Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-09-07
CHATTER XVIII.
PREPARING FOR AN ORDEAL.


The next day after the conference be-
tween Cora ElliSton and the private set
retary, in the library, they met again.
and directly afterward Slyme started Tor
RoXbury.
On his return he reported that he had
arranged everything to the best OF s
ability; that Warren Leland had not yet
made his appearance at the Metcalts' !;
that his own house was nearly, If not
quite, completed; but, so far as he could
learn, the young man had not yet taken
up his abode there.
He might, he said, give up the idea and
not live there at all; or even if he did, he
might not form the acquaintance Of any
of the Metcalf fam ly; but should he do
so. be, SLIME. would be informed at
once. and then Mildred would be sum-
marily remove /, as they h I'd agreed in the
morning.
"Why do you say he may give up the
idel of living in Roxbury after all?"
"There is some talk of his leasing the
place to a wealthy party, who, now that
it is reftted, is very anxious to get pos
session of it. "
''Do you believe there is anything in
it?"
II don't know"
"You had better 60 to Roxbury again
before this week is out, said Cora, after
a moments thought.
Il think it would be good plan my
self, rejoined the secretary.
But the very next day he received
telegram from the Senator, calling him,
peremptorily, to Washington, and he was
ob'iged to lelve that same evening.
AS he passed down the broad staircase
he glanced back, and saw Eugene Cleve-
land entering Cora Elliston's boudoir.
He gnashed his teeth with rage, and
went away with murder in his heart.
Days and weeks passed. and still the
Senator'S wife fingered in New York.
1t WAS almost six weeks after Slyme's
departure. 1t was nelrIy six O'Clock in
the afternoon and Cora awaited Eugene.
who was to come after leaving the pub
fishing house down town.
There was sudden knock at one of the
doors of her room, which communicated
with her husbands apartment.
1t was the Senator himself, who had
unexpectedly returned from Washington.
She remarked with surprise, and even
with fear, that his tountenance WAS
strangely agltated.
"You he e, Sherwood" she exclaimed.
"What is the matter with you? Ara You
ill?"
NO." replied the Senator, mot at all.
"Your return is sudden and unexpect-
ed, she said
NO doubt"
He placed himself before her, and
looked at her some moments before
speaking again, his eyes rolling in their
orbits.
Coral" he said at last. with painful
smile, Il must own to you my folly. l
have not lived since yesterday-I have
received such singular letter. Would
you like to sea it?"
If you please" she replied.
He took letter from his pocket and
gave it to her. The writing was evident
ly carefully disguised, aud it was not
signed.
An anonymous letter." said Cora.
whose eyebrows were 81 5htly raised, With
an expression of disdain; then she COM
menced reading the missive, which was
as follows:
"A true friend, Senator, feels indignant
at seeing Your confidence tn1 ,our trnst
abused. You are deceived by those whom
20 love most.
A man upon whom you have heaped
favors. and woman who owes ever thino
to YOU, are united by secret intimacT
which outrages you. They are impatient