The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-14

ticence. Ten 10 one he had been In
structed not to talk to me about the
mysterious occurrence.
Buck" I asked. who came TO the
house awhile ago?'
Wasn't anybody came TO the house
awhile ago"
"A sick man. wasn't it?''
mo, he wasn't sick"
'I thought you said no one Gamer"
mo one did"
"Of course no one came: ne was car
ried"
IF yo' know so much about II, Mr..
| Brandystone. what's the use o. askin'
me7'
"You admit that whoever he was he
wasn't sick?''
"Of course he wasn't sick. How could
he be sick if II wasn't anybody7'
There was a sudden rustling In the hall.
and Helen swept into the room. her eyes
flashing fire.
Buck. leave the rooml'' she COM
manded In no uncertain tone. Buck gave
a glance at HIS sister. which told him
he had better obey. and walked out re-
luctantly.
You have been listening" said
curtly.
II have not. was coming through
the hall and heard your last remark"
And you infer that / was trying TO
get secret which does not at all con-
cern me?"
II most assuredly do
You are mistaken. 1 care no moro
for what occurs In this house than for
the color of the dress you happen to
wear. l had another object in aues-
tloning your brother"
II dare say you had"
II wished TO discover II he could keep
a secret"
II dare say you did"
81 have intended nothing dishonorable."
"Fudgep' She snapped her fingers
and her eyes at the same time.
You don't believe me. Very well.
don't believe that you were not caves
dropping"
Il was not eavesdropping!" she cried
hotly. You have the word OF south
ern lady"
And 1 was not trying to get your Sc
cret. You have the word OF a.
stopped short / had run against a snag
She gave me n glance OF contempt and
triumph. Her head was UP, a little TO
one side, her nostrils dilated, her breath
slow and measured.
Miss Stanforth." 1 said--I was near
betraymg what demanded secrecy-'I
will prove 10 you before night-no, not
before night. but soon-that l had an
other object. i Will no longer remain
in house the inmates OF which,
fnNQe "a step tOWhIu lne uoof
Mr.. Branderstanef'
Miss Stanforth!
I'm addition to sailing under false col
ors you are now going TO endanger your
life by
"Fudgel What is my life TO your I
snapped my fingers
"A good deal Just now. IL Is unpleas
ant to have a person die on ones hands"
/ was in no condition for this encoun-
| ter. A buzzing was going on In my ears.
| tingling sensation I'm my limbs. My
knees were giving way. and was
| Obliged 20 sit down on the sofa
4 looked longingly at n bottle OF brandy
proud TO ask for H. In moment Helen
! had poured some OF the liquor into a
| tumbler and held II TO my lips. I drank
a reviving draft. She put her hands on
my shoulders and gently forced me to
! lie down.
This must not occur again." she said
You have no strength 20 go. and have
/ no right TO excite you while I'm your
! present condition. believe what you
| told me" She put out her hand.
Pardon" said humbly When
calm. I would as soon think OF accusing
you OF eavesdropping as l would accuse
Diana OF unchastity. l have been un-
/ gallant. rudc-rude 10 n woman"
| Forget A. Lie still. and you will
soon be yourself again" She sat down
by a table and took up book. Il viii
sit here and read while you recover your
| strength"
She read for perhaps half an hour. I
supposed she was interested I'm the book.
for she turned one page after another
and seemed 90 have forgotten me. At
last che put down the volume. and by
her first words convinced me- that In
stead OF being interested in II she had
been thinking of my puzzling Identity.
| Il want 20 ask you one question"
l ASK H."
"where did you come from the day