The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-08
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
(Continued.)

tN1OntlnutuD
While We were speaking togetherI sav
the man in black. with the large ha,
come out from the house and stand a
sorne little distance observing US.
Certain suspicious OF his errand a
Blackwater park had already crossed m,
mind They were now increased by th'
gardeners inability Cor unwillingness) L
tell me who the man was. and ] deter
mined 10 clear the way before me, Il
possible. by speaking TO him. The plain
est question l could put, as stranger
would be 10 inquire II the house was al
lowed to be shown 10 visitors. i walked
up 10 the man at once and accosted him
In those words
His look and manner Enthusiastically be-
trayed that he knew who I was. and that
he wanted 10 irritate me into quarreline
with him. His reply was lnsolent enough
10 have answered the purpose. II had
been less determined to control myself
As II was | met him with the most reso-
lutte politeness. apologfzed for my involun-
tary intrusion (which he called a tres
pass. and left the grounds. 1t was ex-
me. when ! left Mr.. Kyrle's office. had
been evidently communicated 10 Sir Per-
ciyal Clyde. and the man In black had
been sent TO the park in anticipation OF
my making Inquiries at the house or In
the neighborhood. IL | had given him
the least chance Of lodging any sort Of
legal complaint against me the inter-
ference OF the local magistrate would no
doubt have been turned 10 account, as a
clog on my proceedings and n means Of
separating me from Marian and Laura
for some days at least
! was prepared 10 be watched on the
way from Blackwater park to the station.
exactly as had been watched In London
the day before. But could not discover
a the time whether was really followed
on this occasion or not. The man in
black might have had means OF tracking
me at his disposal OF which I was not
sware-but / certainly saw nothing of
him In his person. either on the way TO
the station or afterward on my arrival at
the London terminus In the evening.
reached home on foot taking the precau-
tion before I approached our own door
OF walking round by the loniiest street
in the neighborhood and there stopping
and looking back more than once over
the open space behind me. had first
learned TO use this stratagem against sus-
pected treachery in the wllds OF Central
America-and now I was practicng II
a gain with the same purpose and with
even greater caution In the heart OF civil
lized London
Nothing had happened 10 alarm Marian
during my absence. She asked eagerly
what success | had met with When
told her she could not conceal her sur
prise at the indifference with which
spoke Of the failure OF my Investigations
thus far
The truth was that the Ill success OF
my Inquiries had I'm no sense daunted me.
had pursued them as n matter OF duty
ard | had expected nothing from them. ,
In the state OF my mind at that time II /
was almost a relief to me 10 know that 4
the struggle was now narrowed TO a
trial Of strength between myself and Sir ,
Percival Clyde The vindictive motive /
had mingled itself ALL along with my other 4
and better motives and confess Il was a
TO me to feel that the surest
~ay--the only way left--or serving
[,aura's cause was TO fasten my hold
irmly on the villain who had married
ler
While 7 acknowledge that was not
strong enough to keep my motives above
he reach OF this instinct OF revenge. I
AN honestly say something in my own
avor on the other side No base specu-
alton on the future relations OF Laura
md myself and on the private and per-
onal concessions which | might force
rom Sir Percival II I once had him at
ny mercy, ever entered my mind
lever said TO myself. III do succeed IL
| !
'ut II out of her husbands power TO take
er from me again" could not look
{ her and think OF the future with such
houghts as those. The sad sight OF the
hange In her from her former self made
he one interest Of my love an interest of
erderness and compassion which her
ather or her brother might have felt
nd which | felt. God knows. in my in
host heart All my hopes looked no
m ha Aax 90 !
ecovery There. TIL she was strong
gain and happy again. there. till she
ould look at me she had once looked ,
nd speak 10 me as she had once spoken
he future ~ my happiest thoughts and ..
,y dearest wishes ended
These words are written under no
rompting OF idle INSTRUMENTATION.
ome which will set the minds of others !
judgment on my conduct II is right
rat the best and the worst Of me should v
, fairly balanced before that time
On the morning after my return from :
hampshire. took Marian upstairs into r
~ working room, and there laid before $
er the plan that ! had matured, thus I
'r. for mastering the one assailable ii
pint in the life Of Sir Perclval Clyde. a
The way 10 the secret lay through the b
ystery, hitherto impenetrable 10 all of
;. OF the woman in white The approach
that. i'm its turn. might be gained by
staining the assistance Of Anne Cathe-
ck's mother; and the only ascertaina-
q means Of prevailing on Mrs Cathe-
ek to act or 10 speak I'm the matter de-
ended on the chance Or my discovering
cal particulars and family particulars.
ct 81 all. from Mrs. Clements After
linking the subject over carefully. felt
rtain that I could only begin the new y
quries nv placing myself in oommuni- :,
tion with the faithful friend and pro. !,
ctress of Anne Catherick I,
The hrst difficulty. then. was 20 find -
re. Clements
was Indebted 10 Narian's quick per :,
ption for meeting this necessity AZ once vi
the best and simplest means She 4.