Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-30

very morning-room which became hall
lowed to my husband and myself by
the patiently-endured suffering and
convalescence of our dear mother.
For Madam recovered from her in
jury, TO our infinite Joy, and as that
period Of illness served to knit closely
together the hearts Of parent and
child, / think my dear lady grew al
most to consider poor Alice as a bene-
factor, rather than a false and treach-
erous enemy.
But sad interval Of dreary DAYS
and wakeful nights interviewed before
our anxious hearts dared hope that
our watching was to be rewarded ac-
cording to our desires That interval
brought Darracott and me into close
communion, and / learnt to know aud
appreciate those traits of character
in him which Madam had so highly
commended.
Alice Mayberry, or Alice Chester, as
should properly call her Though 1t
has never been easy for me to think
OF q woman so entirely bis inferior
as Darracott's wifel, was buried with
great privacy. BY her grave stood but
three persons besides the customary
officials: Mrs. Spencer-good, kindly
soul, who had lost sight Of all resent
ment In her abundant pity and SYM
pafhy-Darracott, and David Spencer.
was obliged to remain in attendance
upon Madam, whose precarious situa-
ton did not admit OF my leaving her
In other hands, and Mrs. Mayberry
had mysteriously disappeared from
The iVies upon the very night OF her
daughters death.
If, In this terribly apprehensive
frame OF mind, Darracott was capable
OF experiencing any feeling of gratifi-
cation, think that the relief afforded
oy the assurance that he would not
be obliged again to encounter the
housekeeper was the source Il suon
emotion. Whittier Mrs. Mayherry
went, or in what fashion, what her
fate has been, or where she now is,
we have never learnt
l alone. i think, OF all who dweIt
Within The Ivies, felt real sympathy
and sorrow for the poor creature.
Her moral weakness was like a phys-
icai deformity in my eyes and could
not but feel it an extenuating ci--
3 cumstance ia her wretched system of
uouoie-dealing and pitiful treachery
towards mistress whom she adored
even while she cheated and BETRAYED
her. Therefore it was that 1 begged
10 be allowed 60 inform her of the
double tragedy which had taken place
Within our beautiful old hall. instead
medium of servants who felt for
ner only an intolerable aversion.
II was sad, a miserably distaste-
ful mission / had undertaken to per-
form-worse even in fulhlment than
in anticipation, and that is saving
much sought Mrs. Mayberry first
In her own room, and then in Alice's
apartment, but she had discovered her
daughters absence and was herself
rt.rsa6 r.
down the stairs, impatient at the de-
lay, for Dr.. Spencer was awaiting my
assistance and i was eager to return
10 the morning-room, when 1 met
FRANKLIN, who seemed to have aged
ten years since morning.
do you know where Mrs. Mayberry ,
is?' asked in a hushed voice. for the
presence OF Death brooded over the
place.
The old mans face took on look of
savage hatred. He made gesture In
the direction of the terrace.
Roaming about outside" he replied
succinctly. shes crazy-like herself"
A certain satisfaction in his expires.
sion suggested to me a wretched fore.
boding.
''oh, franklin cried, you have
not told her?"
He nodded grimly.
Ihdeeu nave, he returned driiy
Few pleasures come in my way,
nowadays"
He chuckled vindictiyely. cast
one look upon him filed with wither
Ing contempt and scorn, and FASTENED
on.
be had not overshot the mark in
describing Maybe;ry's condition IA
-'craZy-like." She scarcely recognized
me as l came up with her, and / had
actually to lay haads on her In order
TO gain Der attention. She was al
most running up and down the broad
gravel sweep. wringing her hands,
tossing her head, muttering and cry
Ing TO herself, calling out fierce. de-
mandatory epithets and broken sent
ences; appealing now to the forgive.
ness or God for the result of her own
mlsdeeds, which she wholly attribut-
ed TO others, and again, reviling the
memory Of the poor misguided girl
whose spirit had gone forth TO meet
Its Judge.
When succeeded In arresting her
steps, l actually shrank from the
Wretcned spectacle she presented It
was difficult to show tender regard
Tor so wild an object. But 1 did nv
best 10y
Mrs. Mayberry" began gently
you know Alice is dead?"
Her eyes roamed restlessly about
but she nodded.
YES" she said. "a good thingI
She has cheated the hangman."
shuddered and drew away. What
nature had the woman? Yet / had
pity for the terrible retribution that
had overtaken her.
"Hush! / Sid. How can yoy
speak thus of your own childY'
She would have killed Madam"
she returned sullenly.
at is not So I answered, glad to be
able to say something in the dead
girls favor. ''She had no thought OF
harming Madam"
For the first time the wandering
gaze fixed itself steadily on mine. A
dawning hope enkindled the work.
Ing features.
''What?--what?' she stammered IN
rQrfaiDIv if ha hod not haar1