Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-09-07
CHAPTER vIII.-tContinued.)

cont trees for which the avenue at
4filesbrook court was so Justly renowned
Flinor said nothing until Mrs. Price was
Well out of earshot, but Sage could see
that she was trembling violently, and
he fastened to break the silence.
II is good news-he is safe! He has
been i'll. but he is getting better" she
said gently.
oh thank heaven!' murmured Eli.
oor Tell me everything. He has been
m? Oh, tell me quickly!' she implored,
and Sage embarked on her story without
further delay.
She stole al glance at her companion
as she talked. Elinor might not be beau
tiful. strictly speaking, but her whole
personality was marvelously attractive,
and her voice and manner added to her
charms There was a subtle suggestion
of wealth and refinement about her
she was evidently born to command and
vet she was as single hearted and loval
n a little child She listened with
breathless attention to Sage's account of
her lovers condition, and drew down her
veil TO hide the tears that were pouring
down her cheeks.
oh, how he must have suffered" she
moaned Thank you a thousand times
for your-ieiHdaess~-te him, Miss Havant!
You are quite sure that, for the present,
he will be safe with your"
II hope So" Sage responded; she had
managed to avoid any mention of the
real Cousin Jim's" unexpected appear
ance, and Elinor was far too absorbed by by
Jerrolds dilemma to spare any thoughts
for possible complications. "He will
stay with us until he is stronger" Sage
went on "and then he must get away
out of the country-to America, if posi-
bic. But he has not spoken much about
his plans yet He can think of nothing
except you and Sir Harold"
Poor Sir Harold" murmured Elinor,
shuddering, "Oh, it is this long-drawn-
out suspense that is so terrible Do you
know that out of all the doctors who
have seen him there is only one who will
give us a shade of hope? Sir Acton
Ford, the great London specialist, says
that if certain complications set in be-
fore-before the end-it is just possible
that on operation might be performed
successfully. But even he does not
think that Uncle Harold's condition will
ever Hank! What is that?" she
broke off. starting violently.
The girls came to an abrupt standstill,
and in the silence that ensued Sage could
hear her companions quickened breath
ing.
Il thought IL was footsteps. l feared
it might be Lucian," whispered Elinor,
trembling visibly. eff he saw you talk
ing to me--if my explanation of your
presence here failed to satisfy him, he
would be on the alert directly. He
would follow you--he would dog your
movements and hunt Jerry down." Eli
nor said bitterly. THE whole country
might cry shame ON him for such I'M
natural conduct, but what would Lucian
care for that? His love for me has be-,
come a mere Tevengeful passion, for he
knows how I scnrn and despise him;
and he knows, all foo well, how best to
take his revenge!" g.
Sage could only press the little trem
bling hand in silent sympathy, but Elinor
gave her a grateful glance.
How kind you are!" she said earnest
Iy. "Shall we-Jerry and lever be
able to repay you for all you have done
for us? Now listen, Miss Havant. I
must see Jerry before he leaves your
house, if it can be managed without any
risk to yourselves-and to him. He will
need money-he cannot leave the country
without saying goodbye to me! 1t will
only be good bye for the time, for /
shall follow him presently. I cannot de-
sert Sir Harold whilst he lives. But aft
erwards I would forfeit everything
riches. position, all that 1 have hitherto
held most dear-for the right of follow
ing Jerrold into exile and becoming his
wife"
You are very brave" said Sage.
Elinor gave low, glad laugh.
Brave? Why, love him!" she cried
But we must be practical, Miss Havant,
and make our arrangements for my visit
to you. had intended to go up to town
next week on visit to my dentist.
should take my maid with me and spend
the night at private hotel. My maid
has relations in London; if I could man
age to dispose of her l might run down
to Winchester by an afternoon train and
come out to Bernessted chat evening No
one would recognize me there; I could
make some excuse in the village and get
ca bed for the night, returning to town
the next morning" She spoke rapidly
and eXcitedly, making her calculations
with a clear-headed decision that took
Sage by surprise. even if the worst
came to the worst, and was obliged to
oonfde in Hawson, my maid, she would
not betray us. Yesi could trust
Hagson. She" Another alarm,
and this time only too well founded Eli
ner had just time to whisper, Behind
the busiest" emphasizing the direction
with eonvulsive pressure of her COM
panion's arm, and even as Sage pushed
her way into the shurbs at the side of
The avenue tall man appeared round a
curve in The drive.
Had he been in time to catch a
glimpse of Sage as she beat her abrupt
TTetreatf Elinor forced her trembling
ilnos in his direction. scanning his face
N vain for an answer to the question.
Lacian Miles harsh features could ap-
pear lnscrutable enough when he chose,
nut there was a subdued glitter in his
eyes and sinister smile on his lips that
MADE the girls heart sink in an agony
u ioreboding. His greeting, however,
As commonplace enough, and he turned,
f. Gently intending to accompany her