The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-22

tourney which he was 10 take that day,
| revived by the Counts words, was now
! evidently disputing possession or his mino
with his anxiety 10 obtain Laura's sigma
/ ture. He considered for little while and
then got up from his chair.
'It IL easy 70 argue me down. he SAID,
when 7 have no time 10 answer you. L
will take your advice Fosco-not be
cause | want II. or believe I'm II. but be-
cause can't stop here any longer" He
paused, and looked round darkly at his
i wife "If YOU don't give me your sigma
ture when 7 come hack tomorrow" The
rest was lost in the noise OF his opening
the bookcase cupboard again, and lock-
/ ing up the parchment once more. He took
| his hat and gloves off the table, and
made for the door. Laura and drew
back TO let him pass. Remember tomor-
rowl" he said 10 his wife, and went out.
We waited 10 give him time 10 cross the
! hall and drive away. The Count ap-
preached MS while we were standing near
| the door
You have just seen Percival at his
| worst. Miss Halcombe.' he said "As his
old friend, I am sorry for him and as
hamed OF him. As his old friend. ! prom
ise you that he shall not break out to-
morrow in the same disgraceful manner
| in which he has broken out today"
| Laura had taken my arm while he was
! speaking, and she pressed IL significantly
| when he had done. II would have been a
/ nara lfldi 10 ANY woman 10 SidIu ny anu
see the office of apologist for her hus-
| bands misconduct quietly assumed by
his male friend I'm her own house--and II
was n trial to her l thanked the Count
civilly. and led her out Yes! / thanked
| him; for ! felt already with sense Of
! inexpressible helplessness and humilia-
| ton. that IL was either his interest or his
| caprice to make sure OF my continuing to
reside at Blackwater Park; and ] knew
after Sir Percivals conduct to me, that
without the support Of the Counts influ-
| ence, / could not hope to remain there.
His Influence, the influence OF all others
that dreaded most. was actually the one
| tie which now held me to Laura I'm the
| hour of her utmost need,
We heard the wheels OF the dog-cart
era hing on the gravel OF the drive, as we
came into the hall. Sir Percivol had
started on his journey.
Where is he going TO. Marian?" Laura
whispered. EVERY fresh thing he does
seems 10 terrfy me about the future.
/ Have you any susplcions?"
After what she had undergone that
morning l was unwilling to tell her my
/ suspicious.
How should I know his secrets?" 1
| said, cvasiyely.
IL wonder IL the housekeeper knows?"
| she persisted.
| Certainly not" replied. "She must be
quite as ignorant as we are"
| Laura shook her head doubtfully.
| Did you not hear from the housekeep-
or that there was a report OF Anne Cath
orick having been seen i'm this neighbor-
| hood? Don't you think he may have gone
| away to look for herr"
II would rather compose myself, Laura,
by not thinking about II at all; and af-
ter what has happened. you had better
follow my example. Come into my room,
and rest and quiet yourself a little"
| We sat down together close to the win
= dow and let the fragrant summer air
! breathe over our faces
H. II am ashamed 10 look at you. Marian" ="
4 she said after what you submitted to
down stairs for my sake. oh. my own
love, | am almost eart-broken when
think OF II! But | will try to make IL up
to you'll will indeed"
Hush. hush!" / replied; don't talk
SO. What Is the trlaing mortihcation OF
my pride compared to the dreadful sac
rihce OF your happiness"
You heard what he SAID TO me?" she
went on, quickly and vehemently. You
heard the words-4but you don't know
what they meant-.you don't know why
/ threw down the pen and turned my
back on him" She rose in sudden agita-
tion. and walked about the room. II
have kept many things from your know
| ledge, Marian. for fear of distressing
you. and making YOU unhappy at the
outset OF our new lives. You don't
know how he has used me. And yet
! you ought to know. for you saw how he
used me today. You heard him sneer
at my presumng 10 he scrupulous: you
heard him say | had made n virtue OF
| necessity I'm marrying him" She sat
down again; her face flushed deeply, ans
her hands twisted and twined together In
her lap. II can't tell you all about IL
now" she said 81 shall burst out cry
ing II tell you now-later. Marian, when
. I Z oF
head aches. darling-aches. aches achesl
Where is your smelling bottle? Let me
talk to you about yourself. I wish I
had given him my signature, for your
sake. Shall I give II to him tomorrow
would rather compromise myself than
compromise you. After you taking my
part against him. ne will lay all the
blame on you. n | refuse again. what
shall we do? oh. for a friend To help us
and advise us!--a friend We could really
trust"
She sighed bitterly. saw IN her face
that she was thinking OF Hartrght--saw
Il the more plainly because her las,
words set me thinking OF him too. IN
six months only from her marriage. We
wanted the faithful service he had offer
cd TO ms in his farewell words. How
little once thought that we should
ever want it al all!
1--WE must do what we can TO help our
selves" 7 said. Let us try 10 talk II
over calmly. Laura-let us do all In our
power To decide for the best
Putting what she knew OF her hus
bands emhsrra ssments. and what had
heard 81 his conversation with the law
yer together. we arrived necessarily a'
the conclusion that the parchment In tho
library had been drawn MP for the pur'
pose OF borrowing money. and that
Iaura's signature was absolutely neces'
sary 10 ft n for the attainment Of sir
Percivars object
The second question. concerning th'
nature OF the legal contract by whicf
money was 10 he obtained. and the de
gree OF personal responsibility tn which
Laura might subject herself n she signed
u In the dark. involved consideration
which lay far beyond any KNOWLEDGE ano
experience that either Of us possessed