Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-24

mo out here to punish me for my dis.
 coveries which Sarah must have told
 them about.
 heard the boy say 'sThank ye,'
 and then the footsteps of the man com
 ing nearer to me. He passed me; ]
 could see the vague form as it went by.
 But in my joy at the sight I drew 8 sharp breath; he turned back, groped for me, found and raised me to my feet, all without word. closed my eyes and shuddered. For the first moment felt too exhausted by the excitement ot those awful minutes to struggle much. could only feebly try to push him of, crying. brok rnly: | "Don't-don't hurt mer' "Hurt you, my own darling! Look nearly frightened you to deathr'
 Hooked up with cry, and flung my arms round his neck. It was Laur- ence, his face so haggard and so dirty as to be scarcely recognizable; but he told me, as he kissed me again and again. that l must not mind that for he had travelled night and day without a moments rest since he got my letter on the morning of the previous day. And, thank Heaven, 1 am in time, in time! Just a few hours more, and l should have lost your'
 Host me, Laurence? Oh, do tell me what you meant" cried, piteously.
 "Oh, Violet, are you still so inno- cent as to think that that man would have brought you to me?''
 ''Why notP" asked l, in a whisper.
 "Because he loves you himself,'' said he. between his teeth-'.if the feeling even you inspire in such man can be called love. Your innocence would not have protected you much longer. Oh. was fool. blind fool, ever to leave you. for father mother-any- body in the world! But did not know quite all until your own sweet naive letter opened my stupid eves.''
 "Oh, Laurence. Laurence, what dreadful things are you sayingP" Icried, shaking with fear, even in his arms.
 "Never mind, my own darling: vou are safe now," said he, very gently.
 But, Laurence, my mother is going with us. Didn't tell you that? had letter from her,
 (Which she never wrote. On mvwav back to London, I telegraphed to your mother to meet mo at the Charing Cross station, and there she told me she had never seen MT. Rayner and never heard word of the journey to Monaco"
 This blow was too much for me; fainted in his arms. When Irecoyered. found that he had carried me some distance; and as soon as I began to sigh, he put me down and gave me some brandy and water out of his flask. As soon as l was able we walked slowly down the lane to the high rosd.
 ''But what shall do, Laurencep" asked, tremblingly. ''Shall tell MT. Rayner you have come back and don't want me to leave Englanda"
 "Not for the world. my darling" said he, quickly. Nobody in Geld, ham-not even at the Hall-knows I | have come back. The boy I sent for you does not know me-"
 "But what is all this mystery about, haurenceP Why don't you go to the Hall, and see your fathcr?"
 "Ah, that is secret! You won't h1a iha', xii iiif5ss yos, ~ Maarsing fsgsff'" '' know
 :.O.l, yes, shall! I want to know now," said I. coaxingly. Won't YOU trust mo with your secreto"
 Hc did not want to do SO; but f was curious, and hurt at his refusal, and, when he saw the tears come into my eyes, he gave way.
 'H lie had been so impressed by the postscript to my letter telling of sus. picious lookingpersonw who was hanging about the hall, and promising to visit it again Wednesday night, that he had tel. graphed the Metropolitan police for a force pf eonstablcs to lie i'm wait about the hall that night. He was to attend to them himself, I had also mentioned Sarah s rayings ahoutJame and one of the constables was man who knew James Wood fall, and was certain he could identify him. This Woodfall had been a clever forger but had been lost sigh. of fo1 four years. There was only a chance that he might Pe concerned in this af: Fall, but it was worth taking. :So now, my darling," Laurence added, '.you know every thing, and you n4st keep my secrets, every one, like grim death: As for your journey, don't be alarmed. 1 shall be in the same train with youi and your mother will really meet you at Liverpool street station, for have told her to do so."
 Laurence insisted on seeing me home. We had crept along the high road until we were close to the cottage nearest to the Alders. when we heard the sounds 2f hoofs and wheels, and men's voices through the fog. Laurence opened the gate of the cottage garden md led me Inside till they should have passed.
 It was the dog-cart, with MT. Rayner 'n foot. leading the horse, and May lard still in it.
 Lucky you are going to stay the lightH' MT. Rayner was saying. "l wouldn't undertake to find my way to l ny own gate tonight"
 CHAPTER XVIII. We followed the dog-cart at safe . distance, which was not very far off in ,ate. Then we slipped past quite un, [ cen on the other side of the road, while l dr. Rayner was busy opening the gate; , nd at the front gate Laurence left me, nd groped my way down the drive 8 fast as l could, and got in some min ( foe hnT