mrs. MacEdwin and sent her maid with the
letter.
Of the result of this proceeding it was not
possible to entertain doubt.
Sydneys love for Kitty would hesitate at
no sacrifice, and Mrs MacEdwin's conduct
had already answered for her. She had re-
ceived the gOyerneSS with the utmost kind
ness, and she had generously and delicately
refrained from asking any questions. But
one person at Mount M0rven thought it nee
essary to investigate the motives under
which she had acted. Mrs. Presty's inquir-
Ing mind arrived at discoveries, and Mrs.
Presty's sense of duty communicated them to
her daughter.
''There can be no sort of doubt, Catherine,
that our good friend and neighbOr has heard,
probably from the servants, OF what has hap
pened; and (having her husband to consider
linen are so weak y has drawn her own con-
illusions. II she trusts our fascinating gov
erness, it's because she knows that Miss
Westerfeld's affections are left behind her
In this house. Does my explanation satisfy
your
Mrs. Linley said: Never let me hear it
sgainv'
And Mrs. Presty answered: How very
ungrateful!'
The dreary interval of expectation. after
the departure Of the carriage, was brighten
ell by domestic event.
Thinking it possible that Mrs Presty might
know why her husband had left the house.
Mrs. Linley sent to ask for information. The
message in reply informed her that Linley
had received n telegram announcing Ran
dal's return from London. lie had gone to
the railway station to meet his brother.
Before she went downstairs to welcome
Randall, Mrs Linley paused to consider her
situation. The one alternative before her
was to acknowledge, at the earliest OppOr-
tunity, that she had assumed the serious re-
spOnsibllity Of sending for Sydney Wester-
field. For the first time in her life Gather
Inc Linley found herself planning before
hand what she would say in speaking to her
husband.
A second message interrupted her, an
nOuncing that the two brothers had Just ar
rived. She joined them Immediately in the
drawing-rOOm.
Linley was sitting in Il corner by himself.
The dreadful discovery that the childs life,
(by the doctors cOnfession) was In danger
had completely overwhelmed him; he never
even lifted his head when his wife opened
the door. Randall and Mrs. Presty were talk
ing together. The old lady's Unsuitable Curl
Osity was eager for news from London; she
wanted to know how Randall had amused
himself when he was not attending to bust.
Mess.
He was grieving for Kitty; and he was
looking sadly at his brother. II don't re-
member" he answered. absently. Other wO-
men might have discovered that they had
chosen their time badly. Mrs. Presty, with
the best possible Intentions demonstrated.
REALLY. Randall, you must rouse yourself.
Surely you can tell us something. Did you
meet with any agreeable people while you
were away?'
Il met one person who interested me-" he
said, with weary resignation.
Mrs. Presty smiled. "A woman, of cOursev'
"A man," Randall answered; "a guest like
myself at club dinner"
''WhO is hep
''Capt Bennydeck."
I'm the armyT'
mo; formerly in the navy"
"And you and he had long talk tOgeth-
erm'
Randars tones began to betray irritation.
'NO," he said; 1--WE were at opposite ends Of
the table-and the captain went away early"
Mrs. Prestys vigorous intellect discovered
an imprObability here. Then how came
you to feel interested in him?' she objected.
Even Randars patience gave way. 81 can't
account or it." he said. sharply. II only
know took liking to Capt Bennydeck."
He left Mrs. Presty and sat down by his
brother. "YOu know l feel for yOu," he
said, taking Linley's hand. ''Try to hope "
The bitterness of the fathers despair broke
out in his answer. II can bear other troubles,
Randall, as well as most men. This affection
revOlts me. There's something so horribly
unnatural in the child being threatened by
death, while the parents (wlO should die
frst are alive and we'll" He checked
himself. Il had better say 10 more. shall
only shock YOU"
The misery in his face wTuDg the faithful
heart of his wife. She forgot the concilia-
tory expressions which she had prepared her
self to use. Hope, my dear, as Randall tells
YOU" she said, because there is hope"
His face flushed, his dim eyes frightened.
"Has the doctor said itT' he asked.
Eyes"
| ''Why haven't been told of 1t before?"
"When sent for you heard that you had
| gone out"
| The explanation passed by him unnoticed
! perhaps even unheanl. ''rell me what the
doctor said," he insisted; Il want it exactly,
word for word"
| She obeyed him to the letter.
The sinister change in his face, as the mar
rative proceeded, was observed by both tho
other persons present. as well as by his wife.
| She waited for kind word of encourage
ment- He only said, cOldly: What have
| you dOne?"
| Speaking cOldly on her side, she answered
Il have sent the carriage to fetch Miss WeitI
| erfield."
There was pause Mrs. Presty whisper
ed to Randall: Il knew she would come
back again! The Evil Genius OF the family
| that's what call Miss Westertield. The
name exactly tits herr
| The idea in Randal's mind was that the
name exactly fitted .Irs. Presty. lie made
no reply; his eyes rested in sympathy Oh his
sister-in-law. She saw, and felt, his kind
ness at time when kindness was dOubly
precious. Her tones trembled little Us she
| spoke to her silent husband.
Don't you approve Of what have done,
Herbert%'
His nerves were shattered by grief and sus-
pense, but he made an effort this time tU
| speak gently. How can say that" he re-
iad ho nj, ifo