The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-11-29

1890 ~A< ~ cH SAUSSdg aAA tAS Alps
trembled as il In ecstasy Again his
lids rose, and the look Of dread re-
| turned to his face. He shrank back
in his chair, and blinked his eyes as
though struggling to give them light;
then suddenly he flung out his arms
wildly, and with a smothered cry OF
impotent rage buried bis face in his
hands, his long, thin fingers pressing
the throbbing veins which stood out
knotted and hard upon his temples.
What is the matter, old man?' /
asked. putting my hand on his shout
der.
He started, and answered impa-
tiently:
Nothing, nothinga dreami'' And
then he asked savagely: Who watches
you in the night?"
sThis is not the night / replied,
fancying be 1was yet but half awake.
isn't it?' he asked, turning his eyes
from one side to the other; then
stretching out his hands, as If to
heaven, he cried: HThen what is the
night?'
Poor wretch, all was indeed night to
him. tried to engage him in CONVEX
sation, but he waved his hand impa-
tiently, and getting up, felt his way to
the washstand.
go down." he said; Miss Lascelles
is more pleasing to the eye than am;
she must be beautiful, for her voice is
music, her touch is like the petal of
the rose. Where do you keep the dia-
mond-is 1t safer"
I told him that now kept it in
belt buckled to my waist.
STRAP it to your wrist again; it is
safer; and then bending his head aside,
he listened attentively for q moment
and continued in lower voice: They
are talking together down there. Creep
down and listen. / tell you we are
not safe here-I see that through my
blindness. I have faculties in place
of that have lost Do you hear them?
Come closer, Thorne; there is con-
spiracy in this house--a plot to rob us
of our treasure, and turn us beggars
again upon the street. II could trust
you I'd tell you more. But every one
is thief who has the power to steal"
1t was not the first time had heard
him talk in this vein. At Natal, on
the ship, he Fad been in constant dread
Of being robbed I was glad to get
away from him. AS passed the head
of the stairs in going to my room, ]
distinguished the sound-too distant
before to tell upon my dull ear-of Sir
Edmund's voice and the Judges; they
were in the library below. After dress
ing joined them, and found Sir Ed
mund greatly, interested in Braces
description OF gold mining in Califor-
Mia subject upon which he could
be eloquent by the hour together.
On the 18th Sir Edmund, Miss Las
celles and rode over to Southampton.
Miss Lascelles was in her gayest, hap
piest mood, and In her riding habit
looked more charming than ever.
In returning we met a friend Of Sir
Edmund's; he accepted the invitation
to take lunch at the Abbey. and rode
beside the baronet, ahead of US. We
two took the hill so slowly that, COM
ing to the cross roads, we could not see
Sir Edmund and his friend. There
were two ways to the Abbey. After a
little deliberation, Miss Lascelles con-
scented to take the longer one.
The morning was superb; the woods
were glorious. The rich warm tints
Of the reddening foliage were reflect
ed on my beautiful companions cheek;
her eyes seemed to catch the glitter Of
the dew that still hung on the gossa-
mers. l forget what we talked about.
but she was full OF mirth. and now and
then the still woods rang with the mu-
steal cadence of her laugh. But sud-
denly the smile died from. her face.
and she said:
I'VE forget poor little Lola"
And then, as il the words had con-
jured up her presence, the girl APP
peared, swiftly speeding between the
red boles of the fir trees. We stopped,
and I called:
Lola, dear, come and speak to me-"
She stood still, and looked as II ir-
resolute whether or not to respond to-
my appeal.
II win stay here. Go to her." said
Miss Lascelles softly
But, as if she had OWNED my inten-
ton, Lola shook her head mournfully,
as she had done before. and going her
way, was presently hid by the tall
brake. AS we crossed the opening
where we had previously seen her,
looked back, and perceived her stand
ing in the same place gazing after us.
1t was easy to conceive her misery.
and the bitter feelings OF her heart.
She was nnaltered, but was no long
er the rough toilar grateful for a tin
of water fetched from the stream. All
that was past. was no longer her
companion. should never, never.
never more share her hard fare. and
look to her to lessen the hardships Of
existence.
On the 10th we went again into the
woods, but on foot, Miss Lascelles and
!, straying thither without purpose
from the garden where we met. We
came to stream bridged by single
plank supported in the middle. There
had been a handrail, but it had fallen
away in decay. ! gave her my hand:
the fear of falling made her clasp my
fingers tightly. She seemed to enjoy
fha little danger. IL animated her face