The Lamar register., 1900-12-19

by the way, Madame Dubois. | hope
the rumor | heard at the club this aft
ernoon is true-that the police have
some important clue respecting poor
Mr. Barlowe's assailant?"
For n moment madame turned her
eyes with a quick. wild glance on him,
reminding Mollie somehow of savage
animal caught in trap; but the next
instant she had recovered herself with
a determined effort, and answered
calmly:
This is news to me, indeed, for l
have heard no such thing. How is it
we have not been told-we, who have
the best right to know; we, who have
longed and looked for the truth to be
found out all this weary year? No. !
cannot believe it; | fear to hope!
Look, | am quite overcome at the
thought! Tell me all you know"
She was overcome. She had worked
herself up as she proceeded, yet the
girl at her side felt that the reason she
gave was not the true one. and again
it occurred to her that madame knew
more than she had ever told; yet she
might be misjudging her. Perhaps she
had cared for Mr.. Barlowe with some
thing of the fierce tenderness she
showed for Henri!
But she had little time to think.
Madame ascertained all Reggie knew,
and chatted a few minutes with self
possession; but directly she had
turned the horses heads and they were
leaving Reverton behind. her face
grew black as thunder-cloud. her lips
were pressed together in a thin line,
and her eyes. burning with somber
fire. glanced over the horses heads un-
seeingly as she urged them on.
Never did Mollie' forget that drive!
How much faster did she mean to go?
she thought, in real terror. She was
brave girl, with nerves well under con-
troll; but it was mad-mad to tear
along like this She was absolutely
Obliged to hold on tight as they swayed
from side to side: while. as they
shaved past heavy wagon and swept
round a corner, she saw that the groom
at the back was standing up in his
seat watching the road anxiously. his
face chalky and white.
She tried to demonstrate once or
twice. so did the man: but madame
only answered impatiently, and. If
possible. went faster. and it seemed
Providence indeed that the roads were
quiet that afternoon. Many times
Mollie glanced up at the set face beside
her. lighted by fierce look of exulta-
tion, as trees and hedges vanished
from sight almost before seen. and the
wind blew cold on their faces. Was
she trying to drive away from her own
thoughts, flying where no man pur-
sued?
Mollie could scarcely believe her own
good fortune when she once more
alighted at the hall door of Chalfont,
safe and sound. Kate came running to
meet them, and as madame caught
sight of her it evidently recalled some
thing to her mind. for she paused and
turned to Mollie with frown.
You seemed to be talking very
earnestly with that young Anstruth-
er." she said abruptly. What was it
about?"
Nothing that would interest you.
madame" she answered politely.
Il am your guardian and insist upon
knowing" Then. as Mollie's frank
face was turned upon her. madame
either remembered the old proverb
about taking a horse to the water. but
failing to make him drink: or that the
L'Estrange were a family of soldiers,
and that the fighting spirit was flash
ing resentfully from those gray eyes
now. for she added hastily: Il know
the world: you do not; and l forbid
you to give flowers to gentlemen. Yes.
Kate, my precious one, you should give
your violets to auntie, not to your half
sister. who did not value them" And
she swept away in quest of her son.
"They were hers, to do as she
pleased with" the child called after
her sulkily. as she hung round Mollie,
and made grimaces after her retreat
ing relative You see. Mollie. you
ought to have given them to Henri,
who is so good, so adorable, so
sweet"
Hush! hush. Kate!" said the elder
girl quickly Angry as she was she
would not encourage the child against
her aunt, and she walked to the door
and stood looking out into the sun
shine with misty yes. Love thine
enemies" she thought. Overcome
evil with good" oh. it was really too
hard: she could not try.