The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-12-13

to Canada, ever set foot in that benighted
land"
"Well, my dear aunt am sorry to dis
agree with you, but l am gong
there, and as you surely can't let me
go alone, you, too are going" said this
spoiled young woman.
The Countess looked aghast and groancd
feebly. She knew well the manifold whims
of her niece and the utter futility of oppos-
ing them. That young woman having taken
into her head the extraordinary notion OF
going to America, there was really nothing
to do butgo.
Her aunt inquired the time of departure,
supposing that, as matter Of course, it
was so distant that there might be remote
possibility OF her niece altering her mind
meanwhile.
Ma chere ta,ate," answered Lydia, In
quiet decisive tone, u have engaged pas.
sage for our party-ourselvcs. maids and
couriers = in the 'Servia.' That vessel
sails from Liverpool day after tomorrow
at three p. m. We must leave here early
tomorrow for Craigie Castle, and the next
morning for Liverpool"
The Countess sat down on the nearest
couch and gazed at hor niece as II she con.
sidered the latter bereft Of her senses.
But that imperious, yet shrewd maneuver.
er sailed magniticensly out Of the room,
and soon her clear, firm voice was heard
issuing orders as to the disposal of her be.
longings
There was no installing It all. l
The Countess was In straitened circum.
stances, and depended solely on Lydia's
warm heart for the necessaries OF life,
and, moreover she simply adored tho girl.
After quiet and comforting cry, al BY
herself, she dried her eyes and resolved "a
put the best face she could on the matter.
In experimenting the packing Of their
goods and chattels she soon forget her
grief, and actually began to take an inter.
est In the coming voyage-sll Of which the
'observant Lydia took notice Of with secret
satisfaction ~ she entered the room from
time 70 time.
Next morning they iefs The vilhga took
the steamer q B. Maio for Dcuthanptca,
land at six O'Clock that evening wsFs In
,Craigis Castle. Here they hastily sss aaout
collecting all the necessAries fer . trip Of
several weeks or more.
Lydia had previously telegraphed her
friends for letters Of introduction 10 influ-
ential Americans Several Of these shs
found awaiting her.
The following day, as three o'clock. they
left Liverpool in the "SsrviA"
As Lydia sat that evening on tho vessels
deck, with the brilliant light Of . full moon
glittering upon the rolling waters Of the
Irish sea, her thoughts wandered 10 Nata-
lie and then to the young American. Her
heart beat faster and her cheek became
flushed, as she thought Of the mission she
was undertaking. The question came
point-blankl-to her
Are you doing this solely from pure love
of Nataliet"
And the truthful answer came fearlessly
back;
mol But because, In addition, do not
wish my fears realized; do not want to
believe, or even suspect Of him being
| guilty"
For the first time she began to appreciate
the true nature of her Unprecedented err
rand. Had she been any one else but Lady
Lydia, she would have INDUCED in fit of
crying and even begged the captain to hail
the first returning steamer.
| Dul sue VaSt dSiue tiiiS ui-----~-lsdry weak
ness, plucked up her courage and frankly
confessed TO herself:
HE is the only man toward whom l ever
felt even an attraction. But how can
oring myself to tell my suspicious to that
French detectives And yet | feel that
must satisfy myself they are groundless.
And. If do not find Natalie, may, at least,
Iprove his innocence TO my satisfaction.
Almost at the same moment yacht was
silently gliding over the waters Of the At
antic, on the coast Of Maine. An hour or
two after midnight il came to anchor In
Frenchman's bay that washes the eastern
shores Of the island Of Mt Desert II was
the "Namovna."