The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-22
A FATAL PAST.
BY DORA RUSSELL.
TRAcK THE
STORM" "a BITTER BRTHaIGHr," Ere Ere
tALL RIGHTS RESERVED

| KATHERINE ENNIsMoRE.n
But Francis Roche had not forgiven Lady
Ennismore, and resented her interference so
deeply about Helen Drummond that he
hesitated to obey her summons, until 1t oc-
CURED to him that she might wish to see
MN regarding Helen herself. He tele-
graphed back, therefore, that he would ar
rive at Brackenford on the following day.
and was anxiously and eagerly watched tor
there by Lady Ennismore.
he reached Brackenford about four in the
afternoon, and was at once received by Lady
Ennismore, whom he saw looked pale and
| excited.
She rose quickly as he entered the room.
and nervously held out her hand.
You would be surprised to get my tele-
gram she said.
wen, was, rather. Lady Ennismore, y
answered Roche.
| II wished to see you about most pain
| Iul circumstance, most extraordinary
thing" went on Lady Ennismore, with her
eyes fixed on Roche's face, who, however,
did not seem at all disconnected by her
gaze. You remember Helen Drum
mondm
II am not likely TO have so soon forgot
ten her" replied Roche gravely.
"She-she lost her aunt lately-apd she
was in great grief-and now she has left her
home"
Left her home? How do you meanY'
asked Roche, quickly, as Lady Ennismore
paused a moment.
"She has disappeared; gone away alone,
ard IN secret Mr.. Roche, entreat you, if
| you know anything of this, to tell me
where she is, for am in terrible anxiety
| about herr
Roche's face flushed and then grew little
pale.
Lady Ennismore, know nothing" he
| said; but had known, il she had wished
it. should have respected her secret"
Nv hen did you last hear from herw asked
Lady Ennismore, eagerly, still watching the
young mans changing face.
'Are you justified in asking that dues-
tionW replied Roche. almost sternIy.
Yes, yes, am. she answered, with emo
ton, clasping her hands together. you
blame me because parted you from Helen /:
but was forced to dc so, forced to tell her
the painful reasons"
And SO broke the poor girls heart, SEEM
ingly. said Roche. bitterly. "And this is
the end.n
Ennlsmore, passionately. "God Is nv wit
ness. l did it for the best-but l had no
choice"
''You have acted in mott extraordinary
manner, Lady Ennismore"
1T seems so to you, l know it must seem
seem so-but Helen understands"
Eyes, you went to Scotland when you
heard had followed Helen there, and the
result of your visit was that she broke off
her engagement with me, and would give
me no explanation of the cause except that
you had told her there was some mysterious
stain on her blrth--shame and crime were
the words she used"
Lady Ennismore gave sort of moan, and
covered her face with her hand.
ibid you tell Helen thIag" went on Roche.
''Did you spoil her young and happy life by
raking up the sins of others to prevent her
marrying me, and what was your motive
for doing SOP
Again Lady Ennismore moaned, for the
young mans voice was both hard and Bit
ter.
Eve had promised to be true to each
other,n went on Roche, land was quite
fond enough of Helen to take her as she
was, and wrote and told her so; told her
that you had no right to interfere between
us; that you were almost stranger to me,
and no relation of hers; that was quite
willing to let tine past alone. for knew very
well that Helen herself was as good as gold,
but | only got few broken-hearted words
in reply. Her decision was irrevocable-
she would never see me again-and now l
think / have right to ask why did you do
thisF'
''You would thank me if you knew" an
swered Lady Ennismore, IN faltering
voice.
xviii you not let me know thenF'
~ cannot--e life hangs Oil this secret l
was forced to tell Helen because she refused
to give you up until did tell her-and she
was forced to give you up when she knew.
Ask me no more, Mr.. Roche" continued
Lady Ennismore, rising excitedly; II sent
for you to know if you knew where Helen
was, but you say you did not"
81 certainly do not; but when did she
leave her homel How did she leave itg'
''She left it the day before yesterday, and
wrote to tell me she was going and that she
never would return"
"And do you mean this young girl is
alone9 Good heavens, she may absolutely
ssarveT said Roche, with great agitation.
mo, she took some money that her aunt
had left her-two hundred pounds-but she
left Ardleigh alone"
But where did she take her railway
ticket for?n
Lady Ennismore moved uneasily, and
hesitated.
Lord Ennismore has gone to seek her,
she said in moment later; The started yes
terday for town."
"Then is she supposed to have gone to
town.
Again Lady Ennsmore hesitated as Roche
asKeu lnlS QuosblOu' -
"Why don't you tell meT he said, impa-
tiently, as he noticed this. DO you think
all this is nothing to me-you have driven
this poor girl to despair-perhaps to death,
and yet you make mystery even OF what
you know"
Lady Ennismore raised her shapely head,
and looked sadly and reproechfully in the
young mans agitated face.
II know nothing" she said; 81 had let
ter from her old servant yesterday, and you
can see it.
I'D kindly let me see it thenr
Lady Ennismore crossed the room at
these words, and unlocked drawer in her
writing table and drew out Elizabeth Mays
letter and handed it to Roche, who eagerly
read it.
"This is terrible" he said. "You see, this
woman says inquiries ought to be made at
once-you say Lord Ennismore has gone TO
town 10 do thisF'
Yes, and he will spare neither expense
nor trouble. hope to have a letter or
telegram from him to-day"
Il also will go to town.
''Oh, Mr.. Roche, don't don'tln cried Lady
Ennismore, imploringly, "Let the poor girl
Observation-Disclosures will find her-he is the
ut person to do so, not you'll"
II shall certainly do my best to find her."
said Roche, determinedly.