Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-07-26
CHAPTER X.
LIN TO EARTH.

Madge Trcvylian, in her neat dark
blue linen gown, with its spotless collar
and cuffs, a little bunch of ox-eyed
daisies tucked into her trim waistbelt,
was alone in the pleasant parlor, the
breakfast tray already on the table.
Neither Olive nor Harold Darlington
had as yet appeared, and it was getting
late.
She ran up to her Cousins room and
tapped ut the door, but received no re
ply, SO she tried to open it. In vain, it
WAS bolted inside. Madse felt uneasy,
and pushed harder. The fastening,
which was not very strong, gave way,
and the door few opeb.
She started beck amazed at what she
saw. Olive, pale Us a ghost, stood III the
middle Of the floor. Her dress, which
appeared soaked and heavy with water,
chung round her; her hair was disheveled
and wet and her hat and jacket lay on
the bed. She turned peevishly on Madge,
What on earth did you come bursting
into the room like that for? Why didn't
you wait for me to open the door," she
asked Grossly, twisting up her damp
plaits and turning her face away towards
the glass,
II did knock; but what is the matter,
Olive? Where can you have been, to get
so wet: One would think you had been
out all night" Madge said.
The latter words were spoken in care
less haste; but Olive turned on her
cousin with such a strange expression in
her eyes that she recoiled, frightened.
What Il mad ideal" she answered
scoInfully. "And, pray. what should
be out all night for? No; such things
are, suspect, more IN your line, Miss
Madge-sly and demure as ySu are
have no lover with whom to hold secret
meetings. Nc; I have simply been for
q batho before breakfast, that is all; ana
coming back I slipped on bit Of wet
rock anG feel into u pool OF sea water.
So much FOR your mares nest, my inro-
cent minded cousin" she added, q cod
sncer ca her lips.
Madge, though uEsophisticated and
gentle, WIS not without u certain simple
dignity Of her own.
y do not Know what you mean by at
lacking ile like this, Olive; but l see, OF
course, that yen have guessed my secret"
she flushed as she spoke. Il am at
your mercy; for it is useless TO Try and
make you understand that we did not
mean 20 deceive anyone. But Harold
must know now that cannot be silent
any longer" Madgo was pale and her
lips were firmly set, as she turned to
leave the room.
Olive saw she had gone too far. She
had not meant to betray herself thus;
but rare had mastered her.
Wait" she said hastily, seizing
Madge's gown. What little fool you
are! OF course, l was only joking IF
you are wise you will say nothing to
Harold Darlington. In time all that
puzzles you row will be made clear.
Some day you will thank me for
"Oive, what do you mean" Madge
WIS thoroughly alarmed by her wild
words and Gemcancr.
Il Oh, nothing!" Olive burst into
a laugh-hollow, wretched, with no
ring of lnirth in it. go away, ard for
get all l have sud. / will keep your
secret. never fear
And with this Madge was forced to
be content. On reflection she deter
mined not TO tell Harold anything of
wllat had passed. 1t would only distress
him needlessly; and had he not limited
to her only yesterday that he hoped soon
all necessity for concealmcnt would be
past?
When I'll three met at the breakfast
table there was no sign to show how full
of electricity the air was, how strained
the relations between the trio, save an
unusual SILENCE.
But later Olives words came back to
Madge, fraught with new and terrible
meaning.
TO BE CONTINUED.