Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-21

Although little more than forty years 0
age, her black hair was rapidly turnint
gray The neighbors declared that il ha,
become visibly grayer in the three week
that had elapsed since Maries disappear
ance. She had heavy features, beetlint
brows and dark, hollow eyes, and her lip
were thin and covetous.
Altogether her appearance was evil look
ing, and | took hearty dislike to her from
the first moment Of seeing her.
/ She was evidently by no means as anxious
to be of service as her daughter had repre-
sented, but, on the other hand, she did not
object to earn the handsome douceur We
I promised her, so ultimately il was agreed
that we should occupy kind Of loft under
the roof for that night, and for longer il
the storm continued.
Then we sat down and made ourselves at
home in the kitchen, where Mile. Annette
was preparing supper.
We tried TO talk TO her, but it transpired
that the Laiarges had recently removed
from French speaking canton, and the
girl ana not know much of German, nor
I dld we OF French moreover Annette did
not seem TO possess great conversational
power In any language, for | noticed that
she and her mother rarely spoke when not
! compelled to do 50. ] thought her silence
might DE partly accounted for by her grief
Tor the loss of her half sister, to whom she
was Sald 10 have been deeply attached
however, 1t was amusement enough for
me TO watch the girls graceful movements
ana lovely face, and even fastidious Ray
wood began presently TO vouchsafe little
interest in her.
Fate had ordained that we should be
come better acquainted with the I.afarge
family, however, for as Haywood yas
mounting the ladder that led to our bed
chamber he missed his footing, fell and
sprained his ankle.
At first Haywood was far more impa-
tlent at the delay than myself, and | jok-
iagly told him he had better console him
self in the society of the beautiful Annette,
while ] explored the mountains.
Pm afraid I shouldn't find much conso-
latlon in the society of Mile Annette"
said he
Isn't she pretty enough to meet your
aPprobation'"
Yes, but one gets sick Of staring at a
pretty doll that hasn't got two ideas in its
faXen head"
However, il seemed to me presently that
Haywood had consOled himself in spite Of
the fair Annette's dizziness, for when re-
turned | found them sitting on a sunshiny
seat in the little Enclosure which did duty
Tor garden, and seemingly well content
with each others society.
Thus week passed rapidly away Ray.
woods ankle was well enough for us 10 20
now, | thought, but to my surprise lac
never spoke Of resuming our journey.
began to be very impatient 90 leave the
place. strongly suspected that Nine La
fargo knew more about her stepdaughter's
death than She would have cared 20 own,
and thinking this | was naturally anxious
to quit her house
again suggested to Haywood that We
should 90, He Aatly refused.
] could not understand his proceedings,
but as | should have felt responsible in
case of accident if | had insisted, again
waited
Two days later went into the kitchen
at an unusual hour, and found Haywood
sitting with AHHette's hand ia his and
gazing into her fathomless, mysterious
eyes with an infatuation that appalled, me
Was it possible that Haywood, a man Of
good family and brilliant prospects, had 50
far forgotten his own position and his
duty 10 Lady Marion as TO fall in love
with an ignorant peasant Of doubtful ante
cedents2
81 must stop this at once" thought,
and calling my friend aside demonstrated
sternly with him on his uHjustiiable con
duct in making love to girl who could
never be his wife
To my intense surprise he listened calmly
TO all had 10 say, but positively refused
a lpava he btuga Rayyyp,J ,,gag ,si.ldiy,,
% fault rs a rule. was completely puz-
zled.
"This Annette must be a shrewd, de
signing girl, under her show Of simplicity
and good nature" thought l. an try and
solve the mystery about Marie Lafarge.
Surely, if can prove that Nine l.afarge
is a murderess, or is shielding "A murderer,
that at least will bring Haywood 10 his
senses"
/ was lying awake one night, thinking
uneasily Of Haywood and Annette, wren I
heard door open softly on the ground
floor.
Madame and her daughter slept there
not together. but as far apart as possible
the large kitchen separating their rooms.
listened attentively, for everything that
went on had painful interest for me now.
one talkingin the kitchen.
1 arose without awakening Haywood
and raised the trapdoor little
1t was Nine Lafarge walking 10 and fro
in the kitchen. She was talking 10 herself
and apparently in great anguish Of mind
Perhaps she is i'll" thought ], and was
on the point Of descending to her assistance
when I caught glimpse Of her face in the
moonlight.
1t was the most CHASTITY sight have ever
seen. The woman was evidently som
nambuiist Her great black eyes were
wide open and staring blaDkly before her
as she stalked along.
At first she muttered 50 indistinctly that
] could not tell what she was talking
about, except that once or twice caught
the name Of Marie.
Presently she paused in her walk, be
came more excited aud spoke loudly.
She seemed to be addressing some i'm
aginary nearer.
Come back for the love of heaven, come
awayl Don't make her do it. | tell you
it's murder, just as much "a il you pushed
her over with your own hands. Yes, am
fond Of gold, but much as pye loved IL, !
never murdered a fellow creature for it,"
She paused breathless for moment
1.-THE girl was murdered then" |
thought "and she saw it done, but who
did III"
Spare her--spare hertz implored the
in an agony Of supplication. Think
what you do. She is your fathers own
child. Only spare her and will find you
n richer and "A handsomer husband than