Middletown transcript., 1904-10-22


She had then laughingly declared thai
she liked its mystery, but she had little
known what darkness and misery that
mystery involved. Chris was lost, and
she had promised to marry the man
beside her.
She fed up the stairs without waiting
to reply to his goodnight, and he went
away smiling to himself like one well
pleased. Tt was not smile that Kill
meny would have liked if she could have
seen it, but then she was gone. He
went straight to Mr.. Daryl when he
returned to the drawing-room.
81 want to see you alone" he said in
low voice.
Mr.. Daryl glanced at him and rose.
As he did so Lady Penryth grew pale
even under her rouge. She was remark
ably good at a species of calculation
known as "putting two and two to-
gether," and she understood what had
happened as well as if she had been pres
ent at the interview between Lord de
Bruyne and Kilmeny In the conserva-
tory.
Everybody heard next morning that
Lady Penryth had returned home, re-
called by urgent business. and she ap-
peared on the scene no more. But the
momentary wonder which that circum-
stance excited was swallowed up in the
surprise which was created by another
announcement-tha of the engagement
of Miss Daryl to Lord de Bruyne.
The news OF her engagement was pub
lished far and wide, and was soon known
in her old home and to Christopher War
render. But Kilmeny's life was now in
skiful and unscrupulous hands, and if
Rny remonstrance or appeal from those
who loved her was sent it never reached
her. She had promised her grandfather
not to write to any one for month, and
she kept her word. Lawyers came and
went, drawing mp marriage settlements
and making everything secure. Mr..
Daryl, satisfied that he had withdrawn
his granddaughter completely from her
old associations and friends, whom he
hated with the hatred OF mean nature
conscious that it is under obligations
which can never be discharged, destroyed
his old will and make new one consti.
tuting Kilmeny his sole heiress. Dress
maksFs and the paraphernalia of FASH
ionable wedding were perpetually in
evidence, and Kilmeny was in a wlirl
from morning till night. She was never
allowed moment in which to think.
Lord de Bruyne was the only one who
ever saw that she was fatigued, and in
sisted on her leaving the wedding finery
behind and going out with him. They
rode or drove together every day, but
that was the only sign of their engage
ment besides the ring which she wore.
He offered no caresses and asked for
none. He talked no lovers talk to her.
Their intercourse was pleasant and real
friendly on his side. absent and silent on
hers. She often sat turning her engage
ment-ring round and round, not hearing
a word Of his conversation but lie made
no remark about her inattention.
1t seemed to her indeed as il her whole
life had been crowded into that fortnight
and yet it flew by with incredible rapid
ity. She came at last to the day before
the wedding. Lord de Bruyne called in
the afternoon to take her for drive, but
for the first time she declined.
"Not to-day, please" she said. 81
want to be quiet for while"
lie looked at her ouriously, but he did
not press his request.
"Where are you going to be quiet ?"
he asked. "There is not much chance of
that anywhere but out-of doors, I imag-
inc. Why not come with me? l prom
ise not to say word the whole time"
But Kilmeny shook her head.
II know place" she said, "where no
body will find me, and | can be qniet
enough there"
Cali right" he said, rising to CO. ''If
you like that better, it is all that l want
If come over again later in the day, can
see you?'
She looked up at him, and he saw the
entreaty in her eyes. He smiled at her.
"Well, | will not come. You shall
have quiet time, and shall not see any
body. Goodbye !"
For the first time he kissed her hand
before he left, and, when he was gone,
Kilmeny rushed away to her own room,
and in feverish haste put on her hat and |
cloak around her. The touch
Of his lips on her hand had reminded her |
that on the morrow she would belong to
him, and would have taken the irrevo-
cable step of marriage. She hurried out |
)f the house and away to the place she |
had spoken ola melancholy little dell |
1t some distance from the house. She |
believed that nobody knew anything I
about its existence but herself, and that |
she would be secure from intrusion there.
She sat down on a mossy stump out Of |
sight, and prepared for the first time to |
her situation.
Before she could collect her faculties.
The sound of steps approaching warned |
1er that her solitude was about to he
broken. She drew back noiselessly in
'rder more effectually to conceal herself,
md the next moment was amazed to |
behold Lady Penryth moving slowly
through the brushwood, evidently bent
IN gaining the house unperceived. She
paused from time to time and listened.
md Kilmeny, with breatiIess choking
of something impending.
istened too. As the two women, the
me hidden and watching, and the other
believing herself alone, waited during one
'f these moments OF tension, quick and