The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-09-18

something WIS WrOnH. WIN Ono uWitb
step she was by my side.
"Where?"
"1n the spinney.'
"What does he there at this hour?"
"Nothing"
81 don't understand"
"Sir Geafrey,"- | began racking
my brains what to say next and how
to convey the awful tidings.
fhe made a sudden step or two in
any direction. then turned toward the
coppice. her suspicious fully aroused.
But now vtntured upon a famil-
iarity-that is. | turned and caught
her arm.
81 will see him myself" she began
resolutely.
Madam" said swiftly. you can
not"
Master Hampton" she said. 'some-
thing dreadful has happened"
nodded
This was breaking it gently with a
vengeance, but what could do? She
always did twist me around her little
finger. and | was always more or less
helpless before her admit that. l
am still, for that matter, although she
will not have it so
What is it? Is my father-what is
he doing in the spinney? He never
rises at this hourY'
Mistress Wiberforce," l said. you
come of a brave stock. and the time
for your courage is now"
"Is my father deadY" she asked, aft
er sudden. awful stiffness.
/ nodded while she stared at me like
one possessed.
"Killed in a duel?" she whispered.
shook my head.
Mistress" said |, "he died by his
own hand"
"Oh. my Godw she cried, clapping
her hands to her face and reeling
back.
/ caught her about the waist She
had no knowledge that she was held
or supported. OF course, all her inter-
est and attention were elsewhere. She
did not weep or give way otherwise.
She was marvellous woman. and her
self mastery and control amazed me,
for | knew how she had loved her ia
ther.
When? Why?" she gasped out
II was early awake" | answered.
and / did not tell her 1t was my habit
to see her gallop off for that morning
ride-"and ! heard shot in the spin
ney. | hurried there and found Sir
Geoffrey"-
Let us go to him."
NO" said l. And marveled to find
myself assuming the direction as If |
had been on the deck of my own ship,
that you cannot it is no sight for
your eyes was coming to the castle
to tell you and to send the servants to
fetch him. Meanwhile you go into the
hall and summon your women and
81 will do what you say. Master
Hampton" she whispered very small,
very forlorn. very despairing. my ia
ther! My dear, good father!'
She turned and l. still supporting
her. we mounted the steps of the ter
race Suddenly she stopped. freed her
self and faced me.
| Lord Luftdon and the Duke of Ar
cester." she explained. they are stay
ing at the castle They must be noti-
fed"
Madam" said l. they already
know it,"
And why, then, have they left the
duty of telling me to you? Where are
they? Summon them at once"
They are gone"' clustered out, my
rage at the duke reviving.
! "Goner'
Having won everything from Sir
| Geoffrey, they have left him alone in
his deathr' | retorted bitterly.
'Impossible"
II ordered them off the place." said
bluntly.
"You?" she flashed out imperiously.
And who gave you the power to dis
miss-my fathers friendsf"
II heard what they said, being hid
den myself"
And what did they say?"
| ut concerned you. mistress"
''The Duke of Arcester." she prompt
| ly began, lis my betrothed husband
/ will hear no calumny against him."
Madam" | said, "your engagement
is broken"
"Broken" she cried in amaze.