Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-03-03
CHAPTER TX
In the Ruined Mil.

surprise TO me to hear when, half an
heur later, / walked into the dining
room. that Lady Gramont had a head
ache, and would rather not come down.
stairs that evening. II would have
surprised me very much IL she had an
peared. What her state OF mind might
be could not guess; but, at any rate.
was quite certain she could be in no
sendition to mingle with Lady NAL
lory's guests that night.
When We went into the drawing
room. 1 found Vera there, looking so
sweet and fair. In her white frock, with
aaint roses tinting her cheeks. and a
dreamy light IN her soft, hazel eyes.
that my heart melted. and I felt I
would gladly have given every PENNY
possessed In the world to have been
spared the knowledge OF her mothers
srimes. j did not go and sit beside her.
as usual. felt could not Her sweet
eyes rested on me with something ofre-
proachfulness. and, after sitting in sill
ence over a book for nearly an hour.
she stole out or the room, and, 1 doubt
not. went upstairs to bed.
Often. when she went away, she
would come up to me-that is, If I had
not been sitting with her-and would
put her little soft hand In mine. and
whisper. Goodnight, Sir Douglas"
with the sweetest look. But she did
nothing OF this kind tonight.
I felt unutterably guilty as the door
closed upon her, and. / must confess.
unutterabiy wretched, too I went to
bed very early myself; and. in spite Of
the agitation 81 my thoughts, managed
TO fall asleep. 1t must be remembered
had not had my usual amount Of
sleep on either OF the two preceding
nights
The moment i awoke In the morning.
say causes for disquietude rushed back
spon my mind. I remembered last
Christmas Eve. and the dreadful story
Hsust needs be told to poor Gwynne to-
DAY. either by my lips or by the lips
OF Beatrice Gramont.
When went down to breakfast, I
was told by Lady Mallory that dear
Beatrice" was still suffering so severe
~ with n headache that she could not
come downstairs. Harold is so con-
serned about it," she added. "He IS
afraid she may not be well enough to
come down for the dance tonight, and
that would be such 6 pity"
made some evasive answer, feeling
mere horribly guilty than ever. 1t real
fy seemed to me as though myself had
begotten all the misery that was so
soon to fall upon Sir Harold's head.
The day dragged slowly on At
luncheon time, Lady Gramont made
her appearance. She looked intensely
pale. and there were dark semi-circles
underneath her eyes.
Her headache was, OF course. thought
10 be the cause OF this, and everybody
pressed around TO commiserate her. AID
20 hope she would feel we'll enough to
Join in the dance that evening.
Gwynne took possession other as soon
~ he could. Dearest. will you so for
walk after luncheon7" / heard him
say. THE fresh sir would do you a
world OF good"
What her answer was could not
catch, but. as soon as luncheon was
ever she went upstairs. and presently
rs-appeared In a walking-out costume
OF dark blue velvet. trimmed with
shinchilla fur. She was still very pale.
but thought I had rarely seen her
look more beautiful. There was a pas
sion OF love in Gwynne's eyes as he
drew her fur little closer around her
throat. and. whispering a word of en-
aearment In her ear. gave her his arm.
Is che going to tell him now?" I
asked myself. as I watched them walk
slowly down the great avenue, arm In
arm. he with his eyes dwelling fondly
81 her face.
How will he bear It? Will he leave
Atr, or will he. in spite of all, insist on
giving her the shelter OF his home ?''
OF one thing I was quite certain.
When he heard her story, his heart
would break.
Feeling restless and unsettled, I
went for walk myself; and when.
nearly two hours later, returned, the
woman at the lodge gave me a note
which she said had been left there for
ne-had been sent down from the
house. she thought, half an hour ago.
recognized Gwynne's handwriting.
and you may be sure I tore 1t open,
eagerly and hastily enough. The en-
closure was brief. and had evidently
been written in great agitation.
Jack-I must speak to you Will
you come to the old mill the moment
you get this? / have heard such things
that / scarcely know whether I am
sane or mad. Only you can tell me
whether they are true. For Gods sake
GENE to me at once
H. G."
put the note in my pocket, and set
on for the old mill without a moments
delay. / was quite sure now that
Gwynne had been told, and it was with
something like a sense of relief / rea-
nzed that, at any rate. 1t was not left
Tor me to wake him from his dream.
Even though he could scarcely as yet
believe the truth, he had heard It, Tho
Arst shock was over. and, with 1t, sure
" his worst agony. The mill In which
he desired to see me was rather more
than half mile away from Deepdene.
1T belonged to Sir Thomas, and was in
fairly good preservation; but, for some
reason or other. had not been worked
for years.
Gwynne and I were rather fond OF
going up to the platform that ran
round It, and leaning over the rails
while we smoked a cigar.
1t occurred to me now that he had
chosen a very prudent place of meet
ing, considering what manner of con-
Versation ours was likely TO be Upon
that platform we could talk without
The least danger Of being overheard.
When I came in sight OF the mill. /
looked round for him, but he was no.
where to be seen. judged he was in
side, and entered. and CROPPED my way
MP the Steep. narrow stairs 4 Ifh n faat