The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-25
THE WOMAN IN WHITE


Laura my arm, and we walked as fast
as we could on our way back.
! Before we were half way through she
stopped and forced me TO stop with her.
Hush she whispered II hear some
thing behind US"
Dead leaves l said, 10 cheer her.
"or twig blown OF the trees"
1t is summer time. Marian; and there
Is not breath OF wind. Listen"
] heard the sound too-a sound like a
| light footstep following us
No matter who II is. or what IL is
l said. 'let us walk on. In another
minute. II there is anything TO alarm us,
we shall be near enough to the house
to be heard"
We went on autckly--so quickly that
Laura was breathless by the time we
were nearly through the plantation and
within sight OF the lighted Windows
| waited a moment. to give her breath
ing time. Just as we were about 10 pro-
ceej, she stopped me again, and signed
to me with her hand to listen once more
We both heard distinctly long heavy
sigh behind us. in the black depths of the
trees.
who's there?" / called out
There was no answer.
Who's there?" repeated
An instance OF silence followed; and
steps again. fainter and falnter-ainking
away into the Misunderstanding. sinking
sinking-till they were lost IN the silence
We hurried out from the trees to the
open lawn beyond; crossed IL rapidly;
and without another word passing be-
tween us. reached the house.
/ In the light Of the hall-lamp Laura
looked at me. with white cheeks and
startled eyes.
Il am half dead with fear" she said.
who could IL have been?"
I'VE will try 10 guess tomorrow" re-
piled. In the meantime. say nothing TO
any one Of what we have heard and
seen"
why not?"
Because silence is safe-and we have
need OF safety in this house
| sent Laura upstairs immedia tely--
waited a minute TO take off my hat and
put my hair smooth-and then went at
once TO make my first investiga tions in
the library, on pretense of searching for
a book.
There sat the Count, filling out the
largest easy-chair in the house; smoking
and reading calmly. with his feet on an
ottoman. his cravat across his knees, and
ottoman, his cravat across his
knees, and his shirt collar wide
open And there sat Mime. Fosco.
like a quiet child on a stool by his side.
wife could by any possibility have been
out late that evening, and have just got
back TO the house In hurry | felt that
my object in visiting the library was an
swered the moment set eyes on them.
Count Fosco rose In polite confusion,
and tied his cravat on when / entered the
room.
Pray don't let me disturb you" | said
II have only come here to get book
"All unfortunate men OF my size suf-
fer from the heat" said the count, re-
freshing himself gravely with a large
green fan. II wish / could change places
with my excellent wife. She is as cool at
this moment as fish in the pond out
side"
The Countess allowed herself to thaw
under the influence OF her husbands
quaint comparison. II am never warm
Miss Halcombe." she remarked. with the
modest air OF woman who was confess
ing 10 one OF her own merits.
Have YOU and Lady CLYDE been out
this evening"" asked the Count while I
was taking book from the shelves 10
preserve appearances.
Yes; we went out to get little air."
May ] ask In what direction?"
I'm the direction OF the lake-as far Is
the boat-house -.
Aha? AS far as the boat house?"
Under other circumstances might
have resented his curiosity. But tonight
hailed II as another proof that neither
he nor his wife were connected with the
mysterious appearance at the lake
No more adventures. / suppose. this
evening"" he went on. mo more discov-
cries, like your discovery OF the wounded
dog?"
He fixed his unfathomable gray eyes on
me, with that cold, clear, Irresistible gilt
ter In them which always forces me to
look at him, and always makes me un-
easy while ] do look. An unutterable sus-
picion that his mind is prying into mine
overcomes me at these times; and IT over
came me now
No" said. shortly; mo adventures
no discoveries.
l tried to look away from him. and
leave the room. Strange as il seems. I !
hardly think / should have succeeded in
the attempt, II Nine. Fosco had not help
ed me by causing him to move and look
away first.
Count, you are keeping Miss Halcombe
standing" she said.
The moment he turned round 10 get me |
a chair 7 seized my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ed hlm-made my cxcuses-and slipped /
out.
An hour later when Laura's maid hap /
pened to be in her mistress room, Il
took occasion to refer TO the closeness OF 1
next how the servants had been passing /
their time.
Have you been suffering much from |
the heat down stairs?' I asked.
NO. Miss. said the girl; we have not |
felt II to speak Of"
You have been out in the woods, then.
! SUPPOSE"
Some OF us thought OF going. miss
But cook said she should take her chair
into the cool courtyard. outside the kit
chen door: and. on second thoughts. all
The rest OF us took our chairs out there
too"
The housekeeper was now the only per-
son who remained 10 he accounted for.
rs Mrs. Nicholson gone to bed YETI"
inquired.
II should think not. miss" said the
yirl, smiling.
"Mrs. Nicholson is more likely to he
Settlng up. just now. than going to bed
Why What do YOU mean? Has Mrs.
Nicholson been taking 10 her bed in day
ime.7
NO. miss; not exactly. but the next
hing to H. She's been sleeping all the
'vening, on the sofa In her own room"