The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-09-01

DeSL OF SptTFtS WHCn lie Wcut up u tllS
suite of rooms assigned him.
As yet, he had seen no trace of brain,
failing in the baronet, nor did Marc
attach any Importance to the buffers
hint.
"It seems to me that if Sir Felix
We're routed out a bit. he would be all
the BETTER" he thought, when he was
by himself There's nothing the mat
ter with him, as far as | can see.
What can induce him to lead such a
hermit life?'
He knew there were no visitors at
Drayton Court, but for FORMS sake he
donned his evening suit; and very
handsome he looked. as he went down
the lighted staircase to the dining
room
Have l to dine alone?" he asked. of
the butler Does Sir Felix have a
separate dinner served in his room?'
HE dimes ON bread and water, sir"
s'Prison fare! Is that his great pecu-
liarity?"
mot his greatest, by many. sir. He's
very strange, is Sir Felix. Even those
who're always in the house can't quite
understand him.
Mare did not encourage further dis
closures on the part Of the butler.
Tired and hungry after his journey,
he seated himself at the table. and did
justice to the repast set before him.
lis the nurse with Sir Felix?' he
asked, as he refilled his wineglass.
eyes, sir; she went to him directly
you came out Of the room"
Marc lapsed again into silence.
He had lighted his cigarette, and was
watching the tiny clouds of smoke as
they curled up from his lips.
The rain was still falling steadily,
and he could hear the sound of the sea
beating ON the shore, telling him how
desolate the night was without.
Was it less dreary in these great,
stately rooms?
As he asked himself this question, a
shriu cry broke on his ears-a cry full
of CHASTITY fear and horror.
He threw his cigarette onto plate,
and started to his feet
What is that?" he gasped "a
mans voice calling for helpi'
The cry was repeated again and
again, each time growing wilder and
louder
Marc rushed into the hall. paused
until the cry again pierced his ears,
then leaped upstairs, and sprang to the
door of the room in which he had left
Sir Felix.
He was not mistaken; the cries were
here, and, as he pushed open the door
and entered the room, a sight met his
gaze that made him pause dumbly.
Sir Felix had risen from his chair,
and was standing ON the hearth-rug,
his hand pressed to his brow, his atti-
tnde' one of shrinking terror.
Close to him, trying to calm him
with her soft voice, was the nurse,
and, even at this moment. Mare could
not help being struck by her beauty
Take her away! Take her away!"
Sir Felix shrieked. She's holding a
knife over me, and trying to kill me-I
can already feel the blow! l can see
the blood on her hands! Take her
awayi Take her away! She will MUIR
der mei'
Gretchen took his hand. and held it
in firm clasp.
Il will not hurt you! Dear Sir Ee-
lix. be calm-be calm for my sake.''
He looked into her face, quieted by
her touch; but there was greater fear
in his eyes, aud drops of moisture
gathered ON his brow.
IT'S she who's deadr' he whispered
hoarsely. Her hands are white, and
there's no blood on the knife! It's bet
ter for her to be dead than that knife
be reeking with my blood! Oh God.
if she would only shut her eyes! Ii
she would not haunt me with her star
ing gazei'
The paroxysm did not last long.
la Gqnk hack ShiUnVir1fr n .I.,i,.
and Gretchen kneit by his side until
rhe terror had gone from his mind
She released his hand from her clasp,
and looked slowly round the room.
Her glance fell on Marc, of whose
presence she had not been conscious
until this moment
Rising, she went towards him. her
pale face betraying no sign of emo
tion.
do not let Sir Felix know you have
seen him in this state of Distress" she
whispered. HE is sensitive on the
point of these attacks, and will not
have them mentioned
How often do the paroxysms oc-
cur?' Mare enquired. gazing apprehen-
sively towards the trembling form i'll
the chair.
~sOL 1lt4uGItAy. lulllh tl6N are II
species of nightmare. He was doing
in his chair, when he suddealy awoke
with those shrieks you heard"
Is he all right now?"
YES we can leave him-he would
rather be alone"
Mare left the room, followed by
Gretchen
She stopped to close the door, and
as She bent over the lock, he saw a
strange smile steal to her lips.
She glanced up quickly, and met his
eyes.
The smile had gone from her face,
aud its expression was once more I'M
penetrable.
He had better opportunity OF
studying her features when they were
in the well-lighted drawing-room--a
a room which had been thrown open
for Mares special benefit.
Looking at her, he wondered how It
was she came to be a sick-nurse, so
great was her beauty, so full OF exqui-
site refinement her every movement.
She wore the plain, uniform garb OF