Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-29
| WomanAgainstW Woman
SBYS
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.
tBYt
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.
Continued.


Il had the honor of a short CONVEX
satiln with Lady Darrell that morn
ing at the ruins, and, thinking her a
neglected, sorrowful woman urged by
some strange feeling begged her
to let ME be her friend. After a
moments hesitation she agreed, and
handed her two cards with my ad-
iresS, one at the Grange, and the
other in London. She promised me
II ever she needed help she would
send for me. Have those cards been
d scoyered?"
Roy rose hurriedly.
II will ring for her maid and
ask"
He paced the floor in widest agi-
tation till Davis came How he re
preached himself! A stranger had
read her misery, and he was blind!
Davis knew nothing OF the cards
Il have looked through everything
my lord" she said. coming back
after a time, They are nowhere. My
dear mistress left all her clothes
She had only her white silk peignoir,
her cloak, and hat. Oh, feel some
thing terrible has happened to her
The earl waved her away, and
Frank only waited till the maid was
gone. Then he exclaimed:
did you hear that? Would any
woman deliberately SO away in this
damp, cold weather, clad only In a
dressing gown. am convinced there
is trcaehery. Listen; came over
here at Armistead's request Last
night We were sitting up late, when
we heard slight noise, and. GO
ing to discover what II was, we dis
covered two men crouching outside
the house. They fed like hares.
We chased them. they took the a.
rection of the abbey ruins. Two
nights before imagined heard
something outside. but | took no
notice Of T. Armistead has gone up
town to bring down a couple OF de-
tectives. and we will get to the bot
tom OF the affair. | have come TO tell
you this, so support my theory that
the disappearance Of the plate and
diamonds is all part Of systematic
robbery"
YES, yes; but"
Roy had risen in his excitement
You mean, how does this account
for Lady Darrells disappearance
also? cannot explain that; hut
something tells me that she Is in
trouble and needs our assistance.
But you look pale. Lord Darrell.
Let me get you some brandy, Or
1T is nothing, only your views
upset me. 1t is dreadful to think OF
of her. perhaps in danger, and |
cannot help her. What shall we
do?"
Roy covered his face with his
hands. and now looked up.
Dol" echoed Frank put the de-
tectves on the track at once. VIII
you ride with me now as far as the
abbey? We might reconnoitre and
discover something"
Les us &c at once. Have you n
horse? NJ? Then will order two"
ue earl SelIeu the Dells
Two saddle-horses. Mason, with
out delay, Mr.. Meredith, you have
given me the first moment of glad
Less since that dreadful morning. |
You have given me hope"
DO not be too sanguine," Frank
quickly. They are only my
iwn Ideas about the affair. | have
40 proof; but to convict Lady Oar
'ell Of such odious crimes seems TO
ne imp ssib1e. She has the face OF
IN angel. II ever human eyes spoke
he truth, hers did"
why have not | had this faith?"
,ried Roy passlonately; 81 should
lot have wasted three days. But
,ome, the horses are there. We can
tart at once"
do you know anything about
Ills Count Jura? Where did you
irst meet him." Frank asked as he
IN Italy He represented himself
IS a scion OF noble and ancient
rouse. and certainly found him
Why do you ask
Because ArmisteaG seems to
hink him scoundrel: but you will
meet Geof tonight and learn more"
Valerie heard the sound OF b rises
IN the path and looked from the
Window. As she saw Roy ride
way hastily vita a stranger her
cart contracted as II with fear,
What had happened? Suppose they
ad traced Coun. Jura, and Alice
'as found? She summoned her
laid. and, after much questioning
Mason, valeries fear died away. I
10Y had but gone for a ride. All I
las safe as yet.
CHAPTER XII
Alice lay unconscious half through |,
ne night that followed her abduction.
he tossed and turned in her fever;
err lips murmured words incoher-
ltly; her small hands were held out c
IL begging for pity.
She knew not that Myra Burden sat
sside her through the silent long
Jurs ling after the voices had sunk