Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-10-03
4 biM'SDCRET.
G1heIaDfyaof a Tragic
Life Drama. y
eY =. n. DAvY.

For tho remainder OF the day i avoided
F.he company OF DR. Gsscoigne, wandered
n good deal about the PASSAGES, and, az
frequently as I dared, without exciting
suspicion, fingered in the vicinity of 9
certain corridor. It was all in vain.
Neither message nor note reached me;
and went toward my room at last, more
disappointed than l should have cared to
own
As was about TO open my bedroom
door, however, l heard Q light football
behind me, looked round AID there was
Edna.
AT IL tomorrow, in the 'Fernery,'
she whispered hurriedly; and, without
giving me time to answer, turned nnd
hed.
Here was an designation thrust upon
me for the following morning. but which
Of tine two ladies was the originator of j,
whether mistress or maidI could moi
for the life Of me determine.
1t might be that Miss Hargreave-
availinR herself Of this means Of com.
munication-meant TO claim on the NOR
row my promised aid. Or. equally likely,
Edna Lynton, repenting her strange con-
duct, sought an opportunity to explain
why she had affected not to know me.
The situation was becoming complicated
with Q vengeance, but l bore it with the
greatest equanim ty, smoked innumera-
bic Cigarettes. and while ! did SO there
stole over me o feeling Of such pleased
confidence N myself, my appearance and
my prospects as for five long years had
never known
Next day, Sunday bright. chill Octo-
Der mornin latter watching few stray
glers Set of for church, among whom was
Mrs. Hargreave, l bent my steps toward
the "Fe nery," a small grotto situated in
the grounds. close to Glendale House.
1t WAS filled SO full Of ferns and green
cry. fish pom and covering palms, that
more han two persons moving about in
it ut the same time was impossible.
reached this spot lrly, and sat down on
the solit Try rustic bench the place con-
tanned.
chime. III o'clock struck. AMI shortly
afte,ward l could hear approaching foot
steps.
lie has not GOMEZ" Miss Hargrelve
exclaimed, impulslvely.
-HushI" Then followed few whis-
pered words.
By no means desirous of overhearing
awning not Intended for my ears, l rose
and showed myself OF the entrance. Ed.
ma Lynton drew back instantly, aud
without look ng at me, walked away; but
Miss HaIgreaye, with slight bow. en-
tered The rotio and sank on the rustic
bench as though exhausted.
I'm weak ST II, she said, family, and,
leaning back, she closed her eyes, while
gael IN silent admiration at the dark,
cur, ed lashes that dropped on the flushed
cheeks, notin also the exquisite figure
set of by the ii hit fitting velvet dress.
SIT down, Mir. Dudley, she said pres
entity: but / declined, and continued to
stand o,er her, waiting, in a respectful
attitude, till she shodlI feel herself suffi-
GENTLY recovered 10 say more.
At length, with O deep sigh. she reused
her elf and looked straight into my fnce.
This Is very humiii ting" she said,
with laugh that sounded hysierical;
very humiliating-for me.
With all the eloQuence was master of
i'm words, in looks-I besought her to
put aside such an idea now aud forever.
She had but 10 command, would obey.
Was lot her chosen knight?
How DELIGHTFULLY."- romantic!" she
cried; her whole face, Lut above all, her
glor,eu eyes, lighting up with that look
Of tspieg ere which had SO charmed me
on first seeinghr
Il, al leas. am in earnest, remarked,
in tone of pique.
And SO am /. God knows Ineed help
sorelyl 1t is with the greatest difficulty /
b ave been able to arrange this meeting.
But for that good girl who came with me,
/ should have been powerless to do SO
Unjust make haste aud tell you everything,
Mr.. Dudley, or you cannot understand.
My own mother died before I can remem.
Der. My father married again about
twelve years since-I believe solely on my
account. ! was a charge. q trouble, to
him. I called his wife mother and l
loved her, for she was very kind. Two
years ago my father was thrown from his
horse the hun ing feld-and died
nett day. Oh, it was terrible timei"
she said, shudderingly; and for moment
she covered her face with her hands.
was ill after that-so ill! And then
mother changed to me. She
became less kind and, later, she turned
severe. unfeeling, cruel She insisted
upon leaving our beautiful homo, and
she took me about travelling from place
TO place. She says it is for my good,
but hate it-oh. how hate it! My
f-ther was a rich man, know it, and she
has plenty of monev. But Lob, how
Then springing from the seat and
SO tn it fell do gn among the ferns, she
laid her beautiful white hand upon nv
sleeve.
Il am not allowed to have even the
smallest coin You would fling to the poor
est beggari" she whispered. and the
CLEAN of her dark eyes fixed on mine
seemed to exercise a magnetic influence
over me.
Fine dresses, jewels, anything that
can be bought, are m ne simply Tor the
asking. but have no money l have NO
freedom! Mr.. Dudley" she con-
tinued. speaking more rapidly and Gag
erly, with bo;b hands now clasped upon
my arm, Il am treated like a slave. o
prisoner dragged abo t this country, as
was abo It The continent last year. from
place to place. We can keep no serv-
ants. II my mother engages travelling
maid and like her, she is. at once DIS
miss, d The servants mother approves I
hate. They are set as spies over me.
The girl who was eng rged and came from
wevham yesterd y will be sent away i'm.
medi ,teiy ii is discovered have made Q
friend of her, bu' q man can help me
best q man like you! There must surely
girl placed as am. But without money,
how am 1 10 appeal to Law? want to
know about my fether's will. He must
have left money that l should have, now
/ am of sge. 1t is not possible he could
be SO unjust. SO cruel. as to give it all to
her
You would like me TO find out particu-
lars Of your fathers will, suppose, Miss
Harereave?" SAID /, with difficulty re-
straining all outward manifestation Of the
burning indignation I felt against this
dreadful stepmother.
But can you-will your"
Most certainly. All you have to do 10
to tell me his name and place Of resi-
dencc, and date of death.
Lester Hargreave, Whitmore Park,
Leicestershire. He died the 3Oth of De-
cember, 1873.
thank you. I will bring q copy Of
your fathers will on Saturd ". Ihope
ron trust me, Miss .Hargreave?"
In whom else should b ave confidence,
If mot in you7 Yes! Indeed, trust you.
But you must be o magician, Mr.. Dudley,
If you can do that.
Ts.u aba vna Totally ignorant of huai.