The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-16
CHAPTER Nil.

CHAPTER NH.
There was little in the upstairs rooms
of Estmcre Court to attract attention.
Except for the fine view they commanded
over park and country round, they were
without particular interest. But ! lin
gered in them, as | wanted to extract
what information | could from Mrs.
Payne. II was my first attempt at cross
examination.
Sir Laurence is separated from his
wife, you say
YES, sir"
who was to blame for the unfortunate
disagreement, Mrs. Payne:'
She purScd up her lips. You are very
induisitivc, sir, for 4 stranger. Old ser
wants never pass opinions about their
masters business"
Quite right" | said; ''but | feel so in
terested besides have heard Lord Roth
we'll speak of them
Then, sir, you had better ask his lord
ship what you want to know
Lord RCthwell cannot know what YOU
know about it at all. l should like to hear
your account Of it. Did you like Lady
EstmeroT' ! asked.
Her ladyshp was loved by every one,
she was the kindest and best of mis-
tresses.'
Then may tell YOU, TO account for my
questions. that she is dear friend 70
mine. | saw her in London few days
ago
Mrs. Payne looked at me with more in
terest than she had hitherto displayed.
Indeed, sir. and how is her ladyship?
How is she looking"
She must have changed greatly, but is
still very beautiful. Her hair is as white
as snow
Poor lady. When YOU see her again
will you give her my respects. Hannah
Jones | was then. She will remember
me by that name
Il will; and now. Mrs. Payne, tell me
| something more about her and Sir Lau-
renee"
| There is little to tell. sir
THAT gentleman downstairs is her
Youngest son-so you see | am not asking
| from idle curiosity.'
| "Oh. sir. that Master Valentine, No
! wonder he was so pressing to see Sir Lau-
rence's picture. Poor young gentleman,
Poor Lady Estmere. II she sinned, she
has suffered for it.
But did she sin. Mrs. Payne: Was it
not fatal mistake:
Mrs. Payne shook her head sadly.
.Oh. it was a dreadful thing sir. Death
would have been nothing to it. Till my
| last day | shall never forget Sir Lau-
rence's face that night, when he found
the wife he loved was false TO him. But
| must tell you how it all happened, or
YOU will not understand. They were stay
! ing then ut the Dover House. little
/ place belonging TO Sir Laurence. about
/ twenty miles from here. 1t is a sweet
! little house. q mere cottage compared to
| this, but they were so fond of each other
| that think they loved ii better than Est
mere Court. For the most part they were
alone there. whilst here there were nearly
! always visitors coming and going. They
fancied the air at the Dover House was
better for the children than at Estmere
Court, 50 they would go there and stay
for weeks together. Master Laurence.
the heir. was about three years old and
Master Valentine a baby in arms / was
under nursemaid then. and giddy girl
enough, hut | was fond Of the children
and her ladyship. There was q cousin of
her ladgsnips used 10 come on visits both
at the big house and the little He was a
fair man and in the army. People said
that at one time he had been engaged to
Lady Estmere."
That was Gresham, suppose
Yes. sir. Gresham was his name 4
pleasant spoken man enough when it suit
ed him. but g bad man. Servants find out
a mans true character long before their
masters and mistresses do. and we all
| knew he was a wicked fellow. To Sir
Laurence and to Lady Estmere he was as
mild and sweet as he could be. but | have
seen him watching them both with the
devil looking out of his eyes and his teeth
set against each other. He must have
been good company, l suppose, for he
often stayed with them. and at this time
was at the Dover House. One day Sir
Laurence was obliged to go over to the
Court Oh sorle business. He started in
the morning, intending TO sleep there and
return the next day. The children were
brought down to wish him good by and
see him ride of. He kissed them and
Lady Estmere. and away be went. as
proud and gallant gentleman as ever
crossed Il horse.