The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-04

efficient and highly valuable SER
round and addressed him for the last
time
Whatever happens in the future. sir,
l said, remember that my plain duty of
warning you has been performed. As the
faithful friend and servant of your fam
iy, tell you, at parting, that no daugh-
ter of mine should be married to any
man alive under such a settlement as you
are forcing me 10 make for Miss Fairlie" :"
The door opened behind me. and the
valet stood waiting on the threshold.
Louis" said Mr.. Fairlie, show Mr..
Gilmore out, and then come back and
hold up my etchings for me again. Make
them give you good lunch downstairs.
Do, Gilmore, make my idle beasts Of SER
wants give you a good lunch!'
i was too much disgusted to reply;
turned on my heel. and left him in ST.
lence There was an up train at two
o'clock In the afternoon and by that
train returned TO London.
ON the Tuesday ! sent in the altered
settlement, which practically disinherited
the very person whom Miss Fairlie's own
lips had Informed me she was most anx-
ious 10 benefit. l had no choice Another
lawyer would have drawn up the deed IL
l had refused TO undertake It.
My task is done. My personal share In
the events OF the family story extends no
further than the point which / have Just
reached Other pens than mine will de-
scribe the strange circumstances which
are now shortly TO follow Seriously and
sorrowfully, I close the brief record Sari-
ously and sorrowfully. l repeat here the
parting words that spoke at Limmer-
idge House:-No daughter OF mine should
have been married TO any man alive un-
der such settlement as / was compelled
to make for Laura Fairlle.
The Story continued by Marian Halcombe.
in extracts from her Diary.
Iimmerldge House. Nov. Sth.
This morning MIR Gilmore left us.
His interview with Laura had evidently
grieved and surprised him more than he
liked TO confess ] felt afraid frnm-his-
look and manner when we, parted that
she might have inadvertently betrayed 10
him the real secret OF her depression and
my anxiety This doubt grew on me so.
after he had gone, that declined riding
put with Sir PerCival and went up 10
LBura's room instead
/ have been sadly distrustful OF myself
IN this difficult and lamentable matter
ever since | found out my own Ignorance
OF the strength or Laura's unhappy at
tachment. | ought to have known that the
Gel!cacy end forbearauce and sense of
honor which dreew me TO poor Uartright
and made me so sincerely admire md re-
spcct him. were just the qualities to ap.
peal most Irresstihly to Laura's natural
sensitiveness and natural generosity of
nature And yet until she opened her
heart 10 me OF her own accord. / had no
sCsp.cion that this new feeling had taken
root 50 deeply I once thought time and
care might remove it. now fear that Il
Will remain with her and alter her for
life. The discovery that have committed
such an error I'm judgment ms this makes
ne estate about everything else
hesitate about sir Perclval. IN the face OF
the plainest proofs. I hesitate even in
speaking % Laura. On this very morning
] doubted. with my hand on tho door
whether I should ask her the questions
had como 10 put. or not.
Wien I went into her room. found her
walking up and down I'm great impaticucc
She looked flushed and excited. and she
came forward at once and spoke 10 me
before / could open my lips
81 wanted YOU" she said Come and
SIT down on the sofa with me Marianl
can bear this no longer-I must and will
end It,"
There was too much color In her
cheeks. too much energy In her manner.
too much frmness IN her voice The little
book of Hartrights dra wings-Jthe fatal
book that she will dream over whenever
she is alone-was In one OF her hands
began by gently and firmly taking ~ from
her. and putting IN out OF sight on a slde--
tet,f--
Tell me quietly. my darling. what YOU
wish Go dc" I said. 'fTas Mr. Gilmore
been advising you7'
She shook her head no. not I'm what
am thinking Of now. He was very kind
and good me- Marian. and am ashamed
10 say 7 distressed him by crying I
D..
myself For nv own sake and for all
our sakes. ] must have courage enough
10 end tt
10 you mean courage enough 10 claim