Gilpin observer., 1899-01-19

l
from dreamless sleep by the house
keeper, Mrs. Murray-a valued and
trusted servant who had served the
family for nearly forty years-rousing
me violently.
| What is it?" I asked, sitting up in
my bed with a vague feeling of appre-
hension. Has anything happened?"
Hush, hush, master Paul" she said
agitatedly, I'VE must keep it quiet as
long as We can. Something has hap
pened. She has gone"
"My wife?"
''Yes, when went into her room this
morning found it empty and the bed
not slept in; she is not in any part Of
the house grounds. That is all San
tell you.'
Urging her to keep the otner SER
wants in ignorance if possible, dressed
hurriedly, and, my mind distracted
with wrath, suspicion, vague terror
and jealousy, sought in vain for any
trace of my unfortunate wife. She had
disappeared completely, without leav-
ing note or message; no one had seen
or heard her quit the house, and, after
guarded inquiry at the station, 1 as
certained that she had not been OBJ
served by either guards or station
master taking any of the morning or
late night-trains. Towards midday,
feverish with anxiety, entirely baff1ed
1 returned home. Calling Mrs. Muir
ray, begged her to get by portman-
teau ready, as ] was leaving at once.
Where to-what are you going to
do-tell me, Master Paul?" she plead
ed, with shaking voice.
I'm going after him." l answered
chokingly; don't bother me, wom-
an, but get my things-quick!"
"Him-who's him?"
"Hernshaw; he left the Grange last
night"
well, well, sir you know your own
business best; but 1 think you're 60
ing on FOOLS errand after him. I'd
look elsewhere if 1 were you"
l seized her hands as drowning
man would straw.
"Elsewhere?" l repeated. What do
you mean? Murray, Murray, you know,
you guess where she is. Oh, don't keep
me in suspense! If you knew what
horrible thoughts torture mel"
81 know no more than you, sir, where
she is" she interrupted sadly. by
elsewhere l think l meant somewhere
near the sea- For the last week she's
been talking about the sea, and sea-
gulls, and rocks and things O. the
kind, and complaining of a pain in her
head and a mistiness over her eyes"
"Of course, Of course" 1 broke in
eagerly. What a short-sighted, dull
fool I've been. She's gone to Done
gal! I'll start after her at once and
bring her home before the tales get
about, Murray, rely on you-"
"You may, sir; I'll do my best, never
fear" she said impressively, laying her
hand on my arm to detain me. But
but, Master Paul, forgive me saying
what I'm going to say. Having known
you from your cradle, and, as it were,
playing the part of mother to you
when your own was taken so young
Fire ahead!" l burst in impatiently.
You know you can say what you like
to me, Murray"
"Then, Master Paul." she whispered
hurriedly, take my advice. and, before
you bring your wife home. send the
other away"
Murray" / stammered, releasing
myself. What nonsense you talk! It's
its you who are on the wrong track
now. Ed-Miss Stopfords presence
here has had nothing to do with the
ta ,,,ig Iorc ta nI Iiy,1
poor wife-how could it?'
The old woman laughed bitterly, and
moved away, shaking her head. l pur-
sued her uneasily.
Listen to me, and I'll convince you.
Helen never knew, never even sus-
pected that IL had once cared for
Miss Stopford. She believed looked
upon her as sister whom / was
brought up with; she never objected
to her staying here. indeed she went
at once to the General the moment the
visit was suggested; never showed the
faintest sign Qf-of dislike or jealousy.
oh, do stop nodding that ridiculous
gray old head of yours" l burst out
impatiently. Say what wou mean and
have done with it."
Blind, blind blind!" she repeated,
looking at me with plying reproach.
your wife knew you loved Miss Edith
the first day you met her here, and,
though she has been fighting against
the knowledge-trying to deceive her.
self-it has been of no use: day after
day the truth has been burning into
her poor heart, turning her very brain
until she could bear 1t no longer. and
now she has fed from her pain"
"If this be true" muttered hoarse-
ly, "as sure as there is a Heaven above
| had not the faintest-at least not q