Daily camera., 1901-08-05
CHAPTER TX.

Three days after the colonels din
ncr, Mrs. McLane was pronounced SUI.
ticiently well to take the open air. but
did not not look sufficiently well, in
her own opinion, 10 take the hint. Nor
did Mrs. Grafton too eagerly urge. By
this time the hostess was fully con-
vinced that Fanny was far from being
the frank, coniding creature she had
pictured herself to be; that she had
come to Sedgwick with other purposes
In view than that Of seeking the SYM
pathy and counsel of her erstwLiIe
schoolmate; that she was coucealing
from her, TO whom she once l1nged to
unbosom her every thought, some vital
and thrilling circumstance, and. worst
OF all, that Capt. Grafton now knew
what it was, and wouldn't tell. This
perhaps, was almost objectionable. In
vain had Mrs Grafton insinuated. in
quired, insisted. and finally implored.
Her husband was gentle, but obdu.
rate
Il know nothing, Harriet" he sim
ply said. Il do, perhaps, conjecture,
but oil ! conjecture is derived from
that dispatch, the contents of which
should be seen and known only By your
friend the-your friend and once-upon-
u time bridesmaid. II she choose to tell
you, well and good. but cannot"
But he told Mrs. McLane what he had
read without telling what he conlcc-
snral .Iav, 81 4
what he had done--wired TO Aunt Char
lo,te that her niece was prostratcd by
the receipt OF her dispatch, and might
moi be able to reply for several days,
so Aunt Charlotte was existing without
further knowledge Of the condition of
her niece as placidly, let us hope, as
was her niece without further knowl-
edge Of the condition Of her uncle.
1t was on this third day when the
doctor left, after saying Mrs McLane
ought to go and take drive or ride,
that Grafton wrote to her q few words
reporting that he had read Aunt Char
lotte's dispatch and replied to 1t as
above stated. This note ne sent in by
Annette. Mrs. Grafton was receiving
sympathizing callers at the moment,
and the captain bade Annette say that
il he could be of any further service
Mrs. McLane should let him know.
Presently Annette returned with
note.
Il am so distracted" it said, 80
friendless, I do not know what to do.
You are the only man upon whose
counsel l can depend. but even that is
denied me, for Harriet has turned cold
and unkind. Because ! cannot tell her
the secrets of others she thinks me
false to our old friendship, and she has
changed to me SO much that were l able
to travel l should go at once, only how
could we explain? Oh, long to tell
you the whole story, but l cannot!
must not! and must not do that which
might increase her suspicion" But
here Grafton began to frown angrily.
He read no further, though there We're
half q dozen lines on the following
page, but tossed the whole thing into
the open fireplace, tramped right up
stairs and tapped at the guest room
door.
Can you come to the door mo-
ment, Mrs. McLane?" he asked.
There was the sound of sudden rush
and rustic within, then her light foot
fall, the clack of the doorknob, and
her voice, low and sweet.
You startled me So" she said,
through the inch-wide aperture that
appeared. but left her invisible. Il
dreaded that it was another telegram,
Oh, I'm not fit to be seen, but"
II don't WI don't need to see you,
Mrs. McLane." said he, stoutly. 1--WE
can converse perfectly well, as An
nette is below stairs. All wish to say
is this: If can be of service-in send
ing off any letters or dispatches to your
friends, command me, But really, Mrs.
McLane, there is no need'o telling me
anything about the matter"
"But l have to, Capt. Grafton" and
the door opened bit wider. ~ must
have your advice. l must do something
right away, and you're the only one
who can help me-"
Then I'll ask Harriet to come here
at once" said he, and, suiting action to
words, started for the stairway
She rushed out after him, dishevelled,
pallid. "Oh, cannot tell Harriet" she
cried.
Then, Mrs. McLane, you cannot tell
me-"
For q moment she looked at him in
lmaZe. =, 5asrsa
To bst "".