The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-21
(Continued-l


Miss Halcombe showed me, by a look
that she understood. and put the question
as soon as the dsiry-maid returned to US.
"Oh. yes, miss: mentioned that" said
the girl, simply. The company coming,
and the accident 10 the brindled COW. was
all the news I had to take TO the farm" :"
Did you mention names? Did you tell
them that Sir Percival CLYDE was expect
ed on Monday"
Yes. miss-I told them Sir Percival
Clyde was coming. / hope there was no
harm in II; hope didn't do wrong"
"Oh no. no, harm. Come, Mr.. Hart
right Hannah will begin to think us In
the way. IL we interrupt her any longer
over her work"
We stopped and looked at one another.
the moment we were alone again.
Us there any doubt In your mind. now.
Miss Halcombe?"
doubt. Mr. Hartright-or. Laura Fairlie
shall never be his wife,.
AS we walked round to the front of the
house, a fly from the railway approached
us along the drive. Miss Halcombe wait
ed on the doorstep until the nv drew up;
and then advanced to shake hands with
an old gentleman who got out briskiy
the moment the steps were let down. Mr..
Gilmore had arrived.
/ looked at him, when We we're intro
duced to each other with an interest and
a curiosity which / could hardly conceal.
This old man was TO remain at Limmcr-
idge House after I had left II; he was to
hear Sir Percival Glyde's explanation and
was to give Miss Halcombe the assistance
OF his experience In forming her tudg-
ment he was TO walt until the question
OF the marriage was set at rest; and his
hand, IL that question were decided In the
affirmative. was 10 draw the settlement
M frraUOcahlV
her engagement. Even then. when / knew
nothing by comparison with what know
now. looked at the family lawyer with
an interest which 1 had never before felt
IN the presence OF any man breathing
who was a total stranger to me.
In external appearance Mr.. Gilmore
was the exact opposite of the convention
al idea OF an old lawyer. His complexion
was forid; his white hair was worn
rather long. and kept carefully brushed
his black coat, waistcoat, and trousers
fitted him with perfect neatness his
white cravat was carefully tied: and his
lavender-colorcd kid gloves might have
adorned the hands OF fashionable cler-
gyman, without fear and without re-
proach. His manners were pleasantly
marked by the formal grace and refine
ment of the old school OF politeness,
quickened by the invigorating sharpness
and readiness OF a man whose business In
life oHiges him always to keep his facul-
ties I'm good working order. sanguine
constitution and fair prospects 10 begin
with: a long subsequent career OF credi-
table and comfortable prosperity: n
cheerful, diligent. widely respected old
age-such were the general impressions
| derived from my Introduction To Mr.. Gil
more; and IL is but fair to hiw' to add,
that the knowledge gained by later and
better experience only tended TO confirm
them.
loft the old gentleman and Miss Hal
| combe 20 enter the house together. and "a
| talk OF family matters undisturbed by
the restraint OF strangers presence
! They crossed the hall on their way 10
the drawing-room; and I descended the
steps again. to wander about the garden
alone.
| My hours were numbered at Linn
| meridgs House: my departure the next
morning was irrevocably settled; my
share In the investigation which the
I anonymous letter had rendered necessary
was az an end. No harm could be done &c
any one but myself, II / let my heart
/ loose again. for the little time that was
I left me. from the cold cruelty OF re-
I straint which necessity had forced me q
I inhict upon Il. and took my farewell OF
I the scenes which were associated with
! the brief dream-time Of my happiness and
my love
I turned instlnctively 20 the walk be.
meath my study window. where had
seen her the evening before with her III.
I tie dog: and followed the path which her
dear feet had trodden 90 often. TIL ] came
I 20 the wicket-gate that led into her rose.
I garden. The winter baroness spread
I dreariiy over II now
/ Tn, flowers that she hal taught me "a
distiugllsh By their names. the flowers
that ] had taught her ~ paint from.
were gone and the tiny white paths that
/ led between the beds were damp and
| green already. 7 went on 10 the avenue
OF trees. where We had breathed together