Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1897-10-02

W t' fVAA VIE L lett tDal IL would Op
ungracious of me at such a time 10
scold her or TO compel her 20 pay more
attention 10 her duties. One after
noon gossiping woman. who often
comes into my shop. told me she had
seen Rosa walking arm In arm with a
gentleman IN a little used thorough
fare IN the outskirts OF the town. I
lost my temper. and | declared that
the woman's statement was untrue:
Nevertheless I questioned Rosa on
the subject. She Indignantly denied
the accusation. but something II her
manner convinced me that she WAS
guilty. cannot properly explain TO
You what cruel shock this discovery
was 70 me. I was too upset 20 pursue
the subject then. but l resolved that
when evening came. and after the
shop was closed and we were alone.
that | would strive 10 bring her to a
sense OF her duty 20 me. But never
saw her again. Within half an hour
after l had spoken TO her she had
flown. and this was all she left behind
her"
Mrs. Chambers drew a crumpled let
ter from her pocket and gave IL 70
Frank; then she buried her face in her
handkerchief and appeared TO be dis
inclined FOR further conversation. This
was the letter Rosa left for Mrs. Cham
bers. 1t was written hastily and there
was certain hardness about the phrase
ologv that bespoke a heart numbed bv
grief.
You have been kinder 10 me than
my mother ever was, and YOU will think
me very bad and ungrateful 10 leave
You a do. God knows | have no
chance. / must 60. and 10 even as I
60 now. Ii Is all for the best-for
you, for Mr. Gilmour, for my wretched
self"
il ended She had forgotten 70
80 her name
Is there nothing else?" he asked.
low tone-"no other clew?"
For some time Mrs. Chambers re-
NAMED silent After an effort she
said. though still hiding her face:
She did leave something else. bu;
not wiliingly-not knowingly"
What did she leaye:" he asked
anxiolsly
After another pause she placed kew
IN his hand, saying:
That Is the key Of her bedroom. I
have kept 1t locked ever since she left
On her dressing table YOU will ind
something picked up from the floor. -
She turned from him, for her heart
was SO full she could scarcely speak
He pressed her forehead gently with
his lips and eft her.
As Frank went up stairs. lightly
holding the key she Ina gwen him IN
has hand, he muttered between his
set teeth
viii find the man who has taken
her from me, and when L find him I
will kill him "
He paused before her door He
turned the lock with strange reluc-
lance. and when he stood upon the
threshold of the little room, which was
stu fragrant with the odor of sweet
flowers. he again hesitated.
She had gone aud was unworthy OF
HIM; she has proved RUTHLESS. and he
OF all men should no respect for her.
Stlll that apartment seemed 10 him
sacred, and feeling of guilt took
possession of him as he entered il. He
walked to the dressing table and at
nrst he saw nothing. Then he noticed
that a photograph was on the centre
of 1t, lying face downward. He thrust
his hand out greedily to secure it
the thought running through his brain
that 1t was the likeness of the man
who robbed him Of his love, and that
now he would not have much trouble
In tracking him.
He picked up the carte. There were
some words written on the back of it.
and these he read with feverish
haste. AS he perused them his face
became even more pallid than before.
and beads of Precipitation stood upon
his forehead. These words were:
Yours very dearly Gregory Gil
mour
He let the thing fall from his hands.
As 1t fell ii turned, and now il lay upon
the dressing table face upward. This
face was his father s--the face of GREY,
DRY Gilmour, of Wakefield, solicitor
and esquire.
Mr.. Gregory Gilmour, composed,
pleasant looking, aud dressed ire
proachably. sat in his easy chair. some
times smiling. more often studying his
almond nails. Before him-white,