The Washington times., 1912-06-14


II too great for coherent speech.
With his child locked in his
arms, Lord Baramore could only sob out
inarticulate questions and exclamations,
scarcely yet believing, though he held
her in his arms, that his little one
was restored to him from the dead.
Almost he doubted his own senses,
and thought that his mind. overtaxed
by grief and sorrow, had given way
under the strain and was deceiving him.
1t required all the evidence of the little
arms clutching his neck, the little head
buried in his bosom, the.little voice Sob
bling, Daddy, daddy, daddy" in a voice
he could not mistake, to convince him.
His nephew, meanwhile, had cast a
searchir.- glance about the chamber.
Running to the back of the room he
tore aside the ,Eurtain, but no one was
there Only a bed, upon which some
one had recentE been lying. and at the
end Of the cham DER a stout worm-eaten
wooden door.
He rushed to it quickly. 1t was
neither bolted nor locked, and yielded
easily. He jerked it open, and a fresh,
woodsy smell rushed into the chamber
Branches and brambles pushed them
selves in at the opening, and thrusting
MS way tnTOuBn tnem, ne 1Ounu nlm-
self in tangle of thorn-trees and
bushes. with the sound of running water
in his ears.
He stood for an instant, dazed and
ConfoundedI unable to guess at his loca-
tion. Then as he pushed his way
through the bushes and came out into
a clearer space he exclaimed aloud.
The brush through which he had
pushed his way, and which completely
concealed The outlet to the underground
chamber. grew on the side of a steep
bank he. knew well, the water he heard
murmuring was the voice of the little
times within the last fortnight-had
passed the place, and stood with Anna
chamber.
While he stood staring about him mis-
mind acted rapidly. He knew now the
explanation Of many things that had
he glanced back toward the opening, so
thoroughly concealed by the brush that
EreW over and about 1t, that 1T never
out, as he, looked at the dark woods
with tangled underground snd dim
shadows. he knew how safely Jennings
or Hoskins-could come and CO. and
enter and leave the house at will
though an army of detectives should be
camped round about it.
With this thought came the remem-
Drance of the underground chamber and
al thai he had left there. and, turning
about, he made his way back quickly.
When he entered the room, Lord
Baramore sat on the side of the bed
with his little daughter still in his arms,
and Mrs Chisleigh and Annabe were
talking to the woman
Where are they? What has become
OF them he cried out as he ap-
Gone" answered the woman. "since
three days ago."
Gone cried Clifford and Annabel to-
Il do not know. do not care, so that
we never see them again They werl
here IN the chamber with us most of the
time since she night of The trouble. until
three days ago. Aud it was horrible
hurri!la. They were afraid to make al
attempt 10 get away and intended Il
stay her" until the search for them had
recn given uD and the excitement blew
over.
Hut three nights ago Hoskns CAM
rushing IN out of breath and toll! hel
that the Jig was up, and they would
Rave to go. He said he had seen elf
fcld Raramore in the woods, that he
had recognized him, and they woult
have to abandon everything and gel
away. They got few things together
DESTROYED otherG. and made their es
cape. We have seen nothing of then
since"
Lord Baramore, who was by this tim,
gaming control of himself. now rose
and came toward the woman. Standing
You have much to answer for, Jane
I:ranscom. Why did YOU steal my
Chlld"''
I did not steal your child, Lord Bara
more" sail the women, turning hel
dark, holloW eyes and gaunt face upor
him. Il did only what | was command
cd to do. acted only under orders"
"AC!ed Ipder orders?' Numbered Lore
Paramorc. Whose orders?"
Thc woman dropped her face into hel
hands and shuddered. For some mo
ments size did not speak Then, raising
her head suddenly, she said
First tell me one thing. Lord Bara
nor" Isis my lady stiIl living?"
Lord Baramore surveyed her angrily
mo he said, shortly, she is not
She di"d month ago"
The woman uttered low. quiverini
cry.
And the chlld?"
Tho child was still-born.'
Il heard-l heard that-but | did no
believe it: If that is true I will an
swer your question. Had it not been
YOU might have torn me limb from
limb and never would have told you
Poor lady, it can do her no harm now.
do her no harm?' cried Lord Bara
more, with some strange underlined fea
at his heart. What do you mean
Speak,
the woman half savagely; but per
haps when l have spoken you wOul
have been better pleased had l KEEP
stin. The orders l received, to tax
your child away and hide her wher
you would never find her again, cam
from your wife-Lady Baramore.'
Lady BaramOre?" The words wer
gasped rather than spoken, and tn
baronet swayed diZzily and sat heavil
down in a chair. The little girl ra
10 him and clung about his neck.
"La-Lady Baramore's orders?" h
faltered. "What-what do you mean?
81 mean, Lord Baramore, Tepeate
the woman, lust what | said. l too
little Miss Elenore away and kept he
hidden from you by the plan and unde
the orders OF LADY Baramore."
Lord Baramore started up, then san
back in his chair and covered his fac
with his hands The little girl climbe
upon his knee and kissed him, crying
Don't feel bad, daddy. don't feel baC
I'm here, daddy, you've got your littl