The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-07-29
CHAPTER XII.
TIE MESSAGE,

To VIII Law, as he turped away from
he prison gate upon the errand as
signed to him, the vast and shapeless
shadows of the night-covered city took
he form of appalling monsters, reient-
less, rcm0rselcss. savage OF purpose.
He passed. as one IN some hidcouS
dream along streets that wound and
wound until his brain lost distance ana
direction. I, might have been an hour,
two hours and the clock might have
registered after midnight, when at last
lie discovered himself in front of the
dark gray mass Of stone which the
chairmcn assured him was his destina.
ton. II was with trepidation that he
s,epped to the half-lighted door and
| fumhcd for the knocker. The door
slowly swung open and he was con.
| rrontcd by the portly presence OF a
/ Iackcy who stood In silence waiting
! for his word.
"a message for Lady Catharine
| Knollys." said VIII, with what courage
/ he could summon IT'S Of tmpOr-
lance, make no doubt" For II was
/ 10 the Lady Catharine that John Law
/ had first turned His heart craved one
more sight of the face so beloved, one
more word from the voice which SC
tate had thrilled his soul Away iron
thesc-ah, that was the prison fol
him these were the bars which TO him
seemed imporativcly needful to be
broken. Aid he did not think OF ask
ing Only across London, In the night
he had sent the cry Of his heart
Come To me-
1.-THE Lady Catharinc Is not In at TIM
hour" said the butler. with some as
pcrity. closing the door again IN part
But tits important, doubt If twil
bear the delay Of night Indeed
viii Law had hitherto hardly pause'
10 reflect how unusual was this mes
sage. from such a person 10 such ad
dress. and at such an hour
The butler hesitatcd. and so did In
unbidden guest at the door Ncithe
heard at first the light rustic of gar
mcnts at the head of the stair, no
saw the face bent over the balustrad
in the shadows Ot the hall.
What is It, James," asked a vote
from above
"A message for the Lady Catharinc,
replied the servant Said TO be In
portant. What should | do"
Lady Catharinc Knollys is away
said the soft voice Of Mary Connyng
speaking from the stair Her voit
came nearer as she now descended an
appeared at the first landing
I'VE may crave your pardon, sir
said she, that we receive you so Il
hu, the hour Is very late Lady Catl
airline is away and Sir Charles is fort
also. as usual at this time. | am 10
proxy for my entertainers, and pc
haps | may serve you in this cas-
. Therefore pray step within.
Sir, am in some hesitation sa
Mary Connynge There is inde'
none in the house except the servant
, You say your message Is of impo
tance--"
at has indeed importance, respon
ed VIII. 1T comes from my brother
Your brother, MIR Law"
From my brother, John Law. !
liz in trouble make no doubt Il
, message win set all plain"
, In that case" said Mary Connyne
her voice cool. though her soul Vas h
with Impotence. 1T might perhaps
b well II | took the liberty Of reading &
{ message in Lady Catharine's absent
. You say your brother Is in trouble
p The girl tore open the Enclosure. )
! saw but three words, written bold
firmly, addressed to no one, and sign
. by no one.
{ Come to me-" Thus spoke the me
sage. This was the summons that h
Q crossed black London town that Mig
4 Mary Connynge rose quickly TO h
] feet, forgetting for the time the M
o who stood before her The instant {
!, manded all the resources of her SO
81 She fought TO remain mistress Of HI
self a moment, and she passed W
1 Law with swift foot. and gained agi
I the stairway in the hall, the let
e still fast within her hand. viii Ii
I had not time TO ask its contents.
8 There is need Of haste" said 8
4 James, have up the calash at on
! Mr.. Law. crave your excuse for
u time. In moment shall be ready
; 80 with you"
! In two minutes she was sobbi
" alone, her face down upon the bed.
i've she was at the door, dress,
l. aloaked, smiling sweetly and ready
J. the Journey And thus 1t was that.
u two women who loved John Law, I'll
e one Jared on to see him for whom
J. had not sent.
q CHAPTER XIII.
Il PRISONERS.