Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-08-02

girl who came up from the village for a
few hours each morning to help with
the rougher work.
This girl let herself in with key hid
den outside, generally before any one was
mp, and cleaned the kitchen first.
Madge was always the first to come
down stairs, Olive the last. OF late
Harold Darlington also had often plead
ed indulgence for 8 tardy appearances at
the breakfast table.
This morning, Keturah, the 'help,
came to Madge. with perturbation il
her face, saying she had found a pane OF
the kitchen window broken
I'm sure never dun it. He warn't
broke yesterday when was here,
miss, that du know" was all the girl
could say tearfully.
sit cannot be helped, any way" said
Madge gently. Accidents will happen
Do not worry. viii go and look at it.
while you lay the cloth"
The pane was splintered in peculiar
manner 1t looked almost as though a
stone had been thrown, and Madge's
eyes involuntarily sought the floor.
Quicker than Keturah, she spied the
missile lying among the broken glass. 1t
was round pebble with a piece of pa
per wrapped round it, which she I'M
Folded curiously.
A moment later KetTrah heard a fail
and cry, and coming into the kitchen
found Madse lying ON the floor white
and insensi BILE.
Alarmed. she rushed up to Mrs. Ire
vylian, who flung on her dressing gown
and came down at once, and while she
tried to bring back consciousness TO the
stricken girl, and tremblingly chafed
the icy, nerveless hands, a cTumpled bit
of paper fell out of one of them-the
writing on it was fanliliar-and as she
read it her face took an expression of ut
ter bewilderment.
Helping Keturah to put Madge on the
parlor sofa, she went to Harold Caring
toms room ana boldly opened the door.
The chamber was empty; the bed had
not been slept in, though an open port
manteau stood by the wall, and his
clothes hung i'll the press.
Meanwhile, Olive had come down
stairs Mrs. Trevyian started backwit
added alarm, almost terrified at the
sight of her wretched face and hasgald
eyes. A lost soul, wandering in depths
of darkness. could not have looked more
desperate, and yet there was an air OF
fierce defiance about her not good to see.
Mrs. Trevylian shuddered as she lHoked
st her, and said sternly:
Come with ne. I have something to
Say to both you and Madge."
She shut the door after them both, and
locked it.
Madge sat Up on the sofa, staring with
wide, grief dried eyes into vacancy.
"Mother-oh, mother, forgive mer
She threw herself on her knees by Mrs.
Trevylian's side Indeed, will tell all.
know I have done wrong, but do not
condemn me unheard."
In broken accents, her head bowed Oh
her mothers knees, as in childhood,
Madge unfolded her story, conceaiing-
extenuating nothing.
"Olive, do you know anything of this
wretched business? Were you, too, in
the plot to hoodwink Ine2'
II know all, /" answered Olive, in hard,
dry tones. "You were both infatuated
with Harold Darlington, but l saw
through him from the first. Look at
this" She produced the advertise ment
from The Penzaaee HGrs-ft f fsa7911if-if rr-
purse, and handed to Mrs. Trevylian,
who read it. and gave it, with pitiful
look, to Madge, who sprang TO her feet,
the color all returning to her face
81 do not believe it," she cried, scorn-
fully and angrily. What proofs have
you that Harold Darlington is the r2an
named here? Though all the world
doubt hin. will believe in his faith,
honor and honesty"
Hor whole frame quivered with ex-
element.
Hush! Madge," said her mother, fore
ing her back into her seat, but not IN
kindly. Il wish to put few questions
to your cousin. Why did you not tell
me this before, Olive" she asked, sternly.
Simply because l knew you would
not believe in it if | had no further
proofs to offer. But have. Wait till 8
this evening and you shall know all. In
spector Venner will be here from Pen
Eance; | have made the appointment
with him." she concluded, with a bitter
triumph in her tones.
Mrs. Trevylian looked at her niece
with thrill of curious repulsion, chill
ing all the kindness Of her heart.
81 am at loss to account for this con-
duct on your part" she said in a tone of
stern disapproval, ''and think you have
forgotten yourself strangely in daring to
act on your own responsibility in my
house. Whatever Harold Darlington is,
was, or may have done, nothing can cx-
cuse deceit or treachery."
She would not condescend to ask Olive
to explain herself further, but awaited
like Madge, with terrible anxiety, the
issue Of events.
Olive went up to her own room and
locked herself in. She little dreamed
how soon her weapons were to be turned
upon herself.
y
Evening came, and with it Inspector
Venner. Mrs. Trevylian received him
with her usual austerity Of manner, as
she sat, bolt erect in her oak armchair
IN tie parlor. Madge and Olive were
also in the room; the former pale and
composed, the latter scornful, reckless
and defiant.
Your business is, l believe, with my
Nicer said Mrs. Trevylian coldly, her
eyes bent on her knitting. She was not