The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-23
CHAPTER VI.-Continued.

Then the blood mounted to her
forehead, she saw that he was laugh
ing at her, and she made violent at
tempt to get away. But he laid his
hand upon her wrist. gently OBTAINING
her.
mo, no, you mustn't run away,
after that, without letting me tell you
how deeply I feel the kindness which
prompted you to say that, and to
come 'eavesdropping,' as you call it.
And I want to reassure you. None of
these dreadful things you imagine will
happen. They never do, you know.
SO don't let your dreams be disturbed
again."
He wanted her to look up; he
wanted another look into her great
attractive now that they were full of
feminine tenderness and timidity. But
she would not raise her head. With
a slightly constrained Thank you, I'll
remember what you say she with
drew herself gently from his touch,
and went quickly and very quietly out
of the room.
On the following day Ermyn was
so much better that in the afternoon
they made the journey to Hampshire,
Lord Catherington travelling by him
self in a smoking carriage, and Bea-
trice, Harvey and the child in COM
partment to themselves.
It was late in the afternoon when
they reached the little country sta
ton which was the nearest to stone
Court. A small youth in livery was
waiting on the platform, with an ex-
preston so Woebegone that Lord Cath
erington, as soon as he stepped out OF
the train, addressed him with the
words:
why, Sam, you look half-starved;
what's the matter with your
Nothing my lord stammered the
,1ri,1 II far n
spoke, and making an effort to pull
himself together and to look alert and
smart.
oh but there is, tho, I'm sure
said the viscount, who had been so
long roughing it abroad that he had
forgotten how to look upon his ser
wants as mere machines, and was SEN
sitive to the feelings of those about
him. you've been getting into some
trouble or other, haven't your
s'N-n-no, my lord at least, not ex-
actly that" answered the lad.
But he spoke In an undecided way
rs If wishing to be more frank than
he dared.
"Out with it, then. What is it?'
Mrs Dream told me 1 was not tc
tell you, my lord" said the boy, mys-
terlously.
Mrs. Dream was the housekeeper, s
most orthodox woman, who held thai
sacred, and that their ears must no
be polluted by ordinary details Of do
nestle life.
Never mind Mrs. Bream. 1 tel
you to speak out; and I'll see yol
don't suffer for it,
well, then, my lord, you'll FIND
everybody in q scare at the house a:
we'll as me, only they won't own tt
it. There-there was a strange-look
ing, wild sort Of man about thu
grounds yesterday. and this morning
we found somebody had broken in b.
one OF the windows. And-and no
body hasn't seen him since, my lord
and we're all a-wondering Whethe
he's about the house still. There, m!
lord, I've told you. / hope you won
let 'em know as / did"
Lord Catherington told him not t.
be nervous, and said he would sool
settle the burglar if he were still
about
But on turning round to look 70
Ermyn and her governess, he founC
that Beatrice had been near enough
to hear what had passed between hin
and Sam, and that her face was a
pale as the dead.
"It was the madman!' said she, in
tremulous whisper. "Oh, Lord Cath
erington let's go back again."
But he laughed at her fears.
"a common housebreaker," said he
contemptuously. Here" and h
beckoned again to the boy, what wa
stolen, Sam? Do you know?"
Nothing, my lord; there wa
nothing stolen at ALL" said Sam.
And then, in spite of himself, Lor
Catherington began to look grave to-