Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-09-06
CHAPTER xxxIv.

stunned, and leaned against the
saddle speechless.
when and how did this happen?'
he demanded, so abruptly, that Cicely
shrank Forgive me-" he pleaded,
IF seem abrupt and rude. But you
see," and he smiled with sad bitter
ness, Il am not woman-women
can bear those things so much better
than men, and / loved her so pas
sionately!"
The anguish in his last words wrung
Cicely's tender heart.
She put her little white hand on his
arm sympathetically.
Don't mind me, Mr.. Kingsley. In
deed, know how much you must
suffer, and will tell you all / know"
"Yes-all," said Cyril, nodding
eagerly, but with dull, benumbed
voice. He was literally stunned by
this astounding blow.
1T was at the ball, I Think" said
Cicely; "at least Lady Vaux rode
over to Howth the next morning,
and told the countess"
Lady vaux" echoed Cyril. why
was she in such haste?"
He is her brother" said Cicely,
softly.
Yes, yes, and she was glad, of
COURSE" said Cyril, passing his hand
over his brow: land 1t was at the
ball. Great Heaven, that woman
oan SO soon forget! That one so
fair should be so false-and so soonl"
What are you saying?" said Cicely,
half Indignantly. why do you say
that Leola is false, Mr.. Kingsley?
Surely she was free to accept Mr..
Dyce, though she may have been UNI
wisel"
mo, she was not freel" shouted
Cyril, then Instantly Forgive me, /
scarcely know what | am saying Do
not notice my wild words, but tell me
all you can, all you know, every
word! Miss Stanhope, feel that
you are my friend! Tell me all,
beseech you"
Il know so litt1e," said Cicely,
sadly. for Cyril's distress touched her
deeply and frightened her; she had
never seen a man struggling with
mental agony before.
''Dyce saw Leola the other morn
ing; was at the Abbey when old
Marsden brought the letter from his
daughter, saying that she-she had
gone with you.
Cyril groaned impatiently.
"Leola tainted" continued Cicely
Nurt1 OF tnd nd Ctp .otx hi md
on The saddle. causing the horse to
jerk up his head.
"She believed 1t them" he cried.
What else could she do?" said
Cicely. you were not there to deny
tt"
Il was on a fools errand," NUT
tered Cyril. with self reproach
"wellY
We'll" said Cioely, "she tainted
and Gerald thought she was very ILL.,
Doctor Thorne was sent for, and be-
lieve-for have not seen Leola her,
self, though | have been up to the
Abbey twice. believe he warned her
against any excitement"
yet she went to this BALI" said
Cyril.
Insisted upon going" said Ccely,
"and never did she seem in spirits
better nor more lovely"
Cyrifs face grew haggard
Better spirits!" he groaned. Am
! mad, or Is she really so false and
heartless? Go on--pray go on. Miss
Stanhope."
Il don't think there is more to
tell" she said, sadly. ''Mr. .Dyce
must have proposed to her during
the evening and been accepted, for we
heard that they were engaged the
next morning"
and this-all this has happened in
few days, few hoursl" muttered
Cyril, staring before him In amaze.
All In few hours! Three nights
ago had her in my arms, and heard
her vow that she loved me. oh, |
must be mad"
Poor Cicely almost began TO think
that he was, he laughed and spoke
so strangely. At last he turned to
her appealing, his handsome face
working in his excitement.
Miss Stanhope. help me! You
are woman, and a woman's wit and
acute brain are needed here--a man
alone is of no avail There has
been trickery, deception-yes. and
forgery"
Forgery, Mr.. Kingsley"
Remember The letters in your
eounterfeiied handwriting" said
Cyril. Remember the girl Marsdens
letter. There has been forgery;
how do We know that there may no,
be personal violence7 Leola may
at this moment, be forcibly detained
within The Abbey"
Cicely shook her heed
That would be impossible" she
said, confidently. "one cry from
Leola, and every soul in the place
would rush to her assistance. He
would be n bold man who would ven