El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-08
(Continued from last Saturday.

~Helen, I'm going to the club this
morning; haven't you any shopping to
do? The dog cart will be round in
half an hour.
mo, none" she answered, after a
moments pause. Besides, I have an
engagement this afternoon. Ask Miss
Stopford; she is sure to have some
shopping to do"
She had, and we started presently,
return ing very hot and dusty late in
the afternoon to find that Helen had
failed to keep her engagement, which
Edith casually informed me was
drive to the Flower Show at Briefs
wood with Sir William Hernshaw.
cit was so hot, 1 felt too lazy to
dress; I hope you had a pleasant
drive" she said drowsily, her eyeiashes
still sweeping her cheeks.
Almost unbearable coming back" l
answered, throwing myself upon 4
seat by the open window. Il am near
ly choked with dust; 1 feel 1 could
swallow a quart of claret and Soda
''I'll get some" said Helen, going to-
wards the dining room, and presently
returning with a cool, frothing tum-
bier, which she handed to me and
then stood behind my chair.
I turned, laid my hand on her arm.
and said gently:
Helen, tell me what is the matter
with you. Why will you not look at
me-wife?"
She did not move or answer a word.
though I repeated my inquiry almost
coaxingly, as one would question a
pettish, hayward child.
withdrew my hand and lifted, sigh
ing YEARLY the glass, when suddenly.
with a loud cry, she dashed it from
my lips, the liquid squirting up into
my face, flowing down my shirt ano
collar and streaming onto the carpet
where the glass lay broken.
Stung to the quick by the insulting
violence CT the act, 1 spraig to my
feet, glazing speechIessly at her until
Edith, whose presence was not aware
OF, ran eagerly towards me and passed
her handkerchief over my wet face and
neck.
How dare your" stammered
hoarsely. What do you mean? Are
you mad?"
Helen burst into wild. loud laugh
Yes. yes, mad-mad as March
-mad-the maddest wife
ever a true husband had. Oh, my
poor head-my poor head-it aches
1t aches! A breath Of sea air would
do it good-a breath of sea ART" she
moaned, listlessly moving away.
I went too, for even Edie's soft
touch and plying eyes were more than
I could bear. Ordering my horse, 1
gave him his head. rode across country
as If following the swiftest hounds that
ever ran a fox to earth. 1 knew not
whittier or how far I went; it was
night when the poor brute, lame, foot
sore, crawled up the avenue again.
Edith was waiting for me on the door
step, and led me into the dining-room,
where a tempting supper was laid.
EAT, eat" she said; you look thor
oughly exhausted, poor dear"
'She," 1 began nervously.
''She has been perfectly quiet ever
since, locked UP in her room. Don't
trouble about her now; she'll be all
right tomorrow, you'll find. Now, dear
boy, to supper, please"
The next morning 1 was awakened
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 ft?" I asked, sitting up in
my bed with vague feeling of appre-
hension. HAS anything happened?"
Hush, hush. master Paul. she said
agitatedly, 1--WE must keep it quiet as
long as we can. Something has hap
pened. She has gone"
"My wife?"
Eyes, when I went into her room this
morning 1 found it empty and the bed
not slept in; she is not in any part Of
the house grounds. That is all I can
tell you
Urging her to keep the other ser
wants in ignorance if possible 1 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
a guarded inquiry at the station, 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 baffled,
I returned home. Calling Mrs. Muir
ray, 1 begged her to get by portman-
teau ready, as 1 was leaving at once.
Where to-what are you going to
do-tell me. Master Paul?' she plead
ed, with a shaking voice.
I'm going after him. 1 answered
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 go
Ing On a FOOLS errand after him. I'd |