The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-10-08


and. with II nod toward the stables 10
indicate her wishes. would have left
me without a word.
Have you seen my father this morn
ing?" she asked as | paused before
her.
AS luck would have it. while she
spoke sleepy groom came round the
house tiung The reins TO him. bade
him take the horse away and turned
to my lady
Madam" said /. my voice thick
ening and choking. Il have seen yonr
noble father this morning"
There was something in my voice
and manner great stupid fool that
something was wrong. With one swift
step she waa.by my side
"Whcre?"
"In the spinney."
"What does he there at this hour"
"NotEils."
81 don't understand"
"Sir Geoffrey."- | began racking
my brains what to say next and how
20 convey the awful tdings.
my direction. then turned toward the
coppice. her suspicious fully aroused.
But now | ventured upon a famil-
iarity-that Ia, l 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 1t gently with
vengeance. but what could ! do? She
always did twist me around her little
finger. and | was always more or less
helpless before her. l admit that.
am still, for that matter. although she
will not have 1t so.
"What is It? Is my father-what is
he doing in the spinney? He never
rises at this hourY'
mistress wilberforce." ! said. you
come of a brave stock. and the time
for your courage is now"
"Ts my father deadT" she asked. aft
er sudden. awful stiffness.
l nodded while she stared at me like
one possessed.
"Killed in a duel?" she whispered
shook my head.
Mistress" said l, "he died by his
own hand"
"Oh, my Godr" she cried. clapping
her hands to her face and Keeling
back.
L.. tx<Vt no
had no knowledge that she was held
or supported. or course. all her inter
est and attention were elsewhere. She
did not weep or give way otherwise.
She was a marvellous woman, and her
self mastery and control amazed me.
for ! knew how she had loved her IA
Their.
when? Why?' she gasped out.
~ was early awake" | answered.
and did not tell her 1t was my habit
to see her gallop Off for that morning
ride-"and ] heard a shot In the spin
ney. | hurried there and found Sir
Godfrey
LET us go to him."
NO" said |. And ! marveled to find
myself assuming the direction as If
had been OH the deck of my own ship.
that you cannot II 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
Their. 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 mott
fed"
Madam" said 1. they already
know it"
And why. then. have they left the
duty of telling me to you? Where are
they? Summon them at onceF'
They are gone" ! clustered out. my
rage at the duke reviving.
"Goner'
"Having won everything from Sir
Godfrey, they have left him alone In
his deathr' retorted bitterly.
"Impossiblev
~ ordered them Off the place." I said
bluntly.