The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1910-10-28

| only with indignation at the remem-
! brance of the wrong that had been
done to her husband
81 was too alarmed, too Mortified
to think twice. temporized with the
man and gave him all he asked. l
| would have done this three times over
! to save my darling from such horrible
| shame and misery. So from time to
time he has dogged me, never salts
fed, always threatening to disclose
| this awful secret for which I have
| paid so much; and last night, when
| he spoke slightingly of Gervais, l
struck at him suddenly. 1 was mad.
1 had no knowledge of what l 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 be
was charged? Surely you would take
his word before all the world's?"
Dorothy bit her lip and bent her
head.
"Ah! Enid, I had no need to go to
| Gervais. for unfortunately l 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.
81 hear Gervais coming; unlock the
door, Enid, and remember, never
breathe a word of this to a living
soul. I am on my guard, and you
shall see how well I can act even in
| the midst of this overwhelming dan
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?" 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 we'll.
Now tell us, darling, what is this
troublesome business that has taken
you away from your hunting? Can't
it be put OFF,"
Gervais shook his head.
Il suppose I had better tell you,
Dorothy" he said, with something
like a sigh, "as it is sure to reach
you by some means or other"
Then very gently and tenderly he
spoke Of the dead man, and Dorothy
shuddered naturally. and clung to
him little.
And is he quite-quite dead, Ger
vais?"
Yes. poor fellow. There is no
doubt ON that point, unfortunately?
But how came he on our
grounds?"
Enid had walked to the window to
hide her pale cheeks and her agita-
tion. She could scarcely bear to listen
to Dorothy's easy questions; this act
ing was too good; it Jared on her
every nerve.
That has not been discovered, but
it has been conjectured that he
strolled in from the lane and must
have been followed by some tramp,
who undoubtedly attacked and then
murdered him for gain. The poor
fellows watch is gone, with little
bit of chain left hanging to testify to
the struggle that must have taken
place; his pockets were turned out,
and he has been terribly mutilated.
1t is a ghast' crime, and I mean to
search the Murderer out till he is
found and handed to justice"
"Is there no clew?"
It was Enid who spoke, for Dorothy's
nerve suddenly gave way, and all she
could do was to cling to Gervais, who,
thinking her upset by the horrible de-
tails, held her closer to him and
kissed her tenderly.
"None; it is, however, very early,
and we have had no time to make in
vestigations. I ami row going over
to Sir Gregory Martins, who is the
second magistrate, and shall consult
him. The poor fellow has been car
ried to the small inn, the Sparrow,
halfway to Loxton, and will remain
there for the coroner's inquest"
"Have-have they found his
name?" breathed, rather than asked,
Dorothy.
"Yes-that is, we have picked up
letter that must have fallen from his
pocket addressed to George Laxon,
Esq, Graham's Hotel, Holborn." D.
"Did-did you open it,"
Dorothy just moistened her fever
ish lips with her tongue. She had
never written to that address, but still
there there might be one Of hers in
closed, or-Gervais' answer reas-
sured her in one sense, but sent cold
shiver through her the while.
"Yes, 1 opened it; it was from a
Mrs. Baker, who, it appears, has the
care of his child. Poor little mite!
What cruel fate to be left alone so
early in life! And now, my darling,
kiss me; l must be off. Sir Gregory
Martin is never to be found after
twelve O'Clock, and it is nearly that
now. Promise me to take care Of
yourself; 1 will leave you in Miss
Leslie's charge, and then 1 shall be
happy all day, for 1 know she will
look after you"
Dorothy clung to him.
II hate your going about thus; it
| will distress you; must you go, Ger
vais?"
Yes, / must. Remember, l am
magistrate and have my duty to per-
form; but don't be alarmed, my
darling; it is an unhappy business;
but beyond dealing with it as a magis-
| trate, it need trouble me no further,
save that my blood boils to think that
so cowardly a murder should go un-
| punished. However, l am firm be-
49,,