The state herald., 1896-01-24

was DESTROYS Of carrying out design
OF her own which she could not accom-
pllsh unless the house were clear.
Carmen had told her that the rooms
next her own were occupied by Sir
Frederic Flower, but Margaret knew
they were not the same into which the
baronet had introduced Ruthven and
herself. She concluded, therefore, that
they were sitting rooms. and she
thought that II she could summon up
courage 10 enter them by daylight. anu
examine them for herself. she would
lose the supernatural terror they In
vested her with now, and be able to
realize how foolish her fancy Of the
night before had been. So that when
Hamilton and Carmen had wandered
away into the wood together, and Ruth
ven. with farewell smile at her, had
followed Sir Frederic to the library.
Margaret sought her own room. and.
waiting until the corridor seemed clear
Of servants, sailed forth upon her tour
Of inspection. There were three doors
upon the other side of the corridor be-
yond that which opened into Carmcn's
room. Pearl timidly tried the handle
OF one after the other: but they were all
locked. At the further end OF the long
passage, however, was what appeared to
be n screen placed across the window.
She advanced and peered round It. II
concealed nothing more than baize-
door. As she stood there, however, the
sound Of an approaching footstep made
her start. and, In her fear and dismny
at being discovered, she opened door
Just behind her and darted in. 1t was
n servants bedroom. but she could see
nothing but what occurred In front OF
her. Some one pushed open the balze-
door, and stood with 1t ajar, while he
fumbled with jangling bunch Of keys;
voice behind him said, Never mind
the keys, you won't be long"
mot flre minutes" was the answer;
''and you'll be here?"
"Of course l SHALL" said the other
voice, which was evidently that OF
woman.
Then the keys were left in the door,
and the man came ont into the corridor.
Pearl recognized him at once as the
person whom Carmen had called Mr..
Brown" in the days gone by, but the
woman. who was stout and elderly, she
had never seen before. She longed to
escape from her hiding place. but after
the man had walked away the scrvan,
kept her position at the baize-door as
though she were looking out for a friend
to speak to. At last one appeared In the
person OF Mrs. Webb-who emerged
from a sleeping chamber with her arms
full OF clean linen.
Good morning. Mrs. Dryantr' she
exclaimed. "All quiet to-day?"
Particularly co." replied the other;
(which Is n mercy. as we've had night
Of It."
"Ah. 1t must be trying! Have you had
your breakfast yet?'
Not !. I'm only Just Mt liberty. Mr.
Browns gone down to his. and not be-
before he needs It,"
step over to my room and have a
cup OF tea; it's all ready"
We'll. i don't know but what
mightn't. I can turn the key on the out
side"
TO be sure. Ais safe enough. And
no one can't expect you TO work fasting
for hours: besides. It won't take you
half n minute"
"All right" replied Mrs. Bryant, as
che turned the key In the lock and left
1t on the outside OF the door. prepara-
tory to accepting the offer OF her friend.
As Pearl watched the two women ,lisap-
pear together at the further end OF the
corridor, desperate resolution came
Into her mind to see for herself what
mystery tho locked rooms contained.
She glanced down the corridor once or
twice. to make sure Mrs, Bryant was
not yet returning. and then. with n
sudden Impulse. she left her hiding
place. turned the key In the lock Of the
opposite door. and entered the myster-
ious chamber.
Whilst Margaret o'Reiliy was thus
pryIng into things which. apparently.
did not concern her. Sir Frederic Flow
or and Mr.. Ruthyen were e,oseted In the
library together.
Il have snmething OF Importance to
tell you. Mr.. Ruthyen." commenced the
baronet. ''and which you must i'Nrn
without delay. l should have told II
You before, hut that II In n painful sub
feet to enter upon, and did not expect
your nephew to arrive quite 30 soon from
Roucn."
1T concerns Hamilton. them"
1T greatly concerns Carmen. and no
young man shall court her. with my
confent. without his being Informed OF
II. There Ia insanity In her familyr'
ftuthvon started with surprise.
"Impossiblo" he exclaimed; the
nnmo OF Flower In too well known"
Excuse me. Mr.. Ru,hyon. II has
nothing TO do with our side Of the
family. II In through the mothers
blood that my poor niece lnherts such
fearful faint"
Il nm deeply TrIevcd to hear this; but
Miss Flower exhibits no sign OF such
herltnge7"
she does not. trust nhc never may,
rtlll the fact remains. and must not be
concealed. ! told you some little ,imo
since that had los, my dear wife and
child under very painful circumstances.
They arc connected with thia subject.
and I am about 10 relate them TO you.
My younger brother. George, and wcro
the only children Of our father. and
when he died. leaving his title 10 me.
he bcquenth.d his wealth 10 M III two
equal portions: TO 30 to the child or chill