The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-27
COPYRIGHTED, 1898, BY TILLoTsoN & SON


newspapers at her side 'Ah, well
then if you repaid him loan borrowed 1
will overlook this ofense Mind you
write no more letters"
II will not, indeed / will mott" prom
sed Nelly, earnestly.
Then there is one more little matter l
have to alude 70. How is it you and Miss
Miucniu have grown mutually antago-
nistic3"
cheeks. Already wounded on the matter,
II hurt her sensitive nature keenly TO
learn that Olive Mlnchln must have com
planned.
Not mutually; oh, no, Lady Mary ~
she cried L.
Then II is her fault that you disd-
greer
No, replied Nelly, cOnfusedly, anx-
iOus not to throw the blame on one who
had proved so great benefactor. IL
think the blame must be mine. II am
sostupid. veX her unconsciously But
she IS so good, So
"Umph' interrupted the baroness,
courtly. I am not so convinced of that.
She Is strange tempered, variable, uncer-
tain in her moods. But she is true, relia-
Dlet'
She put the last question sharply-in
terrogauvely
y
am l. Our sole desire IS to aid you IN
every way whilst keeping entirely secret
your affairs.
Just so. And, an by the way lean
ing forward and assuming a low, conf
Dental tone; how long did you watch
for my son last night2"
The baroness always spoke of Lord
Lane as my SON.
Till quarter to three this morning.
she broke down suddenly-a strange
thing had happened. There were two
doors in the room, one to the landing out
SIDE, the other opening into the baroness
room. 1t had been closed a few moments
ago. Nelly saw it slowly opening. She
was positive no one was in it. None save
herself and Miss Minchin had access
there save AT stated times-they only
when they were rung for The baron
ess rules were strict to the intensest de-
gree. Ihe slightest infringement meant
instant dismissal Ihe entrance to the
wing was always locked. 1t was fad Of
her ladYship's. Perhaps her trouble had
unhinged her mind-the butler thought it
had. She was very strange in some of
her whlms. None did he resent
more than having his mistress's tray
taken from him at the entrance to the
east wing Why should those two bits
of girls-born yesterday" as he argued
have the privilege Of key each (the
sesame TO the baroness presence),
whilst he, who had been in the BERTHE
family for half century be debarred
waiting on his mistress himselfR In vain
Olive Minchin, in her more amiable
moods, told him there was nothing there
that all the world might not see.
An the more reason he insisted,
that | should not be kept out"
But if it were empty, who could have
opened that dOor2 Nelly gasped with
establishment.
What is the matter, Miss Henstock}"
demanded the baroness, sharply
IL feel faint !"
is that all3 You are standing; take a
seat -
Nelly did, keeping her eye, however, so
strained on the door that the baroness
lerked her head round and found it open
Dear me ~ she exclaimed Miss Min
chin has been careless and left my bed
room door aiar. She knows how | hate
draughts. Please shut it, Miss Hen
stock
Nelly did so gladly She half expected
opposition from inside; none was offered.
And it did not open again. though she
watched it, BY the time her interview
was ended she wondered whether she had
not been mistaken as To its having been
presence. It was "a matter that puzzled
her for some time afterwards
you sat up until a quarter to threev,
exclaimed her ladyship, as Nelly returned
and took seat. "Ah, you are not strong
enough for that. No wonder you feel
faint. In future you may retire by mid
night. If my poor unfortunate oUtlawed
son does not arrive by then both you and
Miss Minchin may give up your quest"
But, Lady Mary, l."
Not word do as | desire that will
suffice. l am aware l babe you watch
III Inc moon disappeared, but have been
sleepless myseit lately
II L might snare your watch" began
Nelly, desirious to please,
"When require you. to do so | will
issue my command to that effect broke
IN the Baroness, CURLY.
Ihere was a pause. Nelly rose. She
was waved down again. An! 1t was
coming at last. She had felt sure it
would come. MISS Mlnchm was sure TO
nave repeated her account.
what was that absurd tale you fool
lshlS gave vent toI' asked the Baroness
hdgeting. Are you subject TO optical
deluslons, may askf'
NO, no, indeed no, Lady Mary" began
Neuy, Vehemently. u and then she
stopped abruptly. Could she be- There
was the matter of the door just now. Had
IL opened, or could 1t have been but an
optical deluslon alone in her to think she
had seen 1t.
"No, Lady Mary, do not think l am.
NV sight. has never. that am aware
Of deceived me -