Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-24
The MartlGt Seal.
BY JEANETTE H. wALwoRTH.
CHAPTER III,

as John Lorimer was with the woman he had taken lon faith" was not likely to fan every spark of suspicion into a living coal of mistrust. He would have much liked to. be able to explain Mi nette more clearly to his mother and the boys, but, as he could not, loyalty to Nora demanded his acceptance of that small cloud on his horizon un- 1uestiouingly.
 It was during the course of one of their pleasant morning drives, while he sat with his long legs partially extend ed over the side of the village cart, in order to leave Ninette and her stool ample accommodations, that Nora set himTo pondcring perplexedly.
 He had beer making her acquainted with the exterior of all the country houses within an area of ten miles about White Cliffs. He had been vast y entertaining, and she corresponding y entertained.
 You sec, Mrs. John, after this week will be in harness. l am going to help Lorric at the gin" ''Of course, of course> expect shall have to invent some sort of harness, too. fancy Mother Lorimer does not tolerate droncs graciously. But, John dear, tell me something about that place." She pointed the ferrule of her lacc-trimmed parasol towards the gable of house just discernible through a thick grove of ancient trees supple mented by a dense growth of shrub bery.
 That is Glcnburnie."
 ''So you told me as we passed it go- ing. But I want to know something more about Glenburnie."
 They were driving homeward. It was shc who had pointed to the round noon shadows at the foot of the trees and advised him not to keep the early dinner waiting. She was leaning for ward in the cart:
 This seems to be the grandest of all the grand old places you have shown me to-day. Go slower, please, John." John touched the horse in the shafts between his small pointed cars with the stinging lash of his long driving whip. It sprang forward violently.
 'I said slower, not faster, John. And who lives at Glcnburnie?"
 'Somc people by the name of Fair banks"
  clamation than an echo. He turned to look at her. What pos siblc signifcation could the name have for her? She was as white as the stack of ostrich-plumcs in the big hat under which Ninctte had gone into eclipse. All through the drive she had rested one hand on the child's shoulder to keep her steady. He could see the | sudden contraction of the gloved fin gers. Nincttc turned upon her with pout- ing lips:
 "Auntic, you hurt me-" She laughed, and hastily removed her hand. But there was no mirth in the laugh, and there was a peculiar glitter in her eyes, which John had never seen ! there before.
 'Wc must be near neighbors of these Glenburnie Fairbanks" she said lean, | ing back in the cart, when it was nc longer possible to study the face of the old house.
 Ut is tho adjoining place." said | John, mechanically. He felt like a mar groping in n dream for a solution to q | puzzle.
 And of course you know the Fair banks?"
 "Wo did know them once upon [ time"
 Did know them! How does one gc about unknowing people, John dear?''
 "By willing it."
 But they live so near. had no idle; that is-,what does the family consis of, John?"
 An old man and a young woman"
 "A handsome young woman?"
 She had quite recovered from tn emotion, incXplicable to John, whicl had carried her for second completel, out of her usual calm self-possession and, as she asked this question, looked up into her husbands moody face witt cheerful composure.
 But just then the horse in the shaft shicd violently. Ninette's big hat tum blcd over the dashboard and was left | yard or two in the rear of the cart be fore John could chamber down for its re covcry.
 Ninette uttered her lamcntation aloud, but Nora was more interested il the object which had caused the cataS trophc than in the fate of Ninette' hat, although it was her very best. An open umbrella, a large black col ton affair, with it's handle supporte against a stump, was the immediat cause of all their trouble. A youn woman sitting on n stamp with % open book on her lap, suddenly fur.v the umbrella, thus bringing to view large basket full of dcwy cut flower She stood up as John came towards he Nincttc's hat lay almost at her fec Q Nora could her saying, gravely:
 II am distressed that my umbrcl should have caused so much troubl Vehicles seldom travel this road, ar yours rolled so noiselessly in the so . earth that did not hear you coming
 She held the furlcd umbrella in or hand, with the other she had pushed h, large hat back from her forehea , Nora could sec pale, gentle face illur mated by large gray eyes. John stoC irrcsolutc for second, then he went step nearer.
 'It is who ought to apologize f. trespasssing. I did not notice u removal of the old fence. I am actua ly in the Glenburnie grounds?"
 "Ycs."
 "I did not know the boundary-lil had been extended"