The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-02-10

mourning. "Why, this is an unexpected
honor, for it is not often nowadays
that, unsolicited, you favor me with
your society"
She accepted the chair he placed for
her.
Paul" she said, in low, tremulous
accents, 81 can bear this load of misery
no longer. have come-aye, on my
knees, if necessary-to beg you to give
me back my child"
"A modest request. assuredly, as
though l was the Omnipotent. But you
I fail to say which of your lost treasures
is the immediate object of your solicit
tude. You forget that somewhere, float
ing on the waves of humanity, are two
pledges Of your devotion to your late
lamented lord"
"Forgetw she cried. "Never for one
moment do l forget. The horrible
thought is scared in my brain that they
are lost to me. Day and night mourn
their absence"
"Pshaw, Wandal Though / should
like to encourage such beautiful ma
ternal instincts, 1t is out of my power
to accede to your very modest request.
You will never see son or daughter in
this world again, so you may as well
reconcile yourself to the inevitable"
"But Paul." she pleaded, "you, who
have such marvellous power, could find
them for me-nay, not the heir, do not
dare to ask you that-but the sweet
girl that !, wretch that am, cast away
SO many bitter years ago. will not let
her rob you of one shilling Of the rev.
enues of this estate"
Sand you would have me risk the
fortune | have won for Just piece of
sickly sentiment. Now, once for all,
my lady, tell you that you shall never
meet your children, even if their death
were needed to prevent you"
Suddenly she leaped to her feet. Her
eyes blazed with fury. 1t seemed i'm
possible that one so frail could show
such vehemence in passion.
"Oh, you base coward" she cried,
"and it is for such thing as you that
have wrecked my soul Inhuman that
you are, does Lord Arundels murdered
body never cry for vengeance, does my
broken-hearted husbands ghost never
haunt your pillow, do my wronged little
ones"
He rose and walked towards her with
hand outstretched and eyes fixed on
hers with glance that seemed to pene-
trate her soul.
'Be calm! BE still"
She shrank from him with n pitiful,
terrified look, and burst into paroxysm
of sobs
Never taking his gaze from her, he
seized and rang the bell, and on the ap-
pearance of stout british country
man in livery, which did not conceal his
rustic origin, he said, in suave, cold
tones:
'IIer ladyship is far from well this
morning, Robert. You will attend her,
while she takes an airing in the park
the exercise may do her good"
Obedicnt as child, she rose and left
the room.
1t was then that Paul Hayter once
more took in hand the letter he had
been perusing when he had been so un-
pleasantly interrupted.
There's mischief here" he muttered |
to himself. Elise what does this interfer-
ing knave, Forester, mean by his allu-
sion to 'prying Americans and his per-
emptory demand for an immediate in
terview, which may, he declares, avert |
a great family seandal2 Well, think
IL little late now TO fear disclosures.
Still, do not like the fellows manner
always so sycophanttc, now so obtru-
sive. What does 1t mean2"
His meditations were rudely inter-
rupted The door of his room was flung
open and Robert, his servant, gasping
for breath, stood before him.
"What is itp" the master cried, as
tonished at the mans lack of ceremony.
"Her ladyship-her ladyship-isr
the fellow stammered.
"Is what, you bloclShead?"
"Gone, sir"
"Gone!'
"Yes. couldn't help it--indeed,
couldn't help IT, l."
cease whining, man, and tell mo
what has happenedl" the master thun.
dered.
1--WE were in the lime walk back Of
the house. My, lady was sitting on
bench under one Of the trees. Suddenly
q carriage drove up with lot Of people
In it."
"Thcn the odge-gates were open?
must see TO this at once. Now, who
was In the carriage?"
Mrs. Horner, Of the Arlington Arms,
Tor one. She jumped out and began
talking with my lady" !