The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-26
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.

agents OF a daring imposture We arc
Anne Catherick. who claims the name.
the place and the living personality OF
dead Lady Clyde
changed aspect In which we three must
| appear. henceforth. I'm this narrative, for
many and many a page 10 come.
In the eye Of reason and OF law. in the
| estimation OF relatives and friends, ac-
cording 10 every received formally Of
| civilized society. Laura, Lady Clyde
lay buried with her mother in Limmer-
ldge chnrch yard. Torn In her own life
| time from tile list OF the living. the
] daughter OF Philip Fairlie and the wife
1 OF Percival Clyde might still exist for her
\ sister. might stlll exist for me. but TO all
/ the world besides she was dead. Dead
/ 10 her uncle who had renounced her: dead
| 70 the servants of the house. who had
! failed 10 recognize her: dead 10 the per
/ her fortune 10 her husband and her aunt. (.
dead 10 my mother and sister. who be-
lieved me, to be the dupe. OF an adven-
morally, legally-dead.
And yet alive! Alive in poverty and I'm
hldlng. Alive. with the poor drawing
master 10 fight her battle and 10 win
the way back for her 10 her place I'm the
world OF the living beings.
Dld no suspicion, excited by my own
knowledge OF Anne Cathericks resem-
plance TO her cross my mind when her
| race was first revealed TO me? Not the
shadow OF suspicion. from the moment
when she lifted her veil by the side OF
the inscription which recorded her death.
Before the sun OF that day had set.
before the last glimpses Of the home
which was closed against her had passed
from our view. the farewell words !
spoke when we parted at Limmeridge
house had been recalled by both OF us,
repeated by me. recognized by her. If
ever the time comes when the devotion
OF my whole heart and soul and strength
VIII give you moments happiness. or
spare you moments sorrow will you
try TO remember the poor drawing mas
teF who has taught your She who now
remembered 40 little OF the trouble and
terror OF a later time remembered those
words. and laid her poor head innocently
ana trustingly on the bosom. OF the man
who had spoken them. In that moment.
when she called me by my name when
she said They have tried 10 make me
forget everything Walter: but / remem-
that moment, i. who had long since
given her my love gave her my life. and
thanked God that II was mine to bestow
on her. Yes! the time had come. From
thousands on thousands of miles away:
through forest and wilderness where
companions stronger than i had fallen
by ny my & side; ihrongh peril OF death thrice
that leads men on the dark road 10 the
future, had led me TO meet that time
Forlorn end disowned, sorely tried and
mind clouded: robbed OF her station in
the world. OF her place among living crea-
tures-the devotion I had promised the
devotion OF my whole heart and soul and
strength. might be laid blamelessly. now.
at those dear feet. In the right of her !
calamity In the right OF her friendliness, |
10 protect. 10 cherish. TO restore. Mine !
10 love and honor as father end brother
both Mine To vindicate through ALI risla |
ana al sacrihces-through the hopeless
Struggle against rank and power. through !
the long fight with armed deceit and for !
tined success. through the waste OF my /
reputation. through the loss of my
friends. through the hazard OF my life
IL
MY position is defined: my motives are I
acknowledged. The story az Marian and |
the story of Laura must come next
shall relate both narratives not I'm the 1
words (often Interrupted often Inevitably 4
ronfusenl OF tho sneakers themselves. |
rut IN the words of the brief. nlnin stu |
dlnnslv simple abstract. which T com
mitted 10 writing for my own guidance
md for the guidance of my legal adviser
So the tangled web will he most speedily
lnd most intelllgbly unrolled
The story OF Marian begins whore the
larratve or the housekeeper at Black
ON Iady Glyde's departure from her
1usban'fs house, the fact OF that de-
DartIre. ana the necessary statement az
he circumstances under which n hnd
AIKEN place. were communicated IN Miss
falcoinbe by the housekeeper. II was
lot I'LL some days afterward chow many
lays eynctly, Mrs. Nicholson. In the ah-
ence OF any written memorandum on the
utject could not undertake 10 saw that
letter arrived from Nine. Fosco an
louncinR Lady Glydes sudden death in
'ount Fosto's house. The letter avoid
d mentioning dates. and left II 10 Mrs.
dlchelsons discretion 20 break the news
{ once TO Miss Halcombe. or 10 defer
oins so until that lady's health should
e more firmly established
Having consulted Mr.. Dawson (who
ad been himself delayed. by III health.