Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-05-28
rS.seS Ne = - n - S 49, s@ e S.se HSSSsS
7 he Firm OF
Cird|eStOne|
BY
A. CONAN DOYLE
SS-@S~

4 MS last appear OF nate was III an
swer to an expression of incredulity and
doubt which had passed over the face OF
the lady below. 1t was successful in its
object, for the ring of truth with which
she spoke and the look of anxiety and ter
ror upon her face were too genuine to be
mistaken. The lady drew her rein so as
10 bring the carriage as near the wall
rs was possible without losing sight of
Hates face
My dear" she said, you may safely
tel me everything. Whatever can do to
help you shall be done, and where | am
IuwereSS there are others who are my
friends and may be of assistance. Scuily
is my name-Mrs. Lavinia Scully Of Lon
don, Don't cry, my poor girl, but tell me
ali about it, and let us see how we can
put matters right"
Thus encouraged, Kate wiped away the
tears which had been brought to her eyes
by the unwOnted sound of a friendly voice.
Leaning forward as far as she could. and
preventing herself from falling by pass
ing her arm round a great branch which
shot across the top of the shed, she gave
in as few words as she could a detailed
account of all that had befallen her. She
described her guardians anxiety that she
should marry his son. her refusal, their
sudden departure from London, her life
at the Priory, the manner in which she
was cut off from all human aid, and the
reasons which made her believe that an
attempt would be made upon her life. In
conclusion, she narrated the scene which
had occurred that very morning, when her
guardian had tempted her to commit sui
eide The only incident which she omit
ted from her story was that which had
occurred the night before for she felt that
1t might put too severe tax upon Mrs.
Sculys credulty. Indeed. looking back
at it she almost persuaded herself that
the sight which she had seen might be
some phantom conjured up by her own
Imagination, weakened as she was in
mind and in body.
Having concluded her narrative she
Wound up by imploring her new-found
friend to assist her by letting her friends
in London know what had become of her
and where she was. Mrs. Scully listened
with face which expressed alternately
the most profound pity and the most
burning indignation. When Kate had
finished she sat silent for a minute or
more entirely absorbed in her own
thoughts. She switched her whip up and
down viciousy, and her usually placid
ccuntenance assumed an expression so
fierce that Kate, looking down at her,
feared that she had given her offense.
When she looked up at last, however, she
smiled so pleasantly that the poor girl
vas reassured, and felt instinctiyely that
ba had md oHo
friend at last.
I'VE must act promptly" she said, "for
we don't know what they may be about
or what their plans are for the future
Who did you say your friends were!'
DIR. Dimsdale, of phillimore Gardens
Kcnsington.'
Hasn't he got a grown-up son.
Yes" said Kate, with a slight flush on
her pale checks.
An cried the good lady. with a very
roguish smile. Il see how the land lies
OF course, of course, why shouldn't it:
/ remember hearing about that young
man. | have heard about the Girdlestones
also. African merchants they were in
the city. You see | know all about you"
You know Tom!" Kate cried in as
tonishment.
"Oh, don't let US get talking of Tom
said Mrs. Scully, good-humoredly. when
girls get on a subject of that sort there's
all end to everything. What | want to
know is business. In the first place. |
shall drive down to BedsWorth and | shall |
send to London. But not to Phillmore
Gardens. headed young men do fool
ish things under such circumstances as
these. This is a case that wants careful
mana cement. | know gentleman in
London who is just the man, and who ! |
know would be only too proud to help q
lady in distress. lie is a retired officer,
and his name is Major Clutterbuck-Ma-
jor Tobias Clutterbuck."
"Oh, know him very WELL and have |
heard of you, too" said Kate with a |
smile Il remember your name now in
connection with his
1t was Mrs. Scully's turn to blush now.
"Never mind that" she said Il can |
trust the maj jor, and know he will be
down here at a word from me- shall |
let him have the facts, and he can tell |
the Dimsdales il he thinks it best. Good
by dear, don't be unhappy any more, but
remember that you have friends outside
who will very quickly set all right Good
by :" and waving her hand in encourage
ment, the good widow woke up the pony
which had fallen fast asleep, and ratified
AZ way down the lane in the direction from
W hich she had come.