The Eddy current., 1898-10-01


sald the words quite thougntlesaly;
they returned 70 her afierward with
keen pain. She was reckless as to
what followed: az 20 whether her hua-
band would be angry or not she was In
different The only thing Was that she
had resolved upon gfovcutng her hus-
band and rival from iesting about her
that should never be.
She went round by the postern-door,
and IN the distance she caught
glimpse OF the white dress and the sll-
yer veil
To think that her husband did not
recognize that silver veil az hersl She
had worn II ever since she had been
at Rayensmere; there was not a ser
want about the place who would not
have recognized II In a minute where
as her husband did not even know TO
whom Il belonged.
THAT proves what little notice he
has bestowed on me. she thought, BIT
terry.
Tho grounds Of Rayensmere we're 40
we'll wooded that behind The safe shell
ter OF tho tail trees she could walk
quite unseen by the earl and his com
panion. The sweet southern wind that
scarcely stirred the leaves brought to
her from time 10 time chance words
but none OF them were OF her. She
did not want 90 listen 20 their con
Vorsation. Hhe only wished To prevent
the story Of her marriage from being
told. Sometimes the low, musical
laughter Of Lady Hamilton reached
her. and then the rich ring of her hus-
bands voice would sound cheorily In
the gathering gloom; and all the time
she, his wife. was slowly threading her
way after him like the shadow Of fate
There had not been one word Of her
yet the conversation had all been
about people they had known years be
fore; and now they stood on the bor-
ders Of the lake. where the crimson
waters To the dazed mind Of the young
countess. looked like blood. She shud-
dered a. the idea occurred TO her
Some OF the crimson glow fell on the
white dress and on the silken veil. She
saw Lady Hamilton hold out her little
white hand and cry. gleefully:
Look. Lord Carayen my hand Is
dyed redr
They had not spoken OF her. The
red sun was fast descending.
THAT IN what wish you 10 see, -
Raid the earl. "The moment In which
the sun seems 10 touch the water a
red CLEAN passes through a., then the
next moment II ~ quite dark"
They watched II In silence. while the
dark figure stood motionless and still
behind them. The sun, as II set seem
ed TO touch the outer edge OF the lake
a red gleam came over H., beautiful
and curious, and then, almost at once.
II VIA dark
I'VE will 20 home by the coppice. +"
said Lord Carsyen; and his wife re-
membered that the long avenue OF
trees extended to the very gate. She
could therefore walk almost side by
side with them. yet quite unseen.
They had not mentioned her name.
Could she have been wrong Ia her
suspicion? Had she mistaken her hus-
bands words2
They were standing at the edge OF
the lake, n cold. dark sheet OF water
now. and she established herself be-
hind a great group Of alder-trees. II
seemed to her that the silver veil on
che fair woman's head and shoulders
absorbed all tho light there was
Presently she drew near Another
group of trees separated her from the
two who wero go unconscious of heI
presence large trees with swaylnr
branches. through them the night
wind brought every word 90 her. They
talked only Of the light on the water
and the sudden darkness there ol
someone who had known and loved
Lady Hamilton before her marriage
She laughed coquettishly over A.
How long was that nonsense 90 last
the unhappy young wife asked herself
How Ions was she 20 stand under m,
darkenlng evening skies with th,
great alder branches swaylng 10 an,
fro and the soughing Of the wind 10
her ears. the nrc OF love. the madnes,
Of jealousy raging ln her heart how
long? n waw almost unhoarable. sh,
fclt Inclined 90 cry ont that 10 mus
end. She cllnched her fingers. she bl
her llp. then suddenly she heard th,
tound or htf name her maiden nam
"llldrod' Raufomo'" what wer
they saying Waf thc earl telling no,
he had been compelled TO encumhc
himself with a wife he did not love
Was he saying that although he Gll
not love her and they we're stranger
20 each other she cared for HIM va
he laughing because she had oWle
that she was Jealous of him2
- cannot bear ~ she thought.
The next moment there was IN
sound of a shot something seemed q
rattle through the alder branches
there was low cry, startled ex
clamatlon.
There are poachers On the wood.
abe thought; "he will surely 90 4
search of them. and then he viii m
moF