Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-05-10
-M@ HE ~~~~~~~
- WOMAN IN GRAY
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ROBERT ESTES DURAND.
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CHAPTER v.-(Continucd.

CHAPTER N.-(Continucd.)
When she paused at last. finishing win
q question. the stiffness in the drawing
room might almost have been felt.
What would Miss Hope say to her. and
TO the others. who waited some cNplnna.
ton Of the sudden storm-c!oud which had
discharged its electricity?
But Miss Hope only laughed and shrug-
ged her lovely shoulders among their
nesting laces.
Dear me. Miss Wynnc.' she cxclaim-
ed at last. with pretty little drawl. ''do
you mean to be melodramatic, or only
amusingy"
She leaned back in her chair. gently
waving her fan. from which flashed span.
gle,l fire as she moved 1t.
"Of course. I have heard all about the
Fanny Edwards you mention, bat nJ; III
America. 1t was at Martcnhcad. near
Lorn Abbey. the ''old family place YOU
spoke of just now. and where we mot last
week. Perhaps you even think"-and her
words were interrupted by n little rip
pling laughter perhaps I'd better say
mean to convey. that am Fanny Ed
wards In disguise? How funny! ] see
that I'm not the only woman In the
house with what I call a fine dramatic
instinct But I never make scenes:
only act In them sometimes. when they
have been made. There's such differ.
encew
"You act very well. certainly" retort.
ed Paula, Quivcring. "1ndecd. you would
do most things you undertook well. l
haven't a doubt. even to making up beds
and washing dishes. which was Fanny
Edwards work at lorn Abbey"
Poor girl! How she must have hat.
ed It."
Eyes; no doubt It's plcasanter to write
story books"
Miss Hope laughed again. "Whnt a
battle Of words! And I see that every
one Is dying. but afraid. to separate US.
r you will tell us all. Miss Wynne. cx-
actly why you fnncied privately rejoic.
ed In the simple. unassuming name Of
Edwards I will get dear Lady Towers
20 answer for me regarding my genealo.
~ as far as she knows it."
do you really wish me to tcll-herc.
before everybody-why I believed, and
do still believe, your real name to be
Fanny Edwards, not Consuclo Hooper,
"Ah, my dear Miss Wynnc. you admit
II at last! Come. that's something to 20
upon. Yes. please give the particulars,
BY all means"
"You are very-bravc."
'The courage Of innocence, I assure
you. And here come oil the absentccs,
just In time. Don't you agree with me,
Sir Wilfrid?"
For my uncle. with the other men. had
now made his appearance at the door.
TITS a forcgOnc conclusion that I do"
be responded calamity.
Miss Wynnc Is Just about to tell US
her reasons for 'hlching from mo my
good name Of Hope. No, no: you must
not speak. Sir Wilfrid; I shall be angry
II you do. Now. IL you please. Miss
Wynne."
Paula was red and white by turns In
her anger at being thus baited where she
had thought to score.
"You are not Miss Hope then, IL you
will have III" she cried. II know. on the
authority Of as clever a private detective
as can be had In London. Oh. I'm not
ashamed to confess Il! And II yOu NIL
guessed the slyness. the machinat TONS
paula" uttered Uncle Wilfrid's stern
voice, II forbid you to say another word
You bring upon yourself treatment only
fit for child. Leave the room. You
shall hear from me later"
Paula rushed out. and Miss Hope came
TO the rescue, saying:
"Of course II began with joke, and
was very stupid to have kept It up for 4
moment. 1t Is who ought to apologize;
and, by way Of penance and to make you
all forget, Ill sing you the funniest SOM
know before We say good night"
She walked hastily to the piano and
began singing bright little French chan.