The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-05

| 1 face was that of Laura Fairiie. 1 Despite her overwhelming fright, he
 succeeded in holding her attention long 1 enough to learn that she was staying I at a farm near by in company with a
 Mrs, Clements, who had nursed her in childhood and to whose home in Lon | don she had escaped from the asylum Hartright-got no new light on the let l ter. She confessed that she had writ 1 ten it. but when he mentioned the Bar onet's name she became quite wild and 1 fled. He had succeeded only in making | quite sure that his first natural and l logical suspicion that Sir Percival had wronged her was entirely baseless. When Miss Haicombe went to the farm next day Anne Catherick had dis appeared again.
 Walter Hartright departed. Weight ed down not only by the heavy sorrow that his hopeless love had brought to him but also by his great fear that Laura Fairlie was about to marry vil- lain, he sought to forget by joining an expedition into Central America. Sir Percival Clyde. a prepossessing and handsome man. arrived in Limner- idge House soon after. He explained his connection with Anne Catheriok most readily in n manner that account< ed abundantly for her insane fear of him. He had sent her to an asylum at the instance of her mother, who had rendered his family faithful service that demanded reward. He insisted that letter of inquiry be sent to her ana soon a reply arrived in which Mrs Catherick declared that Sir Perciyal had been most Kind to her afflicted daugh- ter.
 The baronet carried his generous care so Tar as to set all his agencies to work 10 capture the missing girl and return her to the asylum authorities. but quite in vain. Marian HaIcomhe had to confess to herself that in every sense his conduct clearly had been of the pest; yet she could not rid herself or the unreasonable belief that a dark and menacing mystery lay behind it.
 Her distrust of Sir Percival was not lessened when he insisted that the marriage settlement provide that in the event Of Laura's death all her fortune should pass to him. Laura's faithful old lawyer bitterly opposed this. But Frederick Fairlie protested petulantly against being annoyed by trivial de- tails and gave his consent as Laura's guardian. Laura herself had begun to lose all interest in life since the de- parture of Walter Hartright and Ma rian Halcombe saw with a heavy, heavy heart that her dear sister was doomed to a future of unavauing and bitter sorrow. She made no objections to anything. Listlessly, wearily, she consented to everything. Listlessly, weartly, she was married. Wearily and sadly Marian saw her depart on her wedding journey to Italy.
 It was summer when Sir Percival Clyde and his wife came home to Blackwater Park. where Marian met them. With them came Count Fosco and his wife, who was Laura's aunt on her fathers side. Count Fosco attract ed Marian-the coolly intelligent, keen Marian-strangely the more strangely, f,, aI most abject fear of him. He was an immensely fat man, yet 1.-the and noise less as cat. His face was like Na- poleon's on a large scale. His gray eyes had weirdly compelling power.
 Sir Percival was at once ruoe 70 nm and afraid of him. His curious power extended alike over animals and hu- mans. The most savage dogs in the place covered before him. His pets white mice. canary birds and two cock to understand every word that he. said to them in his long conversations with them. His wife who as Miss Fairlie had been noto- riously self wi1led and whimsical was as submissive to him as a hound might have been.
 From the beginning Fosco played the role of mediator. Aagain and again he checked Sir Percival when the latter was on the point of being
 
 his efforts, however, the time came soon when the baronet threw off the mask and appeared in his true colors.
 His solicitor appeared suddenly in Blackwater Park and the two had a heated conversation. Marion accident ally overheard enough of 1t to know that the Baronets creditors were pressing him hard and that the only way to escape ruin was to get hold of some of Lauras fortune. You quite understand, Sir Percival?" the lawyer was saying. Lady Clyde need merely sign her name in the presence of two witnesses and then put her finger on the seal and say, I deliver this as my act and deed.'"
 Marion warned Laura, with the re- suit that when Sir Percival laid a fold ed paper before her and demanded that she sign it she<refused to do so until she had read 1t. His black tenn per rose instantly. He reiterated his demand that she sign at once and when she still refused assailed her with shameful insult. Fosco interfered again. He took Sir Percival aside. Shortly afterward he informed Miss Halcombe that the question would not be raised again..
 Events at Blackwater Park now came thick and fast, shaping darkly to- ward a grim end-and again, like an OlleH' lHS WOiAldH III WulIS dppSdTeu in Laura's life.
 This time the two met face to face in a little pine wood near the house. T have been waiting days-I have risked being shut up again in the mad house." said the woman in white, "and all for you. Miss Fairlie, all for your sake. I want to save you. If you knew his secret he would be afraid of you. And if heA treats you merci- fully, and If I can It was my doing, perhaps I shall meet your mother in heaven"
 What is 1t that you have to tell me?" asked Laura, frightened by her manner.
 The secret that your cruel husband is afraid of," answered Anne Gather ick. T once threatened him with the secret and frightened him. My mother knows the secret, too, and has wasted under 1t half her lifetime"
 Before she could say more a noise startled her. She whispered wildly. "Tomorrow-here." and fled. Laura returned at once and told Marion and 1t was decided that she should keep the appointment, while Marion was to follow shortly afterward. But when Marion reached the spot she found mo- body. She returned to the house to find that<Laura had returned sobbing, in the company of her husband, who had at once discharged her maid and ordered Laura locked in her room un- der the guard of a servant. It was only after the intervention of Count