Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-07-03
CHAPTER XlX.


Lady Hilda had resolved TO 60. 1t
would DO far easier, she thought, to beg
her bread than to remain In this luxurious
home. where the spirit of murder lay over
the threshold. Nothing could shake her
conviction-nothing could take from her
the certainty that Anice Pitcairn had
done the most foul wrong.
Of course It was useless to speak-no
one would believe her. She would be dc.
ridcd us mad and wicked; she had no one
single proof to give Of the truth of her
words--notliing, but that she read murder
In Anice's face. TO speak Of It would be
worse than useless; but she could not
stand by in silence and sec that sin
crowned with success. She could not
edness. She sought Lady Pitcairn and
told her she must so.
go, my dear" she said, In surprise,
"after you have been with us three years
and have become one Of ourselvesy"
II shall never cease to DO grateful,
said Lady Hl,da, "but I must Co."
"Just as we were preparing for Anicc's
marrlngc--at least stay until that Is over
said Lady Pitcairn.
II cannot" she said; and from the tone
Of her voice Lady Pitcairn knew that !,
was useless to say more.
"Will you toll mo why you are going,
Miss DUNN" she asked. sadly.
II cannot. Dcar Lady Pitcairn, you
have been kind us an angel to me; add
one more kindness to the rest--let me 81
| without question"
"What have you thought Of doing y
continued the kindly lady.
Lady Hilda sighed.
II must 20 on. as companion" she said
II do not know enough to DO governess.'
II will help you. them" said Lady Pit
cairn. "lndeed, think know OF some
thing that you would like. Lady Harvey
who dined here yesterday, was speaking
| to me Of her young cousin, the Duchess oil
| Marin. She wants companion"
| you have been very good to me-" she
said, "and have overlooked all my faults
and failinGs. DO you think should b,
able to undertake such o post as thaty'
"Ycs, ! do" said Lady Pitcairn, decid
cdly. "Threc years have improved you
until myself see no fault In you.
think your manners perfection. tel
| Anicc that II she would but copy youI
| high-brcd grace she would do WELL"
| ''rhcn you think l might please tho
Duchess of Nairni" she asked, anxiously
| II am quite sure Of It," replied Lady
Pitcairn. '"The duchess II young girl
| quite young-0nly seventeen. and marvel
ousiy lovely; they married her to the Duk,
| of Marin, who IL sixty II he IL q day."
| "IlOw cruel!' cried Lady Hllda.
| After few days 1t was settled ant
every arrangement made. Miss Dunn
was to leave Branksome for Woodheaton
She had received two or three letters from
the duchess; kind. gracefully written. ant
full OF kindly sentiment. The jOurne.
from Branks0me to WoOdhcaton was I
long and tiresome one. 1t was evening
before Lady Hilda reached the little sta
ton Of Arlhorn. A carriage awaited hel
from the Abbey. She had expected some
thing drcary, but she had never dream
ed of the reality; yet the very drearines'
had q beauty of its own. There wal
beauty in tho weird silence that reignct
over these great moors; in the great greer
cxpanse that In Its rHdu,ation resemble'
Il great green sea; there was beauty II
the bloom of the heather. In the shor
grass. IN the groups OF trees that ever!
now and then broke the monotOny, In tn,
vast eXpanse of blue sky, In the grea
stretch of purple hills that lay behind tn,
| m0Ors.
A broad road shaded by trees wound al
TO the Abbey. Lady Hilda looked ut tn,
scene In wonder-the gray, frownini
walls, covered with ivy, the huge towers
the green valley below, and the trees tina
seemed to be so curiously mixed with tn
walls and pillars. The great entrance
gates swung open when the carriag
stopped, and she found herself In a larg
stone entrance hall with superb roo
of grained oak, a hall quite as large a
any ordinary house; pretty maid, neatl!
dressed, came up to her with a smilinl
courtesy.
"!Are you Miss DUNN" she asked; an
Lady Hilda's beautiful face flushed Us sh'
answered:
YES"
"Ier grace wishes me to say that sh
feels sure you must be tired after tina
long journey, and she hopes that you viii
order what you wish and so to your owl
room to rest"
She was only too grateful. She follow
cd the pretty maid up tho long, steep
yaulted staircase. through tho long darl
corridors, through rooms Of gloomiest as
pect; even the pretty maid breathed NOR
freely when they reached the western
wing; 1t was far more light and cheerful
besides which the fittings We're of a mod