The Lamar register., 1899-11-08

Miss Woodward might have savings
which the shrewd Londoner had SCENT
ed- The man overlook me presently.
as lost in the intricacies OF stable-yard
and back entrance. was trying to find
my way back to the garden and lawn.
beg your pardon. SIR he said,
eivilly' That path leads to the
Kitchen. this"-opening a gate-.wili
take you to the side entrance into the
hall"
Thank YOU" answered. Good
night"
Good night, Mr.. Fort"
looked up, surprised at the sudden
change of tone and manner. The mans
eyes met mine.
Widdrington." / had almost ex-
claimed but that his hand touched
mine on the gate latch and checked the
word.
You left this in the dog cart this
afternoon, sir" he said. handing me a
letter. Il picked 1t UP when I cleaned
the trap"
took the paper from him and
passed on with another good night.
My mind was in wild state of alarm.
Wfddringtou was on the track Of the
secret-nay, with Woodward under his
influence. the secret was probably al
ready his. How could l warn Mona
how save her!
The opportunity was not far to seek.
When entered the drawlng-room Miss
Branseombe was there alone. save for
Arg HGafhENsasr afa
The Reetor's wife lay back in her com
Portable arm. chair by the fire. blissfullr
asleep. Mona sat by the tea-table ir
the opposite corner. her soft-shaGed
lamp the one spot Of light in the room
Her elbow rested on the table. her
cheek on her hand, her pale, sweet faoe
grave and sad. The eyes she raised at
my entrance fell almost Immediately
and deep flush, painful In Its inten-
sity. spread over cheek, neck and brow
You will have some tea7" she said
beginning to arrange her cups with
hands which trembled so much that
she was forced TO desist Then she
folded them resolutely In her lap and
looked up at me. making as l could
see, a strong effort at composure. Mr..
Fort" she went on. in almost whis-
per. you are angry with me: and you
have been so kind. am sorry that you
canno, forgive me now that every
| thing has come right. And do want
to tell you how thoroughly l under
stand and thank you for all your kind
thought for me. although / am afraid
I must have seemed ungrateful in op-
| posing you. and-and-all."
/ bowed. was afraid TO trust my
self to speak Just then. And yet the
precious moments were flying, Mrs.
heAthcote stirred In her chair.
Il wish you would believe that this
as things are now. mean--is the very
happlest thing for me. as well as
right" she added. bending towards me
In her earnestness.
Il hope you will be very happy" !
said. conquered by the sweet humility
Of her appeal. whilst the words seem6d
to seoreh my heart.
I'm am very happy" she answered
gently, why do you speak in the fu.
turs2 / shall never regret-never. ]
could never grow to be so sordid, and
4 slOulu IKE 70 De SURF lldI you a. 2
not vexed about IT, We all owe so
much to your kindness in those sad
days" The rosy color famed in her
cheeks again 81 should like to feel
that We are friends"
why not2" l responded, with un-
controlled bitterness. .'It is not for
me to prescribe to Miss Branscombe
what Is for her happiness. II Is to be
presumed that she Is herself the best
in this case. perhaps, the only-judge
The bushes faded and left her white
as a lily. Something in her look made
me feel as II had struck her blow.
Forgive me-" cried. Miss Brans-
combe-Nona''--a she raised her shak-
ing hands and covered her face-'whaT
have | done-what have l said?"
And then-I do not know how it hap
| psned; l have never been able to re-
duce the next supreme moments to any
| coherent memory-but her dear head
was on my shoulder. my arms were
round her as I dropped upon my knees
by her side. and without spoken word
knew that neither Charlie Brans-
combe nor any other barrier stood be-
tween me and my darling. She was
mine and mine only, and the gates OF
| ~. lt,, h,5 npaoad to me at last,