The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-03
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.

a monent-then dropped II abruptly. and
| left the room. On the next day Laura
knew that his death had released her. and
that the error and the calamity of her life
lay buried in his tomb.
His name was mentioned among us no
more. Thenceforward we shrunk from
the slightest approach to the subject of
his death; and I'm the same scrupulous
manner. Marian and | avoided all fur
ther reference TO that other subject,
which. by her consent and mine, was not
10 be mentioned between us YET. 1t was
not the less prese mt TO our minds--it was
rather kept alive I'm them by the restraint
which we had imposed on ourselves. We
both watched Laura more anXiously than
ever; sometimes waiting and hoping.
sometimes waiting and fearing. TIN the
time came.
BY degrees we rturned to our accus-
toned way of life.
l resumed the daily work which had
been suspended during my absence i'm
Hampshire. our new lodgings cost us
more than the smaller and less conve-
nient rooms which we had left; and the
claim thus implied on my increased eX-
ertlons was strengthened by the doubtful
ness Of our future prospects. Emergen-
cies might yet happen which would ex-
haust our little fund at the bankers; and
the work Of my hands might he. ult-
mately, all we had 10 look 10 for sup
port. More permanent and more lucra-
tive employment than had yet been Of
fered 20 me was necessity of our posi-
tion-a necessity for which / now dill
gently set myself 10 provide
1t must not be supposed that the in
terval OF rest and seclusion Of which |
am now writing entirely suspended. on
my part all pursuit of the one absorb
ing purpose with which my thoughts and
actions are associated In these pages.
That purpose was, for months and
months yet never TO relax its claims
on me. The slow ripening of It still left
me a measure of precaution To take, an
obligation Of gratitude TO perform and
doubtful question to solve
The measure Of precauton related
necessarily, 10 the Count II was Of the
last Importance 10 ascertain. G passible.
whether his plans committed him 10 re-
naming i'm England-or, in other words
to remaining within my reach. I con-
trived TO set this doubt at rest by very
simple means. His address I'm st. Johns
Wood being known TO me, | inquired in
the neghoorhood; and having found out
the agent who had the disposal OF the
furnished house. In which he lived /
asked II number FIVE. Forest Road was
lkely to be let within reasonable time
The reply was I'm the negative. | was
informed that the foreign gentleman then
term OF occupation for another six
months and would remain in possession
until the end OF June i'm the following
year We were then az the beginning of
December only. I left the agent with my
mind relieved from the present fear of the
Counts escaping me.
The obligation | had 20 perform took
me once more into the presence OF Mrs.
clements. | had promised to return. and
- Ia hmV Al,
lating 60 the death and burial Of Anne
Catherick whirh / had been Obliged 10
withhold az ouc FIRST Interview Changed
as circumstances now were there was no
hnderunce 10 my trusting the good wo-
man with as much of the story Of the
conspiracy n sit was necessary 20 tell
had every reason that sympathy and
friendly feeling could suggest 20 urge on
me the speedy performance Of my prom
ise. and ala conscientiouGly and care
fully perform n There Is no need 10
burden these pages with any statement
of what passed az the interview II will
he more to the purpose 70 say that the
interview Itself necessarily brought 20
ny mind the one doubtful question still
remaininE 10 be solved the question "
Anne Cathericks parentage on her faith
er's side.
multitude of small considerations in
connection WIN inls Suulcct-tTlUlnk
enough I'm themselves. hut strikingly i'm
portant when massed togcther-had lat
terly led my mind 10 n conclusion which
resolved 10 verify. | obtained Marians
perm 'ssion To write Major ponthorne. 81
Narneck hall twhere Mrs. Catherick had
lived for some years previous 90 hcr mar
riagcl. 90 ask him certain questions.
made tho Inquiries IN Marian's name. and
described them as relating 10 matters 81
personal interest In her family. which
mlgth explain and excuse my application.
When I wrote the letter / had no ccr-
tain knowledge that Major Donthorne
was stlli alive. I dispatched " on the
chance that he might be living. and vii
Inns ~ reply
Aftrr p lapse 10 two DAYS. proof came.
IN the shape ~ a letter. that NE Major
was living. and that he was ready TO /