Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-11

A hoarse voice spoke in Sir AleXan-
der's ear. and he felt his wife's hand
clutching at his shoulders.
you shall hear the truth, the whole
truth. Let him 60"
There was in Lady huchlenn's voice
such deep ring of earnestness, of sim
cerity, that her husband was struck by
1t in the height of his passion of re-
sentiment. lie released his hold of Capt,
Tenterden, and his wife quickly took
advantage of this to- seize one of her
husbands hands in both hers.
Harry" said she, in n clear. firm
voice, "you had better go. I can tell
him everything he wants to know; and
if he wants to see you afterwards, why,
l can tell him where to find you"
The two men were both aghast.
Whatever in their own minds they had
foresecn us the upshot of this meet
ing, il was not such situation as this.
But Lady Auchlean was so quietly de-
termincd. so collected in the midst OF
the excitement, that they found them.
selves leaving the matter in her hands.
at is very good suggestion, SIR"
said Sir Alexander. you had better
take yourself off as quickly as you
can"
But Capt. Tenterden drew himself up
and turned his back upon the other
man.
81 have done no intentional harm 10
you or to anyone, Lady Auchlean, as
YOU ltnow," said he. II have always
been only too happy TO repay your
Kind hospitality by executing any COM
missions in fly power. | don't like to
go away without knowing whether you
are to be made to suffer for this acct
dental meeting, when l could explain
it perfectly welt"
Leave that to me-" said Lady Auch-
lean, with n faint little smile. "Sir AL.
cxander will believe me, for / am going
to tell him the truth"
A shade of alarm crossed the young
held out to him, gave it quick, warm
pressure, bowed coldly to Sir Alexan-
der, who did not return the salutation,
and started TO go down the hillside
Lady Auchlcan led the way back into
the cottage and her husband followed
in state of great bewilderment. lie
was struck again by the change in her
manner from the fright and nervous
ness which had characterized II before
the appearance of Capt. Tenterden. He
looked at her with apparent coldness,
but with some unconscious admiration.
This dignifed, proud-looking woman
with the slight air of recklessness which
was noticeable in her manner, was more
TO his taste than the pretty, shy autom-
atom he had considered his wife to be.
WELL" he said, sharply, as soon as
the door was shut, "lct me hear your
explanation"
He did not attempt TO disguise the
fact, apparent in his tone and manner,
that he was prepared to disbelieve
every word.
Lady Auchlenn looked up. She had
taken off her hat again, and the golden
hair was again framing cloud about
her head. In her eyes there burned
steady light.
81 was going to run away with him,
said she, quietly.
Sir Alexander was struck dumb. None
of his widest suspicious had prepared
him for such an nvownl as this. He
Easped, stared at her and finally turned
away to the fire. Lady Auchlean went
on with her confession in a dreary, de-
spairing tone.
Its very terrible, isn't it? Very
shocking? Tint with all the money l
have to spend, and the bills I'm allowed
to run up, should not be satisfied?
That can't be happy without some ono
to care about mel"
"Dpn't-don't / care about your"
stammercd Sir Alexander, quite hum
bly,.
lie was an upright, honest man him
self, and he respected her for telling
the truth. respected her ut the bottom
of his heart, far more than that.
Her reply was very prompt, very cut
ting.
NO, if you had cared about me, you
would have seen what WIS coming.
Everyone else did"
what was coming?" Sir Alexander
spun around again toward her. Why,
then, have you, have you
Il haven't done anything. But I
meant to-"
Then" stammered her husband. in
an unsteady voice, 'let us look upon my
coming in here tonight as u special
intervention of Providence to save you
from--from-"
Prom being happy with man who
would have been kind to mel" burst
out Lady Auchlean, as she gave way ut
last to-hysterical sobbing, "Oh, yes,
! Lnow | am shocking you; l know
you think Inc terribly wicked, but 1
don't care. I've got to live out my life,
my wretched, miserable, lonely l,fe
with you--for shall never have the