Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-07-01
CHAPTER XVI.


A few days after Mabcl's agitating In.
terview with her father the county was
electrified by the tidings that the marriage
Charlford was definitely broken Of.
The poor bridc-clcct lay III and silent
through the long days. First the family
medical attendant and then great Lon
don physician came to prescribe for her;
but all In vain. The doctors ordered Inn.
mediate change Of, air. At this news Lord
Wynmore fed TO Charlford House again,
but he found that bis lost love had already
been moved from home.
"Where have you sent herr" he asked.
almost ferccly, In bis despair. II was her
sister Caroline who saw him. for Mr..
Charlford had accompanied his suffering
child.
MY father has taken my sister to q
lovely country cottage surrounded by
woods and fields. where she can have the
complete solitude recommended, together
with fresh air. begged leave to keep
her company, Lord Wynmorc. but was
told not to ask II for the present. It 10
very hard to see her as she is--perfcctly
listless. caring for nothing"
II must see her. Caroline" was all hs
said.
Miss Charlford gave him the address,
and the next day Neville presented him.
self at Mabel's new abode. With profound
emotion he gazed ut the house which In.
| closed all that he held most dear; but
there were no signs Of cheerfulncss about
| the place--no flowers, no open windows;
all appeared dull and cold. Another glance
showed him that there were iron bars to
all the windows.
He rang hastily at the door; neat
maid servant quickly answered the sum.
| mons.
''Take my card to Miss Charlford," be
| said, In u voice chOked by emotion. "Is
| Mr.. Charlford hereY"
Eyes. sir--yes, my lord: but Miss Charl.
ford, poor young lady, doesn't see any Wis
it0rs--shc isn't fit for that. But Ill take
up your card, my lord"
bring me an answer from her. and here
IL a sovereign for YOU" said Neville, low
ering his voice.
IN be sure that Miss CharlfOrd hai
your card, my lord;" and with that the
maid ushered him into u neatly furnished
room looking on to a long garden at the
back, where an old man was moving the
grass.
At the end OF five minutes the maid 70
turned with note In Mabel's handwrit
ing. Neville tore It open and read:
II will not repr0ve you for coming here
for tidings of me, for know well that
should follow you to the ends Of the earti
II we could change places. But dare no
see you. We parted forever when - las
said farewell. My heart follows you, blu
do not try to see me again. NJ. O."
"Where Is she? said Neville. In a husk!
voice, to the waiting servant.
I'm her own room, my lord. where sh'
sits night and day. IT'S bad case, tn
doctors say"
.''GOod heavens, they told me there wa
no danger! What is the matter" exclaim
ed Lord Wynmore, heart stricken.
''Don't YOU know, my lord? Then It'll
come with shock on you. Miss CHAR
ford has lost her reason"
lie staggered back. His own bright
lovely Mabel insane! Was this the mean
ing ut bringing her to the cottage?
He sank down upon chair, Overwheln
cd with misery, but was reused by hearin
| Mr.. Charlford's voice and step. and starr
cd up to meet him.
"Why was ! not told?" he cried. wiring
Ing the elder mans hand. "Why was
not told? But 1t cannot be true! VIVA
did the doctors say? Has she had ever
, possible advice"
"The very best. You can talk to d.
II Crane yourself" answered the other, In
low, agitated voice. II could not bear tn
idea OF sending my darling child to pr
! l,vate asylum. so have taken this place fC
her, and she has trained nurse to atten
. on her. 1t Ii not thought desirable to Il
D her sisters como here yet"
"Why was I not toldy repeated Nevill
frantically.
1--WE hoped against hope" said II
> Charlf0rd, "apd even here we meant ,
! have tried every means OF recovery bef0l
|, you were tortured with the knowledge (
9 the TRUTH"
FL ITO he continually te-