The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-19
(cmtinued.)

have rsked letting her got She has got
three competent people 10 look after her
.-Fosco and your aunt and Mrs Rubelle.
who went away with them expressly for
that purpose. They took a whole carriage
yesterday, and made bed for her on
the seat In case she felt tired. Today
Fosco and Mrs. Rubelle go on with her
themselves TO Ctrmberland-'
why does Marian go to Lmmeridge.
and leave me here by mysefY' said her
Iadyship. interrupting Sir Percival.
Because your uncle won't receive you
tili he has seen your sister frst." he re-
piled. Have you forgotten the letter he
wrote to her. at the beginning OF her III
ness7 1t was shown 10 you; you read IL
yourself and you ought to remember IT,
81 do remember Il"
"If you DO. why should you be sur
prised ct her leaving your You want TO
be back at Limmeridge. and she has gone
there to get your uncle's leave for you,
on his own terms"
Poor Lady Giydes eyes filed with
tears.
"Marian never let me before" she said,
without bidding me goodbye"
"shs would have bid you goodbye this
time" returned Sir Percivai. ~ she had
not been afraid Of herself and OF you.
She knew you would try to stop her: she
knew you would distress her by crying.
Do you want 10 make any more objec-
tionsr II you do you must come down
stairs and ask questions In the dining
room. These worries upset me. i want
a glass OF wine"
He left US suddenly.
His manner all through this strange
conversation had been very unlike what
n usually was He seemed to DO almost
es nervous and finttered. every now and
then. as his lady herself. should never
have supposed that his health had been
40 delicate. or his composure so easy to
upset.
I tried to prevail on Lady Clyde to go
back TO her room but IL was useless.
She stopped IN the passage. with the look
OF a woman whose mind was panic
stricken.
''scmething has happened TO my sister,
she SAID.
"Remsmber. my lady. what surprising
energy there In In Miss Halcombe,
suggested. "shs might well make an eff
fort which other ladies'. In her situation.
would be unit for. ] hope and believe
there Is nothing wrong--I do indeed"
at must follow Marian said her Indy
ship, with the same panic stricken look.
sI must go where she has gone; must
see that she is alive and well with my
own eyes. Come! come down with me
to Sir PercivaL"
hedtated. fearing that my presence
mixht be considered an intrusion at
tempted to represent this to her ladyship;
but she was deaf to mo. She held my
arm fast enough to force me to go down
stairs with her. and she still clung TO me
with all the little strength she had at
the moment when i osened the dining
room door.
Sir Percival was sitting at the table
with a decanter Of wine before him. He
Ill Atat
In and drained In at draught. Seeing
that ne looked at me angrily when ne put
II down again, attempted to make some
apology for my accidental presence In the
room.
..Do you suppose there are any secrets
roing on here?" ne broke out. suddenly;
ssthere are none-<here In nothing under
hand, nothing kept from you or from
any one" After speaking those strange
words. loudly and sternly. he filled him
self another glass OF wine. and asked
Lady Clyde what she wanted OF him.
sIf my sister n At to travel. ] am mt
10 travel" said her ladyship, with more
nrmness than she had yet shown. Il
come TO beg allowances for my anxiety
about Marian. and let me follow her at
once by the afternoon train"
ssYou must wait TIL tomorrow" replied
Sir Pcrcival, "and then. II you don't hear
20 the contrary. you can go. don't
suppose you are at all likely to hear to
the contrary. 10 I shall write to Fosco
by tonights post
He said those last words holding his
glass up 10 the light. and looking at the
wine In Il, instead OF at Lady Clyde. In
deed. he never once looked at her through
out the conversation. Such n singular
want of good breeding In a gentleman
OF his rank impressed me. I own. very
painfully.
why should you write to Count
Fosco?y she asked. I'm extreme surprise
.sTo tell him 10 expect you by the mid
day train" said Sir Percival. He VIII
meet you at the station. when you get to
London. and take you out to sleep at your
aunt's. In st. Johns Wood"
Lady Glyde's hand began to tremole
violently round my arm-why, I could
not imagine.
.~There is no necessity for Count Foeco |
10 meet me-" she said. IT would rather |
not etay in London TO sleep"
You must You can't take the whole
tourney 10 Cumberland IN one day. You |
must rest a night In London. and don't |
choose you 10 go by yourself TO hotel |
Fosco made the offer TO your uncle to |
give you houre-room on the way down, |
and your uncle has accepted IT, Herel
here 10 a letter from him. addressed TO |
yourself. ought TO have sent II up |
tnte rnOft1inks pht Aotsot. fss7ou ~ atNh I
see what Mr.. Fairlle himself sayv TO |
you"
Lady Clyde looked at the letter for n |
moment. and then placed II my hands.
Read It," she said. family. II don't |
know what In the matter with me. 1 |
can't read II myself"
II was a note OF only four iines-so |
short and 20 careless that Il quite struck |
me- II remember correctly. it contain |
ed no more than these words:
Dearest Laura.-Piease come when |
ever you like. Break the journey by /
sleeping at your eunt's house. Grieved /
20 hear OF dear Marian's illness. Affect /
ionately yours.
FREDERICK FAIRLIE"
'1 would rather not go there-I would /
rather not stay n night In London" /
eaid her ladyship, breaking out eagerly /
with those wordr before had quite |
done reading the note. short as II was.
Don't write 90 Count Foscoi Pray. pray /
don't write 10 him.
Sir Percval filled another glass from /
the decanter. 80 awkvardly that he up |