The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-23

t'ontnueu)
After some pondcring. | determined 10
write TO the only honest man within
reach whom we could trust TO help US
discreeily. in our forlorn situation That
man was Mr. Gilmore old partner MIR
Kyrle~w who conducted tho business. now
that our old frierd had been obliged
to withdraw from H. and 10 leave London
on account of his health. explained 10
Laura that had Mr.. Gimorcs own au-
thority for placing implicit confidence in
his partners integrity. discretion and ac-
curste knowledge Of all her affairs; and,
with her fun approval | sat down TO
write the letter.
began by stating our position TO Mr..
kyrle exactly as II was; and then asked
for his advice in return. expressed In
plain. downright terms which he could
comprehend without any danger of mis-
Interpretation and mistakes. Ny letter
was as short as could possibly make II.
and was l hope. unincumbered by need
less apologies and needless details.
just as was about TO put the address
on the envelope, an obstacle was discoV-
cred by Laura. which. in the effort and
preoecupa ton OF writing, had escaped my
mind altogether.
"Iiow are we 10 get the answer In
time >" she asked. Your letter will not
be delivered in London before tomorrow
morning: and the post will not bring the
reply here tin the morning after
The only way to overcome the difficulty
vas TO have the answer brought 10 us
from the lawyers office by special mes
senger. wrote postscript to that ef-
feet. begging that the messenger might
be dispat tched with the reply by the eleven
o'clock morning train, which would bring
him to our station al twenty minutes past
one. and so enable him TO reach Black
water park by two o'clock at the latest.
lie was TO be directed 10 ask for me.
10 answer no questions addressed 10 him
BY any one else and TO deliver his letter
.nto no hands but mine.
..In case Sir Percival should come back
tomorrow before two o'clock, l said TO
Laura. 1.-THE wisest plan for you TO adopt
Is TO be out i'm the grounds all the morn
Ing. with your book or your work. and
not TO appear at the house till the mes
xenger has had time 10 arrive with the
letter | will wait here for him all the
morning to guard against any misad-
ventures or mistakes. BY following this
arrangement, hope and believe We shall
avoid being taken by surprise. Let US
nrv- excite suspicion IL waremain- shut
up together too long"
Suspicion she repeated. Whose
suspicion can we excite. now that Sir
Percival has left the house? Do you
mean Count Fosco?
Perhaps l do, Laura"
You are beginning TO dislike him as
much as ! do Marian"
NO: not tn dislike him. Dislike is
1ago 10 fa1 Wit
tempt--I see nothing i'm the sCount &c
despise"
You are not afraid OF him. are YOU?
Perhaps ana little"
Afraid Of him after his interference
in our favor today
Yes / am more afraid Of his inter
ference than ! am OF Sir Percival's yio-
Ience Remember what l said TO vot
in the library. Whatever you do. don
make an enemy Of the Count"
we went down stairs. Laura entered
the drawing room: while | proceeded
across the hail. with my letter in my
hand. 10 put IL In the post-bag, which
hung against the wall opposite me.
The house door was open; and. as
crossed past II. | saw Count Fosco and
wife standing talking together on the
steps outside with their faces turned
toward me.
rhe countess came into the hall rather
hastily. and asked II had leisure enough
for FIVE minutes private conversation.
Feeling little surprised by such an ap-
peal from such a person. put my letter
into the bag and replied that ! was quite
at her disposal She took my arm with
unaccustomed friendlness and familiar
ity: and instead of leading me into an
empty room. drew me out with her ia
the belt Of turf which surrounded the