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

A few days after Mabel's agitating In.
terview with her father the county was
electrified by the tidings that the marriage
between young Lord WynmOre and Mabel
Charlford was definitely broken OF.
The poor bridc.clect 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 his lost love had already
been moved from home.
"Where have you. sent hery' he asked.
almost fcrccly, 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 Gun have the
complete solitude recommended, together
with fresh air. begged leave to keep
her company, Lord Wynmorc, but was
told not to ask It for the present. It Ia
very hard to see her as she is-perfcctly
listless, caring for nothing"
II must see her. Caroline" was all be
said.
Miss Chariford gave him the address,
and the next day Neville presented him.
self ut Mabel's new abode. With profound
emotion he gazed ut the house which In.
closed all that he held most dear; hut
there were no signs Of cheerfulness 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; nea,
maid servant quickly answered the sum
mons.
"Take my card to Miss Charlford," b.
said. In voice chOkcd by emotion. I'll
Mr.. Charlford hereY'
Eyes. sir--yes. my lord; hut Miss Charl
ford, poor young lady. doesn't see any Wis
up your card, my lord"
bring me an answer from her. and herr
Ia a sovereign for you," said Neville, low
ering his voice.
"I'll be sure that Miss Charlford hal
your card. my lord;" and with that thu
maid ushered him into neatly furnished
room looking on to long garden ut thu
back, where on old man was moving thu
grass.
At the end OF five minutes the maid re
turned with u note In Mabels handwrit
ing. Neville tore It open and read:
II will not repr0ve you for coming herr
for tidings of me, for know well that
should follow you to the ends of the eartl
II we could change places. But dare no
see you. We parted forever when ~ las
said farewell. My heart follows you, bu
| do not try to see me again. NJ. O."
"Where IL she?" said Neville, In husk,
voice, to the waiting servant.
I'm her own room, my lord, where sh
sits night and day. IT'S bad ease, tn
doctors say"
."GO0d heavens, they told me there wa
no danger! What Is the matters" exclaim
ed Lord Wynmore, heart stricken.
Don't you know, my lord? Then i'll
come with shock on you. Miss Char
ford has lost her reason"
He staggered back. His own brigh
lovely Mabel insane! Was this the NEAR
ing of 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
ed up to meet him.
| "Wny was ! not toiu NC crieu' Wrlht
ing the elder mans hand. "Why was
not told? But 1t cannot be true! Wha
did the doctors say? Has she had ever
possible adviceY'
"The very best. You can talk to d.
| Crane yourself" answered tho other, In
low. agitated voice. II could not bear til
idea of sending my darling child to pr
|,vate asylum. so have taken this place Il
her, and she has trained nurse to atten
on her. 1t Is not thought desirable to !,
her sisters come here yet"
"Why was ! not toldY" repeated Nevill
frantically.
1--WE hoped against hope" said II
Charlf0rd, "aud even here we meant
have tried every means Of recovery befO
. you were tortured with the knowledge
, the TRUTH"
(To b. contipued.)