Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-18

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as he rode quickly up.
Meredith drew back.
Lady Darrell!-this young Lowell
girl who had just accepted hi
friendship Could it be true? b
thought.
I'VE thought you were lost, m,
Lady Alice" observed Valerie witt
drawl, glancing at her young rlva
with an expression that said: "W,
wished it, too
How did you miss us?" asket
Roy colby. "You have come mucl
the longest way round"
II enjoyed my ride" Alice replied
quietly and coldly too.
II am 80 sorry you did not see m,
beckon," continued Lord Radine
But now let us explore the ruins"
"By all MEANS" cried Valerie. Thel
in lower tone: "Who is this gentle
MANI"
This is Mr.. Meredith, who wa
kind enough to show me my way
Lord DARRELL" explained Alice.
The earl spoke few cold words o
thanks to the young man; then, will
an expressive glance at Alice, Mere
dith bowed and took his leave, Still
plunged in amazement, yet strangely
pleased to think he was her friend.
"a very pretty boy!" exclaimed
Valerie. Don't you think so, m!
Lady Alice"
He looks good and honest" Alice
replied, speaking her thoughts.
Lord Radine looked sulky, ant
Valerie observed once more In alarm
that Roy was gazing at his wife witt
an expression of strange interest.
Could it be possible he was begin
ming to admire her, after all?
She must work this away, at all
hazards.
Now for the ruins Roy give me
your hand"
The earl was beside her instantly
and she jumped to the ground. Lord
Radine put up his hand to help Alice
81 don't think I will come" she
said drawing back.
What, Lady Alice afraid" observed
Valerie with a sneer.
IF you are nervous. remain out in
the air, by all means" said Roy con-
temptuously.
When he was not looking at Alice
he forgot her charms, and only
remembered her as the blot on his
life.
II will stay with you." whispered
Lord Radine.
"No, | will co. Alice said firmly
her face growing white beneath Val
cries sneers. Il am only tired, not
frightened
She slipped from her horse, and
gathering her habit in her hand
hurried after the others.
Lord Radine tied the reins of the
four horses to stout branch and
followed.
At first Alice could see nothing. as
she crept through the damp, mouldy
ruins OF what had once been noble
halls, but the forms of those two on
ahead so lost in each others presence
but as they penetrated into the
gloomy vaults her strange sense of
fear returned, and she shuddered again
and again. Except for her pride she
would have turned back and fled into
the open air, but Valerie's haunting
voice came to her ears,
They climbed up the broken frag-
ment of stone steps to what had been
tower Roy tenderly helping Valerie
over the rough stones.
Lord Radlne went first up the steps.
then bent To give his hand TO Alice,
when. glancing round nervously, she
thought she saw something glittering
from a dark corner beneath an ancient
archway.
She checked the cry that rose to
her lips, and glanced again. This
time she saw plainly the something
that glittered We're two dark eyes set
In pale grim face.
She drew her hand swiftly from
Lord Radines hold.
Il can so no farther: I am tired"
she said hurriedly and turning, she
fed white and trembling back to the
entrance.
MY Lady Alice is frightened after
ALL sneered Valerie with a short
laugh.
Roy glanced at his wife's pale
face contemporary, then turned a
lcok Of love and admiration on the
beautiful woman beside him.
Lord Radine hurried up to Alice.
You are looking startled and Ill.
Lady DARRELL he said in consterna-
ton. What was ibid you see a
ghost?"
Yes, saw a ghost Alice answer
ed family.
She did not add that the ghost was
man OF flesh and blood with an
ugly scar across his face. She was
silent beneath Valerie's SCOTS and
cruel sneers, forbearing TO answer
them as she might have done, for IN
that ghost in the dark corner she had
recognized Valerie's disgraced and
hated brother. Paul Ross.
CHAPTER VII.