The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-03
News Novelties No. Is.
THE CLINK OF GOLD.
CHAPTER III-Continued.


Nonsense, childl" said Mas Pill
kington, Strengthening her back-"non-
sense Make the tea"
And the 'exotic" aunt glanced from
Alice to tho tea tray which stood on
side table near her chair. Miss Pilking-
ton prided herself upon her punctuality
Ia all her domestic arrangements.
"Won't you wait little while for
FranlSY' said Alice.
Certainly not, said Miss Pilking-
ton, forcing out the words in an ex-
hausted voice.
Alice poutod her pretty lips, and tears
came into her eyes as she rose from her
seat.
IL Inow could have dismissed from
my mind the extraordinary events Of
the previous evening, Frank Bowser's
absence would not have given me fur
ther concern, but that midnight scene
with Scroggie was constantly recurring,
and the remarkable contrast between
this quiet domestic hearth and my own
dreaded thoughts seemed to give an un-
due importance TO the situation. The
most trifling events became connected
in my mind with this one relating to
Scroggie / believed that the darkest
deeds were being enacted while l sat
idly here.
Miss Pillington's kettle, singing ON
the hearth, suggested artificial gayety.
Miss Pilkington's cat, lying ON the
rug at my feet, had never seemed to
look into the fire SO seriously before-it
reminded me of Scroggie sitting over
mine last highland when Miss Pill
kington presently began To pour out the
tea in her digniied fashion, and then
proceed, with a still greater air of gran
deur, TO extinguish the teapot with a
suffocating ''cozy," some tragedy ap-
peared close at hand.
To escape as soon as possible from
this disturbing domestic calm seemed
TO me a grave necessity. It was impos-
sible for me to consult with these ladies
now concerning this scheme of Bowser's.
Without loss Of time Scroggie's arrest
must be effected. This was my duty,
and Frank Bowser, / had reason TO con-
lecture. could aid me. Yet / knew, un-
less took my leave with considerable
tact, that / should cause Alice Darrell
great anxiety, for she sat reading my
thoughts
l therefore passed another half hour
I'm state of mental agony, conversing
OH trivial subjects with Miss Pilking-
ton over cups of tea, and when l rose
and held out my hand she said in a
lofty manner:
''Tell Mr.. Bowser when you see him
that like punctuality. 1 have been ac-
customed to il. in India, all my life.
Good evening.
had scarcely reached the first land
ing when / was arrested by hearing
Alice Darell's voice.
"Stay one moment, please" said
Alice as she descended the staircase
and stood looking up beseechingly into
my face. II must hear the truth. If
anything has happened to Frank, do not
conceal it from me.
no longer doubted that she knew of
his mad scheme and disapproved of it
strongly
Nothing has happened" said /,
"that l know of. "
But you have some reason TO be so
anxious!
"Yes, - 1 said. Its no use trying to
hide that from you.
Where is he tonight?"
81 cannot tell you. / am going to
look for him now"
Alice glanced up the stairs and then
into my face distractedly
II wish could come too"
/ took her hand and said
Trust me. Alice. i will find him.
1t is cruel to give you so much anxiety. "
She kept hold of my hand for awhile,
rs though it linked her to her lover,