The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-18

Of Frederick TairIie, of Limmeridge
House.
on his arrival there lie found Mr..
Fairlie. Shut up in a heavily curtained
and carpeted room devoted entirely to
the care OF his precious nerves and
anxious to have the drawing lessons
begin with as little trouble to him
self as possible. AS result. he was
thrown at once into quite uncontrolled
companionship with the two nteces-
Marian Halcombe, bright, alniable,
capable. beautifully formed and full OF
womanly grace. but with dark face
like that OF man; and Laura Fairlie,
fair bewitchingly beautiful with Won
derful eyes of turquoise blue and
with nature as sensitive as that of
flower.
Though their, names were different
they were sisters. their mother having
been married twice, first to Mr.. Hal
combe. Marian's father, and then TO
Mr.. Fairlie, Lauras father. Mr.. Hal
practically nothing. Mr. Fairlie was
rich ana left Laura fortune. dis
brother, Frederick FairlIe, who had
succeeded to the ownership OF Lin
meridge House, was Lauras guardian.
Hartright soon told Miss Halcombe
the story of his meeting with the wo-
man in white, and aroused her
curiosity so much that She searched
through her mothers letters, with the |
result of finding a solution. In one
letter, written by her to Mr. Fairlie. i
who was then away. she told about
new pupil whom she had placed In the
village school founded by her. II have |
taHen a violent fancy Philip" she
wrote Ito little girl named Anne |
Catherick, who is not quite as de-
Neloped intellectually as she should be
at her age. l have dressed her in
Lauras old white frocks and hat and,
my dear Philip, although she is not
ha.t so pretty sho does still bear a
most extraordinary resemblance In
nalr' color. complexion. eyes and shape
OF face 10 our own dear Laura
Now followed three months of hap
piness, not only for the artist but for
the two young women; three months of
sketching, riding, walking and look
ing at tle sea; happiness that was
ended suddenly by the flash of realiza
ton that came 10 all three az once
mat Walter tIartrlght and Laura /
Fatrlie were in love.
Marian Halcombe. with her down
right honesty, spoke to him, and coun-
seled tuat he go away as he might |
never hope to make her his own, since |
Laura had been engaged for some time
TO Sir Percival Clyde in obedience to |
her fathers DYING desire Even had
this not been, Iiartright realized the< |
there was another obstacle. He was
penniless and Laura Fairlie was an
hemess.
Before he departed. an anonymous |
letter came TO Laura Fairlte. It'll
warned her in mysterious and pas
sionate language not to marry Sir
Percival Clyde. An elderly woman had
given ii to the gardener. Search tor
her proved fruitless; but in the course
of that search Hartright and Miss Hal
combe learned that the village was
excited over boys story. He had
seen the white figure of a gho=t stand
ing beside Mrs. Fairies gravestone the
night before
THAT evening Hartright concealed
himself in the church, feeling little
doubt as to the discovery that he was |
to make. 1t turned out as he foresaw. !
y white figure stole through the dark. |
kneeled down and began to clean the
stone where 1t was discolored. ma
stepped out and confronted Anne
catherick, the woman in white. And
IN that moment he saw, too that en-
cept for the effects OF suffering and
sorrow her face was that of Laura
Fairlie.
Despite her overwhelming fright, he |
succeeded in holding her attention long