Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-04-19

before sAb ever SdN Ahc Sdule pIOuu
beauty on her face again.
Where was Miss Dgby, and whore
was her husband, Laurie Nugent?
lie was to have been here at
eleven, she thought.
She listened, thinking that she heard
his footstep, but the sound died away.
1t seemed useless to wait any longer.
She rossed the hall again TO 90 to the
room where Miss Digby usually sat,
and as she passed along she heard a
man. whom she knew afterward to
have been a detective, say:
He must be taken to London |
have my orders. II he continues to re-
slst he must be strapped down Go he
must and shall!
Then one of the men-seryants had
been discovered doing something
wrong She hoped ii was not the pale
faced waiter who had an invalid wife,
or the cheerful obliging man who
never seemed to tire
The cry of a mans voice reached her
as she passed along
u hope they will be merciful to
him d" said Ethel He has been steal
ing, | suppose Nothing can be more
contemplate than a thief"
She opened the door of the room
where Miss Digby generally spent the
morning with Lady Station Both were
Station looking unusually
excited, Miss Digby occupied with
piece of fancy work; and Ethel could
not help seeing chat the hands of the
latter trembed. Helen looked up from
her work at the beautiful lushed face
of the girl.
Ethel, she asked where have you
been? | do not wish to seem hard,
but, | must say, my dear, that do not
think it is quite right of you to absent
for so many hours without
saying anything to me. You must re-
member that you are in my charge;
and you make me anxious"
Ethel laughed a low, sweet musical
laugh. How soon, how very soon the
enemy of hers would be crushed-how
soon she herself would triumph! 1t
was the last time she would dare to
ask such questions
Where have you been, Ethel?' Miss
Digby repeated.
You viii know quite soon enough,
replied Ethel
Her eyes fell on the ormolu clock;
II was nearly half-past eleven Where
was her husband-strong handsome
Laurie Nugent? He was to take her
hand and tell Helen Digby that they
were married 1t was a fitting time and
opportunity for such a scene! Why did
he not come?
You know. my dear Ethel. pursued
Helen, that | never interfere with
your actions needlessly / know there
Is no real cause for anxiety; this place
is so quiet that you might be out for
hours together and not see any one;
but, for the future, II you intend TAX
ing long ramble. You will please
mention it to me, that | may feel quite
at ease"
Ethel laughed again; there was so
little need for such promise. She,
with her husband would soon be far
away. Helen DIgby's reign was almost
over; a few minutes more and the trl-
umph would come.
But where was her husband?
He must be here soon" she thought
to herself i am glad that Lady stat
ton is present; she will see my trl-
umph."
She looked at Helen Digby's calm.
kind face; how soon its expression
would be changed-how soon she
would cease to have any place among
them,
Where was Laurie? Ethel was grow
ing impatient; this triumph of hers
seemed very sweet now that It was
near az hand What qualification 10
be able to look at her rival and say, Il
was left in your charge. given into
your care. and You have failed COM
pleJely I am married and am going
straight TO see my fatheri"
The desire TO make her disclosure
increased When she had humbled her
rival when she had taken from her
her fathers love and chance OF ever
reign.ug at Fountayne, she would be
friendly with her. ana kind enough
Ethel laughed again as she thought Of
the thuuderh5lt that was so soon to
IAN among them.
You seem greatly amused Ethel"
said Helen Digby Have you en-
anything that pleased your"
No; but | expect to be very much
amused Miss Digby and | am laugh
ing in anticipation"
Then she became silent. and the
ladies went on talking together. She
heard the words dreadful affair, sad
disgrace" repeated over and over
again bat did not feel sufficient inter-
EST TO inquire what they meant