Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
CHAPTER X.
SECRET INSTRUCTIONS.

FOR a moment NlIllam ana myself
stood looking at each other over thi:
frail and pI~strate figure. Then he stoop
ed and with an unexpected show Of
kindness raised her up and began carry
ing her toward the house.
"Lucetta is fool y he cried sudden
ly, stopping and giving me quick
glance over his shoulder. Because
folks are terrified of this road and come
( to see us but seldom, she has got to feel
a most unreasonable dread of visitors.
She was even afraid If you coming till
we showed her what folly it was foI
aer to think we could always live here
like hermits. Then she doesn't like Mr..
Trohm; thinks he is altogether toe
friendly to meas if that was any Of her
business, Am an idiot? Have l nc
sense? Cannot l be trusted to take care
of my own affairs and keep my own Sc
crets? She's weak, silly chit, to 60
and flop over like this when, d-n it,
we have enough to look after without
nursing her up and--I mean, )" he said,
tripping himself up with an air Of po-
lite consideration so out of keeping with
his usual churlishness as to be more
than noticeable, that it cannot add
much to the pleasure of your visit to
have such things happen as this.
ooh, don't worry about me!'' l cried
CURLY. Get the poor girl in. I'll look
after her.
But as if she heard these words and
was startled by them Lucetta reused
in her brother S arms and struggled pas
sionately to her feet. "Oh, what has
happened to me?'' she cried "Have /
said anything? William, have said
anything" she asked wildly, clinging
to her brother in terror
He gave her look and pushed her
off.
"What are You talking about?' he
cried. lone would think you had some
thing to conceal.
She steadied herself up in an instant.
II am the weakest of the family"
said she, walking straight up to me and
taking me affectionately by the arm.
"All my life l have been delicate and
these turns are nothing new to me.
Sometimes / think I will die in one of
them; but l am quite restored now"
she hastily added, as could not help
showing my concern. "See! l can walk
quite alone" And she ran, rather than
walked, up the few short steps of the
porch, at which we had now arrived
"Don't tell Loreen," she begged, as l
followed her into the house. "She wor-
- Oh nj x.-.1 do
good. "
William had stalked off toward the
stables. We We're therefore alone.
turned and laid finger on her arm.
"My dear, said /, Il never make I
promises of this kind, but 1 can be .
trusted never to heedlessly slight any
ones wishes. If l see no good reason .
why l should tell your sister of this
fit, l shall certainly hold my
peace"
She seemed moved by my manner, if
not by my words.
"Oh," she cried, seizing my hand and
pressing it. IF l dared to tell you of
my troubles! But it is impossible, quite
And before / could urge a
plea for her confidence she was gone,
leaving me in the company of Hannah,
who at this moment was busying her.
elf with something at the other end of
he hall.
/ had no wish to interfere with Han
lah just then. had my letter TO read
md wished to do it undisturbed. So .
Tipped into the sitting room and care
ully closed the door. Then Iopened
ny letter.
1t was, asI supposed. from Mr.. Gryce,
nd ran thus: u
3 your determination, but since your desire
D visit your friends h such as to lead you to ]
rave the dangers 81 Lost Mans lane. allow