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

rible altogether. that Geryais could
not bear to think that he might be
brought in contact with any portion
OF 1t again, and Immediately follow
Ing the quiet funeral he went abroad,
as the world thought truly. ito help
distract his mind from his over
whelming grief"
Enid and Lady Derriman had lived
for year and a half in London and
Scotland, and then, yielding to the
earnest entreaties of the county. they
came back to the Manor and made it
their home.
Enid could scarcely have described
what constituted her happiness in the
fve peaceful years that followed, but
that she was happy none could doubt;
all loved her, and to Lady Derriman
she was as dear as her own child.
During those long years .Geryais, Earl
of Derriman, never returned to Eng
land once; but, though absent, he
was well acquainted with all that
| went on at home. for his mother
wrote regularly and cheerfully-
more cheerfully, indeed, than her
heart prompted, but she was not
selfish in her love.
Dare Br0ughton had been down
several times to Bromley. and Lady
Derriman always chronicled the fact
to her son, adding, that she would
never be surprised il a romance were
to spring from these visits; and some
how that passage always left an un-
| pleasant sensation in Gervais' breast
@Simmonds says that Cousin Grace
is not well enough to get out to-day,
SO think will walk over. unless You
want me, dear, at home.
| AYou are great nuisance, and
shall be glad to be rid of you." was
Lady DerrimaA's answer.
| Enid laughed and kissed her. and
then they chatted Of other things.
By and by. when. Enid was
equipped In her pretty, dark blue
velve: dress and cap, that set. OF her
| glorious red brown hair and coloring
to perfection, and was walking to-
ward Knebwell Hall. she looked very
thoughtful.
Mother is brave" she said to her
self; but she's pining for him all the
same. IL wish he would come
home. Six years and half--it is
almost lifetime!n
She sighed little, and then, as her
path lay past the church yard, she un-
consciously turned in and walked on
till she reached the Derriman vault.
poor Dorothy!" she thought, sad
| ly, tears rising to her eyes as the
| past grew clear; eff only she had
! trusted me, had asked me to help her,
/ perhaps that secret would never have
been SO terrible, and she would have
been spared"
Halloo! Miss Enid, moralizing in
a graveyard. Come. this will never
! do!n
It was DR.. Waters who spoke. He
was riding past In the lane below,
and pulled up his horse. He looked
hale and hearty.
Il was thinking Of Dorothy" Enid
said. as she rose and went toward
him.
@Ah! sad thing! Beautiful crea-
ture! The last one in the world one
would have imagined to end as she
did! warned her myself that night
OF the dinner. Do you remember?"
| Would Enid ever forget?
"She was drinking them" DR.. Wat
ers went on, brandy, and such like.
1t will always be mystery to me why
a high born woman. with everything
to make her happy. should have had
such depraved tastes"
| Enid mada no answer. She felt
that poor Dorothy had flown to this
fatal habit from desperation and fear;
but that could never be told.
.aas And when is the earl coming
back You don't know"
DR.. Waters shook his head.
Don't sit there any longer--it is
too cold: move on, my dear" And,
suiting the action to the word, he
touched up his horse and rode sharp
| ly away.
Enid reused herself with sigh
from her sad thoughts. and walked
on to the hall.
Her visit paid to both her cousins
and Mrs. Cullam. she commenced to
retrace her steps.
1t was growing dark, and she had a
long way to go, so she called up all
her energies and started briskly.
"A week only to Christmas!" she
said to herself. as she hurried on;
II must begin my small presents for
the children next week. I shall give
those pink flannels to- Obi"
She came to a standstill after this
sudden exclamation, and then her
heart began to beat wildly. There
right in front of her-was a tall
mans figure. which even In the dim
light she knew could only belong to
one man.
Have I frightened you. Enid?r
asked Gervais. eagerly. as he grasped
| her hands.