Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-12-21
WOMAN AGAIN8Y WOMAN.
nv MRS. NJ. E. HOLMES.

CAPTAIN Rivers lying Oh Ine Srouiio'
at first I thought him dead"
A broken sob came from the ne1t
room. it fell unheeded on Lady Oar
rell's ears: she had risen and was grasp
inc chair with her slender WHITE
hands for support. IN,
Dead she repeated blankly; 'Eu-
STAGE Rivers dead 80
There had evidently been a scul1e:
it was out of the ordinary path, on Inc
wav tothe Madman's Drift. Poor Capt.
Rivers must have been stabbed, Tor thefe
is blood about. but though | searched
everywhere, | found no Weapon-oily
q basket containing broken eggs, when
must have been dropped by some
market man or woman in their frlght,
and-and this.
Lady Darrell looked up. Her eyes,
distraught with anguish. fell on a ST.
yer cigarette case; with elaborate
initials and crest engraved on it.
THAT" she murmured hoarsely.
II brought it straight to you, my
lady," the park-keeper said gently, lay
ing it down. II known it is belonging
TOTO his lordship: it must have fallen
from Capt Rivers pocket as he sank
down to the ground" e
There was moments silence.
what have you-you done" WINS
pered Lady Darrell still standing mo-
tionless.
II have carried the body to my hut
you know L live quite alone, my lady
and [ came to you to know Whatl hao
better do next"
''Saddle a horse and ride to Nestley.
You must fetch the police. We must
find the murderer
The words dropped like agony from
the white lips
''shaLl [ summon Lord Roy?" said
Miles, eagerly, seeing the agitation on
the worn face opposite. Il would not
go to him first, for [ knew how much
he loved Capt Rivers, and knew the
blow would fall SO heavily. Forgive
me. my lady. you are always so brave!
| forgot yon were a woman. l. ought
to have gone to his lordship."
''The blow has fallen heavily. in
deed" whispered the white lips: then
rousing herself with an effort, Lady
Darrell passed her handkerchief over
her face.
"Youwere right. Miles, to come to
me, and thank you with allmy heart
II will tell Lord Roy"
She put out one of her slender hands,
and the keeper took it within his own
brown hard ones with reverence and
awe.
I'VE must act now, not think, went
on Lady Darrell, hurriedly. ~ es.the
police must come. nothing can be done
till then. Go. Miles, at once. Send
Chelmick to me- [ must break the
news to the household. What have
you done with the basket you found?"
"It is at my cottage, my lady"
Good, leave it there. Wait an in
stant / will write q note
She moved to the bell and rang it,
then stood with her hands locked to-
gether as silent as marble statue till
the butler came.
Miles gazed at her in admiration
He knew what an agony of shame and
pain was in that breaking heart. yet no
cry came from the lips, no womanly
weakness was betrayed in face or
limb
AS the butler entered, Lady Darrell
in brief quiet words told OF the dis
covery of Capt. Rivers dead body. and
the supposed murder; then as the old
servant withdrew in fear and horror,
she wrote few lines on card. and
handed 1t to Miles.
ITO the police-station, Nestley: go at
once
Miles bowed and withdrew: as he
went the door of the inner room
opened. and Valerie Ross came out.
Her hair was pushed from her brows,
her face ghastlv white, a fixed look of
anguish in her glorious eyes,
Lady Darrell advanced to meet her.
"Ah, my Door chill, she murmured.
you have heard--you have heard all?"
"All:' repeated Valerie, blanklv. |
is it true?" she asked after a mo-
ment's pause. lis it true? Is he dead
-murdered?"
He lis dead answered the older
women, almost mechanically. Yes |
And you can stand there so calm
Oh, Eustace -Eastace gone. my-''
Valerie threw her hands up to her
race, sWayed to and fro for an instant.
then she lay stretched pros trate on the !
floor
With the same set face. Lady OAR
reA bent over the inanimate girl. aud
pressed her cold lips to senseless ones: !
then ringing the bell again She di- !
fecIeu Ile servants to carry the still |
form to her room. /
Leave me alone" she said as they !
went through the door-'suuita alone :, |
~oOON'
then her calmness went
Lady Darrell flung herself down on
her knees and gave way to her feel
They went away together" she
" hlspered, crimson wave OF color !
aye1ng her gentle face stopether in /
anger: now Eustace lies dead. and Row
my angel nv prince, my son Roy. No, I
IN, God, keep the thought from NV
mind, or | shall go mad. Let me think |
hsfa Ihey were angry; they may
nave parted friends. Eustace NAV |
nave met his death alone. Oh, Cod
Pray Pray tnat 1t may be SO! Roy. nv dar,
tlne, my precious Roy. can there be /
~ 200 on your hands, on your soul? Oh,
nat SIN have we done that this awf,i |
curse should come: It is too mn uI !, u
too much"
Inc agony of her thoughts over
powered her. Lady Darrell sank for-
M Eaa on to the chair, and buried her