Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-04-06
CHAPTER XIV.

Margaret Dornham knew no peace until
she had carried out her intention. One
day she invented some excuse for her
absence from Winston House, and start
ed on her expedition, strong with the love
that makes the weakest heart brave. She
drove the greater part OF the distance,
and then dismissed the carriage, resolving
TO walk the remainder Of the way-she
did not wish the servants to know whittier
she was going. 1t was a delightful morn
ing, warm, brilliant, sunny. The hedge
rows were full Of wild roses, there was a
faint odor of newly mown hay, the west
erIy wind was soft and sweet.
AS Margaret Dornham walked through
the woods, she fell deeply into thought.
Almost for the first time a great doubt
had seized her, a doubt that made her
trembIe and fear. Through many long
wears she had clung to Madaline-
had thought her love and tender care OF
moro consequence to the child than any
ching else. Knowing nothing of her faith
er's rank or position, she had hattered
herself into believing that she had been
Nadaline's best friend in childhood. Now
there came to her a terrible doubt. What
H she had stood in Madaline's hight, In
stead of being her friend!
Suddenly her face grew deathly pale'
her lips flew apart with terrlhed cry,
her whole frame trsmbled. She raised
her hands as one who would fain ward of
a blow, for, standing just before her, look
ing down on her with stern, Indignant
eyes, was the stranger who had ihtrust-
ed his child to her.
For some minutes-how many she never
knew-they stood looking at each otner-
he stern, indignant, naughty, she trem-
bling. frightened, cowed.
Il recognize you again." he said, at
length. in a harsh voice
Cowed. subdued, she fell on her knees
at his feet.
Woman" he cried, "where is my
child?"
She made him no answer, Dut coVered
her face with her hands.
where is my child ?" he repeated. Il
,n+rusted her to you-where is she"
The white lips opened, and some feeble
.nsrar came which he could not hear.
"Where is my childT he demanded.
"What have you done with her! For
heavens sake. answer mel he implored.
Again she murmured something ne
could not catch, and he bent over her. If
ever in his life Lord Mountdean lost MS
temper. he lost it then. He could almost
In his impatience, have forgotten that IL
was woman who was kneeling at ms
feet. and could have shaken her until she
spoke intelligibly. His anger was SO
great he could have struck her. But ne
controlled himself.
81 am not the most patient OF men,
Margaret Dornham," he said; ana you
are trying me terribly. In the name %
heaven, / ask you, what have you done
with my child? -,
81 have not injured her" she soebed.
~Is she living or dead?" asked the earl
with terrible calmness.
''She is living" replied the weeping
lord Mountdean raised his face rever
entity to the summer sky.
'Thank heavenv' he said, devoutly; anc
then added, turning to the woman-"Lav
ing and wellT'
mo, not well; but she will be In ume
Oh, sir, forgive me! I did wrong, per
haps, but thought was acting for tn'
best"
'Tt was a strange best" he said, "a
place child beyond its parents reach. =.
"Oh. sir." cried MaEearst Dornham'