The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-26

Presently, ot1W p4cp1 ..|YI. Mm-tof
To fok ptstehtsd ~ seeing fdsther than
that ihSsd- ne ssw girl strueEIiuE on
under the weight Of heavy beg, her
saturated skirts clinging round her fest
and impeding her progress
Something familiar struck him In the
gait, and be buried on till be came
nearly to her side. She was dressed in
black, and Q thick Grape veil hid her
features but CLEAN 81 light golden
hair and an Involuntary 1khnking away
as abe turned and saw him assured him
Of her Identity, though her presence
there at such an hour and in such q
plight seemed impossible.
Miss Warde, Is It your"
She threw back her veil. disclosing 0
face pale and cad, but infinitely lovely.
Eyes, It lie l." she said.
"But what are you doing hers s.
this time 2" s.
81 might ask The same of you," she
returned, With 40 attempt at gsyety
which completely failed 70 deceive him.
That is different thing altogether.
You are walking, and have travelling.
bag. You are going away-Where"
" Whereg" she repeated vaguely.
All, II / only knew !"
Severn had got down from his horse;
the bride was over his arm, and the bag
that she held he had taken from her
with his other hand he touched her lightly
on the sleeve.
g Let me tell you. Trust yourself to
my guidance he entreated.
I" There is no one would sooner
listen to-"
.'Then turn back with me now. Mr..
Bowyer is your natural protector. Be
lieve me, 1t Is very, very hard for woman
to face the world alone. Don't try 1t,
don't"
If you knew all, she began.
!" My advice would still be the same.
In every phase Of life there are trials to
be borne but woman is always safer
and happier in her own home"
Mr.. Bowyer is not my uncle"
Colonel Severn expressed no surprise.
He had suspected for some time that the
tie between them was not that Of rela~
tionship.
Still he has adopted you; and that
he is really fond Of you amsure. Have
you any one nearer to you than he is 2"
She shook her head sadly.
Then take my advice, and go back"
With a movement he indicated the way
that she should go; but she still hung
back, hesitating.
First listen to my story"
Again he interrupted her, this time
with an accent Of authority.
i will listen as we walk back together
Come on now"
When their faces were turned toward
Httlehaven, Ellen blurted out her story,
the events OF the day before. ~
Put into plain words, and told in the
light Of day, the consciousness Of inno-
cence prevailing the recital, the whole
thing sounded ridiculous and far-fetched.
She was not surprised when the colonel
laughed aloud as she finished.
Why, the woman must be mad a
well as wicked, to imagine you capable Of
such . crimei Pshaw-it Is too absurd !"
And yet to any one who did not
believe In me the case would seem
very strong one. It was I who suggested
having the poison to kill the rats, in
stead Of q trap, and who made the tea
In which the poison must have been.n
" It IL too absurd he repeated. 81
wonder you allowed yourself to be
frightened So"
" But then you don't know all. There
IL q secret-something that happened
long ago, which she has discovered, some
thing which it would ruin me were she
to tell. It was that with which she
threatened me-"
My poor little grill"
The words broke from his lips in ire
pressible pity.
She looked up gratefully into his face.
She saw that no doubt existed in his
mind as to her innocence, and felt 1t very
sweet to meet with such sympathy.
Has Mr.. Bowyer any idea of-this
secret, Miss WardeY"
oh, yes, he knows 1t very we'll ~
Then surely he has some influence
with his housekeeper to prevent her
speaking against his wish 2"
But would he use that influence now?
Last night he looked at me with con-
vulsive shiver that was not caused by
damp or cold-as Thoughts though he
really believed me capable Of trying to
harm him"
Colonel Severn lookedgrav A doubt
assailed him whether he had done well in
inducing her to return. II Mr.. Bowyer
was ready to combine with Mrs. Priolo
against her, Ellen Warde's position
might be dangerous oneand he-Severn,
would have placed her In 1t. His only
course would be to leave her at the Abbey
while he went and saw how the land lay.
The same Idea seemed to have struck
Elaine, for she suggested timidly
Had we not better discover whether
Mr.. Bowyer is willing toreceive me back
before go there ?"
That would be the best plan. will
~ a-I