Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-01-08
CHAPTER XI

tJIt1l LIZ ~
She paused, and stood for mom-
ent confronting us all with proud
eyes and flaming cheeks, then amid
a hubbub which did not seem to af-
feet her in the least she stepped
down, and approaching the man who,
she had been told, had right to her
full confidence, she said, loud enough
for all who wished to hear her:
81 am ready TO give you whatever
further information you may require.
Shall | step into the drawinS-room
with you?"
He bowed and as they disappeared
from the great hall the hubbub OF
voices became tumultuous.
found myself averse to any KIND or
talk. Till / could meet Sinelair's eye
I should not feel free to be my own
ordinary self again. But Sinclair
showed every evidence of wishing TO
keep in the background, and thought
il odd and very unlike him not 10
give me an opportunity to express my
congratulations at the turn affairs
had taken and the frank attitude as
sumed by Gilbertine. Before | knew
it, | was the prey of fresh doubts
which | did my best to smother, be-
cause was still too much under the
influence of Gilbertine's personality
to wish 70 believe aught but what her
words conveyed She must have
spoken the truth, but was it the en-
tire truth? All, Dorothy! it was time
some one told her that Gilbertine had
openly vindicated her and that she
could now come forth and face her
friends with0ut hesitation and with
out dread. Was she still in the conser-
vatory?
Approaching The place by the small
door connecting it with the hallway
i'm which stood, l took hurried look
within. Il was emuty, and so was the
library beyond. Coming back, / ac-
costed Dutton and asked him if ne
knew where Miss Camerden was? Eie
answered that she had stood in the /
rear hall a lityi' while before. listen
ing to Miss Murray; that she had
then gone up stairs b. the spiral stair |
ease. leaving word with him that il |
ANYBODY wanted her she would he !
found 10 the small boudoir over the !
porch,
| thanked him ard was on my way |
to ioin her. when Mr.. Armstrong call !
cd me. He must have kept me half !
hour in his room, discussing every as,
pect of the affair. ! presently found ;
myself again in the hell, where the
first person I ran against was SIN
clair. J
He started and so did I at this un-
expccted encounter Then we stood
still, aud | stared at him in amaze
ment for everything about the man
was changed, and in nothing was this
change more marked than in his att'-
tude toward myself. Yet he tried to
be friendly, ,
"You heard what Cihertine sad.
There il no reason for doubling her
words. do not doubt them and you
will show Yourself my friend by nor
doubling them either" Then with
some impctuosity he pursued: our
wedding is overwhelmingly
There arc reasons WHY this seemed
hest TO Miss Murray. TIC you, ! VIII
saw that postponed nuptials seldom
culminate in marriage. In fact
have lust released Miss Murray from
all obligations 10 myself.
What was I to say what could
say. in response to such a declara-
ton. following so Immediately upon
his warm assertion of her innocence
Nothing.
He saw my embarrassment. posi-
blv my emotion. for he smiled some
what bitterly and remarked;
"Miss Murray has my good wishes;
Ont of respect to her position | shall
show her friends attention while VIC