The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-10-27
CHApTER xvIn.

EIdAA WE'LL HUH ttAC uASAA AOOAAA4t .
as though he had lost all hsrd upon
the interests of this life.
He knew it would be useless to plead
further with Nellie
He had deceived her, keeping back
that secret, the knowledge Of which
would have hardened her heart against
him at the outset of their acquaintance
Those who had gathered outside the
porch to watch for the bridal party,
gazed wonderingly at him. as he step
ped out into the falling snow, his face
drawn and haggard. an expression Of
unutterable despair darkening his eyes.
How does a gambler look when he
has staked all-and lost?
So looked this man, from whom had
been swept every hope of peace and
love.
He had thought to live down the past
to ignore the existence of the wO-
man he had once called wife; and in
the hour of his triumph, she had come
before him, like a vengeful spirit,
showing him no more mercy than he
had shown to her, when he had cast
her of from his name.
The whirling snowfakes seemed to
blind him. the keen wind smote upon
mis- face, as he made his way slowly
along the bleak square. his heart as
chill and barren as the day.
Gretchen had had her revenge
Gretchen who had once loved him SO
nadIy. and towards whom he had play
ed so craven a part
He smiled in bitter derision as he
remembered her dying words-the
- fr1loru him n fnn
end of his life.
"She has done her worst" he NUT
tered. "She car not carry her VEN
geance beyond fse grave. She might
have spared herself that last effort, and
have died in peace.
There was something horribly sinis-
ter about his face just now
He could have laughed in mockery al
the words she had uttered, while the
agonies OF death were rending her
frame.
Her shadow haunt him!
There could be now shadow whela
there was lack of substance, he told
himself.
The sands of her life had run out;
the vital spark was quenched; she was
no more than dust.
Lady Errol's lifeless body was con-
yeyed to the hotel where she had Deen
STAYING during her absence from Dray-
ton Court
Mr.. Monckton, feeling that the re-
sponsibility in some way fell to MIN,
made what arran gements were neces-
sary: telegraphing news OF Lazy ~ !
rols death, and making known tne
diseovery of Sir Felix ErroPs last Will
Nv this deed, Marc Wilberforce pe-
game entitled to a considerable 1or-
time: the estate, and the greater puiK
of the wealth, were to revert to Rosa
lie. 4.d h,+
not one item of his property had been
bequeathed to her.
She had married Sir Felix, hoping
~ become possessor of his riches; he
had willed that she should not reap
the worth of copper piece at his
death.
Monckton found Rosalie at Sunny
side. thinner and paler than when ne
had seen her last.
There was listless, wan look in her
eyes, and he missed the smile Witn
which she had been accustomed to
greet him. Ia
You have heard the news?" he said,
retaining the little cold hand sne nao
extended to him.
YES" she answered, in low voice.
"They were calling it.out in the streets
half an hour ago. II heard without un-
derstanding; and then Mrs. west
bought one of the papers. and told me
what it all meant.
Its a shocking affair he remarked.
81 was in the church at the time OF
the tragedy
And she is really dead.
"She died a few moments after she
had confessed her guilt--died, as you
have already heard, BY her own hand !,
Rose sank into chair, and covered
her face with her hands.
II seemed terrible to her to think OF
ali that had happened within the last
few months.
With > sick feeling, she remembered
the aversion with which she had
shrunk from Lady Errol-from the
mocking eyes and cruelty set mouth.
And vet she was so beautiful, the
girl said. shivering as she recalled the
face that had left such wierd I'M
pression on her mind. Il cannot bear
to think how my father must have peer
deceived in her.
ssHe knew how far to trust her-at
the last" Monckton replied. one
cannot but think of her with pity, re-
membering what she must have suffer
ed in her sin"
Rose took her he IDS from her face
and looked thoughtfully into the fire
She did not know enough of Greteh-
ems life to be able to feel compassion
for her.
She thought only of that one terrible
deed of which she herself had been SC
nearly accused.
Monckton watched the girls face
noting the changeful expressions that
swept over it.
The gas had not yet been lighted
but the fire-glow filled the room. diff
fusing an atmosphere of warmth and
brightness.
You win have to say goodbye tc
ti'is place, before long" he remarked
letting his glance wander round the
comfortably-furnis room.
Why" she questioned, bringing