The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-20
(continued.)

MS that the chaise would be at the door
at quarter 10 twelve. the train 10 Lon
don stopping at our station at twenty
minutes after. He informed Lady Clyde
that he was obliged 10 go out. but added
that he hoped 10 be back before she left.
II any unforeseen accident delayed him,
was 10 accompany her 10 the station, and
take special care that she was in time for
the train. Sir Percival communicated
these directions very hastily, walking
here and there about the room all the
time. Her ladyship looked attentively
after him. wherever he went He never
once looked at her in return
She only spoke when he had done. and
then she stopped him as he approached
the door by holding out her hand
II shall see you no more, she said. In
n very marked manner. This is our
parting--our parting II may be. forever
Will you try TO forgive me, Percival as
heartily as forgive your
His face turned OF an awful whiteness
all over. and great beads OF perspiratior
broke out on his bald forehead. II shall
come oack." he said. and made for the
door as hastily as II his wifes farewell
words had frightened him out OF the room.
had never liked Sir Percival. but the
manner I'm which he let Lady Clyde made
me feel ashamed OF having eaten his
bread and lived in his service. thought
OF saying a few comforting and Christian
words 20 the poor lady. but there was
something I'm her face. "a she looked after
her husband when the door closed behind
him, that made me alter my mind and
keep silence
At the time named the chaise drew up
at tho gates Her ladyship was right
Sir PerciNal never came back. l waited
for him till the last moment-and waited
in vain.
No positive responsibility lay on my
shoulders. and yet l did not feel easy In
my mind. 1T Is OF your own free will.
I said. as the chaise drove through the
lodge gates, that your ladyship goes to
London
II will go anywhere" she answered.
ito end the dreadful suspense that am
suffering a. this moment"
She had made me feel almost as anx-
ious and as uncertain about Miss Hal
combe as she felt herself. l presumed
to ask her TO write me n line, II all wen.
well IN London. She answered. Most
willingly. Mrs Nicholson I'VE all have
our crosses TO bear my lady" I said,
seeing her silent and thoughtful, after she
had promised TO write. She made no
reply; she seemed 10 bc too much wrapped
UP in her own thoughts TO attend to me.
II fear your ladyship rested badly last
night" / remarked, after waiting little.
Eyes" she said II was terribly disturbed
by Dreams Indeed my lady?"
thought she was going 20 tell me her
dream; but no. when she spoke next II
was only 10 ask a question. You posted
the letter TO Mrs. Vesey with your own
hands?" "Yes. my lady
Ibid Sir Percival say, yesterday. that
the Count Fosco was 10 meet me at the
terminus I'm London7' He did. my lady,
She sighed heavily when / answered
that last question, and said no more b
We arrived at the station. with hardly
two minutes 10 spare The gardener
twho had driven us) managed about the
luggage, while l took the ticket. The
whistle OF the train was sounding when
] Joined her ladyship on the platform
She looked very strangely, and pressed
her hand over her heart. as II some sud
den pain or fright had overcome her at
that moment
II wish you were going with mel she
said. catching eagerly at my arm when
gave her the ticket
II there had been time. II ! had felt
the day before as i felt then, ! would
have made arrangements to accompany
her. even though the doing so had obliged
me to give Sir Percivsl warning on the
spot As II was. her wishes expressed
at the last moment were expressed toe
seemed to understand this herself before
/ could explain IL. and did not repeat
her desire 10 have me for a travelling
companion. The train drew up at the
platform. She gave the gardener pres
ent for his children. and took my hand
in her simple. hearty manner. before she
got into the carriage.
You have been very kind TO me and
20 my sister" she said--"kind when we
hnfA ~ I
you gratefully as long as | live to remem-
Der any one Good -bye--and God bless
you"
She spoke those words with a tone and
a look that brought the tears into my
eyes--ehe spoke them as II she was bid
ding me farewell forever.
Goodbye. my lady | said. putting
her into the carriage and trying TO cheer
her; goodbye for the present only
god-bye, with my best and kindest wishes
for happier times"
She shook her head. and shuddered as
she settled herself in the carriage. The
guard closed the door. do you be-
lieve In dreams?" she whispered to me al
the window
MY dreams last night were dreams
have never had before The terror OF
them Is hanging over me still" The
whistle sounded before | could answer
and the train moved. Her pale. quiet
face looked at me for the last time. looked
eorrowfully and solemnly from the win
dow. She waved her hand-and l saw
her no more.
Toward o'clock on the afternoon OF
that same day. having little time TO my
self In the midst OF the household duties
which now pressed upon me. l sat dowr
alone I'm my own room TO try and compose
my mind with the volume OF my hus'
bands sermons. For the first time ir
my life / found my attention wandering
over those pious and cheering words
Concluding that Lady Glyde's departure
must have disturbed me far more serious
~ than had myself supposed, ] put tbs
book aside and went out 10 take turr
In the garden. Sir Percival had not ye
returned. 20 my knowledge; so l coult
feel no hesitation about showing myself
IN the grounds.
On turning the corner OF the house ans
gaining a view OF the garden l wal
startled by seeing stranger wa,kiny
In H. The stranger was a woman--sh'
was lounging along the path. with he
back 10 me. and was gathering IN