Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-02
CHAPTER XII.

Beyond the hills the crimson light had faded. There was certainly full and efficient substitute in the long dining room at High Athelston, where gay voices mingled with soft high-bred laughter, and the glow of fire and lamp- light gleamed on shining plate and crys- tai, or darted ooyly here and there among the jewels but, without the great lighted mansion, the park lay dark and chill darkest of all in the great avenue, down which girls figure small and darkly dressed-was pass- ing swiftly.
 Never once did Lima Chester pause until she reached the high entrance gates, over which the lamps were burn- ing on either side of the stone leopards.
 "Will you unlock the little side-gate for me please?" she asked the lodge keeper, timidly, yet with the gentle dignity which, in all her humility, was inseparahle from her. "The post-bag was gone before I was aware, and I want to go to the postofaoe in the village"
 "faw, Miss Chester" cried the wom. an, astonished, "to think of your being here, out by yourself, and the house SC full Haven't you key of the bag P-. DecAuB0 1L 0or0 Wa1L1nRs 1no Qhn-CttHt ! doesn't pass till nine."
 "No, have no key." said Lima, her lips cold and stiff. "I must go on to short distance. It is not as if had to go to Churchill"
 "Of course you couldn't go there, miss," ejaculated the woman, decisively. "Oome in, please, and rest @ bit i; and my little girl shall take the letter"
 "Oh, no, thank you" returned Idna, in quick fear; "I would rather go my self"
 The woman smiled incredulously, and made guess which, to be sure, was a very natural one "My lady's com panion had an acquaintance, to whom she wrote on the sly"
 eff you'll wait here half an hour, miss," she said, aloud, "you can give the letter yourself to the driver of the mail-cart, and he'll post it for you you've to give him a triae. It's sure to go safe, and you can give it to him your sell, to make sure."
 "I cannot wait, thank you, said Lima her voice shaking more and more. "1 shall be back at High Athelston, I hope in less than half an hour. Will you lei me out now. please ?"
 With 8 sigh at the willfulness Of tn girl, looking so beautiful and so fragil in the uncertain light, the lodge-keepe opened the gate, and, after one nor earnest entreaty to be allowed to sent her little girl with Miss Chester, she le her out into the deepening shadows c the wide, open road.
 "I couldn't help it." she muttered herself, looking the gate again "I hop sha'n't be blamed. If all's true the we hear, Sir Neil wouldn't care to knoN this, and if 1t is a sweetheart she write to-as what else could it be to take he out in this way 1.-the sight of the lette would bring him into one of his wors tempers."
 Along the silent highway went Lin swiftly, too intent on one thought an one desire to notice whether or not sh met any other human being betwee High Athelston and the village pos office.
 A little cottage it was next to the VI lage ale-house, where group who stoo at the door stopped for a minute in the noisy talk to watch the little dark f1gul
 hurry up the cottage garden. One quic
 hope nerved Lina's courage as sh
 rarped at the door, but it was dispelle
 ct once when she entered the kitchen for, though only a low fire burned 0 the heal .h, and small candle upon tn table under the window, the old coupl who kept the office knew her in a m' ment.
 She had not thought how hard