The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-07-26

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s'Won't you speak to Lord Roland,
Katie darlingf' she asked In a tone
ehe might have used to wilful child;
speak to him, dearie, and tell him you
win let him take you back to your IA.
ther and to Grace"
The words made no impression upon
her, though Lord Roland held her
hand tenderly while the nurse waa
speaking.
II there was q change In her face II
was at the name Of Grace, but the
frown was 90 slight as scarcely to be
perceptible, and beyond this she might
have been a lay figure for all the heed
she paid to the man who had once
the power above all others to move
her to respond to his devotion.
"What is the matter with her? What
has caused this changer" he asked, de.
jectedly.
"Her mind has been gone since the
hour you last saw her." was the reply;
s'but she is stronger in health than she
has been since that dreadful night,
and 1 believe her reason may be re-
stored to her. Modern science has
worked even greater miracles"
ut may belt may be-" assented his
lordship drearily; 'but you have not
told INC how she came here"
NO. When I told my mother she
would not believe me-" replied Frank,
with ill-concealed bitterness, "but you,
who know what happened before Kate
was lost, may not be 30 sceptieal.
'If you doubt me, however. I can
take you to the very spot where she
fell at my feet" :.
There Is no reason why should
doubt you," replied Lord Roland, sad
~. "Lord Lilburne, who knew you
well, could not have spoken more high
ly Of you had you been his own son,
and 1t il evident that his daughter
has not wanted for kindness ut your
hands or at those OF your mother"
No. We would give our lives to do
Miss Kate service; but whether I
acted wisely or not in bringing her
here I leave YOU and her father 10
Judge, did what I believed to be the
best"
II am sure you did; and now tell me
what happened"
Fairfield complied.
He made no attempt to shield him.
self, or in any way to hide the hope
less love that on Christmas night
seemed to gain the mastery over him.
II had no intention of speaking to
Miss Kate" he said humbly. II should
have turned away In silence II I had
met her face to face, but wanted to
look at her, and after had wandered
around the castle in the cold for hours.
an impulse that I could not conquer or
<NNNtvnv dpnvn mr. IN on IN tho NvH m
er and get into the building by the Sc
cret entrance had used when n boy"
ut is strange that the secret way
any Of the servants" observed his
lordship.
oh, no, It was not. only found 1t
out by accident, and kept 1t secret
to myself, for had weakness for
poaching when was q lad, and I
could get In and out Of the castle with
out being detected.
"Grace Lilburne watched me once,
and 1t was then showed her the trap
door and frightened herbut unless she
has explored it since she does not
know that there is anything more than
a vault below
"And you are sure she pushed her
sister down into that vaultY'
II am sure that somebody did so,
and that the floor was closed a second
or two afterward by a person who
must have known the trick of the
spring." was the answer, "but let me
get on with my story"
Lord Roland did not interrupt him
again, and he listened with breathless
attention while Failfield described how
he wrapped Kate In his ulster, carried
her to the river. placed her in q bout
ond brought her through the darkness
and the thickly falling snow all those
weary miles to his mothers house.
Vividly as though he had been with
lin the young nobleman seemed to see
the scene, and he said frankly when
Fairfield paused In his narratives:
IF ] had been you, believe should
have acted MS you did, and think
now that 1t was the wisest course to
take. II Grace really tried to kill her
sister, she would have found some
means to accomplish her END aud even-
tually and in poor Rates condition
she could neither protect herself nor
expose the traitress."
"That was my feeling In regard to
the person, whoever he or she might
be, who had been guilty Of such a
piece Of cruelty and treachery," re.
sponded Frank.
II knew that Miss Kate must be
seriously injured" he went on. "for
such o fall was enough to kill her: but
did not for a moment anticipate TINT
reason would SO completely and DER.
manently desert her as 1t has DONE"
The depressing silence, that ensuefl
was broken by Mrs. Fairfield, who ex-
pressed her opinion that Lord Lilburne
ought to be acquainted with his daugll-
ter's condition, and his consent obtain.
ed to any operation that might endan-
ger life.
But Lord Roland said positively:
mo; Lord Lilburne has suffered
enough, and the shock Of knowing
Rates condition, coupled with the fact
that In nll probability Grace is the
cause OF 1t, might have a fatal effect
upon him."
Besides he can do nothing that we
cannot do. I can obtain the best medi-
cal and surgical skill as well as he can,
and I am sure Mrs. Fairfield, no one
can nurse my poor darling with more
loving devotion that you will give her"
THAT'S true enough" asserted the
woman reluctantly; but suppose she
dies? have had 1t on my conscience
ever since she came here TINT her fa-
ther ought to be told, but have not
the courage to tell him myself, and 1
dread more than Gun tell you lest she
may die under the operation"
"She Is supposed by many to- be
dead already" replied his lordship,
"but this Is not the opinion of her ia
ther, for I heard yesterday from mu-
tual friend that t;lace is very indiy-
nant with him because he will not al
low her to put on mourning for her
sister. neither will he sanction the as
sI.apton that his eldest daughter is
dead"
"TheH what do you propose. my
lord:" asked Mrs. Fairfield, with d
sigh Of resignation. miss Kate is
known here as my daughter; do you
wish her to stay here as she is?"
II wish her to remain with you I'M
til she regains her reason-if she ever
does-but where you and she go will
OF course, depend upon the doctors.
! am acting within my right In max
ing these arrangements, for Lord LIZ
burne gave me permission to marry
his daughter whenever found her"
"And you will marry her IL hcr
mind comes back to her?"
Mrs. Fairfield looked quickly at her
l vH.~A u - ~