The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-22


THE HUSBAND HAD HIM BY THE THROAT.
throat, pinioning him against the wall
of the cottage.
answer me, answer me. Tell me the
truth, or, by - I'll throw you down
the hill! The truth, mind, the truth"
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 Auchlean's voice
such deep ring of earnestness, of sim
cerity, that her husband was struck by
it in the height of his passion of re-
sentiment. He released his hold of Capt.
Tenterden, and his wife quickly took
advantage of this 20 seize one of her
husbands hands in both hers.
Harry" said she, in clear. firm
voice, "you had better go. / can tell
him everything he wants to know; and
il he wants to see you afterwards. why,
can tell him where to find YOU"
The two men were both aghast.
Whatever in their own minds they had
foreseen as the upshot of this meet
ing, it was not such situation as this
| But Lady Auchlean was so quietly de-
termined, so collected in the midst OF
| the excitement, that they found them
selves leaving the matter in her hands.
"It is a very good suggestion, sir"
said Sir Alexander. "You had better
take yourself of 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 Auchlcan, as
you know" said he. II have always
been only too happy TO repay your
kind hospitality by executing any COM
missions in my power. don't like TO
go away without knowing whether you
are TO be made to suffer for this acci-
dental meeting, when could explain
it perfectly WELL"
'Leave that to me-" said Lady Auch-
lean, with faint little smile. "Sir AL
exander will believe me. for am going
| to tell him the truth"
A shade of alarm crossed the young
mans face. But he took the hand she
held out to him. gave II quick, warm
pressure, bowed coldly 20 Sir Alexan-
| der. who did not return the salutation,
and started to go down the hillside.
Lady Auchlean led the way back into
the cottage and her husband followed
in a state of great bewiIderment. He
was struck again by the change in her
manner from the fright and nervous
ness which had characterized IL before
the appearance of Capt. Tenterden. He
looked at her with apparent coldness,
but with some unconscious admiration.
This dignificd. proud-loolsing 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, "let me hear your
explanation"
lie did not attempt 10 disguise the
fact, apparent in his tone and manner.
that he was prepared to disbelievc
every word.
Lady Auchlean looked up. She had
taken off her hat again, and the golden
hair was again framing a cloud about
her head. In her eyes there burned
steady light. ttIN
81 was going TO run away with him,
said she. quietly.
SirAlexander was struck dumb. None
of his widest suspicious hnd prepared
him for such an avowal as this. He
Casped, stared at her and finally turned
away 10 the fire. Lady Auchlean went
on with her confession In dreary, de-
spairing tone.
Its very terrible, isn't IL? Very
shocking? That with all the money
have 20 spend, and the bills I'm allowed
TO run up. l should not be satisfied?
That can't be happy without some one
TO care about mel"
"Dm't--don't | care about, you"
stammered Sir Alexander, quite hum
bly,.
lie was an upright, honest man him
self, and he respected her for telling
the truth. respected her at the bottom
of his heart, far more than that.
Her reply was very prompt, very cut
ting.
mo, IL you had cared about me, you
would have seen what was coming.'
Everyone else did"
"whnt was coming7" Sir Alexander
spun around again toward her. Why.
then. have YOU, have yon--'
II haven't done anything. But J
meant to-
Then, stammered her husband. i'm
An unsteady voiee. let N look upon my