Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-03-10
CHAPTER XVI.

My hope was vain. A few days after
ward Lady Severne was, to use the nurses
phrase, worse than ever. The blow that
Lady Yorke had feared tell; the terrible ex-
pose which she had dreaded came. She
came down to dinner, and was careful
what she drank. There was reliefon Marks
face and on Lady Yorke's. On the third
day an awful occurrence happened. Wheth-
er Martha was tired, off her guard, Or in ig-
norance Of what was going on, know not.
Perhaps Lady Severne had deceived her.
know only the results. Martha dressed her
for fayorite dress others, q handsome white
and gold brocaded satin. Martha was de-
lighted that she should take so great all in
terest in appearance; that was always a
good sign. she evidently did not perceive
anything wrong in Lady Severne, or posi-
bly, the mischief was done after she left her.
We were all in the drawing,room, waiting
talking to Captain Forester, more at ease
and less anxious than had seen him for
many days; end Lady Yorke looked as
though great load had been taken from
her mind. Some one had just inquired il
We should have the pleasure of seeing Lady
Severne at dinner, and Lady Yorke had
answered, with bright smile, that sh e
and we sar her standing on the
threshold, saw the CLEAN of white and gold,
saw the light in the diamonds, the grace
full figure, the white jeweled hands Alas,
alas, how shall tell it? In one moment l
saw what was the natter--so did Mark and
Lady Yorke; and we all three fastened
toward her. Her face was CHASTITY, her eyes
were Wild and leering smile lowered on
her lips. Half conscious herselfthat she
was not ableto move. yet with a mad de-
fiance Of her own feelings, she tried to
walk with a dignified step into the room
and, before one of us could save her, she
had fallen upon her face to the dismay and
distress OF every one present. In less than
a minute. Lord Severne had raised his wife
in his arms and borne her away.
Lady Iorke, with presence of mind
have never seen equaled, but with a face
white as death, turned to her guests.
Lady Severne has fallen over her train, u
she said quietly. II wish those long sweep
ing trains were out of fashion; they are very
dangerous"
There was polite murmur of regret, blu,
no one spoke. Whether any of those as.
se1nbled there knew the truth, had really
seen and understood her condition, l can.
not tell. No one mentioned her name OF
spoke of her after that
The same evening Mark, with an effort
for which l admired him, returned to the
drawing-room and spoke OF his wife. His
visit to Westwood, he said, had been q
pleasant one, but he was afraid the air did
not suit Lady Severne. She had not been
we'll since her arrival, and he thought il
would be better for them to go.
believe every heart in the room ached
for him; he looked SO anxious and so sad
visitors, a kindly-expressed hope that Lady
Severne would soon recover. Not one word
| of suspicion was breathed; but there was
| strange quiet No one talked much; we
had no music, no singing. One or two
spoke of leaving Westwood, and there was
over all an indet1nable shadow and gloom
Later on Mark, addressing me almost fol
the first time, said
''Nellie, see-there are several people out
on the terrace enjoying the moonlight.
| want to say good-by to you. shall never
see you again. Will you Gomez"
1went My heart was filled with an.
guish and despair, horrible restless pain
He was going away-Mark, who had beer
| my loyer-in distress and sorrow, and We
were never to meet again.
We stood together, as we had SO many
times before, in the bright moonlight, and
Mark raised his haggard face to mine.
You know my secret now, Nellie?" he
said.
Heaven help you, Mark" answered
with tears.
"You have been very good to my I'm.
happy wife; you have been your own self
generous, noble. torgiving / believe
Nellie, that if any one could do her good
it would be you. She loves you, she seems
to have certain faith and trust in YOU
He looked at me wistfully. II dare not
ask you-you would not, of course-yor
would not in any way take charge of her
travel with US? All, mol am mad to think
ofsuch thingw
YET to refuse him was the hardest thing
had ever had TO do in my II Q.
"No, ] could not do that The wide
world must lie between US, Mark, for ever