The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-21
(Contfinued.)

II was my turn. now. TO stop suddenly.
In the excited state OF my curiosity. AT
that moment, the chance reference 70
Mr.. Fairlie's place OF residence. on the
lips OF my strange companion. staggered
me with astonisment.
"Did you hear anybody calling after
us?" she asked. looking up and down the
road affrightedly. the instant / stopped.
"No. no. / was only struck by the
name OF Limmeridge House, heard IT
mentioned by some Cumberland people a
few days since"
"Ah, not my people. Mrs Fairlie IS
dead; and her husband Is dead: and their
little girl may be married and gone away
by this time. / can't say who lives at
Limmeridge now. II any moro are left
there OF that name, only know / love
them for Mrs. Fairlie's sake"
She seemed about TO say more: but
while she was speak king, We came within
view Of the turnpike, at the top OF the
Avenue road. Her hand frightened round
my arm. and she looked anxiously at the
gate before us.
"Is the turnpike man looking out?' she
asked
He was not looking out: no one else was
near the place when we passed through
the gate. The sight OF the gaslamps and
make her impatient.
'This is London" she ssid. 'Do you
0se any carriage / can get? ! am tired
and frightened. ] want 10 shut myself In.
and be driven away"
I explained TO her that we must walk
q little further to get 10 a cab-stand. un
less we were fortunate enough To meet
With an empty vehicle; and then tried TO
resume the subject OF Cumberland. II
was useless. That idea OF shutting her
self I'm. and being driven away had now
9ot full possession OF her mind. She could
0A1nk and talk of nothing else.
We had hardly proceeded a third Of the
way down the Avenue road when / saw
q cab draw up at house few doors be-
low U.S. on the opposite side of the way.
A gentleman got out and let himself I'm at
the garden-door I hailed the cab, as the
driver mounted the box again When We
CROSSED the road. my companions impa-
tience increased 10 such an extent that
she almost forced me TO run.
"Its so late" she said. II am only in n
hurry because it's so late"
81 can't take you, sir, n you're not GO
ing toward Tottenham Court road" said
the driver, civilly. when opened the
cab-door. MY horse Is dead beat. and I
can't get him no further than the stable"
Yes yes That will -da for me- I'm GO
ing that way--I'm going that way"
She spoke with breathess eagerness,
and pressed by me into the cab.
had assured myself that the man was
sober as we'll as civil, before let her en-
ter the vehicle And now when she was
seated inside. | entreated her To let me
see her set down safely at her destina-
ton.
''No, no, no." she said vehemently.
I'm quite safe, and quite happy now II
you are a gentleman, remember your
promise. Let him drive on. I'LL stop him.
.x.I~ 1t.f fI,o., Il.
My hand was on the cab-door She
caught II In hers. kissed II. and pushed It
away. The cab drove OF at the same mo-
ment-I started into the road with some
vague idea of stopping IL again. I hardly
knew why--hesitated from dread OF
frightening and distressing her-called,
at last. but not loudly enough TO attract
the drivers attention. The sound OF the
wheels grew fainter In the distance-the
cab melted into the black shadows on the
road-the woman In white was gone.
Ten minutes. or more. had passed
was still on the same side OF the way:
now mechanically walking forward a few
PAGES: now stopping again absently. At
one moment. found myself doubling the
reality Of my own adventure; at another,
] was perplexed and distressed by an un-
easy sense OF having done wrong which
yet left me confusedly ignorant OF how
could have done right. I hardly knew
4
do next: ] was conscious OF nothing but
the confusion OF my own thoughts. when
! was abruptly recalled to myself
awakened. might almost say--by the
sound OF rapidly approaching wheels close
behind me.
I was on the dark side OF the road. IN
the thick shadow OF some garden trees.
when I stopped 10 look round. On the op-
posite and lighter side OF the way, a short
distance below me, policeman was
stroiling along IN the direction OF the Re-
gents Park.
The carriage passed mean open chaise
driven by two men.
"Stop!" cried one. There's n policeman
Let's ask him."
The horse was instantly pulled I'D,
few yards beyond the dark place where
stood
Policeman cried the first speaker.
'Have you seen a woman pass this way?"
What sort OF woman, sir7"