The record-union., 1891-03-15

you nave ever neafu or even fG-id about ~
i sat silent, the smile fading from my
| lips, regarding him in sort of dumb
awe, and against all my living faculties
forced to believe him. Watching him in
ms swirl. nervous movements up and
down the room, his body seemed to know
and be aware of unseen wonders, and his
| face possessed the face of true animal
magnetism. He stopped suddenly before
me and resumed:
Il would give the whole of my fortune
/ willingly this very instant, and would
/ fain exist upon one dry crumb day, if,
! by so doing, 1 could procure that old wo-
| mans confidence, for it is she who is at
the bottom of it all. That old woman in
her priest lore is greater than can ever
hope to be. must give UP this, the best
chance of my life, for it is impossible Tor
me to remain here an hour longer. My
return is uncertain, and it is with the Bit
terest reluctance confess myself baffied,
blindly baffied, for the first time in my
| life. But you, Rossiter, for our old friend
ship sake, keep lookout and notify me
If anything uncommon occurs again.
CHAPTER VII.
Some two weeks following D'Herbelot's
departure Lady Dora passed gently away,
her infant daughter serviying her but q
few hours. Before her death she re-
! quested a private interview with her hus-
band, which lasted. perhaps, half an
hour. When he emerged from his wife's
room his face was that Of corpse. He
walked like man stricken unto DEATH
He locked himself in his own room and
renamed there until after the funeral.
What it was Sir Lional's wife said to
him must forever remain q secret |
never knew.
Miss Tarrant I had not seen since be-
fore D'Herbelot's absence, until I was
surprised to meet her one morning kneel-
mn ind frN of 7 -.
observing me she raised to her feet with
extreme difficulty, aided by a stout bam-
boo cane. She explained the reason by
telling me it was rheumatism.
had completed my arrangements to
return to London upon the following
morning, so knocked sharply upon Sir
Lional's door, informing him at the same
time of my intentions.
The door was instantly opened, and my
host confronted me. l stepped back a
| space or two.
For Gods sake, man, what is it?'' |
asked
His eyes We're swollen and bloodshot;
great, dark rings encircled them, and his
luxuriant brown hair had turned white
snow white.
He stood regarding me with slight,
sad smile, for moment, without speak
ing. His necktie had become unfastened
and hung loosely in front of him. There
| was d cIuiiitIcI yelioW paper IN nlS nanu
which he had just evidently finished
reading. Before he had a chance to speak
i Miss Tarrant rushed past me.
! "Oh! Lion! Lionr'
Her arms We're around his neck, her
lips eagerly seeking his, paying no at
tention to my presence whatever.
He stood, for moment, as if wholly
helpless aud half dazed, her lips pressing
his again and again. Then, as if sud-
denly awaking from dream, he pushed
her roughly aside.
Her arms dropped heavily to her sides
She regarded him longingly, yearningly
pitiful flood OF tears dimming the warm
yellow eyes.
Whatever else could be, this strange
creature loyed Sir .Eional with strong,
overpowerihg, idolatrous affection. He
drew suddenly away from her. She
stood an'ipstant with dropping head. and
then walked slowly, limpingly away.
Come with me,' l said. ''You have
coming morbid. Come" taking him
gently by the arm, come"
lie passed his hand confusedly back
and forth across his eyes, and then an
swered me.
). 'Rossiter, have you ever undergone
the hell of remorse?- If so, you can, per-
haps, form slight idea what am now
suffering"
Nonsense, man, bear up. Come, we
will take stroll until IL. Here, smoke
this"
u l offered him a cigar-a fine one. He
took it absently, and followed me into
the park: We paced slowly through the
thickly-sheltered elm walk, along which
the moonlig ht family struggled in quiv,
erlng, tangled rays. soon came to the
end OF my cigar, and, upon looking for
my case, found, to my dismay, it was
empty.
r Il
was also out of weed.
II will fetch the box" replied, and
hurried towards the court, leaving my
friend continuing his walk, perhaps moi
even aware of my absence. Reaching my
chamber searched high and low for my
case OF cigars, and then remembered
Broom, my valet, had most likely packed
1t away, no doubt in view of the morn.
ing's departure.
must have one, SO l proceeded heroi-
cally to work to find one, and, after 6
short search, was rewarded by finding
the case at the bottom of my portman.
teau.
"saved,' I muttered. After lighting
a fresh cigar filled my case and retraceC
my steps to join Sir Lional.
l was startled by what l fancied
heard, deep groan, but after listening
intently, feeling for my pistol and finding
1t all 0. x. in my hip pocket, hurried for
! Waru TO tne elm walk. Ihe golden dots
OF moonlight still sprinkled the elm
walk, but there were no signs of Sir Lilo.
nal.
1.-THE ungrateful fellow has given me
the Slip" I muttered. not a little an.
noyed to find him gone. "Well, I will
retire and take good nights rest, and
perhaps, it is just as well.''
Taking out my watch I could see
plainly by the moonlight it was IA min
utes to IL.
So late! turned upon my heel and had
jproceeded but step: wien heard again
l.this TIME distinctly, a. deep groan OF pain
In an instant I turned in its direction, to-
wards the south end. ! hurriedly crossed
the uneven winding walks and stopped
a horrible sight freezing my very breath
and marrow. What I saw was Sir Lilo
nal, with both hands, trying to cover his