Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-07-27

persuade us not to leave the island; then
how she had induced US to take that I'M
lucky road, finally how OH the road her
horse had Jagged and Jagged behind, de-
tanning US all when every minute was
precious. The things all dovetailed into
one another. Each by itself was weak, but
together they formed strong scaffold-a
scaffold strong enough for the hanging Of
q man, if she had been q man! The others
appealed to me- the duchess feverishly
anxious to be assured one way or the
other. The very suspicion of the existence
of such treachery 1T her side seemed TO
stiiie her. Still looking out Of the win
dow, l detailed tho proofs have men
toned, not gladly, heaven knows, or in
any spirit Of revenge, but my duty was
rather to my companions, who had been
true to me, than to her. told them the
truth as far as I knew it. The whole
wretched, miserable truth was only to be-
come known to me lat II.
Il will go to her, the duchess said
presently, rising from her seat.
My dcar!'' her husband cried. Ho
stretched out lis hand, and grasping her
skirt detained her. You will not
do not be afraid" she replied sadly as
she stopped over him and kissed his fore
head 1t is thing past scoiding, Rich
ard, past love, and ever hope, and all but
past pity. will be merciful as we hope
for mercy, but she can Fever be friend of
ours again, and some one must tell her. l
will do SO and return. As for that mani"
she continued, obscurinS suddenly the
fair and noble side of her character which
she had just exhibited, and which, con-
fess, had surprised me, for I had not
thought her capable Of II generosity so I'M
comIpon. LAS for that man, - she repeated,
drawing herself up to her full height,
while her eyes sparkled and her check grew
rcd, who has turned her into vile
schcmcr and n shameless hypOcrite, as he
would fain have turned better women, ]
Will show him 10 mercy nor ggaco if l
ever have him under my feet. will crush
him as would an adder, though I be
crushed next moment Eysclf!''
She was sweeping with that word from
the room and had nearly reached the door
before found my voice. Then 1 called
out, Stay just in time. "You will do
no good, Inat:.n, by gofng!" 1 said, ris-
ing. 'Iou VI II :.ot find her. She is gone"
Gomez
Yes" said quietly. "Shc left the
house 20 minutes ago. I saw her Cross the
market place, wearing hsr cloak and car
rying bag. l do not think She will re-
turn
Not return? But whittier has she
gomez" they both cried at once.
I shook my head.
Il can only guess" 1 said in a low
voice. Il saw no more than I have told
you"
But why did You not tell mes' the
duchess cried responsibility. "Sho shall
Le brought back
1T would lie useless" Master Bcrtio
answered. Yet doubt if it be as Carey
thinks. Why should she go just Mt this
timer She does not know that she is found
out. She docs not know that this letter
has been recovered. Not a word, mind,
was said Of it before she left the room''
No. l allowed, that is true
was puzzled on this point myself, now
l camo to consider it. could not see why
she had taken the alarm SD opportunely,
bat maintained my opinion nevertheless.
Something frightened her. said,
though it may no. have hcen tho letter
Yes, " said tho duchess after n mo-
mcnt's silence. Il suppose you arc right
l suppose something frightened her, as
you say. I wonder what it was, poor
wrctchl'
1t turned OCT that Twas right. Mistress
Anne had gone indeed, having staid, SO
far rs we could learn from an examination
of the room which she had shared with
Dymphna, merely to put together the few
things which our adventures had left her
She had gone out from among us in this
foreign land without word of farewell,
without good wish given or received,
without a soul to say godspeed! The
thought made me tromblc. If she had
died, it would have been different. Now,
to feel sorrow for her as for one who had
been with US in heart rs well as in body
seemed a mockery. How could we grievc
for ono who had moved day by day and
hour by hour among US only that with
each hour and day sho might plot and
scheme and plan our destruction! 1t was
impossiblc
Wc made inquiries indeed, but without
result, and SO abruptly and terribly she
passed, for the time, out of our knowledge,
though often aftcrward l recalled sadly
the weary, hunted look which had some
times seen in her eyes when she sat list
less and dreamy. Poor girl! Her own acts
had placed ncr, as the duchess said, be-
You'd love or hope, but not beyond pity
So it is in life. The day which sees
ones trial end sees another7s begin. We,
and l, staid with our good and faithful
friends, tho Lindstroms, awhile, resting
and recruiting our strength, and during
this interval, at the pressing instance Of
the duchess. Iwrotc letters to Sir Anthony
and Petronilla, stating that was abroad
and was we'll and looked presently to re.
turn, but not disclosing my refuge or tho
names of my companions. At the end Of
Two days, Master Bertic being fairly strong
again and Santon being considered unsafe
for US as permanent residence, we went
under guard to Vessel, where we were re-
ccived as people of quality and lodged,
there being no fitting place, in the disused
church of st. Willibrod. Here the child
was christcrcd Pcregrine-a wandcrer-
tho governor of tho city and being god
fathers. And here We lived in peace, al
belt with hearts that yearned for home
for some months.
During this time two pieces of news
came TO us from England-one that the
parliament, though much pressed TO it,
had refused to acquiescc in the confisca-
ton of the duchess estates; the other that
our joint prosecutor. the great bishop Of
Winchester, was dead. This last we at
first Gisbelievcd. 1t was true nevertheless.