Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-17

IT'S no great feat" said i stupidity |
enough. II have lifted bigger
Women flashed out Mistress Lucy, |
slightly frowning up at me.
Things" l replied
cit amaZes me-" she said. II have !
never been dismounted that way be-
fore. However. you always were
stronger than most men. even. as
boy. There seems to be no groom
about. The place is wretchedly serv-
ed. Will you take my horse to the sta
bles ?" she askedrme.
There was a certain fattery to me
in that request If had not shown
her how strong I was in all probability
she would have thrown me the bride
and. with nod toward the stables to
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 shs
spoke a sleepy groom came round the
house. 1 flung the reins to him. babe
him take the horse away and turned
to my lady.
| Madam" said I, my voice thick
ening and choking. 81 have seen your
noble father this morning"
| There was something in my voice
and manner. great stupid fool that I
was. that instantly apprised her that
something was wrong With one witt
step she was by my side.
"where?" =
'1n the spinneys"
'sWhat does he there at this nourg'
Nothing"
81 don't understand"
"Sir Geoffrey."- began racking
my brains what to say next and how
to convey the awful udings.
She made a sudden step or two in
my direction, then turned toward the
coppice, her suspicious fully aroused.
But now ventured upon a famil-
farity-that is turned and caught
her arm.
at will see him myself" she began
resolutely.
MADAM" said I 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. l admit that.
will not have it so.
What is it? Is my father-what is
{ he doing in the spinney? He never
rises at this hour?"
mistress wilberforce." said, you
come of a brave stock, and the time
I for, your courage is now"
as my father dead?" she asked, aft
er a sudden. awful stiffness.
nodded while she stared at me like
one possessed.
KILLED in a duel?" she whispered.
, I shook my head.
Mistress" said l, "he died by his
own hand"
"Oh. my. Godm she cried, clapping
her hands to her face and reeline
. back. -ets. = n
caught her about the waist She
q.
, or supported. OF course ALI her inter
t est and attention were. elsewhere. She
t did not weep or give way otherwise
She was a marvellous woman, and hel
: self mastery and control amazed me
7 for 1 knew how she had loved her ia
Their. -,
When? Why2" she gasped out
81 was early awake" l answered
and 1 did not tell her it was my habit
: to see her gallop off for that morning
q ride-"and 1 heard a shot in the spin
ney. / hurried there and found Sill
l Geoffrey"-
LET us go to him"
!, NO" said /. And marveled to find
7 myself assuming the direction as If
8 had been on the deck of my own ship
that you cannot. 1t is no sight fol
t your eyes. l was coming to the castle
i to tell you and to send the servants tt
: fetch him. Meanwhile you go into the
e hall and summon your women and
: 81 will do what you say. Master
= Hampton" she whispered very small
very forlern. very despairing. "My ia
t Their! Ny dear, good father!'
+ She turned. and i. still supporting
:, her, we mounted the steps Of the ter
s race suddenly she stopped. freed her
|, self and faced me.
e Lord Luftdon and the Duke Of Ar
e cester." she explained. they are stay
1 ing at the castle. They must be mott
= fed"
4 Madam" said I. they alread.
know it,
It "And why. then. have they left tn
t duty of telling me to you? Where ar
T they? Summon them at oncer'
/ They are goneT' clustered out, m.
K rage at the duke reEiving.
"GoneY'
o Having won everything from 81
s Godfrey, they have left him alone II
4 his deathT retorted bitterly.
d "Impossibier
t 81 ordered them of the place." sal,
q bluntly.
d "You?" she flashed out imperiously
L "And who gave you the power to dis
e miss-my fathers friends?''
u II heard what they said. being hid
den myself
And what did they say?"
at concerned you. MISTRESS
"The Duke of Areester." she prornp