Middletown transcript., 1905-03-11

opposite direction.
When was once more in the gardens
and standing. beside the boathouss | sur,
veyed the wood which / had just left
with redoubled intentness. But it pre-
sented its usual deserted appearance the
stranger or intruder, whoever he might
be, had no intention OF revealing himself
] was still standing irresolute when
saw the Signor coming along the terrace,
evidently from the further gardens.
was in the shadow OF the boathouse and,
| fancied, quite out of his sight. So
was not little surprised when his shuffi
ing steps drew near and lie stood beside
me. He was breathing heavily, and he
leaned more than usual upon his stick
while his old lined face looked darker
and grimmer than ever. He shot one OF
his quick suspicious glances at me and
looked inquiringly around. He sighed
heavily as he seated himself on the stone
bench and looked YEARLY across tie lake.
I remained where | was for minute
or two, and then turned to 20. Apart
from my dislike to Signor Sergali it was
uncomfortable to be in the presence Of
man to whom you could not say word.
But, to my utter astonishment, the Signor
put out his hand detainingly.
iFo1on,o;ooJIo ,,o,1o- ,.o,,a I,
asked, and was SO surprised that | an
swered in the same language. A look Of
intense relief came over his face, his whole
attitude relaxed, and he seemed to be.
come ten years younger at once.
''That Heaven for that !" he said,
speaking with remarkable purity and
flnency. 'I was afraid that | should
hear the usual English, In pen, mon,
sieur ~ He mimicked the mincine
tones with humorous look that made
me laugh in spite of myself. "But your
almost indignant 'lNais om!' relieved my
mind. If | had had to exist in this
tongue-tied solitude much longer l should
have made hole in that water How
comes it that you speak French so well?''
II have been educated in Paris, and
l have always had French nurses and
maids, | answered.
He nodded his head.
"Your father is wise man | am
now reaping the benefit Of his fore
thought. Her ladyship speaks Italian
only, and that with no great ease. Con-
versation with her is as difficult a task
as rolling stone up HILL"
Il should not imagine that Lady Verri-
ker has any great reason to be fond OF
Italy or Italian" ventured.
He glanced at me and broke into a
cackling laugh.
Because her husband-her dear Sir
Jasper-left her'i;n Italian waters and she
became the inconsolable widow that she
now is, you mean? Ma fol, there are
many times when think that she would
rather have Sir Jasper alive than Sir
Jasper dead !! You are new friend Of
hers. You never saw her when her
husband was alive"
"N6-but | have heard a good deal
about Sir Jasper, and not much to his
credit"
"Ah, you never knew the estimable
Nerriker | did. l am here as his
friend and not as Lady Eerriker's. | am
afraid that her ladyship would give me
scant welcome if she could, but as il
is" And he shrugged his shoulders.
Jasper Verriker was not altogether
bad sort. | am sorry that You are preju-
diced against him, for lie would have
been sincere admirer of you, | have
no doubt i! But imagine living for twenty
years with my lady Was it not enough
to drive any man to extremes? Come
now, confess J Have there not been times
when you, who have known her 50 short
a time, could have shaken her ?'-and
his eyes twinkled maliciously:
But Lady Verriker was not always
as she is now," | answered, biting my
lip III my annoyance. "She was bright
happy girl. before she was married. Ii
was her marriage to a man who only
wanted her money that changed her to
what she is l did not know Sir Jasper
Nerriker, and you did, you say, but
kEow quite enough about Lady Verriker
to know that she is a most unhappy
woman, and for my part am exceedingly
sorry that she has no one to fight her
battles for her."
The Signor laughed shortly.
'She has most valiant champion in
you! ] suppose it is to Sir Adam Gordon
that you owe all your information ~
| was utterly taken back.
"Why, what can you know about Sir
Adam ~ | exclaimed.
lie laughed again.
"There is very little about anyone thai
don't know, mademoisele / / have no
doubt that | could make those pretty
eyes open very widely if l liked to diyulge
few secrets, even about the Immaculate
Adam But the time is not yet, 50 you
must possess your soul in patience r.
i don't want to know any Of your
horrid secrets!' | exclaimed. This is |
detestable house The very air makes
'ne suspicious and horrid r.
Indeed? ? And pray what secrets do |
you think that you have discovered ~
The raucous grating voice recalled me
It once to my common sense. had |
,een on the poiAt of speaking about the
nidnight-intruder
Il don't suppose that it is secret that
! lady drowned herself just at this spot
esfse years ago, affd ard there are Utf1er /
hings y l ended rather lanely.
The Signor was silent for minute, then
le remarked abruptly
"And the other things are the most
it goes without saying. But
lever mind shall hear them all some
lay. There, n,ademoiselle, let Us cease
rargling Talk to me Of France-of
nytlring that will make me forget for
nlntnprf th, p,iSarioc of ft.;o ,,I.,., AZ |