Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-01

ing in the form Of potato. Evelyn, too,
was silent, or made spasmodic attempts
at conversation with Mrs. Marston, the
only unconstreined person Of tho party.
Evelyn and Aurelia had appeared to-
gether, and it was evident from Evelyns
expression that Aurelia had told her
What con Iersation there was turned
upon Sir Georges illness.
I'VE must go by the afternoon train,
my dsar," said Marston down tho table
to his wife. "In Sir Georges present
state all visitors are an incubus"
Carr looked up. II think 1 ought to
go too" he said. II wished to arrange
to do so this morning, but Mr. Dan
vers," glancing at Charles, would not
hear Of it. am sure when there is i'll
ness IN house strangers are always in
the way"
IL have seen my father since then"
replied Charles, land fear his illness il
much moro serious than had any idea
Of. That being tho case, feel it would
DO wrong to press any one, even Middle
ton, to stay and share the tediun Of
sick house"
After few more civil speeches it was
arranged that Carr should after all,
leave by the train which he had proposed
in the morning. twas found that there
was still time for him TO do so, but that
was ali. He was evidently as anxious
to be OF as tho Danverses were that he
should go. Tho dog cart was ordered, q
servant despatched to the lodge in hot
haste to pack his portmanteau and in
half an hour he was bidding us good-by,
evidently glad to say it. Poor fellow
He little guessed, az he shook hands
with us, how shamefully he had been
suspected, how villainously he had been
traduced behind his back
Somehow or other had not had a
moment Of conversation with him since
the morning, or single chance Of telling
him how l had stood up for him in his
absence. Either Charles or Marston
was always at hand, and when he took
leave Of Inc could only shake his hand
warmly, and tell him to como and see
me again in town. | watched him spin
ming down the drive in the dog-caf
litrlo thinking how soon l should see
him again, and in what circumstances
Eve shall have more snow said
Ralph, coming indoors. Il feel il in
the sir."
General and Mrs. Marston were tho
next TO leave, starting an hour later and
going in the opposite direction. saw
Marston turn aside whom his vic was
taking leave Of the others amigo up to
Charles. The old hand and the young
one met and were locked tight.
"Good-by, my dear boy" said Mars
ton.
Don't 60" said Charles without look
ing up.
Il must said Marston. Il am due at
Kimberley tonight, On business; but"
in lower tone, Il shall come back to-
morrow, in case can DO Of any use,"
They were gone, and was the only
one remaining. 1t has occurred to me
since that perhaps they expected me to
go, too, but l never thought Of it at the
time. had been asked for Il week, and
to so before the end Of it never SO much
as entered my head
There was no chance Of going out. The
early winter afternoon was already clos
ing in, and a few flakes Of snow were
drifting like feathers in the heavy air,
promising more 10 come. Every one
seemed to have dispersed-Ralph up
stairs to his father, Charles out Of doors
/ somewhere in spite Of the weather, |
remembered that I had not written 10
Jane since left London, and went into
the library to do so,
AS I came in saw Evelyn sitting in a
low chair by the fire, gazing distracted
~ into it. She started when she saw me,
and ON my saying wished to write some
letters, showed me writing table near
the fire, with pens, ink and paper.
You will find 1t very cold at the big
table window" she said, looking at it
with It's broken drawer, chink open,
with a visible shudder.
I installed myself near the fire, talk
ing cheerfully the while, for 1t struck
me 6ho was littlo low in her spirits.
She did not make much response, and I
was settling down to my letters when
she suddenly said;
"Col Middleton"
Eyes, Miss Derrick"
Il am afraid am interrupting your
writing, but
looked round. She was standing up,
nervously playing with her rings. But
i know am not supposed to-but I
know what happened last night; Aurelta
told me-"
1T is very sad, isn't it," l said. but
cheer up. l dare say we may get them
back yet" And nodded confdenially
at her. "In the meantime, you know,
you must not talk Of it to any one"
"Do you suspect any one in partiou-
lar" she asked very earnestly, coming a
step nearer.
hardly knew what to say, Carr, I
need hardly mention, had never sus-
pocted for moment; but Charles-Mars-
ton had evidently believed what Charles
had said, but am By nature moro eau
tons and less credulous than Marston.
Besides I had not forgiven Charles yet
for trying to incriminate Carr. Not
knowing what to say l shrugged my
shoulders and smiled.
you do suspect some one them
my dear young lady" l replied,
''when jewels are stolen one naturally
suspects some one has taken them"