Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-10-27
WomanAgainst Woman
tBYS
MRS. M. A. HOLMES.
Continued.
MRS. M. A. HOLMES.


Gec frey said quietly, lifting Valerie
srt II her humiliating position, and
on one condition only
Name it, cried Valerie.
That you confess what share you
h d in Lady Darrells abduction?"
She gave slight scream, then drew
herself up.
Il don't understand you, she said
hal Chilly. You insult me by such
words.'
"Oh no, | don't. | am pretty good
Judge of things, Madame Valerie, and
your own lips have condemned you.
What did you whisper just now?
Failed What had failed? Your
plan, of course. Come, will you con-
fess?"
Never" said Valerie passionately
1t is all false. | know nothing!'
Il hear Lord Darrell coming. l will
tell him all-tell him that the woman
Ae is harboring in his home is the
sister of a"
"No-no!" Valerie drew him back
may know something. Give me an
hour"
Il give you till tonight"
And Mr.. Armistead turned away,
leaving the wretched woman lost for
moment to all self-possession, feel
ing that her revengeful plan had
failed, yet knowing nothing.
She FASTENED along the corridor to
her ROOM and as she went her cour-
age returned. She could have cursed
herself for her weakness in betraying
herself to Armistead's keen eyes.
Roy Darrell met his friend with out
stretched hand.
MY mother is quite upset and III
with all this business. She has sent
me to fetch Sir Humphrey. She
wishes to see him.
Il have been thinking that our best
plan will be to ride in separate di-
rections to try to trace this Italian
scCundre'. The others had better
stay here, if you don't object to turn
ing your castle into prison for the
nonce."
Object" cried the earl. Il feel
safe when know they are within my
grasp. Armistead, | put myself into
your hands. what you think wisest
will do. AS soon as the detectives re-
turn from Nestley with the police
will start with you.
Good" returned Godfrey. 1T
VIII be strange thing If we don't
catch him. | think"
Meredith here joined them, and
they went down stairs together.
Look after your friend, Armi-
stead" said the earl, waving his
hand towards the diningroom, where
a dejuener was spread. IF you will
pardon me | must take Sir Hum
phrey up to my mother
He left the two friends, and hur-
r!cd in search of Alice's grandfather
Alice's grandfather!
I he news came back to him with a.
its strange force.
The moments of excitement and
anxiety while the burglars were cap
tured had driven 1t from his mind;
but now he remembered all that Sin
Humphrey had said, and, even while
mis- heart was torn with fear that she
pei chance, was lost to him forever, a
thrill of pride went through him toI
hes sake.
Sill Humphrey was pacing the tlool
of the library. as the earl entered.
You have no picture of your wife
to show me, have you?" he asked
abruptly
Roy colored with pain. for in the
az acknowledgement that he possessed
no memento of Alice, he had to owl
to the past feelings of GOODNESS, un.
business and contempt.
~ have none" he replied quietly
but Sir Humphrey read his face.
please God you will need none
he observed, Surely she must he
found tonight Darrell"
Their hands unconscicusly tighten
ed in each others grasp.
Il dare not think of it, muttered
Roy hoarsely. THE old woman has
confessed that that Jura loved her
She is in his hands. When l know
this | feel mad,"
Take me to your mother the old
err man said gently 1T is but right
you should both know the history OIL
this girl who so strangely became
your wife. All, Darrell, truth Is in.
deed stranger than fiction, and this
child's story is proof of that"
Roy turned and led the way to his
mothers room.
Lady Darrell rose with outstretched
hands. rs Sir Humphrey entered
welcome home, old friend!" she
said warmly. How many years have
passed since we met. and to meet now
at such time, Roy has told me how
II comes that you are here; as yet
am in a maze of astonishment."
II will not leave you there long
dear lady" Sir Humphrey placed her
cal efully in her chair. Il will make
my story as short as possible You
may remember years ago, when the
abbey was not the ruined place it is
now that occasionally my son, and
sometimes | myself, came to 1t in the
autumn and despite its cherries char
acter managed TO be very comfortable