The Washington herald., 1910-11-06
The House of Ill-Luck
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.
CHAPTER TX.
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.
The prtce .of Silence


household seemed to be privy to secret
that she alone was barred from sharing.
Even Sir Douglas seemed to have for
gotten her, and that brief moment when
he had appeared so nearly TO become
something else was like foolish dream.
and the memory of her sudden gladness
made her flush hotly.
One day when the dullness and depres-
sion made her seek relief in walk in
the grounds she chose a path that led in
an opposite direction TO the tower, She
had questioned both Keziah and Jason
about the escape OF a few nights ago,
but they had answered her with hurried
mutterings or stolid gl8nces, and sick at
heart She had given Up seeking l. know
anything. AS she walked on. her thoughts
making her restless and tireiess. she
found that n had reached the rose gar
cen, and not caring to turn back till she
was really tired she passed through the
gate and was soon in the woods on the
other side of the garden. Suddenly she
paused and glanced up quickly. young
man was lounging against tree smok-
ing cigarette. and as their eyes met he
raised his cap with a smile that brought
a flush Of annoyance to her face
Miss French" be said jauntiiy, Il
was just coming to call at Luck House
to see YOU"
I am afraid you nave made mis-
take sir" Rosemary said eoldly. Il
don't know you. and you have no right
to cali at Luck House 10 see me.
All. TN not so sure OF that" he an
sWered c0Olly Did You get my note
the other DAY. asking you 20 meet me out
side the rose garden between 3 and 10?'
Your note"' she exclaimed Then she
remembered ia a fash the note signed
80 F"
4 certainly did receive note. she be-
gan colby. but ] am not IN the habit Of
noticing letters that come 10 me from
people who don't sign their full names,
and who make appointments at late
hours"
"Oh. indeed" he sneered. I'm sorry
I failed 70 please your Ideas Of what Is
correct but I imagined that my initials
would let YOU know who ] was, and that
/ had some excuse for sending that note
to y0u"
Rosemary bit her lips and stared al
him nerv0usly. Gould the man be mad
she wondered. "or could there really be
some mistaken
Il am afraid I don't know what your
initials mean" she aid slowly. IF you
will kindly enHghten me as 10 your rea-
son for wishing 20 see me ] might be
able 10 understand; at present l an
quite in the dark
The mans mean-lOOking face shown
with triumph.
So" he began mockingly. you don'i
know me. and have never seen me be
fore? That's q very queer thing 20 say
when I came All the way from London
to look sou up, and not being very flush
In 'oof Just now Il cost me something
70 raise the fare II ! had known thai
you were going to play the high and
mighty tone with me | should have
rlaye6 a different game, ] can tell you
AS sic listened 70 his 1diously familiar
voice Rosemary wFtthed with silen
wrath She Ionged 10 turn and leave
him, but a name, ess fear kept her an "
willing prisoner. She mast know who l.,
was. and satisfy him that he had made {
mistake
"All you say Is unintelligihle to me,
she began quietly, II am ready 10 be
lleve that YOU are honestly under some
delusl0n, and surely II I repeat that
don't know you. you viii explain"
A malicious grin distorted his viciou:
mouth as he listened 10 her low, we'll
bred tones. In her neat coat and Skin
she made a lovely picture Of innocent
girlho0d. and he watched with amuse
ment the color stain her face beneath hi:
lengthy scrutiny.
VERY we'll" he said. with affected non
oh 10
10 you my dear girl. though We ough
not to need an Introduction, considering
I am Sidney Ffrench, and you are my
dear sister. Rhoda French.
Your sister, Rosemary gasped. NO
Lob. what can / do" she cried family
as she realized into what d net her i'm
PRESERVATION Of the dead girl might b
drawing her. How can you torture mi
like this?" she went on. You knew al
the time that ! was not your sister, and
you behaved like a coward in keeping m'
in suspense.
well, / Ike your cheek, he scoffed
When I came down here TO call on yol
or rather, on my dear sister Rhoda
who had dropped me post card whert
her new billet was. I had no idea that
was not going 10 meet her; In fact
may add that l was looking forward 4
touching her for a little money, h
went on. and when l accidentally over
heard YOU give your name and address,
10 the shopnan at stationer's II
Frampton the other day. | was puzzled
ana couldn't make out If there were TIVE
Miss Trenches staying at Luck House
So 70 satisfy myself, l 'nosed' about {
bit, and then dropped you note TO NEE
me-"
Rosemary looked at him with fright
ened eyes. She had only Understood par
Of what he was saying Her brain seemed
unable to GRASP auything else save Tbs
fact that one uersan-and that q com
mon. coarse mau-anew her 10 be an i'm
postor. and woald probably betray hel
to Sir Douglas.
Let ne exr a.L. she began in q
trembling voice. I know French i!
not my real name. but II lost my baI
in the street where your sister was IN
IL tunately ran over and l tainted. WheI
I recovered 1 found that our bags haC
been exchanged and her voice fal
tered slightly-''and as | knew she wa
dead I thought there was no harm IL
using the letter in her bag and takinl
her place as Lady Mallaby's companion
Please believe that / nae no lhtehtOi
of wronging any one, she went on
seeking for some sign of sympathy II
that vulgar, crafty face before her. -
only wanted 20 get away from London
as ! was starving.
THAT sounds all very well. he saiC
slowly. Il can quite see your fix, but it:
a bit rough on me 20 have 10 come al
this distance and find another girl in m,
sister, shoes You see" he grinned
Tn a very affectionate sort of chap
and was looking forward TO a little sis
terly love and assistance.
IF / can help you. Rosemary begal
hurriedly, I can let you have thre'
pounds.
Three pounds!' he laughed contempt
uously My dear girl. it's not an earth
~ bit of use TO me. / should say" h
went on, meaningly. that it's WORT