The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-07
CHAPTER Nv.
Adrian sat silent.

Adrian sat silent.
crowd of thoughts-of memories, surged
over him unbidden, rendering him for the
moment speechless.
What this news that would mean to
him much-that would change his very
life itself.
Oh! if only it could be-if only it was
that!
With an effort he reused himself, and faced
his father.
Il cannot guess 1t cannot be-you must
tell me-
You have guessed it, my boy; 1 see it in
your face; but you cannot grasp the full fact
yet, for it is a fact You have your freedom,
Adrian she is dead
Dead" exclaimed Adrian, starting to his
feet, and pacing the room nervously. Dead
Lucilla dead!'
He paused, adding, in voice strangely
unlike his own
when and how?-tell me?"
ct is a strange story" replied Lord Caro-
lin, thoughtfully; but truth is often stranger
than fiction, and chain of ordinary circum-
stances brought the knowledge of her death,
and the manner of it to me. Prepare your
SELF for a shock, Adrian Lucilla, your wife,
died violent DEATH
''Murdered?' The dread word came from
Abrams lips in Mortified tones
Thank God, no! not that At the inquest,
they brought it in Accidental; it may have
been suicide-God only knows She is dead;
who are we to judge her? But you shall hear
the whole story.
AS you are aware, I have been travelling
for the past month abroad, and caprice took
me from the South which had become un1
bearably hot and relaxing to the North of
France-to Normandy.
Charmed with the simplicity of the people,
and the extreme beauty of the scenery. 1
wandered from place to place. travelling
quietly and unpretentiously, with Boyd only
as my attendant. Chance, maybe Fate
which you wil-took me to a small hotel,
picturesquely situated far up the hills,
f6n 1liT7 1fo,f HI
and resolved to spend a week there
One day, being told of an excursion to be
made to neighboring place of interest
ordered carriage, and set out to see and
explore. Putting up at the only hosiery AK
ville-the name of the place-boasted, I start
ed on foot, for the famous woods and well of
which 1 had come in search. el-
After half hours walk, reached the
spot the beauty of which we'll repaid me for
my trouble. AS 1 gazed down into the depths
of the dark waters,r,ya figure +a,e womaIl's
fgure7rrose suddenly. and confronted :; me
from the other SIDE; Imagine ii e,,,A Adrian, my
horror, my dfSinay, when I recognized sIIu-
ella" .
Lord Carolin paused, pouring himself out
glass of wine, as though to nerve himself to
his task. ...,3 f-
Go on all that Adrian said
His face buried in his hands but he
was listening with feverish intentness
This story meant so much to him.
She was changed resumed Lord CAROLYN
almcst beyond recognition. Remember it is
full seven years since 1 had seen her. Her
Vice-to my mind the lowest of all possible
vices, drink-had bloated the beauty that
caught your fancy nearly ten years ago
Adrian writhed; there was a sheer in his
fathers tones that cut him like q klife-';had
disfigured her to such an extent that her
good looks, such they were had entirely
departed; but [ knew her at once, and rec
ognition was mutual.
That she had been drinking heavily re-
Gently was evident She attacked me at once
like fury, demanding your address-de-
handing money. l reminded her that she
was provided for-that, on condition of her
living abroad, and keeping the wretched mar
riage a secret, she received a sum which 1
considered ample for her respectable mainte-
nance. 1 fear some of my remarks angered
her. She blaZed out more furOuSly than
ever
am sick and tired of living false life
under a false name she said. 1 will come to
England, and take my rightful place in the
county, as the wife of your and heir, the
honorable Adrian Caroln; and I will track
and dog your footsteps till find him. Truly
nice prospect both for you and me, Adrian.''
Having, once made I'D her mind to it, she
would have been capable of that or anything
else know her we'll groaned his son.
Hush! Remember she is dead. Well to
cut the story short she followed me back to
the nn where l found she was we'll known
misunderstanding she was my daughter in
law This statement however, 1 could see
was not believed. TO avoid her, I contrived
to escape by a garden entrance, and drove
rapidly away, and the last l saw was the
landlord endeavoring to pacify her, as he
would a unatic; and indeed, she appeared
but little removed from one"
Drink, and the life she led may have
turned a brain always weak and excitable,
said Adrian.
Let US hope so; and now comes the tragic
ending of my story. The wretched creature