The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-22
CHAPTER XVII.
rnrnABETH's LETTER.


den suspicion also darted through her mind
that Francis Roche might have something
to do with Helen's disappearance, and this
thought was very terrible to her. She
nacsd the room with restless footsteps and
ouickened breath; she put her hand to her
side. for sharp physical pain brought en-
BY mental anxiety affected her.
"Can this have been planned between
themq' she murmured, half aloud. 81 no
ticed her manner was very strange-can he
know where she isa-unhappy child, what
shall do~
1t seemed indeed impossible to Lady
Ennismore to know how TO act. But one
thing was certain, Helen Drummond must
be sought for, must be found. This beauti-
full girl, who had been reared so tenderly,
could not be allowed togo out to struggle in
the world alone,
"If l write to him he would not tell me if
be knows, she thought. Il might telegraph
for him to come here-yes, tha5 will be
best, and if be comes i shall judge by his
manner"
In the meanwhile Lord Ennismore was
getting uneasy at his wife's absence, and
now came into the morning-room to seek
her.
What's all this about, Katie:' he said
Don't you distress yourself. But what
possible motive could Helen Drummond
have for leaving Ardleigh without consult
ing you! But she'll be writing to tell you
where she is"
Shesays not, " answered Lady Ennismore
in o faltering voice; "she says she means to
cnange her name, to disappear-but she
must be sought for. Ennismore"
why, the girl must be mad! Didn't you
tell me she had some lover or other up there?
May they've quarrelledp
Lady EnnismUre shook her head.
mo, | fear she never thought of him :
but poJr Margaret Drummond's death COM
Tle;ely upset her,"
"You should have brought her here with
you, Katie, and | was suro you would. said
the kindly, genial Elnismore. However,
there is one thing certain-the poor girl
must be found; and if you'll let me see her
letter III know better how to act, and you
know can keep secret as well as my
neighbors.n
mo, Ennismore; cannot, caunot But
there was another letter did not open per
haps that will give us some news"
"I'll 90 and fetch it; | noticed one lying
said Enmsmore, and he left the room as he
spoke, and returned in few moments with
letter in his hand, directed to Lady Ennis
mora in Johnny Campbell's handwriting,
but the contents were written by Eliza
beth.
Scarcely, indeed, had Johnny reached the
Lodge with his emit head and aching heart,
wnen it occurred TO his slow mind that
Elizabeth should at once write TO Lady En-
nlsmore, as Helsns nearest friend, to in
form her of the time and mode of Helen's
departure from Ardleigh. He therefore re-
traced his footsteps, followed by Helen's
dogs, who were fcnd of him, as one of
Johnny's good qualities was that he was
great lover Of animals, and very kind to
them.
The poor fellow understood now well
enough what Helen had meant when she
said in their last interview that she was go
ing to ask a great favor of him some day. 1t
was to take care of these dumb, faithful
friends, and Johnny sorrowfully accepted
the trust.
"But we must fiud her, Ben, he said, lay
ing his big hand on the beautiful head of
the sagacious creature, who looked up into
his brown eyes as if he quite understood
We will go to seek her-you and me, Ben
Il think she would like to see you at least,
old dog" and Johnny heaved heavy
sigh.
IN consultation when he arrived once more
at Ardleigh House. Elizabeth was thinking
only OF Helen, but the gardeners interests
were divided between Helen and his wages
But IS Johnny strobe in the parlor he dis
rected the gardener to leave the room.
u want word with Elizabeth" he said,
and the man took the hint and left them,
and then Johnny told Elizabeth what he
had come for.
You must write to Lady Ennismore by
TINS post" he said, $50 you've no time to
lose, and tell her the train Miss Helen left
by, and so ON
II was thinking Of that, sir, but I'm only
poor at my pen" answered Elizabeth.
What matter? I would write it for
you, only Lady Ennismore might think it
strange. Sit down now, and I'll tell you
what to say"
so Elizabeth SAT- down to write her letter,
and Johnny dictated it:
YOUR LADYsHIP--I forward by this
post letter which Miss Helen left to be
sent to you, and | teg to inform you that
we are in great grief and trouble Miss
Helen sent me out on an errand this morn
tng, and when l came back found she had
ieit Ardleigh. She had ordered carriage
from the station without my knowledge the
night before, to take her in time to catch the
south train, which passes the station here at
di:SO, and she went away in that. Mr..
OaInpoeu went up the station 20 inquire,
and found she took a ticket for Kings Cross
station. London. He thinks inquiries should
be made at once, as she left her dogs in his
charge, and in her letter to me said she
never meant to come back. Axiously
awaiting your ladYship's command, re-
Teln your obedienr servant,
'.ELIzABETH MAY.n
This was the letter that Lord Ennismore
carried to his wife, and after they had
read it. Ennismore quickly made up his
mind
There is just one thing to do, Katie"
he said, land that is for me to run up to
town to-day. and start inquiries to seek this
foolish girl at once. There is no time in
tact, to be lost, as think she must be little
off her head"
And will you go. dearm
Certainly I'll go; dear little Pat is al
most well now, 50 what's to prevent mea
III set some Of those private inquiry fellows
to work first. but if they don't succeed I'll
go to Scotland Yard; the poor girl must be
found, and she's great deal too handsome
to be knocking about London alone.
And Ennismore was as good as his word.
He left Brackenford in time TO catch the
first train south, and Immediately after be