Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-10-22
CHAPTER XXI.

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CHAPTER XXI
When Will Cassilis found himself in
exorably shut out Of the house that con-
tanned bis wife, he had the sense not 10
commence furious knocking and ring.
Ing that would rouse the servants. but
stood debating within himself a. to
what he should do next and how make
known his presence to Mamie.
Il was characteristic Of him that he
did not for q moment believe in her
wrondgoing. She had excuse, and 10
spare. for believing her husband guilty
Of tho worst possible conduct, and she
had naturally turned to Blake In her
trouble, and for onoe passion had mas
tered that noble nature, and the man
was recklessly keeping the VOW he had
once made-that II she ever wandered
into bis arms he would keep her.
But better than Trelawny knew his
own fierce nature, Will, In sort Of
clairvoyance born Of his weak state,
knew IL then. and he felt that Mamie
was safe in tho mans hands; that
though Blake might and would struggle
to get her for his wife hs Wa incapable
Of bringing dishonor upon her, and ths
only thing now possible was 70 explaih
those events Of the past ~ hours Of
which Will himself had no clear rseol-
lection.
Hagaz knew. Hagar could explain.
but was IL likely that she would1
Where was she now2 He remembered
her as something standing apart from
him in the darkness-something that
would fasten upon him with kisses till,
in his mocked manhood. he turned upon
and slew her, did he not get himself
away, but Of the past hours in which
he had been wholly surrendered to her
care he knew nothing, for memory fail
ed him at the point where he fell. and
the black obsession Of death prevailed
a{terward.
he did not hesitate long. he knew
what he was going TO do before he
turned away to do It, He was going TO
Lady Lirriper, for in moments Of diff
Guilty It is not exactly to the saints Of
our acquaintance that we turn for as
sistance, and Will, as he did 6ne sprint
across country, had definite hope In
his mind that the old worldling might
pull things straight after all. Lights
twinkled in the upper windows Of Bach
elor's cottage as he approached 1t, and
Josephine opened the door to him, with
only a slight elevation Of her mobile
French brows, for sensations were be-
coming cheap In that neighborhood. and
overpowering sleepiness Will dull even
the keenest curiosity in the world and
enable ono to accept . ghosts visit
without excitement
For Will might have been bis own
ghost, 10 wan, 30 disordered was he,
though even ghost would have struck
at . dress suit patterned with green, a
oravat tied at the back Of his head and
linen that was assuredly more than AZ
hours old.
II must see your Mistress" he said,
land instantly. You must get her ready
to come out with me, and will you send
up to my coaohman and tell him to
bring the carriage round, or, stay. I'll
do that myself while you got her lady
ship ready"
II have but Just undressed her, said
Josephine In despair. "She is with Miss
Gregorias now," she added dryly.
What That woman has dared to re.
turn here?" cried Will angrily.
So they had quarreled already,
thought Josephine, growing more wake
full a. the plot thickened, and the sound
OF Lady Lirriper's . voice, high, accusing.
reached them from above stairs, SO that
II would not have surprised her II tho
old lady had suddenly appeared, driving
Hagar before her like her ancient name.
cake out Of the house.
"Come in here, Sir William" said
tho woman, opening the drawing room
door, and having kindled light left
him there while she went up stairs to
report this new development to her mis-
tYess.
Probably no ono but her own maid
would have known that quivering bun
die Of rage and wrappers for Lady Lir-
riper, a. she stood vituperating Hagar.
who had removed her sodden evening
gown and was now unbinding the heavy
masses Of hair upon which more than
ono dead leaf and dry bit Of wood had
fallen during her long vigil
A travelling dress and half packed bag
near pointed to preparations for depar-
ture, and probably the girl neither sow
nor heard Lady Lirriper, as eye to eye
she faced the black failure Of her life
and realized that she had broken her
oath to God in vain.
"And you dare TO come back hero to
my house after the furious old
woman was crying when Josephine en-
tered and said:
my lady, Sir William is down stairs
and wishes to speak with you at once. "
Hagar let fall the heavy strands OF
hair she was untying, moving swiftly
and as though unoontrollably to 60 to
him, but Lady Lr1iper caught hes
roughly By tho arm and pulled hsz
bach.
mot here :" she said resolutely. I'm
have NO pr.otic1ng Of your vile arts In
this housa Josephine, stay with this
wonau till ! return" Then, with great
neatness, she took the key out Of the
door, and having looked it on tho other
side descended 10 tho drawing room.
"Well," she said srimly as Oassilis
advanced quickly to meet her, and her
eyes Travelled with disgust over his dis.
reputable person, "what have you to say
for yourself-you the married man"
'Thers will be plenty Of time for ex-
planning - we go along" said Cassilis
abruptly. "Will Won get ready while ]