The Washington times., 1910-06-18
CHAPTER XVI.
DELAY.

II AID the captain consulted his desires
he would certainly have eudeavorad
10 begUile the tediUm of what 10 him
was a familiar journey by engaging his
young companion in conversation; but
he had been strictly charged 20 tell her
as little of the circumstances that had
LED TO her release as he could, and to
avoid, so far as was possible, dwelling
upon Mornington, his condition. or his
plans.
The young lady herself was naturally
deeply grateful 70 her vigorous and ef-
fective protector. But such is the sin
gular selhshneSS of women in lOve-and
the quality is perhaps more apparent in
men In the same circUmstances-that
the remem beranCe Of these services.
great and vital though they We're, was
lost in the knowledge that MOrningtOn
was well; that he had thought Of her;
that If Lord AldenfOrd, whom she sup
posed was a relative Of the man she
loved. allowed II she might see him soon.
Indeed, when they entered the carriage
she had straightway questioned the cap
tain upOn these points. finding him
strangely reticent and unwilling TO dis
cuss anything or TO imDart any infOr-
nation save that which she already
possessed
He had told her that Alden was only
a short distance from Weymouth; that
an hours drive would bring her TO the
Hall. She had only, therefore, to re-
press her souls Impotence until that
Journey DAQ Deen maze ana All. SDe
hoped. would be made clear 70 her. Yet
10 TepresS her souls Impotence was
perhaps, under the circumstances. the
hardest tasK that had been set TO her
since she had dragged Monington
through the surf on the day Of the
wreck
In her weak condition Susan had no
room for d great variety Of emotions.
She CCulG support but one subject Of at
tentiOn. MOrninFtOn had not come 10
her. but she was going to him. She
would see him. That would suffice FOR
the present. Only to look at him would
satisfy her now. she thought.
Finally she leaned back in the COM
Portable carriage and closed her\eyes 10
cream; but not TO sleep; 20 shut out
everything hut the picture of him i'm
printed upon her heart.
In this manner the two ill-assOrted
travellers reached the Hall Susan saw
before her a somewhat dilapidated but
noble Ellie bathan castle Some of II
appeared habstaDle. but the major nor
ton was in a state Of extreme decay. A
broad night Of steps rose from the.
drive. sfaded by noble oaks. to the ter
race unon which the mansion was built.
and from the terrace another flight Of
steps led to the great entrance hall in
the door Of which stood a venerable and
dignihed figure IN modest. if somewhat
worn. livery.
He did not look Ike jaIler. nor did
the house m the least resemble a prison.
but the girl " this time was TOO ian
letNANAAN ~ -NAhN NUN tAAbAEAAt 10 llGSe
things.
Sir Francis assisted Susan TO descend
from the carriage, helped her carefully
up the long flight OF steps. supported
her gently across the terrace and into
the door Of the hall.
Good morning, Sir Francis" began
the man who stood in the doorway.
"Ah! Buckingham" said Sir Francis.
cheerfully, chow is your master2''
His lordship IS doing very well in
deed. sir, considering all things; and
have you
Yes, this is the young lady. VIII he
see her now. think your
Sir Francis" was the answer che
has been in a fever Of impotence ever
since we carried him into the house"
Il beg your pardon" began Susan,
falteringly-she had not the slightest in
terest in Lord Aldenford-"but 1 am 50
trad. an
"A thousand pardons," exclaimed Sir
Francis, contritely. Il forgot how i'll
you haG been. a chair. Buckingham.
for the lady"
All solicitude. the officer assisted Su-
san into the great hall and sat her
down before a fireplace in which huge
logs we're burning cheerfully, while
Buckingham, the butler, ran for some
light Tefreshment
Now, Sir Francis" said the servant,
1--WE have been expecting you, and his
lordship wants to see the young lady as
soon as convenient to her, SIR