Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-06-04

were drawing near Liverpool, his eX-
found it difficult to keep still. It was
with shock that he heard Lord Kill
domains voice addressing him in harsh
and strident tones:
You know that we shall soon be in
now?"
Yes, your lordship."
You know my errand there is not a
pleasant one?"
Yes, know that"
would you prefer to wait for me at
the station, or will you accompany
me?"
Il will accompany you.
Are you prepared for what you will
see?" asked Lord Kildonan, after
pause, fixing upon him his light grey
| gimlet eyes.
Frank hesitated. q think so, Lord
Kildonan. I have strong hope also
that your suspicious will prove to be
worse, far worse, than the truth he
said at last. in low voice.
Lord Kildonan gave a short, grating
laugh.
ooh, no, not worse than the truth; l
will answer for that. You will come
with me to the end, them"
Eyes, my lord, if [ may"
"May?" he echoed grimly, yet with
plaintive note in his voice. ooh,
yes, you may bear part of my griefs if
you will; l am not selfish"
And he said no more until the train
drew in at the Lime Street Station
Knowing il what part of the train the
two persons on whose track they were
had travelled, they found it easy to
watch them into close cab, and
| then, without being seen, to take a
| hanson themselves and direct the
driver to follow at little distance AS
! the woman crossed the platform, Frank
watched her narrowly, and his spirits
rose higher and higher as he noticed
again the slight limp in her gait, and
grew every moment more certain that
Lord Kildonan, for his own happiness,
for everyones happiness, had been
tricked, and was following the wrong
woman. Should he prepare him now?
Frank thought, as they got into the
cab.
! Lord Kildonan," he began. with
some diffdence, "are you quite certain
Of the identity of both the people we
are follOWing?"
But his suggestion received no en-
couragement, for his companion
answered very drily:
"Quite certain"
And Frank saw that he must leave
events to enlighten him.
They were driving down towards the
docks, through a low part of Liverpool,
along dark streets lined with small
narrow houses, of evil aspect and evil
name. There was little traffic in these
/ unsavOury byways of a city which is
the very capital Of vulgarity and ugli
ness; the few fOOt-passengers they
passed in this silent quarter seemed to
shuttle by cautiously in the darkness,
or else to- glide along the ilI-paved
streets with suspicious haste. More
and more certain grew Armathwaite
every moment that it was not the bril-
liant dainty Lady Kildonan they
were following. Whatever the errand
might be which brought her on mys-
FERROUS night-visits to Liverpool, it
would not be to this noisome labyrinth
of narrow, clCse-smelling streets and
shabby houses, with secrets of sin and
wretchedness stamped on their physi-
ognomy, that the luxurious lady would
come. The cab, which was some dis
lance in front Of them, stopped in
street as dark and narrow as the rest,
but in which a few houses, larger than
the others, with doorways that had
once been imposing and handsome.
told that they had formerly occupied a
better position in the world. Frank
noted that the man and the woman
they were following, after Diminishing
the cab which had brought them,
walked slowly on and began to glance
behind them from time to time
'They suspect they are being fol-
lowed?" whispered Frank, with ex-
citement.
Lord Kildonan shook his head. "Sus-
picion is a habit with the people who
frequent this quarter" he answered,
in the same tone.
With his stick he directed the driver
to turn the next corner, and then he
and Armathwaite got out.
To be continued