Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-10-26
CHAPTER XX

CHAPTER M.
Almost breathless, Dorothy returned to
the drawing room. Callander was stand
Ing exactly where she had left him. He
stretched out his hand eagerly.
"One moment, Herbert! There are one
or two things to tell first" Rapidly, yet
with a prudence which was almost in
spiration, she told of the curious mes
meric power which Egerton had gained
over her sister, Of her dread that Callan-
der might be suspicious, of Mabel's con-
fession of her unhappiness and fear of
Egerton's violence should she show affec-
ton to her husband. Then she deter
mined to end this wretched, contemplate
state of things, and wrote this, which
was to give to him, but I never had a
chance. for she died dreadfully few days
after" She took the note from its outer
cover, and gave it to Callander. He took
1t and looked curiously at the address
with dilated, horror-struck eyes. His
hands trembled while he tore it open.
She watched him eagerly as he read the
contents, every word of which was en-
craven on her memory-all fear, all per-
sonal feeling, lost in the intense desire to
clear the two creatures she loved best
from the terrible accusation in which
Callandor believed.
II cannot bear my life," so ran the let
ter, IF you continue to exercise the ex-
traordinary power l have let you gain
over me. I told you this before in the
last lines l wrote. Now 1 will break my
fetters, and dare to act as my heart and
conscience dictate. My husband loves
me; in spite of all you say, I believe he
loves me, and / really love him. l only
fear You, Randall, and 1 cannot under
efap nd how oai iDal ho
which You have. l am determined to re-
sist it. If you ever cared for me, il you
have any principle, any sense of honor,
leave me to regain peace and happiness.
You can never persuade me to leave my
dear, good husband. l shudder to think
ever listened to you for moment. Show
that you have some real regard for me by
going far away, and earn the gratitude of
IN. c."
Callander's chest heaved. He drew his
breath in gasps. When he came to the
end he looked up with wild, angry eyes,
and crushing the paper in his hand, said,
In fierce, quick tones: "Egerton was your
lover-he wanted to marry you?"
''He pretended itI'
Callander dropped into a chair as II
shot, sitting upright, motionless, like a
creature turned to stone.
Dorothy was terrified at the effect Of
her confession. What should she do?
"Oh, Herbert! speak to me-"
He started at her as IL not understa nd
ing what she said, and covered his face
with his hands, leaning forward until his
brow almost touched his knees. Then he
stood up, began smoothing out the letter,
and kissed it. "She loved me-" he said
brokenly-'she loved me still. l cannot
speak to you, my poor child. l must go.
l dare not speak. To-morrow-to-mor-
rowr' He staggered toward the door
"Oh, Herbert Let me call Collins to
go with you; you are not fit to be alone,
dear Herbert" He made a motion of re-
fusal with his hand.
"At least you see that Paul Standish
Is not to blame
Il have wronged him, but I will write
Let ME go! For heavens sake, let me
gov' He rushed from the room.
Dorothy rang violently and then ran
downstairs.
"Oh. Collins, get your hat and follow
him, there is something dreadful in his
facer and Collins flew to obey her.
"Have 1 done right or wrongT' asked
Dorothy of herself, while she wrung her
hands in despair. What shall dol
Where can turn? Oh, must tell Paul
everything What will Herbert say OF
do when he has time to think, and con-
meets this letter with the awful result
1 did so hope to keep all a secret, for my
poor darling's sake. Will he attack Dam
dal Egerton legally, and blazOn out the
whole dreadful story? / must see Paul
and he will be out now. 1t is nearly nine
o'clock. He will be away, goodness knowt
where. Still Henrietta is safe away; il
returns. Perhaps Paul may be at his
rooms. l will go to him. l don't want tc
4ell Henrietta more than l can help; but
l must tell some one. Nurse will not
say word if ask her." and she mounted
rapidly to the peaceful nursery, where
Mrs. McHugh, spectacles on nose, was
reading a newspaper with n stern aspect
as If sitting in judgment on the world
"Dear Nurse, the Colonel has just rushed
out of the house, in such a state of excite.
ment that am frightened to death"
"What's put him out?' asked Mrs. Nc.
Hugh, rising.
1--WE were talking of-of the past, and
he smoke of Mabel, almost for the frs,
time since we lost her, and got into a
state of despair! / have sent Collins to
try and find him. Now l want to see Mr.
Standish. Oh, Nurse, l must see him at
once; am going to him. Will you get a
cab for me? l must CO."
"Stay bit, Miss Dorothy, it's just a
chance if he be at home. You stay here
III 60" beginning to take off her cap as
she spoke. LII bring him back if he is to
be found. You write a line for me to
leave"
But, Nurse, don't want Miss Oake-
ley to know"
"An right, Miss Dorothy, more reason
should go. No one will tell on me, but
Brown would be sure to say You had gone
by yourself-go write, my dear young
lady"
Il will, and l will watch the children.
You need not send Peggy up"
A short appeal TO Standish to come to
her early next day, at eight if he liked,
was quickly penned, and then there was
nothing for it but to wait.
"Nothing but to.wait!' What terri
ble task. to be still and helpless while 9TH
ers are casting the shuttle of your life
through the threads Of ineXorable circum-
stance.
How slowly the minutes went byI She
sat watching the hands of the clock on
the mantelpiece. Did time ever drive SO
slowly?
At last steps approa ched, the door open
ed and Mrs. McHugh appeared, a little
breathless.
"Well, I've been pretty quick, haven't
Z? But am vexed he was out. He had
gone down to some place down the Great
Northern line, and won't be home till to-
morrow evening"
Dorothy uttered faint cry and sank
into a chair.
Don't take on so, my dear! Just got
bis address and sent on your note"
'Tbank xou. Nurse! but be Will not Gel