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

CHAPTEN NNIII.
The funeral was over; the su,cn gloom
that follows sudden and terrible death
had fallen over Branksomc. Neither
wealth nor rank had been powerful
enough TO cvade the usual routine. There
had been a coroners inquest. and the
verdict unanimously given was "acci.
dcntaliy drowned" The jury declared
that they could not attach blame to any
person, and they expressed the deepest
sympathy with the young lady who had
witnessed the terrible accident without
being able to help. Sir Leofric had gone
from his home. lie told them he should
return when the smart of her grief had
passed by; but ut present he could not see
them nor endure the place.
Tho thy came when Anicc Pitcairn was
able to leave her room and take her place
once more In her fathers house. For
many long weeks she had refused to quit
her room: she would not have the blinds
drawn. One morning she sent for Lady
Hilda.
"Aliss Dunn" she said. II want to know
why you never come nenr me! ! have
been III so long. and you have never en-
tered my ROOM"
Then Lady Hida went TO the door and
closed II. She fastened II carefully, aud,
| coming back to Anicc. stood over her.
II will tell YOU" she said: "since you
ask me for the truth. you shall hear IL:
| I have no sorrow, no pity for you. for
believe before heaven you are guilty of
your sisters death"
4 low cry came from the white lips.
She lay silent then. Lady Hilda watched
her kccnly---hcr eyes We're bright with the
fire Of indignation, her face with the light
Of n just and righteous wrath.
~ ought to have denounced you at the
time" she said; II ought to have said then
that l believed you to be mur,icress In
| deed, As ! knew you to be one In heart.
I ought to have cried out that you were
guilty, but l did not; l looked ut your
mothers face. at your fathers gray hair,
and I could not. But, speaking before
heaven, Anice Pitcairn. | believe you
caused your sisters DEATH"
"YOu arc cruel, wicked. and unjust!'
cried Anice. "You have no proof of what
you say. You speak to me In this cruel
manner. and It Is all suspicion--nothing
but base. false suspicion. You have no
proof"
II have no proof. except my own strong
conviction, and my knowledge Of the ter.
riblc passion that swaycd your heart.
believe that you have told false story.
that You have deceived US oil, that you
never warned your sister, but let her 20
without one word of caution, when You
knew that death awaited her. ! believe
that you delayed, instead Of Fastening,
when yOu heard her cry. May heaven par
don me II misjudge YOU! do not think
that I do"
A low. hoarsc voice interrupted her:
"You arc wrong-quite wrong-wicked'
~, cruelty wrong"
"That Is as heaven Sees" said Lady
Hilda.
One of the white. trembling hands
clutched at hers.
"You are quite wrong" said Anlcc,
"your words are quite false; but promise
me you will never repeat them, that you
will never tell any one what you think;
others might suspect me II you did, and
1t Is falsc--al! false. My mother was kind
to you; she brought you home here, and
made you one of us. oh. promise me. foi
my mothers sake, you will not tell other.
what You think"
II am not quite sure what | ought tC
do. ! am hardly able to decide for my
self. II seems to me that my duty Is clear
that Ought to tell others my strong sus
picions ami have them examined"
The white face on the pillow could grow
no whittier, but a dreadful culver passe,
over 1t.
Suppose you do so. Miss Dunn; only
suppose-let Us imagine it--supposc YOU
did so, and those suspicious were fount
to be correct. what then!"
"What then? The law of God and oil
man says, a life for a life" said Lad!
Hilda slowly.
"A life for life! All, dear heaven
how many lives have HivenY" said Anice
with woful sigh. "How many deaths
have died? Then you. whom my moth
or rescued from death In the high roads
You would send me to a felOn's dock, I,
the scaffOld, II You cOuld!'
II do not say so. am puzzled as I,
what ought to do"
Again tho trembling hands grasped her
"You can do nothiig-you have moth
Ing to do ] am only talking for argu
ment's sake, to show Sou how wild you
notions are. See to what you expose M,
II you ever give them to others. Prom
} Use me you never will-swear TO me, Mis-
Dunn, You viii not. ! shall not rest un
less you swear!'