New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-11
THE MATCHMAKER.
By L. B. WALFORD.
sCepu,ght; 1894: Bv Lon0mdns. Green CO..
CHAPTER XLVIII

Weeks passed. and every day up the turret
staircase which led 10 Penelope's room there came
the tramp OF the doctors heavy feet.
Penelope very i'll. -.
= 1t would have been almost against Nature II
she had not been So Day followed night. and
night followed day. and still the tender young
life hung in the balance. battling every care and
every modern resource. ~
learned physician was summoned from Edn-
burgh at the instance of DR.. McWhnnoek; p"'
he could only confirm that worthys own treat
ment and opinion that time alone could work
perfect cure He was able. however. 10 hold out
homes and quiet the worst apprehensions.
With perfect rest, and the most absolute free
dom from every species of excitement. the patient
stood good chance of ultimate recovery. More
he could not say. She had youth In her favor
youth and as he understood. previous health
and good habits-too much value could not De
laid upon these in case of the kind; but 1t was
impossible 10 speak with absolute decision. ana
poor Lord Carnoustie, who had accompanied the
black-coated authority TO the door, hanging on
his lips as though he were messenger from
Heaven went back to the dining-room with a
dull pain at his heart and refusing to commu-
nicae even the little he knew. pushed aside every
thing offered him. and finally burst into seold-
ing fl, of such unexamped and uncalled-for feroc-
ity that Louisa wept. and Joanna fled before II.
Where was Lady Carnouste? In her presence
no such scene would ever have been enacted
Alas. Lady Carnoustie would never again check
with her frown either husband or child.
Lady Carnoustie was a quiet. pleasant, smiling
old woman now not very sure who all the KIND
people were who mnstered to her wants so
thoughtfuly: not a. all concerned about the man.
ner in which one would vanish as another ap-
peared olsa come in At the door as the other
went ont: and only little surprised now and
then that her daughter Nina did not take her
turn with the rest and sit in the armchair by
the bedside for chat
When told that Nina was not In the house she
was quite satisfied. 1t was so good Tor dear ht'ie
Nina to be out-of-doOrs.
Would she send her love to Penelope? On
yes: dear Penelope-but who. who was Penelope
Lady Carnous,ie had had stroke Of paralysis
and though she might ultimately regain por-
ton of health and intelligence 1t was quite under
stood that memory was gone. and that the pas
with her must now be forever blank.
\ II was best so: even in the midst of their dis
tress the afflicted family could tell each other II
was best so: for they knew all, and II was
this knowledge and not the shock OF Mina's aw-
full death which had bereft Mna's mother of her
But Row came it that the secret which Pencil
ope had risked so much to conceal and of which
she and Redwood believed all evidence destroyed
mad transpired? ~
Were not they and Ailsie alone cognizant OF its
existence? And had not every scrap and rag
ment of writing every Illicit treasure and love
token. been burnt to ashes:
They had. and with a wearied spirit IN
measure at peace. Penelope had laid herself dowi
upon her bed al last feeling that horrible as nae
b,en the double crime committed, some OF it'
horrors at least had been spared coming 10 th'
light through her and her lovers means; Du
there is an old saying. a chain Is only as stronf
AS it's weakest link and one weak INK IN IN,
present chain Of evidence had been overlooked
Penelope had forgotten the letter at the village
postoffice. x
Mercifully. so did others. until the day aite
the funeral.
Up 10 that date Lord and Lady Carnoustie
albeit overwhelmed with sorrow. were yet aDh
TO bear their parts in the mourniul duties Oh IN
occasion-the gref-strickcn mother even surprs
ing those about her BY her resolite efforts are
self-control and submission to the VIII OF heaven
"My poor wife bears up wonderfully nad oee'
again and again Lord Carnoustie's lips; an
he hal conceived q respect for her and tender
ness toward her during those few days which n
was thankful afterward 10 be able 10 look Daci
upon.
For the grave had scarcely closed. the flowers
We're not fresh upon its surface, when messen
ger was sent TO Ailsie's room with an imperativ
summons The old woman's heart gave sudoe,
bound She could not recollect ever before benz
thus sent for
to do with Penelope. for though she was nursin,
Penelope-taking precaution that no ears but ne
own should listen to the wandering baboie wnici
ceaselessly issued from the poor parched ips-ai
inuur.es though as so.icitous as could have beef
desired on the part of her master and mistress
had been made without the need for persona
interview. No. II was not on Penclopes accoun
that Lady Carnouste desired her attendanc
now. /,
shrewd penetration had OWNED the wors
directly she opened the door OF the room IN whic
Lady Carnoustie awaited her Lazy Carhous'i
was standing On the hearthrug IN front OF ne
stood her husband. Neither daughter was pres
They've fun it oot." whispered the faithfr
servant to herself. every limb shaking. "Gud
A>t~ hay fun
Then she closed the door carefully and wake
close up TO the other two. In snort time inc
had learned al she had TO te-all at least ina
haE reference to the tragedy Of their child's III
and death.
II is not our purpose to dwell upon the emo
tions which such a revelation induced; nor, IN
deed would il be possible in mere words to depic
the amazement the Incredibly fhs agony,
CONSERVATION and bewilderment which, ranged o
one side were confronted by one speechiess, III
conference.-the witness on the other. common
vulgar love letter-such n love letter as mgn
indeed harmlessly have been indited TO vilag
beauty by her Aliterate swain. but which, whe
addressed to their own daughter. to the love
one for whose untimely END they were III "a
FIRST anguish of sorrow-and penned. moreove
by the hand which had ruthlessly destroyed ne
was horrible beyond the power OF speech
express; this was the weapon aga sn, VIZ" y
To explain 1t. In the Wild last hope tnat
might admit Of explanation. Ailse had bee
summoned; and what W )uld not she have give
to have been able to protest that the conhder
strain OF love requited was but the outpouring {
a mind diseased; that Nina had never know
OF the fnadman's delusion but had yielded u
her life Its innocent victim?
She could not say this Perhaps. who know
she mght;-she would have said much said a
most anything on behalf Of the old race who's
honor whose very .ife-blood was esteemed hi
own-but OF what avail. were falseheod?
simple inquiry at the village postoffice wou
blow her testimony to the winds Recollectn
the packets destroyed by Redwood and Penelop
she could not doubt that this candestine missiN
was only one OF many-many both received ar
answered: and realizing that the worst bad com
she stood upright and soid all. concluding wit
these words: my lord. an my ieooy, listen
me Mebbe. it's no for me to speak--its no Il
the likes o me to cast up aught that's come a
game to the likes o. you-but it's the Lords tru