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

cival then / had seen her yet In the
evening she went to the piano, choosing
new music OF the dextorous. tuneless,
fforid kind. The lovely old melodies OF
Mozart. which poor Hartright was 80
fond OF, she has never played since he
left
The book is no longer in the music
stand. She took the volume away herself,
so that nobody might find 1t out and ask
her to play from 1t.
/ had no opportunity OF discovering
whether her purpose of the morning had
changed or not. until she wished Sir Per-
cival good -night-and then her own words
informed me that II was unaltered. She
said, very quietly. that she wished to
speak to him after breakfast, and that he
would find her in her sitting-room with
me. He changed color at those words.
and felt his hand trembling little when
II came TO my turn to take IL. The event
OF the next morning would decide his fu-
ture life: and he evidently knew II.
l went in, as usual, through the door be-
tween our two bedrooms, to bid Laura
goodnight before she went to sleep. In
STOPPING over her TO kiss her. I saw the
little hook of Hartright's drawings half
hidden under her pillow. just in the place
where she used to hide her favorite toys
when she was n child. | could not find IL
In my heart to say anything: but point
drew my face down TO hers till our lips
met.
ed to the book and shook my head. She
reached both hands ZIP to my cheeks, and
Leave IL there tonight" she whispered;
tomorrow may be cruel, and may make
me say goodbye TO IL forever"
sth.-The first event of the morning was
of kind to raise my spirits letter ar
rived for me, from poor Walter Hart
right. II is the answer to mine, describing
the manner In which Sir Percival cleared
himself OF the suspicious raised by Anne
Catherick's letter. He writes shortly and
bitterly about Sir Percival's explana-
tions; only saying that he has no right to
offer an opinion on the conduct OF those
who are above him. This II sad; but his
occasional references to himself grfeve
me still more. He says that the effort TO
return TO his old habits and pursuits
grows harder instead OF easier to- him.
every day; and he implores me, II | have
any interest, to exert IL to get him en-
ployment that will necessitate his alb
sence from England and take him among
new scenes and new people. I have been
made all the reader TO comply with this
request. by passage at the end OF his
letter. which has almost alarmed me-
After mentioning that he has neither
seen nor heard anything OF Anne Cathe-
rick. he suddenly breaks off, and hints in
the most abrupt, mysterious manner. that
he has been perpetually watched and
followed by strange men ever since he
returned to London. He acknowledges
that he can not prove this extraordinary
suspicious by fixing on any particular
persons; but he declares that the suspi-
cion itself Is present TO him night and
day. This has frightened me, because II
looks II his one fixed idea about Laura
was becoming too much for his mind l
will write Immediately TO some OF my
mothers influential friends in London,
and press his claims on their notice.
Change OF scene and change OF occupation
may really be the salvation of him at this
crisis In his life.
Greatly TO my relief Sir Percival sent
an apology for not Joining us at break
fast. He had taken an early cup of cof-
fee in his own room. and he was still en-
gagged there I'm writing letters. At IL
o'clock, N that hour was convenient, he
would do himself the honor OF waiting on
Miss Fairle and Miss Halcombe.
My eyes were on Daura's face while the
message was being delivered. had found
her unaccountably quiet and composed on
going into her room In the morning: and
30 she remained all through breakfast
Even when We were sitting together on
the sofa I'm her room, waiting for Sir Per-
cival. she still preserved her self-controi
Don't be afraid OF me- Marian" was
all she said. II may forget myself with
an old friend like Mr.. Gilmore. OF with a
dear sister like you: but ! will not forget
myself with SIR Perclval Clyde"
looked AZ her and listened to her In
silent surprise Through all the years OF
our close intimacy, this passive force I'm
hidden even from herself. TIL love found
II, and suffering called ~ forth.
As the clock on the mantel-piece struck
H. Sir Percival knocked at the door. and
came in There was suppressed anxiety
and agitation In every line OF his face