Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-02-09
VOL. LII
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER EXv.
IN cur journey back to England we
spent much time in speculating as to
where Sir Laurence would go, and in
what place we should seek him with the
greatest likelihood of finding him. Roth
wells sanguine view of things alone kept
me from feeling most miserable and
frightened. On our arrival in town we
went at once to Mr.. Grace. While we
were there a telegraphic message was
brought TO the solicitor. 1t was from the
agent or steward at Estmere: ''Sir l..
has returned. He is the Dover House:
very i'll and queer
The next train carried US north. We
had miles to drive from the nearest sta
tion to the Dover House. 1t was day
break before we reached our destinat'o
People were astir in the house and we
were soon received by the agent. He
knew Lord Rothwell of old, and rpon
hearing who l was, expressed his pleas
ure that | had at last come to the tome
of my race.
Mrs. Payne made her appearance. In
a few words she TOLD us what had hap
pened. Sir Laurence had made lis ap-
pearance at Estmere Court. Although
so many years had elapsed since she had
seen him, Mrs. Payne recognized him at
once. He said nothing to explain Ills sud-
den and unexpected visit. He walled. in
a dreamy kind of way, she said, into the
house, went straight TO his wife's bed
room, and finding it with the furniture
all covered up, turned to the house
keeper, who had yentured to follow him,
and asked if Lady Estmere was at the
Court. Mrs. Payne was almost too fright
ened to reply, but managed to stammer
out that her ladyship was from home
"Ah, at the Dover House." said Sir
Laurence. Il will go and join her. Tell
them to saddle my horse"
The good woman was at her wits end.
She stood staring at her master. and be-
gan to wonder if he was an apparation.
She hurried out and consulted her hus-
band Both were much frightened and
anxious to do their best to obey their
master. 1t happened that farmer who
lived at a distance had that day ridden
in TO see some friends in the village. and
being a careful man, who liked to save
a shilling when he could do so, had, by
Payne's permission, stabbed his horse in
one of the outhouses about the Cour- So
John Payne decided to make free with
his friends horse. He saddled it, and
brought it to the door. Sir Laurence
sprang to the saddle and dashed away at
a beadlong pace.
The Paynes started off at once, and
made the agent aSare of what strange
things bad happened. s1e lived in house 4
Gsfii.eny epree s-c.sss sr&,s
tariff law, of the Unite,rrieals house
cIose 6y !, .aii:,@ ii:,@l7as'atis, hHd long been e'
letter or telegram had iiffecentent. ifc2l. She
few minutes his horse was haruesssS 81
in company with Mrs. PayEe and ono OF
his own maid-servants, he was sway TO
the Dover House to do the best he could:
Sir Laurence was there, and frightened
the old caretakers out of their lives lie
had looked around and simply ordered The
house to be got ready, as If stan OF
servants were at beck and call. 1t was
evident that Sir Laurence meant to stay
the night; a bedroom must be got ready,
and to get a bedroom ready after house
had been shut up for more than twenty
raars is no easy task. Several times they
hoard Sir Laurence leave the room, and
watched him 20 10 the front door and
look m the drive; he even went to the
gates and gazed as if expecting some one
who was to come by road. lie nlsh'
wore on. Sir Laurence made no further
sign. and Mrs. Payne crept TO the hool
of the room, and listening, she fancleo
she heard him talking to himself She
opened the door, and saw at glance ina
the poor dinner had not been toucned- ahC
moreover, she saw Sir Laurence, LOOKING
wild and freuzied, stretching out his arms
with passionate gestures and begging ah'
calling on his wife to return to him.
This ia an extended version Of Mrs
Payue's account of Sir Laurence Est
,uere's return to his home. 1t made botl
her hearers feel very anxious, and as
.ounIed his present condition with hi
strange behavior at Monaco, l feared tina
the strain of the last few days had un
hinged nv fathers mind. l wished I
go to him at once. but Rothwell decided
II would be better to see the doctor hrs'
He was in the house, having by MI
Blacks request undertaken to stay tn
night.
Sir Laurence was very Ill, he sald-n
WAS feverish, but the fever was not Sc
vere enough to account for his deliriou
and strange state. The doctor wa
grieved TO be a prophet of evil, but h
feared there was some mental INJURY
whether its effects would be temporary c
permanent he could not at present sa!
One thing he was certain of-as yet n
patiept was in no danger; we could sc
him. it might perhaps ease his mind
find his friends were about him.
The doctor led us to my fathers room
He lay with his eyes wide open; the
looked dark, lustrous and eager. IL
turned them on US as we entered the doc
hut | fancied their gaze passed over N
and rested on Lord Rothwell; as his o.
friend approached him he raised himse
in the bed and stretched out his hands.
Frank Frank he cried; rs she here
Has she come with yOu!
Not vet; she will soon come" answe
ed Rothwell.
Father" I said, "do you know meT
"Yes. l know you-you are my eide
son. but you have been with me 8
through the bitter black time. Now
want no son. want my wife, my low
Cruel. Why have they kept her fro
me? Dearest, the days have been long
$50 long. Gomez
He was beginning to show signs
great excitement, but Rothwell caim
him by repeating his promise.
Go Mt once, Laurence" he said, tur
ing to me.
| pressed my fathers hand and kiss
his forehead; then left the room. Rot
well followed me very shortly.
Go 10 bed and Sleep" he said; "dri
over in the morning and catch the nj
train. shall not see you before you
must stay with your father.
When the time for my departure car
! was reiOiced to hear he seemed
worse. So loug as Rothwell was WI
him he kept comparatively calm: SO. nc
ing for the best, | went to make know
what had occurred to Lady Estmere, n
mother. She was in Dorsetshire, stayil