The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-08-11
CHAPTER xyI.-fcontinued.j

CHAPTER XyI.-fContinued
Lord Wynmore denied himself to all
visitor, and laid aside all his usual occu-
pations, lingering on, a forlorn and un-
speaka5iy wsetched man, at Wynmore
d
LII the cottage Itself Mattel was hardly
more secluded. more entirely shut out
from tle world. than was Neville W:n
more. the wealthy, courted young peer.
One Day, as she whom he rlourned and
remembered 80 faithfully stood watching
the trees ss7ayng in the wind, she sudden.
y resolved nat she would 20 home.
''Masg," she said. in her usual quiet
tones. turning to the maid. who generally
sat working in the next room, Il have de-
cided to 70 hoInc. Viii you pack up my
things .elay, Us / shall write 10 my faith
er to let him know that We may be ex-
pected to-Tlo-rowT'
Maize! was surprised to notice sup
pressed smile on the maids continuance,
but she rose, folded up her work, and an
Hwere'l:
''yesy well. miss"
Il shall leave by the two o'clock train
that viii give you and Jane plenty Of
time" added Mabel.
'.I'ha-e's sure TO be time enough. miss, !"
replied the girl. turning away her head.
MaLci thought the servants manner
odd, hui proceeded TO write 70 her father
never g5:hout shudder I'D she 50 n.lne
him-t!lea packed mp a few books and
other T1lua1les, and spent the rest Of tte
day tn a!shcfall gazing sadly from the
.windpw at the swayins trees AID the
leaves wairlins IN the wind.
Tnc thought Of ger return home kept
her a}vaI.e, and she did aot rise till late
the next morning. Before leaTing he.
room she noticed that her trunks were uot
packed
"H9w is this. sIary.' she asked. You
have got nothing packed, and IL is row
eleven O'Clock
No, Iniss.'' answered the woman, some
wiar confuseGly; but. If you please,
miss. if / were you, I'd wait and hear
what Mr. Cha-iford says. No doubt he'd
like best to come and fetch you; and, be-
sides. there isn't a train at two O'clock"
You are His,aken-I have looked az
Bradshaw; and my father begged me to
return at any time l wished And, as I
hgre written 20 him, shall 20 to-day"
.:'"Oh, indeed, miss, / can't get your
trunks packed till tomorrow" declared
the maid.
Then / shaiI 20 without my luggage,
and it must be sent after me. / cannot
understand Why you should try to defer
my Journey" rejoined Mabel, wondering
at the girls conduct.
We'll, miss, your papa's orders are most
positive that we should take the utmost
care Of you in your weak state; and the
station is place you couldn't in no wise
so tots too noisy and busting. You'd
best walk in the garden, or somewhere
whore it's quiet"
MaDel looked at her tixedly A whirl Of
emotions overcame her. What was the
meaning Of this? Was she theL a prison
er?
She sat down, completely prostrated By
the fTightful ard sudden conviction that
If she was not allowed to leave the house
1t could be only by her fathers orders He
had not scruplcd 70 deceive her as he had
done before. Oh, heavens! had he deceiv-
ed her III thar other matter which concern
ed f,llow creatures life!
The very thought was so terrible to Ma
bel that it rendered hey speechless for the
moment, and the woman slipped away to
Aval further questioning.
'Whaterer happens, / will escape-I
will escape. To stay here after this would
be too cruel q fate" she thought 'But
must n;slead theIp, Or all hope is past"
Iais fxed resolution supported her. She
must seem to acquiesce-she must re-
strain herself, and be quiet and gentle.
allowing it 10 appear as if she awaited the
arrival Of her father to take her away
She caught a a!immcring Of the truth
all her attendants in the honse-all her
old friends and acquaintances-Mjss
Gray, her sisters, Dick himself, Neville
even. believed that she was deranged.
She was lost to them because they had
been induced to believe that no love-evcn
sucll !OTe as tbeirs-cotrld reach her. On,
terrible moment. II her present awful
captivity was ever to be changed, it must
he by assuming the state of mind with
which ali about her credited her. but il
she could only see Dick she could open his
eyes. AS for Neville, had she not re-
nounccd him forever?