The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-06-05

1t was some moments before Frank
Armathwaite recovered enough self-pos
session to try to thank the unknown lady
whose well-timed appearance had saved
him from drowning in the lake.
You are on FOOT" she said. Her voice
was pleasant enough. but entirely human
and coloquial, the voice of a young, we'll
bred woman.
Il have come from Meresde. madam
but minut" ago | lost my way. l can't
thank Won enough for
She interrupted him, lowering the lam
tern she held. and with a glance directing
him to turn back and walk with her.
Yes, it was fortunate for you l was
there certainly"
She said this in a low voice. as if talk
ing to herself, and Frank noticed that she
smiled at some thought which passed
through her own mind. Armathwaite
could only walk by her side in silence
He scarcely dared to put questions to this
strange woman with weird, sad eyes, who
after saving his life. seemed to have tax
en- possession of him body and soul, and
to deem it unnecessary to cnlightcn him
as to the disposal she meant to make of
either. They left the trees and the un-
even ground behind them-and. the wind
being now at their backs and the snow
therefore less binding, Armathwaite could
distinguish without much difficulty the
point at which they reached the Level
road.
This" said the lady Indicating the
way from left to right, lis the high road
from Meresde to Branksome"
She crossed it without further com
ment than her companions polite if rather
futile ''Oh. indeed" and they began to
re-ascend the steep road on which he had
come to grief. One thing the young man
knew without asking: this mysterious lady
who had apparently been on the lookout
for human fiotsam and jetsam on this bois-
ferrous night, came from the gloomy house
which had aroused his attention half an
hour before.
As he had expected, the lady. who seem
ed to think further conversation supertiu-
Gus. stopped before the heavy iron gates
and pulled the handle of a long RUSTY
chain which hung beside them This i'm
mediately set janglng a bell. the funereal
tones of which struck as great n chill into
Armathwaite as if it had been the passing
bell for his own soul. The appearance
at the door of Il young maid servant who
seemed struck with amazement ut the
spectacle before her reused the lady from
her abstraction. while an old mastiff ran
down the steps and licked her hand She
turned 10 the stranger and said very gra-
Ciously:
Are you anxious To get TO Branksome
to night: You would hardly be able TO see
DR.. Peele before morning. and we should
be very happy to give his friend shelter
for the night.
Armathwate felt 50 certain that he had
not mentioned DR.. Peele'S name. and
therefore - utterly amazed at the la,iy's
knowing his destination. that he STAN
mered and answered in a low. shy tone
with great confusion. She entered the
house with grave gesture of invitation
to him TO follow. Just as the girl was
about to turn away, she asked in harder
voice: is your master inE'
Not Yet. ma am, answered she. end
she went out, closing the door behind her.
Armathwaite was too much absorbed
by his interest in the lady herself 10 OK
anime very infinitely the hall in which he
vas standing. He perceived that it was
long. wide and lofty. that one wall was
we'll lined with whips and guns ana fish
ing tackle. and that there was hat-and-
coat stand covered with masculine gar
ments. He offered To help his hostess as
she diSencumbered herself of her outer
garment. which proved to be unmistakablv
a French cavalry cloak She thanked
him. but shook her head and begged him
70 take off his own oyerCoat. which was
covered with snow.
Il am afraid you must think me 4 luna
tic for carrying You off in this unceremoni-
Gus way. she said kindly. but with a
great deal Of dignity. Il believe some OF
tho villagers declare that this house was
once lunatic asylum. and am sure
after the way in which you have been
treated, YOU will not fail to agree with
them Did You not take NE for a mad
woman: she asked in a suddenly serious
tone looking steadily, almost anxiously.
up for his answer.
No. madam. certainly l did not" said
Armathwaite heartily.
The lady seemed relieved. aud 4 touch
OF her old earnest aud pensive nlauner
came back upon her as. instead OF i'm
mediateiy speaking again. she fixed IL
senuously searching eyes upon the straus-
e-'s face, aud alter gazing ar him intent
y for some moments, withdrew them,