The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-10-21

me 80 hardly nor blame me 90 y0u
must do now.
While she said this she was think
ing swiftly: must tell her some
ry-for must hold her fasts /
shall need hef--but not the truth!
No, no; IL George Laxon is dead, the
past shall die with him"
She paused for an instant In agita-
ton, as Enid thought, but In reality
to gain time.
If it distresses you, Dorothy. do
not speak; am not curious. and"
But Dorothy put up her hand.
Il owe it to you to speak. Enid,
for fear, dear, you must have been
tempted to doubt me, must be
brief, for Gervais may be here at any
moment. Stop down. will not let
even the walls hear my secret"
Enid bent her head obedient1y, and
her heart thrilled with some indie
Unable fear.
aThe man Saw last night was
one who held Gervais in his power.
He-he-ah, Enid. it goes to my
heart to say 1.-THE possessed the
secret of some youthful, boyish wrong
may, crime!-of what nature will
not tell you. You remember the day
of the garden party. when my poor
father died?" M
Eyes, said Enid, family. wonder
ing what new pain this was that was
stealing into her heart Gervais the
culprit! Gervais criminal! The
thought was torture.
"That was the beginning Of my
misery" Dorothy said, impressively;
she saw that Enid believed every
word she said, and she could have
laughed even in her anxiety at her
easy success. This man found out
that was going to marry Geryais, and
| he came to me and told me this awful
secret, thinking to destroy my
darling's happiness; but did what
| you would have done, Enid. / re-
fused to believe it and threatened the
man with a stronger power if he did
not go Immediately. To this, dear,
came fearful answer; if I did not
give him certain sum of money
without delay, he would give informa-
| ton to the police and have Gervais
dragged from his home and thrown
into prison. What would you have
done, Enid?"
Dorothy was acting snlendidlv sna
her flushed cheeks seemed tinged
only with indignation at the remem-
brance of the wrong that had been
| done to her husband
i was too alarmed, too Mortified
| to think twice. ! temporized with the
man and gave him all he asked. I
would have done this three times over
to save my darling from such horrible
time he has logged me, never salts
| fed, always threatening to disclose
this awful secret for which / have
paid so much; and last night, when
he spoke slightingly of Gervais, /
struck at him suddenly. was mad.
had no knowledge of what I was
doing. You understand that, don't
| you Enid?"
But, Enid asked in low, panied
voice, @did you believe this-this
man, and doubt Lord Derriman with
out proof? Why did you not go to
| your husband and tell him of what he
was charged? Surely you would take
his word before all the world's?"
Dorothy bit her lip and bent her
head.
@Ah! Enid, had no need to go to
Gervais, for unfortunately discov-
cred this man Laxon's tale was only
too true. But don't blame Gervais.
No. no; he was only a Boy, wild and
impetuous: he had no thought of
wrong"
Enid still said nothing. What could
| she say? Could she turn round and
tell Dorothy the burning verdict of
her thoughts? All confidence. how
ever, was ended, for Dorothy sprang
suddenly to her feet.
II hear Gervais coming; unlock the
door, Enid, and remember, never
breathe word OF this to a living
soul. I am on my guard, and you
shall see how well / can act even in
the midst of this overwhelming dam
ger and fear"
Enid unlocked the door and went
into the dressing room to turn the
key there. just as Gervais came in.
Not gone to the hunt?" cried Dor
othy, lightly; why, how is this?p but
her heart stood still. What If he had
found some trace of her on the dead
man?
Enid had come out slowly. She
forced smile to her lips.
Roses are not natural to me, Lord
Derriman, she said, quietly, and in
deed, am very well"
"Now tell us, darling, what is this
troublesome business that has taken
you away from your hunting? Can't
1t be put ONT"
Gervais shook his head.
Ct ennnoaa had haitian fall unf