The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-04
(Continued.)

appear In my walking dress until l hac
irst discovered what was going on ir
the lower part Of the house. l had no.
ascertained yet whether Sir Percival was
indoors or out.
The singing OF the canaries In the II.
brary and the smell of tobacco smoke
that came through the door. which was
not closed told me at once where the
count was. looked over my shoulder
as passed the doorway and saw. 70 my
surprise, that he was exhibiting the
docility Of the birds. In his most eneag-
ingly polite manner. to the housekeeper.
lie must have specially invited her 10
see them. for she would never have
thought OF going into the library OF her
own accord. The mans slightest ac-
tions had a purpose OF some kind at the
bottom OF every one OF them. What
could he his purpose here,
II was no time then TO inquire into his
motives looked about for Nine. Fosco
next and found her following her favorite
circle. round and round the fish, pond.
was a little doubtful how she would
meet me, after the outbreak OF jealousy
of which l had been the cause no short
time since. But her husband had
tanned her In the interval. and she now
spoke to me with the same civility as
usual. My only object I'm addressing
myself to her was TO ascertain II she
contrived 10 refer TO him indirectly. and
after a little fencing on either side she
at last mentioned that he had gone out.
''wirch OF the horses has he taken?"
! asked. carelessly.
None OF them she replied. He went
away. two hours since. on foot. AS
understood II, his object was TO make
fresh inquiries about the woman named
Anne Catherick. lie appears TO be un-
reasonably anxious about tracing her. Do
you happen TO know IL she is dangerously
mad. Miss Halcombe?"
II do not, countess
Are you going in?'
Yes. ! think so. l suppose IL will soon
be time 10 dress for dinner"
We entered the house together. Nine.
Fosco strolled into the library and closed
the door. I went at once to fetch my
hat and shawl. Every moment was OF
Importance. IL | was TO get 10 Fanny at
the inn and be back before dinner.
When crossed the hall again no one
was there and the singing OF the birds In
the library had ceased could not
stop to make any fresh Investigations
could only assure myself that the way
was clear. and then leave the house with
the two letters safe In my pocket
On my way to the village l prepared
myself for the possibility OF meeting Sir
Percivsl AS long as had him 10 deal
with alone I felt certain ot not losing
my presence OF mind. Any woman who
is sure OF her own wits is a match at any
time for a man who Is not sure OF his
own temper | had no such fear OF Sir
Percival as had OF the count, Instead
OF fluttering IL had composed me- to hear
of the errand on which he had gone out.
While the tracing OF Anne Catherick wac
the great anxiety that occupied him,
Laura and ] might hope for some cessa-
al - ~
hands. For our sakes now. as well as
for Anne's, hoped and prayed fervently
that she might still escape him.
| walked on as briskly as the heat
would let me TIL | reached the cross-road
which led to the village. looking back.
from time to time, TO make sure that I |
was not followed by any one.
Nothing was behind me- all the way, 1
but an empty country wagon. The noise |
made by the numbering wheels annoyed 4
me. and when found that the wagon
took the road to the village. as well as
myself. stopped to let II go by and pass
out OF hearing As / looked toward IL.
more attentive!: than before. ] thought
] detected at intervals the feet Of a man
close behind 1t. the carter being
In front. by the side OF his horses. The
part OF the crossroad which | had Just
passed over was so narrow that the
wagon coming after me brushed the trees
and thickets on either side. and I had to
wait until Il went by before ] could test
the correctness of my impression APP
parently that impression was wrong. for
when the wagon had passed me the road
behind Il was quite clear.
I reached the inn without meeting Sir
Percval. and without noticing anything
more. and was glad to find that the land
adv had received Fanny with all possible
The girl had a little parlor to sit I'm.
,way from the nose Of the tap-roon,
md clean bed-chamber at the top OF
ne house. She began crying again. at
he sight or me. and said poor soul. q
ruy enough that II was dreadful to feel
lerse.f turned out into the world, as II
he had committed some unpardonable
: D T. when no blame could he laid at her
loor ny anybody-not even by her master
Who had sent her away.
TRY To make the best ot II. Fanny"
said. Your mistress ami I will stand
our friends, and ! VIII take care that
our character shall not suffer. Now,
listen to me. have very little time TO
pare. and I am going to put great
rust I'm your han I wish you to take
are OF these two letters. The one with
he stamp on II YOU are to put into the
,ost when YOU reach London. tomorrow
The other. directed TO Mr.. Fairlie. YOU
re 10 denver 10 MN Noursef. as soon
= YOU get home Keep both the letters
bout YOU. and give them mp to no one.
hey are OF the last Importance 10 your
MISTRESS interests
Fanny put the letters into the bosom
4 her dress. r.
There they shall stop miss che said. |
til have done what YOU tell me"
Mind YOU are at the station In good
ime tomorrow morning" continued
And when YOU see the housekeeper at
give her my compl ments.
nd say that you are In my service until
,ady Clyde is able 90 take YOU back
vc may meet again sooner than YOU
hink 80 keen a good heart. and don't
hiss the seven-o clock train
Thank you. miss. thank YOU kindly.
gives one courage 10 hear your voice
gain. Please 20 offer my duty to my
ldx and cay left all the things a. tidy
= could In the time. Oh. dear dear,
Tho vii dress her for dinner today II
sally breaks my heart. miss. n think
Z e."
When I got back 20 the house. I had
MY quarter OF an hour TO spare 10