The Forrest City times., 1891-08-28
\ Terrible Love Story.
CHAPTER V.


 at breakfast, her aunt announced that Gustave would certainly arrive on that very evening, and. in a tone of tri- umph, proceeded to unfold her plans.
 ''He will arrive this evening" she said; 'tand tomorrow morning we shall leave here for Folkestone, pro- ceed thence to Boulogne, and so on to Paris. when you will be married after which l will return to Faireview and have it prepared for your reception, leaving Judith to act in capacity of maid to you
 Madame Dumasque paused to observe the effect of her words; but her victim carefully guarded herself from betraying the agitation and despair she felt, and said quietly
 '.At what hour do you expect Gus tave, aunt JulietP"
 "Why do you as.9" enquired madame quickly.
 al thought we might meet him. that is all. replied Lena listlessly.
 '.He will arrive in time even to join us at dinner; therefore meeting him is out of the question. l hope you will now reconcile yourself to my arrange ments. particularly as your lover. Clifford Peregrine. is dead. and all your hopes in that quarter are at an end.~
 Again Madame Dumasque studied tho beautiful face opposite to her, but could not determine what lay beneath it's fixed expression. Lena certainly turned very pale as she repeated the word '.dead" in bewildered manner; for at first she throughly believed her aunt and her heart seemed to stop beating and the room to grow dark.
 "Yes; he caught fever abroad and died there about two months ago. know that my information Is correct. heard of his deah only a week ago; 1 had lost sight of him for some little time; before that, know he had been searching the continent to find you"
 Madame smiled malieiously as she thought how successfully Clifford had been duped; and Lena said despairing- ly-
 '.If this be true, 1t matters not to mo what fate has in store for me; I have indeed lost all hope"
 Her quiet helplessness was a relief to the eher lady.
 '.She will be no further trouble, :" she thought; .'and can now manage GustAve; so 1t will be all smooth sail ing
 While the meal proceeded. madame gave Lena many directions about pack ing her most valued belongings, and describing minutely the route to be taken--to all of which the girl passive ly assented; but, when she reached tho solitude of her room, she gave way to her anguish. and called upon Clinord's name in an agony of grief. and in this condition was found by Judith.
 ''Crying. Miss Lenap" said the wom- an. That's no use-tears won't bring back the dead. When you are married you'll settle down and forget this Mir. Peregrine; besides, it's better for you to give in; your aunt always has her own way, and will as long as she nves.'
 ssShe can have it. as far as I am concerned" answered Lena hopelessly. determined to deceive Judith if possi- ble. II do not care what becomes of me. for all hope is over; but aunt Ju- liet will have her cruelty 10 answer for somc day"
 Tho girls manner awcd Judith, who looked extremely uncomfortable.
 ''I'heres s no turning my mistress whom her mind is set on anything. she said with frown.
 ''So 1t appears; but it is great mystery 10 me why she is bent upon marrying me to this bad man. un ess she wishes my misery to kill me, that she may benefit by my death"
 As Lena said this Judith's face turn ed first rcd, then pale, then red again but she made no reply. and began to pack trunk which stood ready. By the afternoon she had completed her task. for she was clever active wom- an.
 Gus'Ave sent messenger with a note. saying he would breakfast at the NH House on the following morning.
 The weary hours dragged by. Lena appeared to be perfectly indifferent to 0sVA shtuN- oht cuC dP h0k mind to escape that night, to find out the truth about Clifford. and, if he was indeed dead--gone from her forever to hide herself under n feigned name, and to work for her daily bread until the end of the six years. when she would come forward and claim her rights- Tortured by doubts, fears and hopes, she at length reached her room. and began to prepare for rest. This she did in case of any sudden in- terruption. and it was fortunate she took the precaution. Half an hour after she had lain down, the room door quietly opened and Judith came in. She passed over to the dressing table. and. shading her candle from the girl. who was feigning sleep. bent over and examined every trifle tha: va scattered about the room. Shs dipped pair of scissors and pen- knifs into her pocket. then examined