Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-12-03
CHAPTER XIX.

she so greatly needed.
CHAPTER XIX.
Early In the afternoon snow began to
fall, and then daylight faded. When
Barbara left Lady Roses room at four
o'clock, the darkness without was as
night, and for two hours the lamps had
been burning in "my lady's corridor" For
almost as long a time Lord Keith had
been waiting there for his fancee; and
now, as she came slowly toward him. he
rose from his chair and went forward with
both hands outstretched. The girl put
hers into them in silence.
AT last!' he exclaimed In glad tone
Of relief. II thought was not going to
see you again. My darling"--hs voice ex.
pressing extreme concern and solicitude-
show III you look! This has been terrible
for you. I wish I had taken you away.
You look worn OUT
He put his arm round her fOndly, hold.
ing her close to him for a moment: then
he led her toward one of the cushioned
seats in the window. But she drew back.
mot there!' she said. trembling in ev-
cry limb. "Not there. Everard!'
A look of surprise passed over his face.
AS you will. my darling" he said,
gently. shall we go down to the morn.
ing room? There is no one there. Bar.
bara, how you trcniblc. my poor child!'
The morning room. large. low-ceiled
room, hung in faded green brocade and
with an old-world grace of its own, was
bright with fire and candle light as Lord
Keith put Barbara into a chair near the
fire and rang for some tea.
you are cold and weary. dear" he said.
I'VE have neglected you, ! fear"
Barbara smiled family. but said moth.
ing; and there was silence until the tea
was brought IN.
The slight refreshment revived her q
little; she raised herself from the cushions
and assumed a more upright attitude,
When Lord Keith approached her with
a second cup Of tea. she thanked him. put
the cup on a table by her side, and looked
up at him with faint smile.
"Evcrard," she said, toying with the
great diamond ring on her finger.
"Ycs, my darling"
elias anything been" The words
died away on her lips: but he understood
how she would have finished her sen.
tcncc.
Nothing has been discovered. love-
he replied. "Thc whole affair Is wrapped
In mystery"
"llc was-puitc deadf'
"Quitc dead. dear. Talbot says tina,
death was instanta ncous and painless
"And--and--self.inti she qucriet
family.
Lord Kcith's grave face grew yet NOR,
grave.
"No," he answered. I'VE all though,
so ut first, unlikely though Il seemed tina,
n man 80 strong and well and APPARENT,
70 free from care should attempt his owl
life; but that theory soon cvaporated."
"Howf"
There was no weapon found near him
dear"
"Ah. Aud tt"
ut was quite impossible that he coul,
have east It away from him even to
distance OF a few feet. for. as I told you
| death was instantaneous"
"And he was lying In the little clearing
In the shrubbcryY'
"Ycs. Who told you that. darling?
| thought you had seen no one"
II suppose ] heard 1t somewhere" tn
| girl stnnuicrcd, pushing the hair from he
forehead with an unsteady hand. "Wher
IL he?"
] "lIc was carried to the nearest garden
cr's lodge; the doctors are making thel
examination there. The coroner has bee
communicated with. Whit Is II, Barbara
Are You fainti"
"No-oh. no! But It In so horrible!
She had half risen from her chair. the
sank heavily down again. her eyes dar
| ss,ttt, tnsene ssvVhAea sx.tll IL On a ,,la mo-
she asked. after moment.
"What, my dnrlingT
"The-the inquest"
"Where will It be held, do you mean
Here. l should think"
Barbara started. and her great vii
eyes went swiftly round the room.
"Not here. love. Of course. At the hal
I mcan--not In this room."
"What Is the inquest forY' she asket
after few moments silence. us 1t ne,
cssaryY"
"Alost necessary. Barbara. II Ii an II
Qulry into the manner In which the d,
ceased came by his death. II Is absolut,
~ necessary to find out, or an innocer
person might suffer for guilty one"
Her lips parted, but no words came: sh
took up the cup Of tea near her and dran
OF It eagerly, as II her throat were dr.
and parched.
rs any one suspected?" she asked mex
rs she put the cup aside.
MY dear child, no, not vet. There
absolutely no clew to anything. and u
one here knows anything about the III
fortunate mans antecedents. He ma
have some deadly enemy whom II will |
difficult to discover. The gardeners al
full Of importance because one Of the
number made the awful discovery; II
stableMcn are daxed. As for old Wei
ster. Bah. he seems to he out Of his mind
webster? My groom?" the girl sal
with a sudden start.
Eyes. You ought to have a young,
man to 20 out with You, dear. The Ol
fellow IL erased, and goes about mute
Ing In the strangest manner, saying thu
he has seen ghost and that the des
have come back"
"Webster Is an old and valued servant
Barbara urged In his behalf. MY unc
has every confidence In him."
II have not sufficient confidence In hi
to conhde my most precious treasure
bis care, darling"
docs he say whom he saww she asl
ed, after moments pause.
"Yes," he replied reluctantly-'pot
Newell HattOn. He was his favOri,
groom, You know, and most devoted
him."
"And he thinks he appeared to him la'