The herald., 1896-02-09

learned in various ways that Ada was much
petted by him. She saw him also very Of
ten during these visits. and was obliged to
admit to herself that he looked like a mar.
thoroughly happy. No memory of her
ruined life appeared to trouble him; and yet
this opinion was hardly correct He was
often sad for the past; and he never saw
Ada Hitting about the rooms that he did net
remember Catherine with a regret, that was
near akin to longing. But he had become
infatuated with Miss Allerton in Rome, and
there were many things which would make
a marriage with her potential advantage
to him. Her family had great political in
fluonce, and she had both beauty and
wealth, She was also in love with him,
and he was 1attered by her preference.
In the spring 1t was commonly rumored
that he was engaged to her. Catherine
heard the news as she sat at table, and her
heart became suddenly still, as if something
had died there but it was not long ere
/ strange, fierce feeling took possession of
| her. She had become jealous-ieaous of
the love that was hers of right, and jealous
for the future of her child. If Almund
! married this woman what would become of
Ada? She might be neglected; she might
be cruelty used; she might be sent away
to some hard, loveless school. There would
be other children and Ada would become
an eye-sore, a reminder of what must be
forgotten. At all risks, she felt she ought
to protect her child.
During the ensuing weeks she endured
crucifixiop Of every womanly hope and de-
sire. Her suffering often made her reck-
less and imprudeng; indeed, it was mere
matter of personal vanity that prevented
her several times from confronting the two
beings who had wrecked her life. When
she saw them walking through the garden
with loverlike steps and attitudes she had
more thar once flung away her sewing and
resolved to make them suffer with her. But
could she? She was not even sure that she
wished Almund to suffer, and she was sure
that her white false hair and plain, coarse
clothing would lay her open to ridicule;
and ii she threw off her disguise, then the
short. fluffy, brown curls beneath it gave to
her face a piquant chiidlike expression to-
tally at variance with the tragedy she was
living. Thus a moments reaction always
made her resolve never to give her false love
and her hated rival such an opportunity of
turning her into contempt and laughter.
In September the wedding was definitely
fixed, and Almund was constantly at the
Court, experimenting its renovation. Cath
crime then felt her position no longer either
safe or endurable, and she resolved to put
an end to it as soon as possible. She went
into the village and bought some coarse
stuff and made Ada dress and hood of it.
Her money she had always kept about her
person. and her brothers address in New
York city was firmly engraved on her
memory She now only waited for an op-
NJ
came One fine, warm evening, the nurse
said she wanted to go to the Harvest Home
at Farmer Gates's: there was to be dance
and a supper after it; and Catherine an
swered:
'Why not so, then? You know that I am
always willing to take your place. l like
nothing better than to sit in the nursery
for few quiet hours. And if you are hay
ing good time stay it out. will go to bed
beside Miss Ada
The girl readily accepted the offer, and
about eight o'clock Catherine felt free to
move, for Mrs. Stead had card party in
her room, and she was the only person like
ly to visit the upper part Of the house, Be-
fore the hour Catherine had given Ada a few
drops of opium, and as soon as it's influence
was apparent she lifted the child, dressed
Off her white false hair, threw round her a
communicating plain shawl, and lifting
Ada in her arms, went rapidly across the
fields to the railway station. She knew
there was train to London at nine O'Clock,
and she arrived at the depot Just in time
TO take ticket for Market -Sorby.
But she had no intention of getting off at
Market-Sorby, though she left her next
move to the first favoring circumstance
she found it not more than twenty miles
from Morpeth, at Galston Village. There
had been fair at this place. and a great
crowd was at the small wayside station
She slipped out Of the train, and passing
through Ii, Went into the ladies' waiting
room. Here she stayed until the night ex.
press for Glasgow arrived. and on it SHE
went northNard. When She reached Glass
gov it was early morning. and she knew
that the child was missed. So she hasten
ed to the Broomielaw, where she saw a
steamer just ready to sail fer Belfast In
half an hour she WAS ca h,r way to Iro--'