The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-11-04

foot, and the scrap Of paper fiutered
In his grasp.
Some creature had dared to write
threateningly to Dorothy, his wife.
the woman he loved and had put in
his pure mothers place. Threaten
lngly! What did it mean? Slowly,
scarcely conscious Of what he did,
he sank to the seat and stared be-
fore him at the words that seemed to
grow more monstrous each instant.
Il nos to much about you and 'imi >"
Again and again he repeated that
sentence to himself, till it beat in his
brain and made the hot passion of his
blood surge and swell to madness.
"You and 'im!" To Dorothy?
These words had been written to Dor
othy! But let him first be quite sure;
perhaps he had made mistake.
With hurried, eager fingers he
picked up the envelope and gazed at
the rude inscription, then his hand
dropped; there was no mistake:
"Ledy Deriman," was scrawled as
legibly as the characters would per-
NIT. Lady Derriman! Dorothy, Lady
Derriman!- his wife-to receive such
letter. Was his brain going? His
senses faded for a moment, then he
became acutely, agonizingly awake.
He arose and was slipping the
paper into the envelope when he saw
that more remained unread, and he
drew 1t out again.
sHaddress Mister Jim Cotes. the
Bullfinch, Newman's Road, Hounds
ditch, and send the mony sharp. u
amt noways wishful to waite long"
He crushed the hideous letter in
his hand. then plunged it in his
pocket. and with swift, uncertain
steps went back along the corridor 20
the stairs; his one thought was to get
outside in the air: he felt he should
suffocate If he remained an instant
longer in the house where he had re-
ceived his cruel blow.
All at once he became conscious
that he was not alone. Sounds of
ieet footsteps on the crisp snow
reached him: his eyes refused to turn
and look behind him.
II it should be Dorothy" his heart
whispered in anguish. Heaven help
me! am not fit to meet her yet. /"
The steps drew nearer and nearer.
ana then stopped; trembling hand
was laid on his arm.
"Lord Derriman,n said voice. that
was low and full of dread and pain.
He bit his lip, and almost shook the
hand away, but Enid chung to him.
"You-you will get so cold, and
forgive me, but you will attract atten-
ton. ] have brought your hat and
coat. Lord Derriman.
= do not want them, y he answered.
in q dry, hard way. II am not afraid
Of the cold"
3You are in trouble" Enid said, as
firmly as she could speak. Il want to
help YOU"
He shivered suddenly.
mo one can help me- he NUT
tered.
sYes. yes. they can: can-try
me-" pleaded the girl. sYou have
been SO good to me, Lord Derriman,
IL cannot bear to see you suffer-
ing"
Gervais turned and looked at her.
Her pure, pale face was more frag-
lie than ever, but new expression
strong. powerful, sympathetic ex-
pression-shone in her glorious eyes.
She seemed to him then more min
istering spirit than a woman. He
plunged his hand into his pockets
and drew out tho crumbled letter:
her eyes seemed to magnetic him.
Then, If you can help me-. he
said huskily, read that and tell me
what I must do. You think that
am mad; see If that is not enough
to XIII me, body and soul altogether"
Enid took the paper.
She had grown shade winter. and
her lips felt as cold as ice to herself.
Her fingers almost refused to hold
the letter. but she forced herself to
do 1t, and read the insolent words
with q heart as heavy and cold as
though NO life remained in it.
Gervais watched her in dull
wretched fashion. @Poor child" he
thought for moment as Enid was
silent. simply because she had not
strength to use her voice.
But as another moment was born
her courage and power returned to
her.
"This-this letter is not meant for
Dorothy!" she said in faint but clear
tones.
Gervais bent toward her eagerly;
his every pulse thrilled, every nerve
| quivered.
mot meant for Dorothy?" he re-
peated in SO low and husky voice
that she could barely hear it.
"No"-Enid's left hand fell by her
side: she clinched her fist as though
the last bitter blow had yet to fall
@no.D she said. deliberately, sit--is-
| for mel"
Gervais half staggered back.
For you?" he said, choked with