Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-05-07
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CHAPTER Xxx.

"A ~NNSA-AOS~
! which he had explained to no one, and
from that hour he was not see again
there was no sign, no trace OF him
He vanished completely as though he
had disappeared from the face of the
earth.
He had said that he would be back
by haIf-past nine at the very latest;
and Lady Allanmore wondered how
she should spend the time. 1t was
the first evening she had been alone
since her marriage; Sir Karl had never
left her before, and she could not help
wondering what this most mysterious
business was; it was evidently some
thing that engrossed his thoughts
But she would not trouble about it;
! he would explain when he came nome.
She took up a book; it was one OF her
favorites. But on that evening it had
lost it's charm. She could not read;
she turned over page after page With
out even scanning their contents.
She would go to the piano, she thought
and play away dull care. How strange
it was that the first piece of music she
opened was the song she had sung to
Sir Karl, when in her own mind she
had hidden him farewell for ever. How
we'll she remembered having sung
| that to him-the pain in her own
heart, the despair and reproach she
had read in his eyes! All the anguish
of those days came back to her.
| ie, oh
self, "and there will be no more part
| ing"
She longed for his presence that she
might feel the clasp of his arm around
her, his kisses warm on her face; but
he would soon be back. It was strik-
ing nine, and he had said he would re-
turn by half past. She put away the
little song that was so closely asSo-
ciated with him, and played all the
airs she could remember. She was
startled when, mingling with the notes
of the piano, she heard the clock strike
| ten.
He must have returned, she thought
and, owing to the music, she had not
| heard him. She rang the bell quickly
and asked if Sir Karl had come in
Frodsham, the butler, said mo.
Most of the servants had gone to rest;
but he was sitting up for Sir Karl. He
was dismissed with a graceful Gmile-
nothing pleased Lady Allanmore sc
much as attention to her husband.
81 will never sit up at night alone
again." she thought.
After few minutes. her nervous
fears increased so greatly that there
was nothing left for her to- do but &c
down to the old butler in the hall. He
looked up in surprise at the beautiful
vision of silk, velvet and pearls Gov
cred with white lace
MY lady!" he cried, jumping uI
from the chair 81 am afraid I was
asleep! Did you want me?"
81 am uneasy about your master,
she said ''He was to have been back
at half-past nine, and now it is past
+, eleven"
The anxious voice aroused the
! faithful servant He went to the hall
door and opened it, letting in a flood
Of moonlight.
'There is no cause for fear, my
lady, he replied-"not the least. See
how light the night is-it is bright as
day."
She looked down the broad steps;
the moonlight lay on flowers and
trees, on the grass and the statues
/ What could there be to fear on such
a night? Nothing. There could be nc
accident, she reflected, such as was
occasioned at times by losing ones
way in the dark.
May I ask, my lady where Sill
Karl has gomez" inquired the butler
'EHe very often tells me himself; but
tonight he did not say word Of his
intentions-indeed, my lady, I thought
that he did not seem quite WE'LL
HE was not WE'LL" she replied
quickly; "it is that which has made
me uneasy"
Il am sure, my lady, that there il
no need for anxiety. Did you say
where my master had gomez"
There was look of distress an(
CI11U1lhG UOW1 IQOIm0uC Oh Her Lace.
II do not know, Frodsham. He die
/, not tell me-" Even as she spoke,
thrill Of terror passed over her, and
dreadful foreboding of sorrow mad,
/ her tremble.
} II am quite sure, my lady, that yol
need not be anxious No acciden
; could have happened on a bright nigh
like this. You see for yourself that i
is almost as light as day"
eyes, I see," she answered.
, What she would have liked woult
have been to go out herself in search
of Sir Karl.
II should not like to-leave you alone
my lady," said the butler ''but if yo1
will permit me to call the housekeepe
to remain with you, 1 will go to tn
lodge gates. 1t would be better to cal
Mrs. Pickering than your ladyship'
maid
It occurred to him that, if there ha,