Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-06-20
CHAPTER XIV.

which passed through the outskirts Of
the wood Miss Heron led the way.
Overhead the dark pine branches
dripped moisture upon the rapidly sod
dening ground beneath but the path,
strewn with damp pine needles, dld
not wet their skirts as a more Verdant
Garnet would lave done. Mrs. Mon
gOrton followed her guide a pace or TWO
behind. breathing heavily, as though
from unwOnted eXertiOn, yet evidently
determined to prove herself strong
They had gone about a quarter OF
a mile when the gable of matched
cottage came in view. There it is.
DO you see? Right in front. You
will get a rest there called out Miss
Heron. cheerily hurrying forward.
Mrs. M0ngorton followed her as best
she could. with her moist skirts cling
ing unpleasantly about her ankles.
Her delicate French boots were in
state of pulp, and the water squelched
intentionally within them as she
moved. She envied Miss Heron her
less picturesque but infinitely more SER
viceable garments.
When she left home on her odd quest,
her one desire had been that none
should know where she was, even that
she was out. SO. Selling her opportunl-
Nv while Fanchette was engrossed in
the mending of some costly old lace,
She had ROBBED herself. as she thought,
suitably. and stolen quietly from the
MaisOnette.
She felt full Of energy and strength
when she set out, and she mad walked
the three miles which lay between her
home and the scene Of Sir Jaspers
murder without sense Of inconvenience,
her excitement supporting her.
The unexpected encounter with MISS
Heron. the last person she desired TO
meet. was disconcerting; and 1t needed
all her power Of will to appear uncon-
cerned and gratifed when they were
compelled 10 recognize one another.
Then with the departure Of the ex-
element had gone her strength, leaV-
ing her painfully conscious OF weak
ness. cold and misery. She had never
walked any distance before, though to
riding. driving and cycling she was
well accustomed; and, - she haltingly
followed in Miss HerOn's footsteps, she
felt a sincere pity for people whom
necessity obliged TO walk. She had ne
idea il hurt so mucn.
When at last she reached the cottage,
il was to find Miss Heron still standing
knocking at the door.
Il fear Mrs. MOssop must be away
for the day. I believe she sometimes
goes out washing. l had heard of a
situation for her Johnny and wished
10 tell her of il.
There was certainly no person at
home. From the inside faint "mlew,
repeated at intervals, betokened the
presence of the family Grimalkin. \
few hens shut up in a run cackled a
little discOnsolately as they stood one
legged in the shelter of their house.
The absence of smoke from the CHM
nev showed that the fires of the domes-
tic altar mad waXed cold
To crown all, the cloudy atmosphere
encircling them had ceased TO retain the
less aggressive form of mist, and had
become rain, heavy, chilly rain, which
threatened momentarily TO become a
regular downpOUr.
Dear. dear. This is too bad" cried
Miss Heron; "and after my leading
you here. How Wilfred would scold
me if he knew
rs there no place else? No other
cottage?" Queried Mrs. Mongorton
family.
why. yes. of course there is. What
am | dreaming of not to have recon-
mended il before exclaimed Miss
Heron. relieved. There is one just
down there. Come, we shall be just
in time to escape the worst OF the
rain. HUrrying off, she ran quickly
along a footpath, which started AT right
angles to the cottage, and seemed to
plunge deeper into the wood.
A few moments brisk walking
brought her within sight of a neat lit
tie house. standing alone in a clearing.
Against the background of tall pines
the blue smoke of a wood fire hung in
soft clouds, giving promise of warmth
inside.
Outside the neatly bordered flower
beds. empty now save for few bat
tered chrysanthemum blooms which
drooped drearily. full of moisture, gave
token of attention bestowed by skilled
hands. Up the cottage wall the blight
ed blossoms of a winter jasmine showed
how severe the frost had been.
When Mrs. MongOrtOn reached the
haven Miss Heron had already entered.
The door stood open. evidently left ajar
that she might follow. SO, leaving the
shelter of the rustic porch, she stepped
into the narrow passage