The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-11-21
CHAPTER XIX.
A STARTLING REVELATION.


Now you despse me, don't youi" said
the pale beautiful woman, in voice so sad
that it fell like funeral wall upon his ear.
mo, no, can't say that" Allen groaned.
"How could have been so deceived"
"Do you forgive mel"
ayes, yes, for Heaven knows it has not
been your faultp'
81 will ever be sister to yoD, Mr.. Gray,
and as you saved the life OF my little brother
at the risk Of your own, shall ever hold
you in grateful remembrance" Like one
stupefed, Allen stood leaning against tree,
gazing at her and half believing that it was
all dream. At last he SAID
"Who is your husbandl That dark wills,
kered mani"
She nodded her head in answer. She was
weeping softly.
Great Heaven! He her husband" he
was more than twice as old as she. and
there was nothing congenial in their
natures.
She rose to go, but, putting out one hand,
he gently touched her arm, and in voice
Of stony calmness said
"No, no, madame, do not 60 yet; 1t is time
that should have an explanation. l have
been buffetted about by the varying winds
of fortune, till have grown weary of it;
| let me know the whole truth all Of this
mystery, and if have any honor in my
soul, will keep your secret"
| She was weeping softly.
| do you blame met" she asked again
mo; you have perhaps never given mt
any cause TO believe you were single, sav'
when you called yourself Bertha Collins
supposed that you were Miss Collins.
MY English name is Collins, the French
Ia Collieur, or De Colleur. My life has
been such o sad one that do not know q!
| It would interest you. However, as you hav
befriended me, If you insist on knowing all
you shall"
Alien was seemingly as cain now "a |
he had been In his once transacting som
ordinary business. His face might hav
shown some faint signs of the agony tina
was torturlng his soul, but could not hav
conveyed any thing like an adequate repre-
sentaton Of the sufferings he was endul
ing.
He calmly babe her SIT down, and re-too
his place at her side.
| MF6 SOiiiub, fCSSI0 AiC 40 youA cioeAiSit
he with an effort said-"as o brother yer
far away-onc whom you will perhaps neve
see again, but one who will never blot you
image from his memory. This has, indeed
been sad romance, but It is almost ovel
The curtain will soon descend between my
self and hope forever, but before it falls o
the final act want the key to this 50
drama. That mysterious stone house on tn
hill has been puzzle to Turkeys Point 70
years. What is in til Is it o prison hous
for people, home for the insane, or q plac
wherein the fends assemble for incants
lions and unlawful rites!"
st is ALL" she answered, her face DEATH
white.
"Tell me all about il"
AZ WILL" said the pretty creature, with
deep-drawn sigh. "Colonel Collins, as b
Is known among his few English acquain
ances, inherited the stone house on the hi
from his father, who built it great man
years ago When first erected 1t was il
tended to be the home of the old monsieur
but his wife would not live i'll it, My mothe
! was French woman aud my father an FL
. glshman. There were but three children
, our family. a brother seven years older tina
myself and the little boy whom you remen