Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-04-19


before she ever saw the same proud
+, beauty on her face again.
Where was Miss Dlgby, and where
was her husband, Laurie Nugent?
HE was to have been here at
eleven" she thought.
She listened, thinking that she heard
his footstep, but the sound died away
II seemed useless to wait any longer.
She rossed the ball again to go 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. If he continues to re-
slst he must be strapped down. Go he
must and SHALL"
Then one of the men-servants had
been discovered doing something
wrong. She hoped it was not the pale
faced waiter who had an invalid wife,
or the cheerful. obliging man who
never seemed to tire.
The cry Of mans voice reached her
as she passed along.
81 hope they will be merciful to
him." 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
there-Lady Station looking unusually
excited, Miss Digby occupied with
piece of fancy work; and Ethel could
not help seeing that the hands of the
latter trembled. 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 l do not
think it is quite right of you to absent
yourself 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 It
was the last time she would dare to
ask such questions.
Where have you been, EtheI?' Miss
Digby repeated.
You will know quite soon enough, .
replied Ethel.
Her eyes fell on the ormolu clock:
1t 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 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, if you intend TAX
Ing long ramble, you will please
mention 1t to me, that / may feel quite
Ethel laughed again; there was so
little need for such a promise. She,
with her husband, would soon be far
away. Helen Digbys reign was almost
over; few minutes more and the tri-
umph would come.
But where was her husband?
He must be here soon,' she thought
to herself Il am glad that Lady Stat
ton is present; she will see my tri-
umph."
She looked at Helen Digby's calm.
kind face; how soon its expression
would be changcd-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 at hand. What qualification 10
be able to look at her rival and say, II
was left in your charge, given into
your care, and you have failed COM
pletely. | am married. and am going
straight to see my father!"
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
reigning at Fountayne, she would be
friendly with her, and kind enough.
Ethel laughed again as she thought of
the thunderbolt that was so soon to
fall among them.
you seem greatly amused. Ethel"
said Helen Digby. Have you seen
anything that pleased your"
mo: but expect TO be very much
amused. Miss Dlgby. 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, but did not feel sufficient inter-
est to inquire what they meant
Time was passing-~it was now half
past eleven. Where was Laurie? She
rose impatiently from her seat, she FELT
warm and flushed. Surely the room or
the morning must be very close. She