The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-18

not nj ease. But she was certainly
STRENGTHENING more rapidly than couio
have yentured to anticipate, and she was
ah,e 70 send kind messages 10 Lady
CLYDE. saying that she was fast gettihs
well. and entreating her ladyship not 10
exert herself again TOO soon. lett her
in charge Of Mrs. Rubelle. who was sun
as quietly independent of every one eise
IN the house as ever. When j Knocked
AT lady Glyde's door. before going away
I was told that she was stlll sadly weak
and depressed my informant Dehs 'he
countess. who was then keeping her COM
pany in her room. Sir Percival ana lhe
count were walking on the roao 70 ,ne
lodge as | was driven by In the cnalse.
howed 10 them and quilted the house.
with not living soul left In the Servants
offices but Margaret Porcner.
Every one must feel what / nave ielt
myself since that time, that these cir
cumstances were more than unusua-
they were almost suspicious Let me-
however. say again, that II was impos-
sible for me, I'm my dependeht Posi'ioh'
10 act otherwise than l ala.
THE result OF my errand at Torquay
was exactly what / had for"seen no
such lodgings as / was instructed TO take
could be found in the whole place ana
the terms I was permitted 10 give were
much too low for the purpose, even III
had been able TO discover what wanted
I accordingly returned to Blackwater
mark and informed Sir Percival. who met
me at the door, that my journey mad
been taken In vain. He seemed too mucn
occupjed with some other subject 20 care
about the failure Of my errand, ana ms
first words informed me that even In the
short time OF my absence another re-
markable change had taken place In the
house.
The Count and Countess Fosco had ieit
Blackwater Park for their new resf
dence In st. Johns Wood.
was not made aware OF the mouve
for this sudden Departure was only toio
that the count had been verp particular
in leaving his kind compliments 10 me.
When I ventured on asking SIT fercVai
whether Lady Clyde had any one 10 at
tend TO her comforts In the absence oi
the countess he replied that she had Mar
uaret Porcher to walt on her. and ne add
ed that a woman from the village nad
heen sent for 10 do work downstairs
The answer really shocked me-there
was such a glaring improperly in permit
ting an under house-maid 10 hll the place
OF confidential attendant on Lady Siyue.
I went upstairs al once ana met Marsare.
on the bedroom landing Her services
her mistress having sufficiently recovered
that morning to be able to leave her
bed. ,,,o
asked. next. after Miss Halcombe,
hui 7 was answered in a slouching, sulky
way. which left me no wiser than was
before. l did not choose 10 repeat tnc
question. and perhaps provoke an imper-
,r,ent renlv II was in every respect more
becoming. TO a person In my position TO
present myself Immediately In Lazy
Glyde's room.
found that her ladyship had certain
ly gained in health during the last Few
days. Although still sadly weak and ner-
yous. she was able TO get up without as
sistance, and TO walk slowly about her
room. feeling no worse effect from the
exertion than a slight sensation of ia
tieue She had been made n little anxious
that morning about Miss Halcombe,
through having received no news or her
from any one. I thought this seemed TO
imply a blamable want OF attention on
the part OF Mrs. Rubelle but l said noth-
ing, and remained with Lady Glyue, 10
assist her to dress when she was ready.
we both left the room together to go to
Miss Halcombe.
We were stopped In the passage by the
appearance of Sir Percival. He looked as
II ne had been purposely waiting there TO
see US
where are you going7" he said to
Lady Clyde.
ITO Marian's ROOM" she answered.
s'It may spare you n disappointment,
remarked Sir Percival ''if ! tell you at
once that you will not fnd her there"
mot find her therev'
mo. She left the house yesterday
morning with Fosco and his wife"
Lady Clyde was not strong enough TO
bear the surprise OF the extraordinary
statement. She turned fearfully pale. and
leaning back against the wall, looking at
her hlsband In dead silence.
was so astonished myself that
hardly knew what 10 say. 1 asked Sir
Percival IL he really meant that Miss
Haicombe had left Blackwater Park.
ct certainly mean IT," he answered.
sIn her state. Sir Percivall Without
mentioning her Intentions TO Lady
Giydel"
Before he could reply, her ladyship re-
covered herself n little. and spoke.
.'Impossible" she cried out, In n loud,
frightened manner. taking step or two
forward from the wall Where was the
doctor? where was Mr.. Dawson when
Marian went away?'
"Mr. Dawson wasn't wanted. and
wasn't here" said Sir Percival. ''He left
OF his own accord. which II enough OF IT.
self 10 show that she was strong enough
20 travel How you stare II you don't
believe she has gone. look for yourself.
Open her room door and all the other
room doors. II you like"
she took him at his word. and follow
ed her There was no one In Miss Hal
combe's room but Margaret Porcher.
who was busy setting II 10 rights. There
was no one In the spare rooms. or the
dressing rooms when we looked into
them afterward Sir Percival still waited
for w In the passage. As we were leaving
the last room that we had examined.
Lady Clyde whispered. Don't go, Mrs
Michelsoni don't leave me. for Gods
sakel Before could say anything in
return. she was out again I'm the passage
speaking 90 her husband
What does II mean. Sir Percival? in
sist-1 beg and pray you will tell me
what n meansr'
1T means" he answered, that Miss
Halcombe was strong enough yesterday
morning 10 cit up and be dressed and
that she insisted on taking advantage OF
Fosco's going 20 London. TO go there
too"
ITO London''
s'Yes-On her way 10 TInmerjdc.