Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-08-16

awoke to a sense OF how Tins
speeding. She had to meet o
Darlington on the morrow. and ~
him upon what she had decided ~
had not thought much of the me-
but the result of her MUSINGS wss
would ask him TO 90 away and jas-
her.
She had decided what course
pursue. She was ready TO meet T,,,f.
Carrington-to part with hlm-to In
him what money she could send bin
it was all settled and arranged IN q,
own mind. She was ready, too. la ns,.
with Sir Oscar-there was no holm .
it; and like himself, she breatbad
fervent prayer that they might NJ,
meet again.
Dinner-time came, and the CHESTS
were all assembled. Their host bnw
ever, was absent, and they waitas
some little time for him. Lord T,eigb
ton came in at last. He locked n5ls
anxious. He made some hprrias
apology for his absence, and then thor
went into dinner. 1t was half over
when Ethel heard one gentleman saw
to another, in low voice:
Have you heard Of the accldentq
A keeper has been shot in the woods N
Ethel heard the words; they were
like a terrible shock to her-llke n
sudden blow. Presently she rallied
herself There were many keeDers
How could she tell which one had been
shot2
! one heard Lord Leighton saying.
al did not intend to mention 1t dur.
ing dinner; but, as you have already
heard the news, may say it is quite
| true"
One of the keepers shot in the
woods! Some one offered Ethel wine.
and she drank it mechanically.
Which of the men was it? asked
gentleman.
The one l was speaking Of the
other day-the we'll educated one. /
| fancy there was some little mystery
about him. They tell me that after he
was shot he called necessarily some
woman's name"
How did it happen?" asked another
Very simply He was carrying a
loaded gun. and the trigger caught in
| bush. 1t went off, and shot min
through the lungs"
| My cousin was shot in the same
, way" said a visitor. Is the poor man
dead, Lord Leighton?"
NO. | sent for all the doctors far
and near; but though they do not quite
| agree as to the mode of treatment they
all tell me the same thing-he has
not twenty-four hours to live.
Has he all that he requires?' asked
Lady Leighton.
Yes But | am sure there is 4
mystery about the man. He has lived
| in a different position-he has been in
different circumstances. He has tried
very eagerly to say something to me,
but could not"
What is his name?' asked Sir Oscar
| Charlotte; and Lord Leighton replied:
His name is John Smith, but have
my own reasons for thinking that is
only assumed | am very sorry for
him. An accident of that kind is
always terrible"
There is no hope for him, then,
said Sir Oscar, pityingly.
Not the least in the world" was the
reply. "He maybe will, in all
probabillty-rally, but it will not be
for long"
There was a sudden cry. sudden
! commotion. The beautiful Miss ST.
Norman had tainted, and had fallen
from her seat to the floor. They
FASTENED to raise her Sir Oscar look
ed at the death-iike face.
1T is the heat of the room, said
one.
Another suggested that 1t was owing
to the long mornings drive. No one
guessed that the news just told could
have any interest for Lord st. Nor
mans proud. beautiful daughter
She was taken to her room, ana.
kindly hands tended her. Lady 81
Norman did not leave her until tAe|
color had returned to her face and slsI
was able to sit up. Then Ethel 5eggsa|
that she might be left alone.
Il am not i'll, she said-"believe mel
Helen; but I am tired, and ] would s'I
much rather be left quite alone
70 please her, Lady st, Norman wen
away: and Ethel was left to ae.I
thoughts. They were all choas, alI
confusion. She could not disentansIe
them: she could only remember, as sAaI
sat there, that Laurie, who had been .
forger and a thief-Laurie VINO ~
married her, lay dying, and that au'I
had refused to pardon him.
Would he keep their secret, or, u lls
agony Of death, would he reveal . 7
She was almost Indifferent the saos"
OF the accident was so terrible 70 h9.
She would have parted from him q
the morrow; she would awe sent hl.-
away to the other end Of the WoE'l,
never to see him again; but there W.
something terrible in the turn Fnis-
things had now taken.