The National tribune., 1901-11-14
CHATTER III.
4 STARTLING REVELATION.


The heart of Gilbert gave bound at
! the words of the landlord, and as he arose
from the table, he heard the sound of
wheels without as the carriage was driven
up to the inn door.
He followed Gluck to the door. hurried
out to the carriage, but he felt IL sudden
sinking of the heart rs he perceived that
| it was empty.
The "Oung lady was not at home" ex-
planned the driver. There was no one
there but couple of darkies, an old negro
and his wife, and they seemed to know
nothing of the young woman's where
aboutS. All the information they could
give was that she had disappeared during
the night
That puts another mystery in the
case" remarked Gluck, with a shake of
the head. Have they made no effort
to find the young LADY,!
",They have been searching about the
premises but don't seem to know what to
do" replied the driver.
Gilbert was silent, a troubled look upon
his face. He was thinking of the mys-
terious visitant who appeared at the cabin
in the woods the night before. Could it
have been the missing girl! The thought
set his reflections in strange groove.
lie had about dismissed the matter from
his mind. believing that it was only his
imagination that had induced him to be-
window, but now he realized that his first
impression might have been correct.
This matter must be inquired into at
once" he said, a feeling OF vague fear
for the safety of the one he loved coming
over him.
That is right, Mr.. Marsh. Something
ought to be done at once, too
Il shall ride over to Pine Hall imme-
diately," said Gilbert, ''and perhaps | may
find out something that will assist us in
the search"
He had his horse brought, and when
he had received the directions regarding
the road to the Hall he galloped away.
To his surprise he found that he was trav-
cling over the very road by which he had
entered the village, and as he would go
near the cabin where he had passed part
of the night, he determined to revisit the
place. But on reaching the cabin he dis
covered that the drifting snow had Oblit-
Grated all marks of his own trail made in
the morning, and seeing the futllity of
attempting to discover the tracks of his
strange visitor, he continued his journey.
An hours ride brought him to Pine
Hall. 1t was a gloomy structure of dark
gray stone, and under the wintery sky
presented lonely and forbidding aspect.
His knock at the door was answered
by Il negro woman, an old servant of the
family.
ore ue lIOTu, IL AIN hdSSdH NIdICH.
she cried, throwing up her hands in glad
amazemcnt. You dOan' know how glad
dis chile am dat you has come. Desc
awful Happenings hab about turned dis
pore chile's head Come right in, NASSAU
March, an let me bring you somethin'
warm. Bless de Lord fer sendin' you"
Has Miss Bennington returned yetT
asked Gilbert, in the deepest anxiety.
''Bless your soul, yes. Dc pore chile
dis got back about an hour ago. But, oh,
NASSAU March, dis awful calamity has
mos killed de blessed angel, dat it has.
Come right in an I'll take you to her. 1t
is de Lords providence dat you has come"
She led the way through gloomy hall
way, and opening a door, Gilbert was
ushered into a sumptuously-furnish
room. A bright fire burned on the hearth
of the Old-fashioned fireplace, sending a
genial warmth and ruddy glow about the
apartment. .-r
At one end of the room, upon Il couch
of pale gold, half reclining, her head
bowed in her bands, sat Agnes Benning-
ton.
"Honah, dis am NASSAU March. dat
has come to see you," said the negress,
as she withdrew, leaving the two alone.
The girl lifted her eyes, and she half
arose as they beheld the visitor. Then
she sank back.
Colbert! Thank Heaven she said.
MY poor darling, how thankful to God
| am that you are safe" he cried, as he
knelt by her side and folded her in his
arms. And how thankful | am that
am here to comfort you in this the hour
Of your sad bereavement"
Continued on seventh page.)