Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-02-04

/ in it which attracted Harry's instant
observation. She looked like one who
is expecting some impending misfor-
tame to happen, and is in daily dread of
the blow falling.
Remembering Wanda Arlington's des-
cription of just such person and that
| she associated her with affectionate
"reminiscences, he resolved to be more
candid with her than he had been with
her husband, who was now in a very
excited manner pouring into her ears
the story he had just heard from the
young American.
''Ah." she said with sigh, chow you
startled me. thought it was of the lit
tie girl you might have heard. "
And, perhaps, l bring you news of
her too, Mrs. Horner," Harry said.
The color left the woman's face in
moment.
'sOf the lady Wanda?" she asked, ''of
the sweet, babe we-but, John Horner
go down and attend to the customers;
it will never do to leave the house un-
tended"
Honest John was loath to obey her
behest. but in this case the gray mare
was evidently the better horse, for she
peremptorily ordered him to go and he
dutifully went.
sNow, sir, we are alone, she said,
land for heavens sake, keep me no long
er in suspense"
Harry Evesham told his story, watch
ing with interest the strange fluctua-
tions in the woman's expression as the
details developed.
When he had finished, he handed her
Wanda's portrait.
sHow-like what = her = mother
was" Mrs Horner sobbed, devouring
the picture with her eyes.
Then you are sure of her IDENTIFY"
Gas sure as that am sitting in this
chair, sir"
And, viii You help me to prove that
IDENTIFY"
''Will l? Oh, sir, thank the good
Lord that He has sent you here to give
me the chance to do So"
Mrs Horner was trembling violently,
and tears were running down her cheeks
there was no doubt of her sincerity.
''Eh. but have been wicked wom-
an, and dearly have paid for my evil
doing" she sobbed.
'Pray be calm, my good creature
Harry interposed. Repentance and
restitution"
AYE she cried, wildly, nov for
repentance and restitution"
my story is long and a sorrowful /
one; will you hear it?" the worthy land |
lady asked, controlling her emotion !
with difficulty.
Most gladly" Harry declared, over
whelmed with the turn affairs had
taken. /
1T seems to me but the other day.
Mrs. Horner began, that | went as /
waiting-maid to the hall, yet it is near /
ly forty years ago--a pretty young
woman | was then, though trouble has I
wrinlxled my face now-and John
Archer, the under-coachman, began his
attentions to me before | was there
week. This was just prior to the death
of the first Lady Arlington, and soon
after this event, Archer and were mar
ried and went into housekeeping at
Wellington. We had one boy, who was
the idol of my heart, and his father,
too, loved him even more than he did
me; but the poor fellow never lived to
see him man, being killed in run.
away accident thirteen years after our
marriage, when returned again into
my lords service, which my Willie also
entered as page-boy. Then the earl
married again-this time far below him,
the match being violently opposed by
his son, Lord Arundel, then just come
of age. / was taken as my lady's own
woman, and so got TO know more about
the affairs of the family than the other
servants. All went well until after the
birth of the newly-married couples
first child, a little boy whom they chris
tened George Archibald, when they be-
gan to quarrel, chiefly over friend of
my lady's who came to live at the hall"
'AIr. Paul Hayter?" Harry asked.
Yes. What do you know of him?"
Mrs. Horner queried in much surprise.
''But little-pray proceed"
"Well, from the day of the coming of
this Hayter there was trouble.
"Was the earl jealous?"
Il think so. Now, in his younger
days Lord Arlington had been very
gay man, and it appears that he had
contracted a disreputable secret mar