The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-01
(continued,)

We helped her mind slowly by this
simple means We took her out between
US TO walk. on fne days. in a quiet old
city square. near at hand. where there
was nothing to confuse or alarm her; we
spared few pounds from the fund at
the bankers 20 get her wine, and the
delicate strengthening food that she re-
quired: we amused her in the evenings
with children's games at cards, with
scrap books full OF prints which ! Dor
rowed from the engraver who employed
me-by these, and other trihing atten-
tions like them. we composed her and
steadied her. and hoped all things. as
cheerfully as we could, from time and
care. and love that never neglected ana
never despaired OF her. But 10 take her
mercillessly from seclusion and repose'to
confront her with strangers; TO rouse the
painful hushed 10 rest-this. even In her
own interests. we dared not do. what
ever long, weary. heartbreaking delays 1t
involved, the wrong that had been In
ficted on her. II mortal means could
grapple II, must be redressed without
her knowledge and without her help.
This resolution settled, II was next nec-
essary to decide how the first risk should
be ventured, and what the hrst proceed
ings should be.
After consulting with Marian. resoiv-
ed TO begin by gathering together as
many facts as could be collected-then TO
ask the advice of Mr.. Kyrle (whom we
knew we could trusD: and to ascertain
from him. in the FIRST instance, III the ie-
gal remedy lay fairly within our reach.
owed IL TO Laura's interests not 10 STAKE
her whole future on my own unaided ex-
ertions. so long as there was the faintest
prospect OF strengthening our position by
obtaining reliableA assistance OF any kind
The frst source OF information 10
which I applied was the journal kept az
Biackwater Park by Marian Halcomoe'
There were passages in this diary, relat-
ing 10 myself which she thought IL best
that I should not see. Accordingly, she
read to me from the manuscript ana
took the notes wanted as she went on.
We could only find time 10 pursue this
occupation by sitting up late at night.
Three nights were devoted TO the pur-
pose. and were enough to put me In pos
session of all that Marian could tell.
NV next proceeding was TO gain as
much additional evidence as / could pro-
cure from other people. without exciting
SUSPICION I went myself TO Mrs. Vesey,
10 ascertain II Laura's impression or
having slept there was correct or not In
this case. from consideration for Mrs.
vesey's age and infirmity. and in all
subsequent cases OF the same kind from
considerations OF caution, kept our real
position a secret, and was always care
fui 20 speak OF Laura as 1.-The late Lady
Clyde
Mrs. vesey's answer to my inquiries
only confirmed the apprehensions which
I had previously felt Laura had certain
ek.1 ha
night under the roof OF her old friend
but she had never been near the house.
Her mind in this instance and as I
feared in other instances besides con-
fusedly presented TO her something which
she had only intended TO do In the false
light OF something which she had really
done The unconscious contradiction OF
herself was easy to account for in this
way--but 1t was likely TO lead TO serious
results II was a stumble OF the thres-
hold at starting; Il was a naw I'm the
evidence which told fatally against us.
When next asked for the letter which
Laura had written to Mrs. vesey from
Blackwater Park II was given to mo
without the envelope. which had been
thrown into the waste-paper basket. and
long since destroyed In the letter itself
no date was mentioned-not even the day
OF the week. 1t only contained these
lines: Dearest Mrs. Vesey I am In sad
Il
your house tomorrow night. and ask for
a bed can't tell you what is the mat
ter in this letter. write II In such fear
OF being found out that | can fix my
mind on nothing Pray be at home to
see me ] will give you thousand kisses,
and tell you everything. Your affection
ate Laura What help was there in
those iines9 None.
On returning from Mrs. vesey's I in
structed Marian 10 write observing the
same caution which l practiced MYSELF
TO Mrs. Nicholson. She was TO express IL
she pleased, some general suspicion OF
Count Fosco's conduct: and she was TO
ask the housekeeper TO supply us with a
plain statement OF events. In the interests
OF truth. While we were waiting for the
answer. which reached us I'm week Is
time, I went TO the doctor in st. J., Inns
Wood, introducing myself as sent by
Miss Halcombe 20 collect. II possible.
more particulars OF her sisters last III
ness than Mr.. Kyrle had found the time
To procure.
BY Mr.. Goodricke's assistance I OBJ
tained a copy OF the certificate Of the
death. and an interview with the woman
prepare the body for the grave Through
this person / also discovered a means OF
communicating with the servant Hester
in consequence OF n Disagreement with
her mistress, and she was lodging with
some people in the neighborhood whom
Mrs, Gould knew. In the manner here
Indicated obtained the narratives OF the
housekeeper. OF the doctor. OF Jane Gould
and OF Hester Pinhorn. exactly as they
are presented I'm these pages
Furnished with such additional evidence
az these documents afforded I considered
myself TO be sufficiently prepared for
consultation with Mr. Kyrle and Marian
wrote accordingly TO mention my name
TO him. and 10 specify the day and hour
vate business
There was time enough IN the morn
Ing for me TO take Laura out for n walk
usual. and 10 see her quietly settled
at her drawirY afterward She looked
up at me with a new anxiety In her face.
az rose To leave the room, and her An
gers began 20 toy doubtfully I'm the old
way. with the brushes and pencils on the