The San Francisco call., 1907-02-24

unexpectedly DfoheH up. LOlu
Chelsford departed early one
morning by special train. and the Duke
himself and the remainder OF his guests
left for London later on In the day.
remained behind with three weeks
work, and a fear which never left me
by day or by night. Yet the relief of
solitude after the mysteries of the last
few days was in itself q thing to be
thankful for.
For nine days spoke with no one
save Grooton. For an hour every after
noon. and for rather longer at night, I
walked on the cliffs or the sands. Here
on these lonely stretches of empty land
j met no one, saw no living thing save
the seagulls. 1t was almost like n
corner OF some forgotten land. These
walks. and an occasional few hours
reading were my sole recreation.
1t was late In the afternoon when I
saw a shadow pass my window, and
Immediately afterward there was a
tinid knock at the door Grooton
had gone on his daily. pilgrimage
with letters 10 the village. so I was
obliged to open II myself To my sur
prise 1t was Blanche Moyat who stood
upon the threshold. She laughed a little
nervously.
I'm no ghost. Mr.. Ducaine." she said,
"and / shan't bitter
Forgive me-" I answered "I was
hard at work and your knock startled
me. Please come In
I ushered her into my sitting-room.
She was wearing what I recognized as
her best clothes, and not being entirely
at her ease she talked loudly and
rapidly.
Such a stranger as you are, Mr.. Du-
caine.v she exclaimed. Fancy, it's get
ting on for a month since we any of US
sew a sign of you, and I'm sure never
a week used to pass but father'd be
looking for you to drop in. We heard
that you were living here all by your
self. and this morhsng mother said,
perhaps he's i'll. We tried to get father
to come up and see. but he's off to
Downham market today, and goodness
knows when he'd find time IL we left IL
to him. So thought I'd come and find
out for myself"
II am quite we'll, thanks, Miss
Moyat" I answered. 'but very busy
The Duke has been giving me some
work to do, and he has lent me this
cottage. so that shall be close at hand
/ should have looked you up the first
time I came to Braster, but as matter
of fact I have not been there since the
night of my lecture
She was flervously playing with the
fastening of her umbrella and II
poseful ] ventured some remark about
the weather, which she interrupted
ruthlessly.
Its mile and half to our house
from here she said, mot step farther
I don't see why YOU shouldn't have
made q purpose journey
ignored the reproach In her eyes
as I had every right to do. But be-
gan to understand the reason OF her
nervousness and her best clothes, and
prayed for Grootou's return
IF I had had an evening to myself. "
said, sT should certainly have paid
your father g. visit But as it happens
the Duke has required me at the house
every night while he was here, and he
has left me enough work TO do to keep
me busy night and day till he comes
back"
She looked down upon the floor.
II had to come and see you." she said
In low tone. Sometimes I can't sleep
for thinking OF It. I feel that ! haven't
done right"
I knew. OF course. what she meant.
'I thought we had talked all that
out long ago. I answered. a little
wearily. You would have been very
foolish II you had acted Inherently.