Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-08

smile, as her son bent and kissed
her white hand Had you not better
20 and ask your wife to take my
placer"
Roy pressed his lips again to tbs
slender fingers.
Mother" he whispered passion
ately, you see ALL"
AL" she answered gently. 81 read
it in your face last night. You love
your wife. Roy. It is good and
right, my dearest, that you should.
honor and respect the girl She will
make you true wife and proud
cGuqtess. She las been tried
severely, but has come through the
fire without scar. You do love
ker, Roy?"
Yes, mo.Aer, l do. l did not
know how much till now when !
hear you praise her. l will go at
cnce and give her your message. And
this morning | want to write to
Brown or his wife to make inquiries
about her birth. There is some
mystery. I am sure. She is nobly
born"
II agree with you" Lady Darrell
replied. eve must try and discover
the truth now.'
sharp knock at the door dis
turbed them, and in answer to the
sum: ons Davis entered abruptly,
with marks of agitation on her
face.
oh, my LADY, beg your par
don, my lord; but l am so frightened.
can't find the countess anywhere"
Cant find the countess!" ex-
claimed Lady Darrell, while Roy
stood silent, grasping the bedpost.
'ohe is not in her room. The bed
has not been slept in; her mantle
and hat are gone. and l think she
has left the CASTLE"
"She has gone for a walk" cried
Roy, suddenly pushing aside the
horrible pain that crowded his breast.
How can you be so absurd? The
countess is in the grounds some
where. She will be in directly
Don't you see how you have alarmed
her ladyship?"
MY lord, am very sorry" MUIR
INJURED Davis, her eyes full of tears;
but l feel somehow that my dear
young mistress has gone. This
room looks so strange; and why did
she not sleep in the bed my"
You are talking nonsense" Roy
said roughly, scarce knowing what
he said, the dread and fear that came
at her first words almost suffocating
I'm again.
There Is some mistake, Roy,
Lady Darrell interrupted quietly.
Davis, send my maid to me. Go
back to your mistress's room. and
wait for me there. Roy. go into my
dressing-room. I will investigate
this myself"
The earl strobe into the other
apartment, while Davis, white and
nervous, went back to Alices room.
In very few minutes Lady Darrell
called her son. She had wrapped a
warm silk peignoir round her, and
though her face was pale, she smiled
at him.
"She often rises and goes into the
grounds, | know" she observed as
she put her hand on her sons arm;
"still, it will satisfy Davis, perhaps,
if we go and investigate matters"
The earl did not speak, but he
pressed her hand gently, and they
moved towards the young countess
apartments in silence.
Davis met them in the doorway,
and Lady Darrell walked into the
bedroom, while Roy remained out
side, his nand grasping the door
post for support.
Could it be true? Was happiness
to slip from him just as he had it
in his hold?
His mother stood in the room and
glanced around She saw n an
instant the maid was right.
The rich coyerlet was undisturbed,
the bedclothes were beneath there
was a slight indication on the pillow,
but otherwise the bed bore no signs
of being touched.
Does your mistress ever sleep In
the dressing-room? she asked
Davis in low tones.
The maid shook her head
mo, my lady"
Roy now moved in slowly.
well, mother?" he murmured.
81 can't say anything, dearest"
she answered. You can see for
yourself, she has not slept here
What is the matter, dear Lady
Darrell?" said Valerie entering at
this moment. Can | do anything?
My maid told me you were--Roy,
what is it?"
MY wife has gone" he said
simply.
Gone! Oh no, you must be mis-
taken. She is out fer a walk. 1t is
her custom to rise early, l know"
Valerie spoke cheerfully. She
looked beautiful in her morning
gown of grey that fitted her rounded
form to perfection. There was
troubled expression on her face, but
her eyes, beneath their deep lashes,