The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-07

were as secretly beginning TO drive us
apart
In my doubt and perpiexity, in my va
gue suspicion OF something hidden which
l was left TO find by my own unaided eff
forts. j examined Miss Balcombe's looks
and manner for enlightment Living In
such Intimacy as ours. no serious alter
alton could take place in any one or us
which did not sympathetically anect the
others. The change I'm Miss Fairlie was
reflected I'm her half-sister. Although not
a word escaped Miss Halcombe which
limited at an altered state OF feeling to-
ward myself, her penetrating eyes had
contracted a new habit OF always watch
ing me. Sometimes the look was like
suppressed anger; sometimes like sup
pressed dread; sometimes like neither
like nothing, I'm short, which | could un-
derstand A week elapsed. leaving us all
three still I'm this position OF secret con-
straint toward one another. NY situation,
aggravated by the sense OF my own mis-
erable weakness and forgettulness OF my
self, now too late awakened I'm me, was
becoming intolerable. / felt that I must
cast off the oppression under which I was
living az once and forever-yet how TO
act for the best, or what To say first was
more than could tell.
From this position Of helplessness and
humiliation. I was rescued by Miss Hal
combe. Her lips told me the bitter. the
hearty kindness sustained me under the
shock Of hearing IT, and her sense and
courage turned 10 It's right use an event
which threatened the worst that could
happen. 10 me and TO others, In Lmmer-
idge House.
II was on a Thursday In the next week,
and nearly at the end OF the third month
OF my sojourn In Cumberland
In the morning when ! went down IN
to the breakfast room. at the usual hour,
Miss Halcombe for the first time since
had known her, was absent from her
customary place at the table.
Miss Fairle was out on the lawn. She
bowed 70 me- but did not come In. Not
wore had dropped from my lips, or from
hers that could unsettle either or us
and yet the same unacknowledged sense
Of embarrassment made us shrink alike
from meeting each other alone. She walt
ed on the lawn: and waited In the
breakfast room, till Mrs. Vesey or Miss
Halcombe came I'm.
How quickly should have Joined her;
how readily we should have shaken hands
and glided into our customary talk, on
~ fortnight ago,
In n few minutes Miss Halcombe enter
cd. She had a preoccupied look. and
she made her apologies for being late
rather absenty.
81 have been detained" she said. "by
a consultation with Mr.. Fairlie on do
nestle matter which he wished TO speak
TO me about"
den; and the usual morning greeting
passed between us. Her hand struck
colder 10 mine than ever. She did not
look at me- and she was very pale Even
Mrs Vesey noticed II. when she entered
the room n moment after.
II suppose IL is the change in the wind"
said the old lady The winter Is com
ing-ah, my love. the winter Is coming
soon"
In her heart and In mine II had come
already!
Our morning meal-once so full OF
pleasant good -humored discussion OF the
plans for the day--was short and silent.
Miss Fairie seemed TO feel the oppress-
ion OF the long pauses In the conversa-
ton; and looked appealingly 10 her SIS
ter 10 fll them up. Miss Halcombe, af-
ter once or twice hestating and check
ing herself. IN a most uncharacteristic
manner, spoke at last.
81 have seen your uncle this morning.
| Laura" she said. "He thinks the pur-
| pie room Is the one that ought To be got
ready; and he confirms what I told you.
| Monday IL the day--not Tuesday"
While these words were being spoken.
Miss Fairle looked down at the table
beneath her. Her fingers moved nerv-
| ously among the crumbs that were scat
| tered on the cloth. The paleness OF her
cheeks spread 10 her lips. and the lips
themselves trembled visibly. 7 was not
the only person present who noticed this.
Miss Halcombe saw u too: and At once
set us the example OF rising from table.
Mrs, Vesey and Miss Fairlie left the
room together The kind sorrowful blue
eyes looked at me. for mment with the
prescient sadness OF coming and along
farewell. ! felt the answering pang in
my own heart--the pang that told me
! must lose her soon and love her the
more unchangeaby for the loss.
I turned toward the garden when the
door had closed on her Miss Halcombe
was standing with her hat in her hand,
and her shawl over her arm. by the
large window that led out To the lawn,
and was looking at me attentivey.
"Have you any leisure time To spare"
she asked before you begin 10 work in
your own room?"
Certainly Miss Halcmbe have al
ways time AT your service"
81 want 10 say word 10 YOU In pri-
vate. Mr.. cartwright. Get your hat and
come out into the garden. We are not
likely to be disturbed there at this hour
in the morning"
As we stepped out on TO the lawn. one
OF the under -gardeners--a mere 'lad--pass
ed us on his way 10 the house, with n
I ltlNtT III nlS MISS IlVltpUlDt sibp-
ped him.
'Is that letter for me?" she asked
Nay. miss: It's just said to he for
Miss Fairlie.' answered the lad holding
out the letter as he spoke.
Miss Halcombe took II from him. and
looked at the address.
"A strange handwriting. she said TO
herself. ''Who can Lauras correspon-
dent he? Where did you get this?" she
continued. addressing the gardener.
"Well. miss" said the lad, II just got
IL from a woman"
What woman"
"A woman well stricken In age"
"Oh. an old woman. Any one YOU
knew"
81 Gamma taxi IL on mysel TO say that
that she was other than a stranger 10
me"
which way did she go?"
TThat gate" said the under-g ardener,
turning with great delberation towe nj
the south. and embracing the whole OF
that part OF England with one compre-