The Morris County chronicle., 1909-10-05
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hurried into the dining room full o
surprise and pleasure at sight of Mis-
Leslie.
Where is Lord Derriman?" sht
asked, quickly. And then, before ht
could answer, some one came rush
ing down the stairs toward her.
Could her senses have left her, oi
was this Dorothy-the beautiful
golden-haired girl whom everybody
worshiped so blindly? This was ar
untidy, shapeless creature with dis
heveled locks, white, bloated cheeks
red. bleary eyes and coarsened lips;
her whole person breathing the ex.
istence of some hideeus meaning.
Enid staggered back as this ad-
vanced toward her and Maria uttered
cry of alarm.
Parsons flung himself between
Enid and her cousin.
"You must go back, my LADY," he
said, firmly; then, lifting his voice. he
called, loudly, "Virginie! Mrs. Rob-
erts! Come down."
The wretched creature tried to
force past his arm, growing savagely
the while at the pale, frightened girl
who crouched back in sick dread and
pain, and then the hall seemed full OF
people running, and sounds of ex-
postulations mingled with woman's
hoarse cries and screams, in the midst
of which Enid felt rather than saw
Gervais pure, pale face pleading al
most tenderly to his wife to go quiet
ly back to her room.
She closed her eyes and leaned
against chair. Parsons stood by,
brushing his brow with his hand.
"She's awful bad to-day; the
tremens is worse nor usually" he
muttered.
Enid gasped; the CHASTITY process
sion had passed up the broad stair
case down which Dorothy had glided
so often, decked out in her silks and
diamonds, lovely as the stars.
"What-what is it?" she breathed
to the man.
He turned and looked at her and
shook his head with sigh.
It's drink, miss; she's been like
this for weeks past. She must a seen
you a-comin' and got loose. Here
comes his lordship, poor fellow! All,
it most breaks my heart, that it does,
to see him."
Gervais came quickly up to Enid.
Involuntarily she held out her two
hands, and he grasped them the
sight of her pure, fair face, her sweet,
trustful eyes, was like heaven to him
after that hideous scene Without
speaking, he drew out into the sun
shine. Maria stood aloof, tears rain
ing down her cheeks.
Gervais drew deep breath as they
were outside, then buried his face in
his hands, and she stood trembling
beside him, knowing him to be the
very acme of her existence, yet for
hidden to minister to his sufferings.
my mother-what of her? For
Heavens sake, never tell her!"
Can you not trust me?" she an
swered; and then she told him the
reason of her coming.
II will return with you,' he said
as sigh broke from his lips; "but
can not stay-I am wanted here. .
He took two or three turns on the
colonnade, then stopped before her.
"Oh, Enid! child, if you could only
know all have endured-the shame!
This-this has been going on ever
since Christmas, and now, you see, .
he shuddered, II can do nothing for
her-give her no pleasure in life
but this horrible, cursed drink! She
does not even realize my efforts; she
has grown to hate mel My wife, the
woman loved so well-Heaven help
me, too well!-is degraded to the
animal you saw just now!" Then
suddenly looking at her, did she
touch you?" he asked nervously; "did
she hurt you? She is strong and
powerful at these times-her keepers
can scarcely hold her!"
Enid shook her head; she could
not speak: words were choked in he1
throat.
Poor child" he said. tenderly;
poor child! / would have spared
YOU this"
Enid turned away.
"Will you come now?" she faltered
tremulously, and he understood her
she could not bear to remain longer
at Bromley.
walk down the avenue with your
maid; ! will overtake you. I have
some orders to give. We shall just
catch good train back to town
Walk slowly"
Gervais spoke in a commonplace
way on purpose; he saw that the girl
was too overwrought and wretched
to listen to his miserable story.
Maria walked beside her young
mistress in alarmed silence. Enid
only opened herllips once.
Not a word OF this at home," she
said. and Maria saw her face was as
white as death.
Then they pushed on, and in a
little while Gervais Joined them and
they walked till they overlook the
village fly that had brought Enid
and drove in it the rest of the way
Lady Derriman welcomed her sor
with cry of JOY, and he buried his
face on her shoulder as she clasped
him in her arms.
This was Ends doings, l know,
she said, tremulous with happiness
-Oh, my dear, dear one,s
She stroked the bent head with the
brown locks so cruelty and crema-
turely whitened, but she asked hin
Nd n,,nstinns Mnfhar. and son chi