The Chanute times., 1899-09-22

already adopted such measures to be
rid Of her. She began to think that
she was foolhardy; but, being thus far
on the journey, nothing would have
induced her to turn back. She walk-
ed on briskly, secure in the thought
that every step was taking her farther
from Clarlsdale, and that there really
was no chance of her being seen. AS
to Mr. Brandon, she did not want to
see him; she wanted to see Cathie; and
her remembrance Of the back entrance
to the house was so vivid that she felt
certain that she could accomplish her
object. Anyhow, she was. in for it,,
the issue must be left to fate.
She felt the longing for certainty
greater than ever. Come what might,
she must ascertain who and what was
Arthur Phillips, and whether he was
living or dead. A letter from Bernard
lay in her pocket-a letter full of Lady
Mildred. y t *
This is such an ideal house." he
wrote. 'Mine shall: helmanaged just
the same. You should know Lady
MildredS I'm fact YOU must know her.
She could teach you SO much, espe-
,cially, as regards dress .she under
stands the. art to perfection; and, when
youi see her, youl smust take hints;
though of'courseyyour style and hers
are very different" etc.
The letter Hurt Mafgueritefs feelings,
though Of course she owned bitterly to
herself that it was true. She was abso-
lutely ignorant of everything which
Bernard Selwyn's wife, should know.
She paused against a stile leading into
a cornfield, and sat down a minute to
rest, for she had walked a couple OF
miles at az very rapid rate. AS she
sat, she heard the salloping of horses
behind her on the road, and the sound
OF laughter and voices. Urged by an
iIapulse she hardly, -un5srstooa, she
climbed over the stile, and paused on
the other side, hidden by the hedge,
to see the riders go by. Just as: they
reached that part Of the road - they
slackened to foot-pave, and she could
both see and hear distinctly Theirs
were three young men and two girls,
all we'll mounted and in high spirits.
They were all looking behind them.
"No sign of them!" cried one of the
ladies.
"My dear Miss Talbot, you won't see
item again this morning; they are off
an usual. Perhaps Lady Mildred is
showing him the short cut to the
Home Farm again!" There was evil
IDENTIFY joke here. They all burst out
laughing. N
"Selwyn is awfully hard hit, isn't
ho?" said one Of the men. M
"It will be fine thing for the UNI
fraville estates," remarked another,
apd then the voices became indistinct
as the party passed on down the lane.
Marguerite stood still. Of course she
had known it all before, but it seemed
notwithstanding to come upon her
with sudden shock. She bowed her
head on the stile, and gave way to her
trouble for a time. She d. not know
At'W lOuS ohc otOOu tuClC, SAC Ouly
knew that what reused her was the
sound of more horses feet. She start
ed and shivered, but it was too late to
move. Holding on by the rough wood
for support, she saw them ride, slowly
past-saw Lady Mildreus pale, proud
face, noted the downward curve of her
expressive mouth, ,saYa Bernard riding
'closeAah, SO close!-but could not
catch the low. words that he was
speaking. So they passed, and it
seemed to Marguerite as if the life and
gladness of the sunny day passed with
them. She waited till the last echo
of horses feet had died away in the
distance, and then climbed reselutely
back into the lane and continued her
journey. She did not care for twenty
Daniel Brandons now. Nothing, she
thought, could ever stir her emotions
again-love and fear were dead to-
gether.
81 have lived and loved" she said to
herself, "and now 1t is all over. 9th
ers have had harder things to bear.
can bear this"
To be continued.