Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-28
CHAPTER VII
TPNnonnn6


IA m ASTER LIONEL was absent most of
M the following day from Penarrow
upon a preteXt of making certain pur-
chases in Truro. 1t would be half past seven
when he returned, and he entered he
met Sir Oliver in the hall.
81 have message for you from Godolphin
Court" he announced and saw his brother
stiffen and his face change color. "a boy
met me at the gates and babe me tell you
that Mistress Rosamund desires word with
you forthwith
Sir divers heart almost stopped then
went off at gallop.
'Be thou blessed for these good tidings!"
he answered on a note of high excitement.
81 go at once"
And on the instant he departed. Such
was his eagerness, indeed, that under the
hot spur of it he dbl not even stay to fetch
that parchment which was to be his un-
answerable advocate.
Master Lionel said no word as his brother
swept out. He shrank back little into the
shadows. He was white to the lips and felt
as he would stifle. AS the door closed he
moved suddenly He sprang to follow Sir
Oliver Conscience cried out to him that he
could not do this thing. But Fear was
swift to answer that cutlery. Unless he
permitted what was planned to take it's
course his life might pay the penalty.
He turned and lurched into the dining
room upon legs that trenbled.
He found the table set for supper as on
LndC OJn6f n1gnC Wn6n ne mad staggered IN
with wound in his side to be cared for and
sheltered by Sir Oliver. He did not ap-
proach the table; he crossed to the fire and
sat down there holding out his hands to the
blaze He was ver% cold and could not still
his trembling. His very teeth chartered.
Nicholas came in to know if he would
sup. He answered unsteadily that despite
the Iateness of the hour he would await Sir
divers return.
els Sir Oliver abroad?" auoth the servant
in surprise.
"He went out moment since, know not
WHITTIER" replied Lionel. "But since he has
not supped he is not like to be long absent"
Upon that he dismissed the servant and
sat huddled there, prey to mental fortunes
which were not to be repressed His mind
would turn upon naught but the steadfast,
unWaVering affection Of which Sir Oliver
ever had been prodigal toward him. In
this very matter of Peter Godolphin's death,
what sacrifices had not Sir Oliver made to
shield him? From much love and self
sacrifice in the past he inclined to argue
now that not even in extreme peril would
his brother betray him. And then that bad
streak Of fear which made a villain of him
reminded him that to argue thus was to
argue upon supposition that it would be
perilous to trust such an assumption; that
if, after all, Sir Oliver should fail him in
the crucial test then was he lost indeed.
Then came doubt, and, finally assurance
OF another sort, assurance that this was
not so and that he knew it; assurance that
he lied to himself, seeking to condone the
thing he did, He took his head in his
hands and groaned aloud. He was a villain
a black hearted, soulless yillain He re-
viled himself again. There came a moment
when he rose shuddering, resolved even in
this eleventh hour to go after his brother
and save him from the doom that awaited
him out yOnder in the night
But again that resolve was withered by
the breath Of selfish fear. Imply he re-
sumed his seat, and his thoughts took a
fresh turn.
hour of eight. Master Lionel shrank back
in his chair at the sound. The thing would
be doing even now. In his mind he saw it
all-saW his brother come running in his
eagerness to the gates Of Godolphin Court
and then dark forms resolve themselves
from the surrounding darkness and fall ST
lently upon him.
Another half hour sat he there The
thing was done by now, and this assurance
seemed to quiet him little.
Then came Nicholas again to babble of
some possible mischance having oyertaken
his master.
'rWhat mischance should have overtaken
him." growled Lionel, as if in scorn of the
idea
81 pray none indeed" replied the servant
But Sir Oliver lacks not for enemies now
adays, and, It's scarce safe for he to be
abroad after dark"
Master Lionel dismissed the notion con-
temptuously. For pretenses sake he an
nOunced that he would wait no longer,
whereupOn Nicholas brought in his supper
and left him again to go and linger about
the door, looking out into the night and
listening for his masters return. He had
paid visit to the stables and knew that
Sir Oliver had gone forth afoot.
Meanwhile Master Lionel must make pre-
tense of eating, though actual eating must
have choked him He smeared his platter,
broke food and avidly drank a bumper of
claret. Then he, too, feigned a growing
anxiety and went to join Nicholas. Thus
they spent the weary night, watching for
the return of one whom Master Lionel knew
would return no more.
At dawn they reused the servants and
sent them to scour the countryside and put
the news Of Sir divers disappearance
abroad. Lionel himself rode out to Arwe
mack to ask Sir John KiIIgrew bluntly If
he knew aUght Of this matter.
Sir John showed a startled face but swore
readily enough that he had not so much as
seen Sir Oliver for days He was gentle
with Lionel whom he liked, as everybody |