The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-20
THE WOMAN In WHITE



/ summoned breath enough and courage
enough for another question.
where is Miss Halcombe?"
Mrs. Rubelle fairly laugher at mo THIS
time. and replied in these words:
Miss Halcombe. ma'am, has not iett
Blackwater Park. either"
When / heard that astounding answer,
all my thoughts we're startled back on
the instant 10 my parting with Lady
CLYDE can hardly say | reproached
myself, but at that moment l think l
would have given many years nara
savings 10 have known four hours earl
Ter what knew now.
Mrs Rubele waited, quietly arrang-
ing her nosegay, as II she expected me
to say something.
I could say nothing. ! thought OF Lady
Glyde's wornout energies and weakly
health. and | trembled for the time when
the shock OF the discovery that / had
made would fall on her. For minute
or more my fears for the poor ladies
silenced me. At the end OF that time
Mrs. Rubelle looked up sideways from
her flowers. and said, Here is Sir Per-
cival ma'am, returned from MS ride.
| saw him as soon as she did. He came
towards us, slashing viciously at the
flowers with his riding-whip When ne
was near enough to see my face ne stop
ned struck at his boot with the whip,
and burst out laughing. so harshiy ana
so violently that the birds few away.
startled. from the tree by which ne
stood
"Weu. Mrs. Nicholson" ne said, you
have found It out at last, have your
I made no reply. He turned TO Mrs
Rubelle.
when did you show yourself in the
gardeng'
IL showed myself about half an hour
ago. sir You said ! might take my lib-
erty again as soon as Lazy Siyoe hao
gone away 20 London"
"Ouite right don't blame you'll only
asked the question" He waited mo-
ment and then addressed himself once
more to me You can't believe IL, can
your" he said. mockingiy. Here come
and see for yourself.
He led the way round 10 the front Oh
the house. followed him. and Mrs
| Rubele followed me.
Alter passing through the iron gates
he stopped. and pointed with his whip
! TO the disused middle wing Of the build
| ing.
THERE ne said. Look up at the
FIRST floor You know the old Elizabeth
an bedrooms7 Miss Halcombe is snug and
| safe Is one OF the best OF them al
this moment Take her In. Mrs Ru'
| belle (you have got your keyD: take
Mrs Nicholson In, and let her own eyes
satisfy her that there is no deception this
time"
The tone in which he spoke to me, and
the minute or two that had passed since
we left the garden. helped me 10 recover
my epirits a little. What l might have
done at this critical moment. II all my
life had been passed in service. can not
say. AS II was. possessing the feelings
the principles and the bringing-up or a
lady. 7 could not hesitate about the right
| course TO pursue. Ny duty 10 myvelf
and my duty 10 Lady Clyde alike forbade
me to remain In the employment OF a
mar who had shnmefully deceived us
both by series OF atroc.ous falsehoods
II must beg permission. Sir Pencfval
10 speak a few words TO you. In prf'
vate," said Having done 80, shall
| be ready to proceed with this person %
Miss Halcombe's room"
Mrs Rubelle. whom had indicated by
slight turn OF my head. insolentl,
| sniffed at her nosegay. and walked away
door
We'll" said Sir Percival. sharply
what Is II now?"
''I wish TO mention. sir. that I am de
sirous Of resigning the situation I nov
hold at Blackwater Park" That wa.
literally how ] put IT. was resolved
that the first words spoken in his pres
ence should be words which expressed
my intention 10 leave his service.
He eyed me with one of his blackes
looks. and thrust his hands savagely In
TO the pockets OF hts riding-coat
"What?' he said; why. should nk'
to know"
1T In not for me, Sir Percivai 10 ex
press an opinion on what has taken plnc
in this house, desire to give no ofrense
/ merely wish to say that do not fee
II consistent with my duty to Lady Glyd.
and 10 myself to remain any longer II
your service"
us IL consistent with your duty 10 mi
TO stand there casting suspicion on m,
to my face?" ne broke out. IN his mos
violent manner II see what your
driving at. You have taken your ow,
mean, underhand view OF an innocent de
ception practiced on Landy Clyde for ne
own good. II was essential TO her health
that she should have change of air i'm
mediately, and you know as we'll as
do che would never have gone away I
she had been told Miss Halcombe wa
still left here She has been deceived Il
her own interests. and l don't care WIN
knows q. Go. II you like--there ar
plenty OF housekeepers as good as yo'
to be had for the asking. Go. when yo,
please-but take care how you sprea,
scandals about me and my affairs whei
you're out OF my service. Tell the truth
and nothing but the truth, or IL will b.
the worse for youl See Miss Halcomb
for yourself; see H she hans'nt been a
we'll taken care OF I'm one part Of tn
house as In the other. Remember tn
doctors own orders that Lady Clyde wa
10 have a change of air at the earlies
possible opportunity. Bear all that wei
I'm mlnd--and then say anything aga.ns
me and my proceedings II you darel''
lie poured out these words nercely, al
I'm a breath. walking backward and for
ward. and striking about him In the al
with his whip.
Nothing that he said or dd shook m.
opinion OF the disgraceful series OF false
hoods that he had told. I'm my presence
the day before. or the cruel deception n,
which he had separated Lady Clyde from
her sister. and had sent her uselessy I,
London. when she was half distracte,
with anxiety on Miss Halcombe's &C
count. | naturally kept these thought
90 myself and said nothing more 10 ir
rltate him. but | was not the less re
solved 10 persist In my purpose sof
! answer turucth away wrath and I etip