The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-29
CHAPTER VII.

1t struck half past ten as Lame, for the
second time. left her apartments, and
went out into the fresh air. The paling
lay straight before her. and although she
thought Il most likely that Gabriel was
long since in bed yet she determined TO
make her way to the house Leo had
spoken Of and give him the chocolate, as
she had promised
When she reached the high trellis-work,
she turned and gazed back at the castle.
1t was all dark. and not a light glimmer-
ed anywhere behind any OF the windows,
except as she looked. she fancied she
saw a pale light move I'm the drawing
room leading 10 the colonnade. and, lean
ing against one OF the columns mans
form looking toward her.
But IL must be mistake, and fancy
OF her own ina gination; for not SOUND
was I'm tho air. and the figure stood so
quiet and still IL must be only shadow.
Her heart beat fast as she opened the
gate and plunged into the pathway before
her
For n few steps the road was open. but
a little further on the broad leaves or
some Indian bananas threw heavy shad-
ows across her path. and then the road
lay through thick brushwood. Here and
there "A broken branch touched her shoul-
ders she passed, or her dress was
caught I'm some protruding boughs, and
with shudder she saw the little mon
KEYS peeping curously at her. az IL won
dering what had brought visitor into
their neighborhood at such late hour OF
the night. She almost screamed with
fright as something moved at her feet,
though IL was only a guinea-fowl hurry
ing back TO It's roost; and IL was with n
great feeling Of relief that at last she saw
the bright shining water OF the lake gilt
I II. L.. l..t.~ l..Il
light.
She felt strange and lonely and ner-
| vous, though she had no idea that her
! tall elegant figure. clad In it's white wrap
/ per. with the golden crown OF her beau
/ tiful hair on which the moonlight fell
! in full brilliancy. was being watched
| from afar and her every movement fol-
! lowed; and, anxious as she was to re-
] deem her promise and find the house
where Gabriel lived. she had not thought
OF noticing that the shadow had moved
/ on from the colonnade, and was even
now only a few feet apart from where
! she stood.
She breathed freely again as her eye
caught sight of the white walls Of a low
| ly built. rather small house. The path
| way leading TO II was covered with one
mass OF swect-scented rose-leaves. fallen
Srom the heavily laden trees at the side
and the little building itself so fragile
that one thought on looking at II that
a strong wind must blow Il down.
IL had several large windows with
wooden shutters opening on the outside
and n veranda ran down on either side
OF the house
Liane trembled as she stepped on the
cool. soft mating laid In front of thu
door. and drew near a window to set
I what was inside before entering the
house. lamp was burning In the mid
die OF the room, and In one corner stood
a cane bedstead. On the snow-wht'
sheets lay a small delicate head with the
face hidden In the pillows Was II chilC
or woman? Soft white muslin envelopet
the figure from the head to the feet
which were bare and beautifully small
but colorless and very still. one arm wa'
bare, so slender and thin that II nigh
have belonged TO girl OF twelve
or thirteen. and the broad gold ban'
which encircled II seemed almost toe
heavy for the tender flesh II rested on.
Lame recognized the stout. robust-look
ing woman who was standing by tho bed
side with n silver spoon In her hand
and gently speaking TO the figure fyfu1
SO still. as Frau Lohn, whom Baroi
Nainau had introduced TO her. after tn
ceremony In the Catholic chapel. as tn
| housekeeper
The spoon which the woman was hold
ing away from her clean. broad apror
Uas full OF medicine. and evidently
source OF dislike and disgust 20 the In
+ valid ON the bed No pursusding. NJ
coaxine had any eject. and the hea'
remained half hidden in the pillows.