Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-24
CHAPTER. v.

All that evening there was . strange nervousness about Lima Chester, a dreamy wonder In her eyes, and an odd watch. fulness and listening in every act and glance. She and Lady Athelston dined alone in the brilliant lamp light: Martin and the twin oanaries-as Marjorie Cas- tillain called the footmen-waitino as noiselessly and deferentially as if there had been row of guests on either side the table.
 To Lima no meal had ever seemed 50 long before; but at last the dessert was on the table, and she caught herself looking across into Lady Athelston's face with eager anxiety. But Lady Athels. ton only slipped her wine, and played languidly with the forced fruits which had cost 50 much labor and expense. So the minutes passed.
 "Did you look out that account of the wedding for me, Miss Chsster2" she emils. An answering smile broke in Lady Athelston's sleepy eyes, and the girl rejoiced to see it.
 Then we will go" And she arose and took Lina's arm to cross the hall,
 "Now, you shall arrange my patch- work, she added oomplacently, as she took her seat beside the drawing-room fire. "and I will read this to myself
 Lina's heart beat joyfully. For Lady Athelston to read anything to herself meant for herto sleep long and soundly.
 Under Lna's dexterous fingers the many-colored diamonds formed them- selves artistically; all the better it seemed for the nervous haste of the lit- tls bands. Tho twin canaries brought in the tea, and Lima prepared Lady Athelston's, slipping her own afterward as if with an effort. The trays were car, rded awAyi Lady Athelston read . few sentenoss, and then Lima, watching her enx1ously, saw her drop calmly into one of those unrufaed sleeps which 8 book invariably induced for her.
 For 8 few moments the girl sat quite motionless, watching her; then she rose and walked noiselesaly out of the room. Her very breath was held as eheran up the lighted staircase, where her footfsfl made Ao sound, and she stai}ed back, trembling from head to feot, when, close to her own room door, she came upon Lady Athelstou's hawk-eyed maid.
 You are in haste, Miss Chester, Gan assist you 2"
 "No, thank you," answered Lima, nervously; co have . headache. and 1 am going to my room"
 am sorry, miss, 7" replied Fletcher, regarding her very keenly. "What ahall bring you2"
 Nothing, please--nothing, thank you, falterod Lima. "I only wish to rest and to be alone"
 "My lsdy Is tiring to be with long. am sure you find her so," insinuated "my lady's" faithful maid.
 "I am not tired, only-ll," replied Lima, unconscioualy contradicting her eelf, aA shs passed on into her own room.
 With rapid fingers she changed her evening dresa for black one then, with quickly beating heart, stood a moment listening. No sound; and she opened her door, and crept down a side stair case, and through the arched west door, near which Sir N9n had waited for her that afternoon. Down the steps, from terrace to terrace, ahe glided then crossed the park and gained the path which led toward the lmee and the rooksry,
 Hastening along this, Lima glanced around her in the darkness until she reached the green door among the trees, which led from the pork into Neither Lane. Hastily she d9ew the bolt, and raaaAd mt into the ofonmnv 1ifklA r<a1