Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-04
THE HOUSE BY THE LOCK
By MRS. C. L. WILLIAMSON.
Author of The transformers Woman in Grey Fortunes
Sport" "Lady Mary of the Dark House, &C., &C.,
Copyright


that, though I had tried, for as l at
tempted to GUST the boldest Of the
group in my own favor. Lady Tressidy
had swept across the room, with sharp
rustling of silken Innings and satin
skirts, to claim me for an introduction
to IAN old friend who had longed for
years to know me-"
At length, however, as said, 1 had
contrived an escape, and l was finding
my way towards Karine, when, before
l had reached her, saw her start, star
ing past me with white, frozen looh
on her face that for the moment blot
ted out much of it's innocent youthful
ness and beauty.
She was gazing in the direction OF tha
door with dark, dilated eyes, and lips
tightly closed in line of scarlet tina:
faded to palest pink.
1t was as though into the midst OF
the gossip and laughter and brilliant
light had crept a spectre which she
alone could see. Some such look | had
seen in the eyes of dove who LAD
been offered up as food for constric-
tor. Involuntarily l turned and glanc-
ed behind me.
No name had been announced, though
l had heard the opening and closing
Of the door, and now, as l faced round
in that direction, l saw that Sir Walter
Tressidy and Carson Wildred had come
in together.
Evidently this was not Mildred s
first entrance, for, like Sir Walter, he
had neither hat nor stick. He moved
forward by his companions side with
the Enthusiastically assured air of the
friend of the house, and l instinctively
understood that he had lunched with
the Tressidys, and since that time been
closeted on some business with his
host.
Unreasoningly, l hated him for his
privileges. With more Of reason, }
hated him because believed the lock l
had seen for single instant OF. karine
Cunuingham's face was connected with
his presence.
That look was goIe now. When l
removed my eyes fror' Mildred and
turned again to her, her delicate, splr-
itual profile only was visible. Her head
was graciously inclined toward the
monocIed youth who stood nearest 10
her. She appeared no longer to sec
Wildred or Sir Walter Tressidy.
| was determir ed that the former
should not approach her (as he seemed
inclined to do if l could prevent it.
l hurried to her accordinglv- and
shut her away from the room, with a
pair of broad shoulders, with an air
of monopolizing her which l should
not have dared at any other time to as
sumo. But was l not her friend? Had
I not the right to protect her, If I
could, from all that 1 believed to be
distasteful to her?
Presently the callow youths, whose
claims I had hardly considered, SEEM
ed to melt away, and I was left alone
with her. People were going, and it
was getting late, no doubt, but 1 did
not yet mean to follow their example.
After all-despite my dismal presages
it did not appear that I was to have
1'~- for at least moment or two to
myself.
l had kept my word. l had out
stayed all-all but Carson Wildred.
Have you quite recovered from yes
terdays accident?" l asked, glad to
share even so insignificant a secret
with her.
Eyes, oh, yes!" She spoke hurriedly,
and her eyes had moved under a veil
of lashes, to the distant group near
the fireside-Lady Tressidy, Carson,
and Sir Walter.
You haven't reconsidered your
promise that l should be your friend?"
She turned to me quickly, and her
eyes brimmed with unshed tears. so
many things in my life though it is not
so very long as yet, have come to me
too late. Even-my friends-some-
times"
Before I could beg her to tell me
what she meant Lady Tressidy had
called her name, and she sprang up
obediently. I followed suit, of course.
Come here, my dear girl. Mr..
Stanton, this is quite a momentous day
for us, and I can't resist the tempta-
ton to take you into our circle and
our confidence, said the elder woman
graciously. ut is just settled that
this sweet adopted child of ours is to
leave us-and at short notice, too.
She and Mr.. Wildred are going to be
married"
CHAPTER TX.