Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-09-09
THE MAN WHO VANISHED.
BY FERGUS HUME.
CHAPTER VIII-CoNrrNuEp.


anger on her expressive face.
NO he did not I" she answered. in
q clear vibrating voice. '.Mr Ire.
wanna Is now getting better and has
made a statement which completely
exonerates Mr. Lancaster from any
such intention"
THANK God" thought Adrian
thankfully. lat all events my charac-
ter will be cleared. even although |
am unable to defend myself"
And Mr.. ancaster has disap-
pearedP' said Adrian.
Yes he has vanished completely
and in spite OF all inquiries cannot be
found"
Are you sure he went to seek
assistance or-ned?' asked Adrian. in
q measured tone.
you wrong him by such a
thought said Olive Loyalty. adrian
Lancaster is not the man to fly from
the conse lucnces of his own mlsdeeds
no ! believe he went TO seek as
sistance. and-and-"
Never came back. " said the pseudo
Roversmire. cynically.
Olive lifted her arms with a gesture
OF despair.
1t i'll becomes you to speak in this
way" she said severely. What do
you know about the impulses OF youthp
you are an old man cautious, cold.
FLOODED and calculating; he was
warm. impulsive and hot-temr cred.
H. in moment of anger he thought
he had committed n crime was it
therefore very wonderful thing that
ne should go away secretly for a
period, so as to gain time to explain
the matter instead OF waiting to be
arrested? | blame him for his folly
as much as you do but pity and love
him all the same
Adrian's heart smote him as he saw
how nobly she defended his pusillani-
nous conduct though. TO be sure it
Is easier TO be brave even at the can
mons mouth than to await in cold
blood FOR a certain arrest and a posi-
bic lgnominious death.
But | thought you said he went to
seek assistance he observed deliber-
atoly.
And / say so again" she retorted
angrily; why do you measure and
clip my words in this pedantic FASH
ion' He might have changed his
mind. II he has erred in acting upon
the impulse OF the moment no doubt
he is now being punished for it."
Poor soul she little knew how Sc
we're the punishment was.
he is hiding in some distant place.
suppose; that in itself is punishment
Tor noble-hearted gentleman like
my Adran-to have to conceal his
lace from his fellow-men-punish-
ment indeed tell you Doctor
Roversmire he has l am certain. al
ready undergone worse punishment
than any Jaw can devise"
In her casting round for apologies
for Adrian's conduct she had acct
dentally hit upon the truth. and the
soul OF the man she loved hidden in
the body OF the man she hated writhed
under the lash OF her words He
had however to act the part
OF cold philosopher such as was in
Keeping with Dr. Roversmire's general
conduct and crushed down his rising
emotions with n powerful effort
Il understand and appreciate all
you have said he observed calmly.
'out what do you want me to do"
Tell me where he is"
''How can | do that?"
''By the aid OF your science-chi-
canery-readings in the stars-or
whatever else you practice under the
title OF theosophy. What is the good
OF your pretending TO supernatural
powers II you cannot exercise them in
an emergency like this?''
Here was dilemma-Adriau had
not the slightest idea OF the sciences
which Dr. Roversmire was supposed
to know and he was quite unable to
answer this girl who stood looking at
him with piercing gaze.
Perhaps you already know where
he lsP she said with sudden suspicion"
'1?' he echoed in apparent surprise,
'how should | know"
1t may be that, although you have
never seen him. You do not like him "
she went on feverishly not paying
any attention to his answer. You
did me the honor to ask me 10 be your
wlfe-l declined as | loved Adrian
perhaps you hate him on
that account don't believe in your
spells and Juggling tricks. still-still-
tell me, she demanded. with a sud-
den outburst OF anger do you know
anything about the disappearance of
Adrian lancaster"
He made gesture OF dissent for
although he was burning to reveal
yet the dread of future con-
se4uences kept him silent
lis 1t true that you can disinteQrate
your bodies ? j have heard that YOU
profess to do so. il 50 haze you d SIM
tegrated Adrian?-oh. what am /
talking about it is madness. insanity.
this playing with the supernatural /
do not bel eve in tho powers you say
you possess is in hiding. (
a ra d OF the consequences o. his folly .
WHOM he secs my advertisement he
will return Pm sure be will I
ii m afraid not, said Adrian sadly. I
knowing how impossible it was such
thing cold happen.
'What do you know about lt?' she I
crip1 fapca1tr ,ubaoffnr. .o,,.l -. IL.