The Forrest City times., 1891-09-04
A Terrible Love Story.
CHAPTER VI.

handsome face was not pleasant to look upon. His eyes gleamed for q moment with revengful light; but he speedily regained composure. Once more she asked him proudly
 ''Are you prepared to do your part?"
 Anxious to gain time to form fresh plans. he answered promptly but sul. lenly--
 "I am."
 Madame Dumasque then rang the bell.
 Judith, she said, "lct Miss Des- pard know that breakfast is ready"
 The woman left to do her mistress s bidding, and Gustave strolled to the window.
 "How does my future wife contem- plate our unionp" he inquired cyni- cally.
 "Very calmly since I told her Cliff ford Peregrine was dead said Madame Dumasque coolly, "although Judith found her crying in her room and saying that she did not care what became of her now Clifford was dead. !"
 "A pretty life shall live with her if he should turn out to be alive after all. And reports are pever to be re- lied on, he commented moodily.
 ''1ou will have her money. and will not care about her." said Madame Du- masque.
 ''I care little about myself. how .. sver, and l shan't fancy my position if she ever discovers our fraud" was the curt rejoinder.
 What Madame Dumasaue was about to say remained unspoken. for Judith entered abruptly with flushed face and an excited air.
 Miss Lena is not in her roomi" she gasped.
 'Where Is she2" asked her mistress haughtily.
 "That is more than can tell you, madame. She has made her escape, for she has left cord dangling from the window. 1 locked her in her room last night after she was asleep"
 "Thank Heaven." murmured Gus tave.
 Madame Dumasque sat in silence for some minutes, battling with her rage at having been defeated; at last she said in a bitterly sarcastic tone
 And so Miss Despard has escaped: then she must be re-captured, tbat is clear. We will have breakfast The van will then call for our luggage ac- cording to arrangement. Have it des- patched to town, Judith, and follow it; then go on to Abbotsford. Take up your quarters at Faireview and await her arrival in the village; for some thing tells me our runaway will go there sooner or later. You, GuStave, must proceed to London and advertise her description. I will remain here in case she should be captured and brought home; sometimes girls are discovered at once and restored to their friends. Telegraph to me. Gustave. and let me know what you arc doing. If you find her, keep her safely until can join you in town. You, Judith. can write to me from Abbotsford and be careful not to make any stir or gossip in the place."
 But" remonstrated Judith. ..why not go up to London, madam Why wait here alonep"
 ''Because, Miss Despard may return may send here for her clothes; in short, 1 will wait here that may be ready for her at every point"
 But" urged Judith, "you have considerable sum of money in your possession, besides some of your jew elry, and this house is lonely"
 Let me stay with you as protec- tor,' urged Gustave.
 "And lose the chance of finding herp" retorted his aunt. No. thank you; am quite able of taking care of myself"
 "Very we'll he said submissively. and commenced his breakfast
 Madam made an attempt to copy his example but failed.
 ''I will teach her to thwart mel" she said vindictively. as she drank cup of tea and pushed away her plate. al trusted her quiet manner; but when I find her she shall repent this"
 "I am afraid shall not find her SO tractable as you imagined" observed her nephew.
 ''There ie such thing as death. was the significant reply; at which Gustave turned ghastly pale. Are you cowardp" questioned madame.
 .'I do not think so, he answered gravely.
 By 12 o'clock Judith had sent off the luggage, and followed 1t in accordance with her mistress direc- tions.
 At three a carriage drove up to con vey Gustave to his hotel in Fladgate, and thence to the station.
 Telegraph as soon as you reach town" said madame, ''and again whom you have put things in train. y
 He promised. raised his hat, and drove away, leaving her standing in the garden waving her hand in adieu.
 Shrewd little Sarah Topping sud denly thought of an excellent plan by which she might benefit the gentleman who so deeply interested her. and in whose cause she had bound herself to assist for Miss Lena's sake. She kept her own counsel however, and, calling her husband to mind the bar, she sat down in her bed room to write a letter.
 The post-mistress was friend of Sarah's, and Mrs. Topping had filled the same office until she went to be Mistress of 1.-The Blackthorn. As soon