The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-08
CHAPTER XIII.
A TERRIBLE SECRET.


lady Fnnismore, and then went forward
with outstretched hand.
lam surprised I" she said.
LADY Ennisunore rose and took her hand,
but not warmly.
~ have come to Ardleigh to see you,
Helen" she said, with some agitation; "come
on a most painful duty"
81 do not understand" answered Helen
IN a faltering voice, and with sudden
blush.
~ fear you do" continued Lady Ennis
more, gravely. "Heleu, why have you
broken your promise to me not to see or
speak again % Francis Rochep
THAT was Brackenford, Lady Ennis
more and kept it there. IL did not an
swer his letter there, and did not see him
but he came here--l met him by accident
and"
"It is true what you told your aunt, that
you are actually engaged to HING
"Yes, it is true" .... .......
"Helen" cried Lady Ennismore, in ex-
IRENE agitation, you can never marry
himl Put the very thought from your mind
there is gulf between you which you can
not cross"
Helen was silent for moment, then she
looked up steadily and resolutely in Lady
Ennismore's face.
1--WE have promised to be true to each
other, Lady Ennismore, and We shall not
change" she said, and as she spoke Lady
Ennismore clasped her hands together, and
something between gasp and sob burst
from her fast paling lips.
Child, you know not what you are say
ing" she said: Margaret, she added, turn
ing TO Miss Drummond, who was sitting
white and trembling listening to their
words. II think you had better leave US
alone should rather tell Helen the dread
full truth than this mad folly should go on"
"Oh! no, noI' cried Miss Drummond,
starting to her feet and grasping Lady En-
nismOre's hand, ''she is too young for such
burden, Katherine-spare her at least
thatn
Never before had Helen heard her aunt
address or call Lady Ennismore other than
by her title, and Lady Ennismore always
wrote to her old friend as Miss Drum
mond, but IN this moment of extreme agl-
tation they displayed closer intimacy than
Helen had been aware of.
And as Lady EnnlSmore listened to Miss
Drummond's appeal, culver passed over
her own fine features, aud her eyes fell on
Helen's face with a softer light shining il
them than before.
She is too young, indeed" she said,
sadly ''she must be a good girl, and be
guided by those who love her, and have her
true interests at heart. Well, let US talk
OF 1t no more at present-tell me about
yourself, Margaret; you do not look very
strong
81 have not felt very well lately" an
sTered Margaret Drummond, and once
81 70 got Nv hn fra or,I -.
left the room. feeling unreasonably angry
with Lady Ennismore.
why had she come to Ardleigh to dis.
torb their happinessF thought the girl, in
dignantly. Aunt Margaret would have
learned to love Francis Roche, and then
everything would have been pleasant.
What right had Lady Ennismore to inter>
fere. Francis Roche was almost a stranger
to her, and she could have no possible CON
troll over him-and though she is an old
friend OF Aunt Margaret's she has nothing
to do with me. except she has always been
very Kind until now"
Helen's temper was quick like all her
emotions, and when Elizabeth came upstairs
to summon her to tie dinner-supper which
had been hastily prepared for Lady Ennis
mores retreshment, Helen at first said she
would not go down.
Nay, honey" urged the old servant in
her homely north country accent, ''ye
surely wadna vex Miss Drummond2 She's
been upset enough this day by her ladyship
coming SO unlocked for"
Did Aunt Margaret not expect her %
asked Helen.
Surely not; she nigh tainted when Lady
Nnh!smore drove up, and she's looking only
poorly now; so come thy ways down and
nave thy SUPPER
Helen knew that her Aunt Margaret was
not strong, and so she allowed herself to he
persuaded, and Lady Ennismore's gracious
manner and rare tact prevented the meal
from being a trying one. She, in fact,
TAXED OF everything but Francis Roche,
and when Helen retired for the night she
gently kissed her cheek, aud then the
Ola friends were left sitting by the Preside
But the next morning after breakfast,
~hen Helen had gone to her room to watch
ior tie arrival of the rural postman, IN the
nope that he would bring her some fond and
welcome words from Roche, Lady Ennis
!uore raped at the door and came in, shut
Ting 1t behind her.
4. Helen, want to have serious converse
Vlon with you" she said, land have come
up mere because do not wish to disturb
tna worry your aunt. for l am sure she is
lar from we'll"
Yes, Lady Ennismore," answered Helen,
VINO thought she knew what Lady Ennis
more come to say.
1t is about this foolish entenglement
WIN MIR. Rocne,n went on Lady Enuismore;
Helen, there are reasons that do not wish
Sou TO know reasons So grave that l shrink
ION giving you the pam of hearing them,
Sna, render your engagement or marriage
"!th TINS young man impossible, aud
therefore entreat you to be guided by your
auaG and myself in this matUer.n
u. GU mean you wish me to give up
Francis Rocheg'
Most certainly to give him upl Never
70 see him or write 10 him agaiu-to re-
.use to do so-Helen, will you promise me
No, Lady Ennismore, will notn
Bat you must, Helenl You heard what
SAID to your aunt last night; you heard
.er say you were too young to know the
UuIh, vet If you persist
"a should rather know the truth: / told
francis Rothe l believed there was some
Unlng that you and Aunt Margaret knew
aoout my birth, or my father, that you were
Aeeplng back, and he said he did not mind
mnat 1t was, and that you limited some
ssulng OF the sort to him, and that his own
4aIaer had been a bad man, too"
Lady Ennismore gave q sudden cry, and
gue her hand over her face, as Helen said
s susss words in her young. clear voice; a
s oul1sn cry, as if a pang Of shame and an
suisn nad stabbed her heart.