Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-08-18
4 TERRIBLE SECRET
The Curse Of the More
lands.
BY LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER XI.-(ContInuedJ

"In short" pursued Hillington, "they
were as cool as if had simply called to
tell them that neighbOr's COW had
hroken into their garden"
"And you made no impression on the
grip"
aJuat about such an impression as
rattlcsnakc would have made upon her.
She smiled at my tragedy and Knocked at
nv comedy, all the while regarding me
with that curious sort of interest she
would have taken in twO-headed calf"
~You are inclined to be bitter, see,
Mr.. Hillipgton." commented Radd.
~But the facts are still bitterer, Mr..
Moreland." assured the East Indian.
"To sum up the whole situation in
breath, my advent here has proved
complete failure"
because of some enemy who is oper-
ating secretly against you? Is not that
your idea?"
Exactly"
"Then who is he?"
81 can't even imagine.
~But who do you think he is?"
"I can't so much as offer a rational
conjecture"
~Have you thought Of Robinett?"
ayes; but what can RObinett have
against me, and what can he have heard
to my detriment?"
"Then you do not accuse him?"
"No-nor any one else. All know is
that my presence here and my revela-
tions have been discounted by the mother
and daughter, and that have no foot
ing with them-not the slightest"
"But what do you think of my niece,
now that you have seen her?"
The East Indian moved as uneasily
as if a reptile had crawled over his
lmbs.
nTm unable to answer" he declared.
"How unable?"
0Mv whole soul is alame, Mr.. More
landl I'm literally mad, and all the more
infatuated with her because realize that
there is not the slightest chance for fair
means to win her."
"Indeedl" commented Radd. "a curl
Gus situation"
A brief silence succeeded, and then
Radd resumed:
ain which room are you lOdged!"
"In the one called the 'old dining
room It's the corner room nearest tt
the road.
Radd smiled grimly, and strange
nervous excitement suddenly became ap
parent in his demeanor.
"How have you passed the afternoon?'
he asked. with attentive eye and ear tC
all his surroundings; "with the ladies?'
"Onlv the two first hours after my ar
rival" replied Hillington. "Then went
out for O walk in the grounds; but die
not 90 far. for the reason that L die
not wish to take any risks about my bag
gage"
"Do you know whether any letters
camo down from Doctor RObinett or the
Wyevilles'?"
@I do not. The ladies are very re-
served. and seemed to be agreed to give
me as little information as possible.
"You have seen nothing of those three
gentlemen, or any one OF them?"
"No, sir"
"Upon the whole, then, you have beer
decidedly uncomfortable, and have ever!
reason to think that your stay here vii
not be long one?"
Hillington assented and Radd grew
more excited, while he fumbled in one o
his pockets.
aTbc ladies do not know where yo'
are at this moment, I suppose?" h
questioned r,
"No, sir. They think I'm abed. TIL
truth is, / was so internally disguste
and uncomfortable that pretended to b
worn out with my travels and asked ther
to excuse me"
"You came out the side door, did you?
IIillington nodded.
"And have the key in your pocket?"
Certainly. wouldn't leave my bag
gage unguarded single moment 1o
anything"
3Who have you seen here?"
@Only the mother and daughter an
tbeir two servants, Lottie and Mrs. Bal
oett-tbc former q sprightly, goot
natured. rosy-checked maid, and tn
latter model hOusekeeper, althc-gh
nrim and stiff as a ramrod."
"And you've seen nothing OF any me
foks?" -,
witted lad called Sammy. l understoo
that he lives in hut at no great di
tance. which was once occupied by h
mother" ,oa
He looked searchingly around agall
with the air of a man watching and Il
tcning. o,,od
aDid you hear anything?' he asked
"No did You?"