Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-09-23
CHAPTER XLIv.-(Continued.)

ter will see yOu,' said Arley nanSone'
II must say that she has been cruely
treated. You are a peer OF the realm,
Lord Caraven. and have you behaved
as a gentleman to my child? Have
you treated her with courtesy or anec-
tion?"
LET me go to her at once" salu
Lord Caraven. do not be hard on
me, Mr.. Ransome-I have had great
deal to suffer-" And these few words
disarmed the lawyer.
They went together to Hildreds
room. Arley Ransome spoke first.
Mildred, 1 have something very
particular to say to you-open the
door,"
There vs. not a southland LORD
Caraven be.an to feel slightly alarmed.
"Hildrod." cried the father. Il have
d message from your husband"
Still there was no sound, and, unable
sv control himself, the earl cried out:
Mildred, for heavens sake, speak
to ME. Let me in-I want to see
you!"
The sound OF his voice seemed TO
have an electric effect upon her. The
next moment she turned the key IN
the loca sd openee. wide the door.
With a cry Of fear and surprise ne
started back when he saw her. He
had seen her lately - beautiful, so "a
diant-now her long black hair hung
hor
face was pale and stained with tears,
her eyes were dim, her lips white. He
hardly knew her.
"Hildred," he cried. She looked at
aim with dim, sad eyes.
"You!" she said. is 1t you who
thought me guilty of murder?"
Lord Caraven turned to Arley RAN
some.
Leave me alone with her. he said.
u have much to say"
Mr.. Ransome went away. The earl
entered the room and closed the door.
He went to his wife, holding out both
his hands.
"will you forgive me?" he said. 4
can never pardon myself"
But she shrank from him.
"You believe that committed muir
DER" she answered. mo. l can not
touch your hands,"
"Eildred, listen. 1t was almost all
your own fault-you said you were
guilty"
mot Of murder" she rejoined. Il
could not have supposed that you
would think me capable of that, much
as you dislike me-"
II do not dislike you, Hildred,' said
the earl, in a voice full Of emotion,
"and l am indeed grieved at having
offended you. Do not refuse to pardon
me-"
There can be no pardon, my lord, Tor
the wrong you have done me-" she re-
piled.
And then the earl knew that, If ever
he won his wife's pardon, it would be
a work of patience and of time.
He gazed anxiously at her. She look
ed pale and wan, with the stains Of
bitter weeping on her face. He saw
too that she shivered like one seized
with mortal cold.
Mildred" he cried, do forgive me
! YOU do not know how grieved l am
to see you like this. want to tell you
how the misunderstanding happened
Will you listen?"
"Yes," she replied, mechanically; and
she sat silent and motionless while he
told her the story. She looked at him
when it was ended with dull, din
eyes.
81 am very sorry" she said, "tha
Blantyre made the mistake. l almos
wish that he had shot me through the
heart. What have to live for?"
II could not spare you, Hildred-yol
have been the good angel Of my life!'
he cried.
"You would be better without me
Your estates are free and unincumberet
now-you have reused yourself to I
sense of your duties-you know how tt
perform them. am Of no more use
/ am sorry that John Blantyre missed
his aim"
This is not like you, Hildred. Wher
Is your bright energy, your hope, you
cheerful animation"
She clasped her hands with shud
der.
IT am SICK" she said; "sick with
terrible despair"
He was at loss what to say to her
she seemed immovable. Suddenly he
face flushed, and bright light cam
,ato the eyes that had been so dim.
you sent me from your house, Lor
Caravsn, and pronounced me guilty o.
what seems to me very slight evidence
may claim to be at least as credulou
ns yourself, yet l declare that had an
one accused you of murder should no
have believed it. You Judged me gull
ty at once-guilty of trying to murde
i, who never in my life trample
even upon a worm. Why should 20
have thought that wished Lady Ham
ilton dead?"
He looked slightly confused.
"You remember that you told m
that you were jealous of herr" he RI
piled.
Jealous" she repeated, drearilI