The Washington herald., 1909-07-04

ing every scrap Of information and every
surmise. from the lips Of communicative
strangers.
The faintest hope stiu smouIdered. Notwithstand-
ing the fact that Nine. de Ia Vaere had never been
seen after that fatai night there feeling that
she had escaped the cruel flames. For thing not
the slightest trace Of her found when the work
men explored the ruined bUilding-not buckle. ring.
gem-and Il felt that she could not have been
thoroughly moderated 10 leave not the faiutest
trace behind
But II she escaped where she2 Was she
hiding? Madam Lemoine. the nurse. could throw
light the subject She had absolutely nothing
OF her mistress after she had dashed into the burning
building.
even stood within the blackened walls Of what had
she could not have perished here leaving no trace
6ehind said the count with forced cheerfQlness We
And thus week passed. but the weary days
brought no word OF the fate OF her for whom two
rs6ed 3o 5 sitting 2E9'a room apSK & Clipped % his eo%g
ion by the hand A clue. clue at last! he cried
yes. have Just been to Testers Farm. where
Just heard that on the morning after the IRE woman
and her baby were admitted into the hospital at Way
st is she, It is she~ cried R9therfuTd in deli
Wh4 the hoar they t s &s GO vn T 10 aye
te e @ yge age aogGl c5 ioqr sS ron sea & SP5lngS on
moine new hope buoyed up the spirits Of al three
Iage they drove and at the far end OF the straegn
street they came TO the hospital small one-stored
wooden building OF about seven or eight rooms.
IN answer 10 the knock the matron appeared. She
she peered out into the darkness she saw the carriage
"A patient" she exclaimed "Georgina, get No. 4
at IS no patient madam" said the count in his
patient already within these walls
The matron stood in the center OF ne doorway
What patentT she said laconicaHy- 1t is too late
'yTe ' only want to talk to you about one" said
Rutherfurd and without a word the matron entered
the house, followed by the strangers.
Ac fhnv y~er In he maj tr0T roOr
Rutherfurd said eagerly. You received patient
the PEat 9, Of Re sot fire at at Sea ss, Springs 3f
But this was lady with little child. and she
IN the early hours OF the morning said the
count polishing his monocle IesureIy.
# @ 2 @ 4tTPn 3 o9 T s 9okfq f1seTT1 her PeI3fs @
tion til she assured of the rights Of the
a lady with an ihfant-a little boy" repeated the
count looking her hard IN the face.
1T girl" she said after pause. but who
Il am the Iadys husband" said Rutherfurd prompt
ly and I'm fever Of anticipation 70 learn how
I think You have made mistake" said the
tron casping her hands tightly 1T was not Madam
Not Madam de Ia valHere?" said Rutherfurd
NO. She gave her name as Mrs. Knight-a widow
Take 10 her" pleaded The distraught husband
but she has gone. She left yesterday morning"
yes and she did not tell me whittier"
There was long pause during which the count
Describe the lady to me" he said at last
see her face propery for her head had to be wrapped
in dressings I could form idea what she was
"And she gave the name OF Mrs-ATrs-"
Mrs. Knight. Her luggage came from New York
only the day before yesterday and she left imme-
what did she call the little infant" asked Ruth
erfurd a last hope.
''The little girls name was Elspeth. or Elsie" said
the matron. rising If she wished the interview
There was therefore nothing for it but to return
TO Sea Springs with blighted hopes All the way back
mouth in the way Of conversation. From time
TO time he glanced at the count at his side. and
wondered how he could have # in his heart TO talk
bah. he has no heart" he thought "Seat him be-
side pretty and the froth OF inane speech
will come to the surface. He has no heart" Think
ing thus, he refused 10 take any part in the con-
As they at last stood on the veranda the count
lelsurely lit cigarette, and his companion said
after what we have heard"
IAN I gay?" queried the other putting a cloud
of smoke into the still night air "If so II is be-
cause I have heard good news"
Good news!" said Rutherfurd aghast Have you
no bowels OF compassion
because I am convinced than that Madam
de Ia Valliere is alive. That woman knows some
thing. She was trying 10 throw of the search"
But why in the name Of
Because she has been drawn into the service
OF Lucille She is hiding from us-from you"
"Ah!" said the other sadly but I afraid that
But I feel sure that I am not I detected cum
ming look in the natrons eyes as we were plying
But why should Lucy seek to hide from me-"
Because, although she loves you still she thinks
that your love has turned to hatred and she has
some cause to think So"
7 shall smoke this cigarette and then turn IN"
said the count; perhaps the morrow may have some
Gilbert Rutherfurd with shiver entered the house