Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-10-15
CHAPTER XVI.

WiiiCossilis did not return home that
night, neither did Hagar, and dawn
.fcrAd Lady LirTiper fallen into hag-
gard sluuber, With Josephine keeping
watch. while Mamie lay sound asleep.
oblivtous of all the horror Of the preced-
ing night and the greater one that the
day was to bring forth.
Lady Lirriper would have sent for
Trelawny, but she knew he was away
and would not return till lato evening,
and In her terrible anxiety she had
no one else to whom to turn, for she re-
garded Straubenzee as no better than
fool. It was his fault that she had been
let in for the Gregorias and forced to
undergo recently course OF disagree
able sensations that would clap ten years
on to her age and make her almost the
contemporary Of her Methuselah hus-
band, Lirriper It was all the fault OF
the country of course. Such things could
not happen in town, or would not mat
tor if they did.
Mamie came running in soon after 8
with fresh morning face inquiring
for Will, who she found on her awaken
ing had not come home all night, and
for once Josephine was not equal to the
occasion, but took her up stairs to Lady
Lirriper, who looked as a painted person
does exposed to strong glare Of electric
light
"You must be mad" she said savage
" when they were alone together. lyon
try to poison your husband. You tel!
him you adore Blake Trelawny and then
you wonder he disappears, and with the
woman who is in love with him"
Mamie turned white as ashes Needle
darts Of fame seemed to shoot through
her veins and blind her as she cried out:
II tried to poison him9 1t is you who
are mad I was tired and left him here
last night. I remember. Yes. gave
him a whisky and soda first -
After you bad put IN enough poison
to kill hall dozen men," sold Lady
Lirriper dryly, who was good amateur
chemist herself. How did you get hold
Of that strychnine? Surely You needn't
murder a man because he happens TO adj
mire another woman more than you!'
"StrychnineI" repeated Mamie in
appalled, tones, her young face white and
drawn with horror II never saw, never
touched any in my life. As if would
harm him, and how could say ! loved
Blake Trelawny? 1t is Will whom I
love-"
You'll find it difficult to convince
him." said Lady Lrriper dryly as in ut
ter WEAKNESS and bitterness Of spirit she
leaned her head against the high backed
ohintz covered chair. "He will be more
likely to believe that Hagar does, who
is with him now. However, a man and
woman In evening dress, without hats,
are easily traced II only Trelawny were
here" she added impatiently, II should
know what to be abont. though Of course
your father is the proper person to get
after them"
"You are a cruel woman" said Nan
ME, crushed and broken beneath the
sledge hammer blows that SO rapidly
succeeded each other. "Oh, Will, Will,
you would never have let any one serve
me sol"
For a moment the selfish old woman
was shamed; 1t was SO Ike beating a
heartbroken, miserable child.
There, there" she said not unkind-
~. you've made mess Of your life,
and crying over It won't mend it. 1t is
be who has put himself IN the wrong
box, going off with that woman, and as
to the poison episode shall declare it's
lie. and as you don't remember any.
thing about 10 it's only their word
against ours. And Trelawny will marry
you, I've no doubt. 50 it might have
been much worse. "
Mamie had been standing rigid in the
middle Of the quaint, pretty room, with
It's lattioed windows opening outward
against scarlet cssepez, but now she
turned and CROPPED blindly for the door.
Where are you going. childf" cried
Lady Lirriper sharply. Don't drown
yourself or do anything rash It's no
such bad lack to be TrelaWny's wife, I
promise yon. OF conrso there will be