The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-16
COPYRIGHTED, 1893. BY TuLOTsoN & son.
CHAPTER XIV


on-on till she reached a large empty
house. To let" stuck In its bare. curtain
less windows. went she. 1t was the first
time during her twelve months residence
at Hendon that she had taken that way.
On the rare previous occasions when her
footsteps had roamed she had gone in the
other direction lthe road. A guilty
feeling of a stolen march; a pleasurable
sensation. not only of freedom, but Of
fresh air and enjoyment, all struggled
together in her breast. She would do as
she liked she would be free if alone. She
lifted her hat as she stood and drank in
the pure sweet air. The front door Of
the mansion opened, two worl1men and
a gentleman descended the fight
of steps Nelly's first intention was to
bolt. So long had she stayed in the house
that the very sight of her fellow beings
unhinged her, added as it was to the con-
straint and fear of doing aught that might
anger Mark Her second resolution, how
ever, nerved and strengthened her. She
should not do anything wrong; why
should she run away? Bushes rose on
her fair. delicate checks-far thinner and
more delicate of yorc was she, though
none the less lovely for it-as she caught
the expression of establishment in the
three men S eyes at her appearance there.
''I'll see who sheis, Mr.. Somerset said
the smaller of the two wOrkpeople, ad-
Vancing.
There's noneed, - interposed the other,
in an audible whisper It's on'y Mr..
Quinton's sister, ! eXpecs. She lives at
the lodge, and is a bit crazy, they says,
sir-harmless, you know, but incompe-
tent"
If ] take this house I viii have no leg
acies. crazy or sound" spoke up the gen
tleman whom they had called Somerset.
"Of course not, sir Here, young lady,
march back, please YOU
Nelly listened in spell-bound attention,
breathless amazed so far. The mystery
was thickenmg.
What does this all meanE she de-
manded, eXcitedly; lit is not the first
time / have been spoken of as Mr.. Quin-
tons sister. Who is he? know no such
man. You call me crazy. / am as sane
as any of you, mar oh
The exclamation broke from her as Mrs
Smiths coarse face appeared before her.
Take her back quietly, missus; don't
harm her said the smaller workman
sympathetically.
But l am not going," declared Nelly,
resolutely, her gentle nature goaded to
strong resistance. ~ have heard things
SIOhEIls lustl dS JttSG III SELL lily lllbtllttl,
my character. Mrs. Smith, dare you assert
before my face that | am crazy-a sister
TO Mr.. Quinton3 Ia married woman,
Mrs."
.Pantomimic gestures were going on be-
tween the three men. which were not
lost on Nelly She was determined to
clear the mystery whatever il was. Mrs.
Smith stopped and whispered a few
words in Nelly's ear
"YoQr husband has arrived he will be
wild if he finds YOU hereln
Nelly caught but a few words. Her
husband there She would get him to
emphasize her sanity, tell him what "A
him.
''She's as mad as n March hare" an
nounced Mrs Smith huriedly mo, she
don't seem it. But they are so deep, they
never do, folks tell mew
She sped after her prisoner. Nelly was
searching through the octagonal shaped
building, in which her life was spent. No,
where could she Mark. 1t flashed on her
that Mrs Smith must have hoodwinked
her; the reflection was bitter. She hast
ened TO go out but was too late. She
bumped against Mrs. Smith.
"Now, go and knock mi doawn!"
Nelly, like a stag brought to bay, turned
and faced the insOlent wretch.
How dare YOU behave in this abomin-
able way2 Your conduct is actionable.
You and l must part. | will speak to
you on my return!'
She went towards the door neither ex-
pecting an answer or desiring it. She
intended to settle that on her return.
Her immediate action must be to undo
ceive Mr.. Somerset and the wOrkmen.
Strangers though they were to her she
felt that her reputation depended on it,
The report, she knew, from her previous
encounter in Palatine Road, was wide
spread. An, she must check it. To her
utter amazement she found the door
locked--the key gone.
"Unfasten this Immediately At your
peril you detain me here against my
willp'
Her attitude was new; her dignity,
command startling. Mrs. Smith, like all
towards, for the first time felt afraid
st amt my faurt, l on'y obeys or
GIVE me the key! Unlock the door
Instantly
Mrs Smith turned tail and walked to-
wards her kitchen. Obey Nelly, she dared
not, yet to disobey her, in her new reso-
Lutte character without betraying herself
and her work, she could not.
Il see, - said Nelly as she followed her
gaoler, that there is some inexpicable
reason in all tins mysterious work. You
are but obeying orders ! must not alto
gether, therefore. blame YOU. My work
now must be TO uuraNel the clue. -
There's no MYSTERY and no clue as l
knows Ote on, ~ declared Mrs. Smith, sui
lenly. Mir. Barry ne telled me as he
telled 70 that yo WOrn'J to 20 out till his
father had become agreeable. ! docs bat
fetch on yer TO save his tantrums.
They'se fair frighfu when hins givs way
TO une"
That was undeniable.
1T strikes me that YOU would do better
to leave me to be judge OF how 10 spa -
my husbands anger" said Nelly. and
noC venture TO such UNI -lEaH.c ngths
TO obey him. However, do los feel pre-
pared TO argue any roin, WI h sou. I
must get my satisfaction from your mas
teri"
Nelly spoke quietly. To even ses out
side wound he useless now, oven il con
tinued peremptoriuess could effect il,
which she doubted. The men were gone,
she felt assured. Justice must proceed
from a higher source than MIS- smith.
and Nelly had the sense to know r..
i eNpcCs as master viii arricve onv
minute" declared the gaoler, sudvely.
whether with wish to propitiate or an
noy, Nelly could not DECIDE "IU'I sur
PRISE me if he aint here aIore dark"
Rather & different announcement to
that you gave me uoI an -ouI a-o," said
Nelly. quietly, though bitter pain was
at her heart not only at what had re-