Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-02-20
CHAPTER NJ.

CHAPTER nj.
y CLEAN of moonlight coming through
the open window puts the lamp to
shame. and compels Nera's attention.
How sweet. how heavenly fair the gar
den seems wrapped in those pale. cold
beams. She can see it from where she
sits on the deep. cushioned seat of tn"
"ld-faShioned window. and longing to
rise and 90 into it. To feel the tender
night beating on her burning fore
! head takes possession of her.
Catching up light shawl to cover the
evening gown she wears. she steals. care
fully as might Il guilty soul. by Griselda' 5
bed, along the dusky corridor, down the
staircase. and past the servants quar-
/ tiers, where a light under Mrs. Grunch's
door warns her that that remorseless foe
has rs yet refused to surrender herself
! to slumher
y small door leading into the garden
is close to this. and moving swiftly up
the narrow stone passage that brings her
/ to it she opens the door. and so closing
/ it after her that she can regain the house
at any moment. she turns to find herself
alone in the exquisite perfumed silence
of the night.
How long she thus gives herself up to
the sweet new enjoyment of life she
hardly knows until she hears the ancient
belfry clock telling the midnight hour
1t startles her. Has she indeed been
here 50 long? What if Griseda should
wake and be alarmed for her? She
moves quickly in the direction of the
house. and at last, regaining the inner
garden, begins to think her pleasant So
journ at an end.
She has neared the strawberries and in
voluntarily turns her glance their way as
they lie upon her left; involunturily. too,
she seeks to pierce the darkness that en-
vclops them, when she stops, and presses
her hand convulsively to her breast. Who
is it-what is it, moving there, in the
mysterious gloom?
Don't be frightened. 1t is l, Seaton,"
says most unwelcome voice.
"Ah" she says. She is angry beyond
doubt. and still further angcred by the
knowledge that there is more of relief
than GOODNESS in the simple exclamation.
Il had no idea you We're here ut ALL"
she says, family after Il pause that has
grown sufficiently long to he awkward.
Il am afraid have startled you. If
had known | should not, of course, have
come here
you make it very hard for me-" she
says, with touch of passionate impa-
tience.
THAT is unjust" says he, reused in
turn. TO make your life easier is my
hearts desire"
Are you succeeding, do you think?
Does it, with gathering scorn, make
my part smoother. when you compel me
to see that you stay away, or only come
here at hours inconvcnient to you. be-
cause-because of me?''
She turns aside sharply. and walks
step or two away from him. Somehow
at this instant, the growing chill of the
early night seems to strike more sharply
on her Senses and II SILVER not to be
suppressed stirs her whole frame.
you are cold" he exclaims, coming
up to her with Il hasty stride What
madness it is. your being out at this
hour. Come, come back to the house"
She agrees silently to this proposition
and follows him across tho grass to the
small oakcn door that had given her
egress-only to find it barred against her,
Seaton. having tried it, chances ut her
in mute dismay.
Crunch must have fastened it. on her
way to bed. The bolt is drawn" saws
he. slowly.
"Do you mean that | can't get in?"
asks she. as if unable to credit so terri
bic au announcement.
ION, dare say it can't be 81 bad as
that hastily. "Only," hesitating. as if
hardly knowing how To explain. the
front door is of course locked and chain |
ed and the servants. with the exception
of Crunch. all asleep mt the top of the
house: Il late arrangement of my fathers,
as the original servants quarters lie be- |
low. l am afraid. therefore, that if we |
knocked forever, it would have no effect. i
However, | can try to do something, but |
in the meantime you must not stay out
here in the cold"
"You may feel it cold. DON'T" re-
turns she .perversely. Not So long as
the moonlight lasts. shall | find it lonely |
either. l." raising her unfricndly, beau
tiful eyes to his-"I assure you | shall be
quite happy out here, even though | stay |
till the day dawns and the doors are
open again
Happy" AS he repeats her word /
he looks at her with Il keen scrutiny. "A |
word out of place, surely; given the best |
l hardly dare to believe you |
could ever be happy at Greycourt."
Happy or unhappy" says she, with |
quick resentment. her mind being dis |
tressed by this awkward fear of having |
to pass the night from under any roof, |
surely it can be nothing to you. Why !
affect an interest in one who is as hate |
full TO you as | amp a little fire has |
fallen into her tone. and there is ill-sup
pressed contempt in the eyes she lifts to !
his Perhaps he is driven by it into an |
anger that leads to his betrayal.
Hateful to me- Do you think you are |
that, Nera?' says he, in a low tone, but |
one full of fierce and sudden passion
passion long suppressed. DO you hon
estly believe that?" His manner is al |
most violent, and as he speaks he catches
both her hands in his. and brushes them |
vehemently against his breast. Il would |
to heaven" he says, miserably, that |
that were sou