The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-30


1Eere flashed across his minds eye the
dazed, bewildered look he had noticed on her
lace when he first caught sight of her in the
Lord Warden, and he realized in a moment
now, her protector gone, this women would
again Succumb to the influence of the man
who was determined to have her in his
power yet.
But how to save her?
Il here was but one answer; be false to his
Watchword that held, perhaps, the chances
OF a llfetime-ambition, love and friendship
and trust of great statesman.
Then, through the tumult of his brain,
there seemed to ring voice, crying. Fulfil
this charge!"
Philip placed his foot upon the step, the
guard blew his whistle, the light seemed to
dance and whirl round him, then above the
Shrek of the engine and bang of closing
doors, louder still rose the echo of his watch
word:
Speed, speed, speed! An hours delay
might be fatal. Speed speed, speed"
Castlemaine withdrew his foot.
Merclful heavens he could not! What was
this woman to him? What had she done?
Robbed him of his Inheritance of title
the dream of wife ard child, and had he not
been patient, accomplishing?
And now when the tide had turned when
the promise Of better things seemed opening
before him, and all that lay hidden in that
one NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. be thrust from him
and for what? To save a woman's honor
and the honor of the man who hated him.
But again the voice Of conscience, that is
the voice Of God, made answer, and heI
grace's prayer was granted her.
During the journey to London, CaStlemaine
heard from the Duchess of Craymore all the
story of her wretched welded existence, to
which her own vindictive spite against him
self had brought her, and could afford to pity
as well as condemn the weak woman who
driven wellnigh desperate with neglect, had
turned willing ear to the subtle sympathy
of the first Scoundrel who happened to cross
her path. And as he listened, he felt in spite
of all it involved, thankful that they had
met, when he learned how completely she had
fallen under the influence of Trevanion es-
pec:ally when at Victoria Station the latter
again appeared and endeavored to obtain q
hearing, that only the presence of Castle
maine nerved her TO resist.
big Ben was just striking twelve as the
cab containing Lucy and CaStlemaine drew
up before her graCe'S hyde Park mansion
and he assisted her to alight, while at the
same moment the hall door opened ano
closed, and figure ran quickly down the
steps, slipped and stumbled heavily against
Lucy, who was just ascending, and would
have fallen but for Philip supporting her
Then, without a word of apology, disap-
peared in the darkness of the June night.
+ Giving orders for the cab to wait, Castle
maine accompanied Lucy within, and waited
| in her boudoir while she hastily changed he1
| travelling costume for ball attire, a function
that her sleepy maid performed all too slow.
ly, and rejoining Castlemaine, to whom SHE
still clung with an almost pitiful helpless
ness. was driven to the French Ambassador s
Leaving her there Castlemaine drove on t
his chambers, and his face looked equally
pale and stern as he entered quietly, to fine
his valet sitting by his table with his heat
buried on his folded arms
Thinking him asleep, Castlemaine crossed
the room and tapped him on the shoulder
and with start he looked up hastily uttered
startled cry, and sprang to his feet.
"Signore, you here!'' he gasped, his face
white, aghast.
| Castlemaine made some trifling excuse a.
he flung himself on the sofa, intending t.
snatch few hours sleep before starting tt
catch the first morning train to Dover, to,
engrossed with his own affairs to notice any
thing unusual in the Italians manner
| He remembered later.