Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-05-16

! departure Ana what was to be
gained by So doiltgy The man had
gone, and lilo further danger was TO he
! appreheaded. SO ! wished her pleas
ant vacation, aud permitted her 10 de-
/ part without hint of the truth
Not more than twenty-four hours
We're to pass before sharply regretted
| my decision.
/ 1t was in the evening, about I O'clock.
had had late tea and felt inclined 10
seize the opportunity of private study.
| Miss Murray had a writing-tahle
which WAS placed in the bow-window
OF the ara wing-room; had seated my
self Def ore it, with my books and
papers. me bow-window was at one
end Of the room, the door was at the
other. Near me an open window let
in the sound of trees gently stirred by
| a breeze | had been engrossed in my
studies for about an hour, and had
reached that point of absorption when
sounds become instinct, when sud
denly | was recalled by hearing my
own name pronounced behind ire.
Miss Keith" said a diftident but
| masculine voice IN my ear.
| was startled beyond words; | had
not heard any one enter the room, and
thought myself alone. | sprang to my
feet with cry. And if the sound Of
my own name had alarmed me, the
| face and figure which | beheld upon
! turning around did not reassure me.
For, standing close beside me. | found
| Mr.. Marston.
! My first feeling was that of simple,
stupid amazement, and that was fol-
lowed by general apprehension and
then personal fear. The drawing-room
was shut Of from the rest of the
house. A cry would be OF no avail un
less some one happened TO be III the
! corridor. | was utterly hopeless. To-
| gebher with these thoughts there came
| to my mind the recollection that Miss
Murray had left me large sum of
| money for expenses, and this was at
the moment lying in the locked drawer
of the writing table beside me.
/ looked wildly around. The space
between myself and the bellrope was.
remarked, free; 1t was just possible to
| dart forward and to reach it, | made
the attempt, but found myself, before
| got near caught in strong pair OF
OBTAINING arms.
| This act certainly did not allay my
alarm. For second or two | strug-
| gled helplesSly, then suddenly | de-
sisted. / gave myself and Miss Muir
| rays interests up for lost and, with
that, felt strange fierce anger blaze
up in my heart to lend me courage.
Coward Coward" | managed to
cry out.
Wherenpon the iron hand about me
was Immediately relaxed.
Miss Keith, for heavens sake don't
ring the bell and give the alarm. Is
it possible that you distrust me?'
AS he spoke, he placed himself be-
| tween me and the bellropc. ana |,
thankful to be free, stumbled back a
step or two, and leaned against the
| desk
Mr.. Marston stood silently in front
of me- His face was the picture of
dismay.
rs it possible he repeated, that
you distrust me?'
looked at him in frenzy of indig-
nation.
why! Why!' l cried. You are a
! rutiiant'
His eyes fell before mine 10 be
sure! said he, in Il low voice ITO me
| sure. | am Il ruthanr"
| My courage Increased when | saw
| that | was not to be subjected to any
/ fresh attack.
"Have you anyone with you:" l in
| quired imperatiyely.
He looked up suddenly, and in the
midst Of his dismay | was convinced
! that | caught Il CLEAN of humor i'll lis
aforementioned blue eyes.
"oh-oh, no! on my honor, Miss
Keith, | am absolutely alone. You've
only got me to deal with, you know
| He looked down again, adding pres
entity in low voice:
"Knocn me down, YOU know, # You
can and if you like. won't do any
thing to prevent Il again
How did YOU get I'M" asked l.
by the usual way" he returned,
again looking up with that gleam Of
humor in his eyes. Il rang the door
bell, and the servant opened Il, and
| was shown in here"
Il heard nothing" said l. feeling
just the least bit in the world alb
! surd
NO" said he, "the wind was blow
ing in over your head from the open
window. and you were much en-
crossed.
What have you come fore?'
We'll" he said, "to have little
talk with you. If you win be so good
as to permit II, and to show you these
pgpers.
"WilI you sit down. said !, very
4 stiffly.
And at last we got upon two chairs
opposite to one another. | was still
| trembling. and still in blaze of min
gled anger and fear. His first action
was 70 take out the old registered en-
velopp from his pocket and 10 lay 1t