Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-23
By CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.

was no QOuDt OF lt-anQ resolved 10
discover why.
Trust a lawyer for finding out the
means to an end. l rose a little earlier
than usual one morning, bent upon
having my own way. went out and
bought a large parcel of costly toys
for the children. They came home soon
after we had finished breakfast and
asked permission from Mrs. Bellars to
go to the school room and distribute
them.
She half hesitated. l did not men,
tion the name of the governess, SEEM
ing utterly to ignore her.
Il promise" said, mot to detain the
children long from their studies; but
dc give me the pleasure, Mrs. Bellairs."
l knew that she was hesitating en-
tirely on account of the goveness, but
l resolved to conquer.
Mr.. Bellairs interrupted us.
Take Mr.. LINDSAY to the school
room, Mima," he said; there can be
no possible objection"
undertook that journey to America at
all. l am sorry that 1 persevered in
my wish to see the beautiful governess,
but all sorrow is too late. l had no
motive in wishing to see her beyond
strong curiosity.
Mrs. Bellairs. carrying one large par
cel led the way; l followed with anoth-
er. The school room lay at the end Of
a large, wide corridor. We heard the
murmur of little voices; then Mrs. Bel
lairs opened the door.
1 had determined not to look at her
at first, so no one could suspect my
motive; but, as soon as 1 entered the
room, l became aware of a woman's tall
figure bending over a little child.
Now" said Mrs. Belairs, come
here, children. Mr.. LINDSAY has made
up his mind to spoil you all. Come
and see"
They crowded round us.
Mr.. LINDSAY" said Mrs. Bellairs,
again, Il must introduce you to Miss
Forsyth"
She was standing quite motionless
and still by the table. 1 looked up.
Pray God may never see such sight
again. The ghastly face was awful to
see; the gray pallor Of death seemed
to have spread over it; the white lips
were parted and open, and the eyes
were filled with a look of wild horror.
l recognized her; she was not Miss
Forsyth but Mrs. Ross, and had con-
Quoted the prosecution three years be-
fore, when she was accused Of murder
accused of poisoning her husband,
Malcolm Ross of Ross House, near
GlaScone.
AS looked at her, the whole of the
trial flashed across me. I remembered
how we had all admired the beautiful
face, and raved about it.
Arnold Keith, supposed to be the best
pleader in Scotland, had appeared for
her. and it was a proof Of his eloquence
that the jury returned a verdict of
Not Proven" according to the old
Scottish custom Circumstantial evil
dence was strong against her.
My dear Miss Forsyth" cried Mrs.
Bellairs, you are very i'll. Why did
you not tell me? You should not be
here with the children; your white face
shocks me-"
She did not even seem to hear; her
eyes were fixed on my face with such
imploring entreaty, such unutterable
anguish; she knew, poor, unhappy wo-
my hands.
A thousand thoughts surged through
my mind. Should 1 denounce her?
Ought l not to tell these kindly, trust
ing friends of mine that the woman to
whom they had confided the care and
training of their children had been ac-
cused of murder, and only acquitted
because her guilt was Not Proven?"
Or should l spare her because she
was a woman-yOung, beautiful and
helpless? In that moment l could not
decide. l said to myself that l would
wait and think it over. keeping her
secret until l had arrived at just de-
cision.
Then l saw that Mrs. Bellairs was
looking curiouSly at u.s. l saw suspicion
in her face, and suddenly remembered
that l had made no reply to her intro
ducton.
Il hope Miss Forsyth will soon be
better" l said.
Oh, the grateful look she gave me
the relief that came into her face!
Go to your room at once, Miss
Forsyth" said Mrs. Bellairs, "and do
not leave it until you are better. A few
days holiday will not hurt the chill
dren.'
The next moment the governess had
left the room, and the children were
holding high carnival.
Il believe Miss Forsyth was fright
ened at you, Mr. LINDSAY said Mrs.
Bellairs, half SuSpiciOusly.
That is no great compliment" l re-
piled with a smile; II am not quite
Gorgon. l hope"
got through the day, but it was a
very unpleasant one for me.
CHAPTER II.
1t is well known that the greatest
tragedies in life turn upon the small
| est hinges The loss of a little folded