Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-12-10

Travelled, and against which her pale face
looked colorless and pure almost as the
falling snow. She inclined her head to
Mr.. Darlington, with whom she was
slightly acquainted, and sank rather heav.
lily. Lord Chevclcy thought. into the high.
backed chair pushed forward for her, sit
ting motionlcss while the young gardener
who had found the body of the unfortu.
nate man was giving his evidence.
The earl watched her with an anxiety
which was at least equal to the curiosity
Of the less interested spectators, and yet
even he had no conception Of what she
really endured. Never In her life to come
would the girl forget that terrible hour,
during which she sat there so calm and
still. but with every nerve thrilled, as she
waited to be called to give evidence as to
the death of the man who had brought her
the most terrible sorrow she had ever
known.
They had found her on the previous
night In the winter dra wing room at the
castle, lying in a heavy swOon on the
floor amid the long folds Of cleaning
satin and dusky fur. and, although they
had revived her speedily, she had remain
cd for some hours sunk in a deep stupOr.
From this she had passed into heavy
sleep of exhaustion; and. when she had
awoke. Mrs. Fairfax, who had watched
by her all night. found her calm and ap-
parcntly quite recovered, while the Ian
guor of her movements and her dcathlike
pallor were easily accounted for by her
illness the previous night
No explanation had taken place between
her and Lord Elsdalc. Lord Kcith's hur-
ricd departure from the castle had told the
carl all. and great anger and a great
sorrow filed his hearts but Barbara her.
self said nothing i'll the look Of patient
resignation in the girls lustrous eyes was
terrible TO see. The coroner began his
questioning Of Barbara.
"You were acquainted with the deccas.
cd gentleman, Miss lIattonY' he began.
Barbara inclined her head in the firm
alive.
you met himy" said Mr.. Darlington
in n tone Of interrogation.
II met him here" Barbara answered
firmly and quietly.
"You did not know him before meeting
him at barley HALF"
IL did not"
HAD you ever seen him previous 10
that timer
YES, i n0u seen Hill.
"Nay I ask whereY'
AT Stourton. He was acting there"
ibid you recognize him when you came
to barley, or did he recall the circum-
stance. TO you"
II recognized him."
did you have any private conversation
with himY'
EYES," Barbara answered steadily, al.
though her lips were parchcd and her
heart was throbbing to suffocation.
ION more than one occasionf"
"On more than one occasion"
"Did your conversation relate to the
playw
ut did not"
"Can you tell me to what II related ?
You must pardon the apparent intrusive
ness OF the question, Miss Hatton, but
my duty Ii imperative"
HE spoke to me on nm entirely private
natter" the girl replied. raising her eyes
frankly to Mr.. Derrington's. 1T concern.
| ed ourselves alone"
"rhen are we to conclude that you were
on rather intimate termsf"
mo-" Barbara answered, mastering her
emotion only by q strong effort Of self.
| control. I'VE were not on intimate terms,
Mr.. Derrint0n: but an unlucky chance had
put Mr.. Walter Bryant In possession Of a
secret Of mine, and on more than one oc.
casion he threatened me with It's expo.
sure"
"He threatened your questioned Mr..
Darlington.
YES" Barbara answered calmly.
''Then you did not wish the secret to
be knownY" said Mr.. Darlington.
1T was secret" the girl replied, with
another faint smile.
(which would have harmed you II II
had been made public"
"Yes," Barbara answered.; then sudden.
" the Significance which her hearers
would give to her words seemed to strike
her: she began to tremble exceedingly,
and sank backward In her chair. staring
helplcssly at the coroner's grave, disturb
cd face. and her breath coming In quick.
hurried gasps.
In intense alarm Lord Elsdalc bent over
her. while Mrs. Fairfax drew near; but
almost Immediately the girl rallied and sat
erect again.
"rhank you." those near her heard her
shy In faint but steady tones, II am not
faint-I need nothing"
C,O be continued.)