The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-18
CHAPTER. XIX.
Mt had TO vrestle with nv lot?

The shadowing of Sir Reginald Denison
vas a perfect piece Of work.
Mr.. Van de Weyer was an artist in his
way. From the time that the duty Of keep
ing the baronet under observation was in
trusted to him his zeal was unremitting. So
strictly was the watch kept that there was
NOT moment of Sir Reginald's time that
the detective could not give a good account
Of In this task he was ably assisted'by his
wife an astute and talented woman who
bore an important part in bringing the en-
terprise to a successful conclusion. She it
was who, when Sir Reginald left Charing
Cross by the Paris mail, travelled by the
same train, and chung to him like burr
until her husband took her post On his ar
rival in Paris; and it was to her careful
,nanueveriug in logging his footsteps that
Winifred's retreat was discovered, which
enabled Lady Falconridge to steal a march
on Sir Reginald.
.Winifred started up with look of con-
fusion and establishment when Lady Fall
conridge, after explaining her errand to
Madame Favert, entered the apartment I'M
announced that served Winifred as sitting
room, bedroom and studio. But the next
moment the two women were locked in
each others arms. For a brief while no
word was spoken between them. Their
hearts were full of emotion engendered by
their meeting. At last the silence was
broken by Lady Falconridge.
why did you not come to me at Glen
OrlochF" she asked, caressing the pale and
weary looking face that lay nesting on her
tosom. "You would have kept the roses in
your cheeks if you had come to me. Did
you think I should turn to be your accuser
or your censorp
II was the only word of reproach that
Lady Falconridge uttered. and was an
swered by sob.
Gould you give an old woman a cup of
tea, deer!n she asked, without waiting for a
reply.
The abrupt request came to Winifred, in
the excited state OF her feelings occasioned
by Lady Falconridge's visit, as an anti
climax TO her oVerwrought emotions. But
1t produced the effect intended, since it
served to take her out Of herself and throw
a matter-of-fact air over their meeting.
Lady Falconridge smiled at the success Of
her device, as Winifred laughingly apollo
gized for neglecting her duties as a hostess,
ard busted herself making the necessary
Preparations, replying simply and naturally
to Lady FalconTidge's efforts at converse
tlcn.
And now come and sit rear me,n she
said, after they had sat some time together.
Tell me everything. Why did you leave
your husband, dearp
"0h, Lady Falconridge, what have done
to deserve your goodnessN Winifred cried.
as she placed herself at her feet and found
her hand claSped with warm reassuring
pressure. ''Do you remember asking me at
Glen-Orloch to speak to you of my life dur
ing the three years after my fathers death?
How wished 10 confide in you then! But
could not. was under promise TOTO
him not to speak of it, and felt that | had
no right to break it, though the burden was
then too heavy for me. But now that he
has broken the compact l may speak, may
Inot!n
ana so Winifred began her story. She
told OF the circumstances under which she
1rSt met her husband in the galleries of the
Louvre, of her fathers feeble health and his
death, after confding his only child to the
guardianship of his old comrade In arms,
and the manner in which her husband
gained her confidence by his watchful care
over her Until he finally persuaded her
INTO hasty marriage, and of her life after
ward
?, when she approached the subject of Sir
Reglnald's mode of life and how her ewes
were gradually opened to his character, her
mead sank, es though to hide the burning
DIusl with which she recalled her terrible
eeGper ences, and Lady Falconridge, who
Aelt tne little hand trembling in her own
tnrew her arm round her and gathered her
nearer to herself. But when Winifred
came TO the story of her baby's birth. and
ms death, the fast dropping tears spoke for
n IIer pathe ,ically until the tears rose to Lady
raiconrIdges eyes, and both women went
together.
-, When the little one was taken from me,n
sne continued through her tears, 81 felt it
vas impossible to go back to the old life,
.ue very meaning of which l was a long
S.lne before came to understand. 1t was
horrible to me! how horrible words are too
poor 70 describe; for though l was not an
acVlVe participator / was compelled to
IITEuu5enance evil, and it was uncomfortable
uau 70 dress to please the eyes of his
klesu, as he called them, and to smile and
+ +uSA on as though l were happy,
S %u1e my heart was slowly breaking. II l
Lou i,;u gone back it must have killed me, and
w H,.'eu my soul, too, as well as my body. l
nus Suned In the atmosphere we lived in.
~ you understand me? Ifelt that goodness
,s not live with us; that it was useless
tod
s eeu 70 De dragged deeper and deeper l must
LIaPe from it, before it was too late. The
fStoI death gave me courage to do that l
t t5is mat could do anything and brave any
T lung Tor his sake; and it seemed as if he
Us- me away from it. l told him
~ know who l mean?-that | would not
sonuhue to live with him. He was very
Dnsry, but he consented that we should
p pa.I after exacting pledge that should
S Io' gear his name, and that ii ever we met we
r rnoula meet as strangers. There is nothing
lure TO tell. / never heard of him again,
~ saw him until he came with Lady Pole
TlupVon to see my picture-she picture that
tnn FoIehampton had bought. He re-
o.ued few hours after and threatened to
1pel me TO return to him."
F.1dS that why you ran a1ayp asked Lady
faiconridge.
mat vas one reason" said Wiuifred,
rrttI5nlng away her face lest Lady Falcon
d,ss should observe the crimson flush that
Nyeq her cheeks
NJ. mere was another reason, was there
PS oI SAID Lady Falconridge Tell me all.
ave ,ell member that if 1 am Claude's mother l
''1 n your friend.",
lne tenderness Of Lady Falconridge's
Winiiser broke down the last reserve, and
drulLred told her that she had fed from the
peri gier CT an intimacy that had grown