The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-02-01
A DARK SECRET.
The Story of a Tragic
Life Drama.
BY E. NJ. DAVY.
CHAPTER v.
FAIRLY BEWITCHED.

Al uOuT ldjtF, u Cigarette III SOIe CoHl-
panion, | was walking up and down a
gravel path of which | felt sure distant
view could be obtained from the windows
of No. 90
| grew restless and impatient. Day
light was fading be fore my ruse brought
any desired result; but at last | saw O
figure coming toward me rapidly. 1t was
Edna Lynton. | flung away my cigarette,
and raised my hat as she came up.
She stood in front of me-her eyes cast
down upon the path, her fingers inter
laced in "A pretty half-shy, deprecat ing
attitude knew SO well. There was moth
ing striking about the girl, as | have said;
nothing to attract attention. But she
had soft, winning ways, little graceful
nesSes-if | may coin a term-that stole
upon you unawares.
Mrs. Hargreave sends her compli-
men $, and Will YOU favor her with your
company between and o'clock, Mr.
Dudley"
And this was spoken in the low, soft
voice that had once been such sweet
music to my ears; but now, the words
Jared.
Edna cried, impulsively. I was
instantly conscious of my mistake.
L have not finished, she continued,
quietly, still without looking at me-
Miss Hargreave also sends message. If
you have anything for her, will You give
it, please, to me-"
My compliments to Miss HarEreave,
ana | regard her request as a command.
This is the answer TO the second mes
sage" took, as | spoke, sealed en-
velope from my pocket, but, before re-
linquishing it, added: Miss Lynton,
tell meas favor l entreat you to tell
-l,,t l.
positlon?'
"Best-far best to tell him, she muir
INJURED, as though parleying with herself
Then she spoke out quite frankly:
Poverty, Mr.. Dudley. brought me TO it.
My fathers annuity died with him. |
thought ut first of being governess, but
there are already too many goyernesses
in the world, so | decided to he conf
Dental maid / came North, hoping to
be unrecognized.
You have not changed your name?"
why should T. There is no shame in
what do"
Our fortunes or rather misfortunes-
are strangely sim lar
Have YOU been unfoItunate?" she
asked, with swift, warm sympathy. allow
ing her eyes for the first time to encounter
mine.
The day after my fathers death l
awoke to the fact that | was a beggar," I
said with a little bitter laugh Il have
to work for my living, that is all. You
see now how my case resembles
YOURS"
You, beggar-I,a servant" She re-
peated the words twice, wonderin2ly and
dreaniily, and added, smiling sadly, But
strangers strangers still.
Certainly not strangers, fastened to
say. On the contrary, propose that we
commence our acquaintance from TO-DAY
on a new basis that of friendship. Let
Us be the best of friends"
Impossible, Mr.. Dudley"
1t Is not impossible"
Totally and utterly impossible Is it
necessary that | should explain my rea-
sons? Can you not see for Yourself that
any approach to friendship on your part
will Involve me in inextricable difficult
ties? Even now | have been imprudent
IN talking VIII you so long Your mes
sages shall be delivered. sir-at once"
And with that she turned away.
Standing where she left me, | watched
her until she disappeared within the
house
Poor little Edna, What a hard lot was
hers, and Yet how brayely she had set
about battling with the world | ad-
mired the pluck the spirlt-of the girl.
Ii was 3 hitherto undiscovered trait in
her-an added charm to a character viii h
once had thought the most beautiful
most loyable on earth
All, Edna Why could YOU not return
the love | offered You III those happy DAYS
Mt Goldhur>t No woman Will ever be to
me what you We're then. To no other can
pour ont my hearts best love, for YOU
had It all-all land scorued it
continued to pace modify up and
down the gravel path until the stars ap-
peared, and bitter east wind sngge sted
return indoors. Then. and not until
then, when the keen air made me shiver
did recollect the evenings engagement
My thou1hts had carried Inc too far away
l went TO my room, dressed myself
with considerable care-and when the
appointed time AID come, knocked AZ the
door of No. ~.
Come in, please, said voice.
| entered
The walls Were draped with rich tapes
try. Oriental rugs covered the floor:
plants and flowers made the atmosphere
heavy With their perfume
Mrs. Iargreaye sat in low easy chair
before a blazing tire. Sc looked thin,
fragile and somewh reeslsh as she rose
TO receive me. his very good o. Won,
Nh Dudley. she said.
Not a all. | answered. warmly. tax
ing the comfortable chair she pointed to-
consider II i, she sd, oracularlv
simply bowed again, waiting for her
TO proceed
i he nights are ve-y chilly; but what
beautiful flies they keep upin the North. :"
she observed. presently. I Vonder if
this struck YOU when you first came to
Yorkshire as much ; I struck me.
tad she been 10 liking inquiries. then.
concerning me: There was hut one per
son who could tell her anything. and that
was Or. GascoIgne. made mental
note Of this.
! appreciate good FIXES. comforts, and
luxaries Of al kinds, | replied evls,ye-
". glanclng around the luxuriously ap-
pointed room
Are You musicale" she next asked.
probably noticing b Il my gaze dweIt for
moment on the OPEN piano and tie heap
Of music or the floor
j am passionatel, fond OF music"
so is nv daughter. That Just ex-
presses lt-she Is passIonatelv fond OF
music
Miss Hargreave Is we'll hope
She Is better. thank you-vonlerfullv
better since We came here But she i
very exc table: one Of those highly strung.
lmpulsIve natures that are a constant
source OF anxiety. Her fat hers death was
terrible shock TO her. She has not re-
covered II. | sometimes fear she never
will
But the doctors you have consulted
some, l supposed l asked, feeling il in
cumbent on NE TO saw some thing
1hsy are unanimous IL telling ne