Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25

turned the doctor gravely. / VIII make
a point OF seeing her tomorrow.
Goodbye.
Captain Stott bsguiled the short drive
home with "reminiscences Of weird poi
sons whose acquaintance he had made
on the Indian service, and Mr.. Fowler
calculated Poor begga," or "Unlucky
chap" as frequently as the exigencies
Of polite converse required. But Miss
Heron and Sir Wilfred sat silent, their
minds occupied with the same subject.
AS Sir Wilfred parted with his guest
at the door OF her room, he gave utter
ance to what occupied his thoughts.
did you notice anything peculiar re-
garding the place where we found the
body?" he asked eagerly.
Miss Heron nodded gravely in reply.
did you see that it lay in the exact
spot where we decided my uncle must
have received his death-blOw?"
Eyes: l saw that. o Wilfred, her
courage breaking down at last, 1T is
too terrible to be in the midst Of such
awful mystery and be so helpless, so
futile" and leaning against the portal
of the door, she buried her face in her
hands and shuddered.
You are upset, and l was wrong to
let you stay there. No other woman
would have had courage enough TO
stand it. 1t must have been 81 terrible
strain on your nerves. Rest now for
half an hour, and l will send you up
some brandy or champagne. Which do
you prefer
Neither, Wi,fred. If Fanchette can
bring me a cup Of strong coffee / shall
be all right i'm five minutes. l think it
is the idea of that wrstched man being
so suddenly hurled into eternity that
Expresses me. l am not usually emo
tional you know q brave It
tempt at a smile" and five minutes
alone and q cup o. strong coffee will
make me myself again
Il can't forgive myself for allowing
you to do what you did tonight. You
have done so much for me that I am
afraid / have got into me habit of re-
lying on your asSistaD-e without paus-
ing TO think that you may suffef for it. +"
''Wilfred,' said his friend eSrpestly,
God is my witness that if in aIsIhing
I can prevail r. keep trouble out Of
your life. or TO tighten that which it IS
your lot to endure, 1 shall use my ut
most strength to do so. Now see how
your wife iA"
Willrec way turning away when his
foot CAM in CdRtact with something ly-
ing OF the grodhd. STOPPING, he picked
it up lie had only time to see that
it was a long thin article sealed up in
paper when Miss Heron seized it alb
rupdy from his grasp.
That is mine, Wiifred. l dropped
it, VI she gasped. Thank you" And
walking quickly into her room, closed
qbe door sharply. He could hear her
lock it inside, as though fearing pur-
suit
"Unstrung, he murmured, marvel
ing at her sudden change of manner; |
but what she has come through to- !
night would have upset even q strong /
er-minded woman than she" Passing {
along the corridor, and turning TO the I
left at the head of the grand staircase, /
he tapped at the door Of his u'ifa's
A OJln.
Entering he found the room in a
blaze of light. All round the walls the
fairy glow Of the electric light cleaned /
out: and in addition, massive silver
filled with lighted wax can
dies stood on dressiCg-ta and man
tlepiece. :
Lady Weuaud. her hair hanging in
dark masses over her shoulders, a Jap /
anese peignOir of scarlet embroidered T.
with gold dragons wrapped round her /
slender figure, crouched on the yellow
sheep-skin rug before a large fire.
She was gazing into the flames, as |
though afraid to look around. The |
slight noise Of Sir Wilfred's entrance |
aroused her and, uttering sharp I
scream. she turned and saw him.
''Weu. dearest one, how do you feel I
nOw?" he inquired tenderly. You I.
ought to be in bed. You are not able /
to be up
Il hate bed. It is so dismal lying
here with no one to speak to, answered
Lady Welland pettishly.
But where IS Fanchette? She ought
not to leave YOU" said Sir Wilfred,
sitting down in an easy chair. and
drawing his wife on his knee.
81 sent her to fetch something. She
will be here presently.
This is like a celebration, Violet.
Coming in here and finding al these
lights. it looked like rejoicing" he
went on. trying to speak lightly,
though his heart was heavy, and his
wife's pale face and wild eyes alarmed
him.
1T is the dark. I hate the dark.
shall get more candles, and have them
lit all night. Only they burn so dim
ly." muttered Lady Welland, glancing
uneasily from one corner OF the room
to another, as though she feared what
might Turk therein.
you are agitated. dear, after your
shock tonight" said Sir Wilfred,
soothing her tenderly. Can | get you
anything. Oh. by-the-bye, l had quite
forgotten Miss Herons coffee. l want
ed Fanchette to take her some. Where
is Fanchette
"Fanchette viii be here immediate
"" replied lady Weland uneasily,
evidently list sning impstiently for her
footsteps. Kirk, there she is"
Fanchette (came busting in. Here
it is. madafe," she cried, before she
had time 10 notice her masters pres
ence OF Lady Wellands warning
glance.
why did you leave your mistress.
Fandhette? She is III. and needed you,
saidlSir Wilfred sternly.
thousand pardons, m'sieur, but It
waS at the request Of the madame that
I vent. she did desire a flower for her
n6be tonight. But, milady. l grieve to
b too late. The gardner had gone be-
iCre I reached him, replied the French
Woman, lying glibly.
Take Miss Heron some strong eof-