Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-12-10
CHAPTER XN,

Arlington the following evening to inform
Lord Elsdale that the inquest was nd.
journed until the morning and that the
coroner insisted that Barbara ought to be
present.
Barbara" the earl uttered, In n tone
Of intense surprise and annoyance. as he
dropped the hand which shaded his face
and looked at Lord Keith.
''Yes-Barbara," the young man said
modify. ''Some Of the servants have
becn chattcring, and they seem to make
out that Barbara saw Bryant on that
night either just before he went ont OF
met him In the grounds. Indeed I had
hardly patience to heed what they saidv'
The earl made no remarks: he had lean.
ed his head upon his hand again, and his
face was very pale.
"Nothing has a. yet been discovered.
SUPPOSED" Lord Elsdalc remarked, after
o pause.
"very little. Sir Anthony Bryant Il
abroad; but his eldest Sou will be ut Oar
ley tomorrow. 80 little IL known OF the
unfortunate man that II IL impossible to
conjecture whether he had an enemy o,
whether death was caused by some
strange accident. The only fact Of any
kind has been found In the grounds, bu,
the bullet which has been extracted fits
. small pistol Of foreign workmanshir
which IL In collection Of arms at the
hall; and, on being examined. II was evil
dent that the pistol had been lately used
traces VI powder having been found In IT,
'rhen It would appear that the muir.
derer was under Lady Roses roof" cx'
l.,t. sl,<.
Has the pistol been foundY'
Eyes; II was with the arms, but not In
Its usual place, ! believe"
1.-The mystery thickens" the earl re-
marked. "What kind Of person was the
unfortunate man"
every handsome, and gentlcma like, OF
course, us he came Of good people. But
never liked him. ! don't think he was
on very good terms with his father"
'iow old was he!" inquired the earl.
"Five-and.thirty or forty, should
think
Barbara has something to tell you
Everard," the old peer said gravely-
''something ! learned only this morning
That 1t will pain you very much l know
that to my poor child herself It IL q terri
Bile trouble have seen. Forgive her II
for few brief moments she tried to hide
It from you; II she herself had decide
not to tell It you, you would never hav.
found It out. ! think ! need not ask yor
TO he gentle to her,"
"She has my love-" the young man re
sponded gravely and proudly. "You neet
hardly bespeak my gentleness for her."
The earl's pale, sorrowful face bright
ened.
"That IL WELL" he said. ~ myself woult
have spared her the pain Of telling you
but she would not let me do so-and sh,
was right. 1t Is better that you SHOULD
hear 1t from her lips-the truth which sh,
tells you for the truths sake. That sh,
Is worthy OF your love and Of mine thinl
you will fully own"
Lord Keith felt sorely puzzled and be
willered as he left the library. a ser
want waiting In the inner hall came for
ward and led the way to the winter draw
ing room, and Lord Keith followed him II
silence.
The room was empty. There was
glow from the blazing lire, aud the wa,
candles shed soft light; n faint, swee
OdOr of stcphanOtis was in the air, whicl
reminded Everard of the flowers which
Barbara had worn In her gown on the lit
tie bijou stage at barley so short tim,
before-how far distant how 1t seemed
The young man threw himself rattle
YEARLY into one Of the great plush GOV
cred chairs near the hearth. and restc,
his head against the cushions.
Lamp light and fire light fell fully upoi
Barbara as she came slowly into tn
room, a beautiful and radiant figure, he
eyes shining like stars In her pale face
the satin folds Of her gown cleaning soft
" a. the light touched their richness.
Hev she told the story she had nervst
Asesslf to confess she could never after