The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-10-07

CHAPTER XVI.
The Dagger.


her usual stroll round the garden
Enid went to her cousins room.
She thought to And her alone. for
the earl was generally busy with his
letters at this hour; but as she
knocked and received a summons In
Dorothy's voice to enter, she was a
little taken aback to see Gervais
standing by the fire reading the pa
per, while Dorothy dawdled, with a.
dainty breakfast in her luxurious and
exquisite pink silk draped bed. IS
Enid" she exclaimed, turning her
eteel-gray eyes ON the newcomer.
II thought you were alone" said
Enid hurriedly.
I am just on. Miss Leslie, !" Ger
vais observed, throwing down the
paper and advancing with out
stretched hand. do you want any
thing very Particular"
Dorothy rested her lovely head
languidly on her hand. She was a
picture Of beauty in her dainty lace
robe, her golden hair falling loose
on her shoulders.
Aha secret confidence, see; So
I will depart" said the earl. with a
laugh.
NO, it is no secret: and III may
speak just as well before you." Enid
answered, calling up all her courage.
Then she said plainly and simply
what she wanted.
Gervais smiled as she finished, and
Dorothy frowned.
We don't intend to let Miss Leslie
30, do we, my darling?" he said with
genial warmth.
Dorothy had no particular wish one
way or the other; but she saw in this
splendid opportunity for acting, for
giving Gervais glimpse of her in her
sweet, generous womanly role.
I don't intend to listen to any of
my little cousins nonsense" she said
lightly. She knows what happiness
it gives me to have her here, and
therefore feel sure she will not
think of leaving us.
Gervais gazed at her with glow of
tenderness in his eyes, and then
looked at Enid with an air of salts
faction; for who could Withstand such
words as those and from such lips?
Enid had given her cousin one deep
glance full of surprise Dorothywas an
enigma to her. She felt that it was
wrong to doubt this sudden affection,
yet something told her how untrue it
all was.
Gervais. seeing her hesitate, came
forward and took her hand.
Remember, you are my cousin
now, he said, with a laugh, and as
Dorothy's husband, consider my
self part guardian, so mean to exer-
else share of her prerogatiyes, and
forbid Miss Leslie to leave Bromley
Manor on pain of--well, all sorts Of
things"
Enid colored family.
She saw that she must yield, and
50 she agreed to look upon Bromley
Manor as her home for the future,
to take it with its joys and It's Ills
She little knew how great and terrible
the ills would be.
One Afternoon, as she sat working
hard at a painting she intended as a
gift to the Dowager Lady Derrimar,
the gallery was honored by the UNI
expected presence of Captain Leices-
ter, the young officer who was annoy
ing Enid with his conceited atten-
tions.
say. Miss Leslie. > he said. as he
made his way cautiously into the
room where she sat. disorder and dust
reigning rampantly around; "you
really are too cruel to hide yourself
away up here. you know; wont you
take pity on us poor creatures?"
Enid smiled at his pathos and his
bad grammar.
Il am afraid / can't just now. Cap
tain Leicester she answered. 81
thought you were shooting?"
mo, got tired; that confounded
Indian climate has played the deuce
with my constitution. Excuse my
strong language. but it's the truth. y
He sat down as he spoke, and did
indeed look rather fatigued.
Enid, with her ready sympathy,
was sorry for him.
say the young man suddenly
exclaimed, II wonder If Broughton
and you would mind II brought my
work up here, too?"
Enid would much rather not have
had his company. but she could not
very well refuse.
Captain Leicester was not long in
coming back. followed by his servant
carrying small wooden trunk.
There. Miss Lesliel he exclaimed,
as he opened this, having dismissed
his man.
ENID looked down ana saw moth
ing but a heap Of rusty-lookine
knives, curiously carved handles and
q large sheet of sandpaper.
Some Indian weapons picked up
from time to time, and am going to
clean them"
In the midst Of this in came Dor