The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-07-18

want her-ClemcrtP Certainly not
he must arrange The future rs well a
he could TO- himself. He had casI
her forth like iiagar iuto the WILDER
ness, and she would u3ver return tc
Abraham's bosom"
SO deciding, she opened the door
and went out. Tho glorious efful.
gence Of the setting sun nearly
blinded her as she stood in the oper
air and looked across the terraces to-
wards the lake, which here and
there could be seer shlmmering
through tho now leafy trees. Was
not that glad and lovely scene that
lay AROUND the house Of death, a
token OF JOY ard hope? As for those
who were gone, leace to their ashes,
but for those who yet remained to
battle with earth's difficulties, there
were heavy clouds lying beneath the
setting sun, AMI Lisbcth shivered ~
she saw them rising all around and
gradually eclipsiug the brilliancy, for
she knew not who might be engulfed
in their gloom.
She walked away with a quick
step, resolved if possible to avoid an
interview with DR.. Watson. The
more she thought about matters as
they now stood, the more disinclinsd
she was to discuss them with him
She did not go by the SSed, brft tot&l
the short cut through tho wood
which brought her TO the bacA'- OF the
Cottage, thus not only shortening her
walk, but rendering it impossible to
be overtaken by a carriage. 1t wa
most probable, too, that she would
not meet anyone, but would set
home quietly and unobservcd.
the fern-seeds, which according to
the old tradition would have rem
dered Lisbeth invisible, were how
conspicuous by their absence
her garments on tn. particular
evening.
She had only just stepped into her
own "wilderness," as the little bit of
wild garden about her own house
called, when a familiar voice
was heard to .xclaim, "Ah, there is
Lisbeth. Now | shall! hear all about
everybody"
1t was Lady Marcia Foljambe who
81 was on my way up to Aboyne
Court 70 see Lady Gertrude, but |
thought l would stop here as ] passed,
just to say 'How dye do and hear
your latest news" she went on in
her CHEEKY way.
Lisbeth was silent. Voice to con-
tradict this confident assurance that
all was well did not seem to come
readily! She was even more awed
b.. Lady Marcia's hippancy than she
had been when standing in the cham
Der of death.
Lady Marcia could not help MOTTO
ing the change that came over her
face.
"What is it-speak-what has hap
pened?"
"1he dear sweet lady whom We
loved so well passed away about an
hour ago."
"Dead-Certrude dead! / did not
think it would have Leen 30 soon.
Poor dear, poor dear, and | was SO
looking forward to sceing her again.
Was Miss Deiane with her?n
"No. No one but Sir Clement and
myself"
Lady Marcia looked saarchingly at
Lisboth. ~ wonder why Lady Ger
trude was 30 fond of you, it was
strange"
The remark was scarcely compli-
mentary, bat Lisbeth took it very
moekly.
81 did nay best to serve and help
she said.
"Iet report seems ia the past to
have mixed your name, on more than
oEe occasion, with Citm.nt Dun
raven's.n
Lisbeth became iust one shade
paler than the events of tho last fow
had made her, but she answered
promptly.
''Sir Clement D%unraven is no more
10 ME than any other gentleman
about these parts, whom / have
known from childhood.n
There was truth in the answer,
since in the flu ure she did not in
tend that he should be more to her.
Yet to anyone who lnew her history,
It would have seemed a very bare
faced assertion.
Lady Marcia know nothing, but
from a hint that had lately been
given her, she thought she would
find out if possible if there ever had
been anything.
swell, poor dear Gertrude not
jealous at all events" she said, in
her off-hand way; $50 suppose it
all right"
"God knows she had no cause for
Jealousy, if ever l loved anyone who
was not of my own kith and kin, It
was Lady Gertrude"
Lisbeth spoke very earnestly and