Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1908-01-25 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CHAPTER XT3( A STRANGE ENCOUNTER. Lady Gresham and Sir George had returned from London, and were just nearing the gates of Ilene. wood, when a tall woman in black made to rush across the road in front of the horses, with the result that she was knocked down, while the horses became very restive. Springing from his seat on the box, the footman seized one of he frightened animals by the head, while Sir George and the others hastened to the woman's assistance.  On examining her, they found she had received one or two kicks from the horse, but there seemed no bones broken, and she still breathed.  Telling John, the coachman, to get the brandy from her ladyship, Sir George poured some down the injured woman's throat. Lady Gresham and Sybil had by this time joined the group, and the cushions were brought from the carriage an4l placed under the injured woman's head.  "She must be taken to some place where she can have attention at once," said Lady Gresham.' "There is widow Mogg's cottage, only a few yards away," ventured the coachman. "The very thing! Mrs Moggs would be just the one to look after the poor soul. She is a goodhearted woman, and her time is her own," marked the baronet.  Before long the injured woman was safely at the widow's cottage, and the footman was despatched to the village for Dr. Bean. "Is she a stranger to these parts?" asked her ladyship of the widow. "I should think .so, ma'am--your ladyship, I should say—though it seems to me she is that strange creature who haunts the place, and is called the Dark Woman."  Leaving word that everything possible was to be done for the still unconscious patient, and that no expense was to be spared, the family at last started for Denewood Hall.  Lat., that night there was a loud peal at the hall door bell, and a servant entered with a card for Sir George. • "Dr. Bean!" he said, turning to his wife. " What brings him here at this u_nreasonahle hour?"  Almost as he spoke, the physician entered the room, and instinctively those present felt that something very serious had occurred. The usually bright and genial medico wore a grave expression on his countenance, and turning eagerly to Sir George he intimated that his business was most important, and that it must be hoard in private. With no small degree of wonderment, the baronet led the way to his study, then turned to face his untimely caller. For some moriaents neither spoke. The host stood looking inquiringly at his visitor's face, as though he expected to read there the object of his visit. "What I have to communicate to you were better told in private. Lady Gresham is not strong enough to bear a great shock yet, whether that shock consisted of joy or SO/TOX"," said Dr. Bean. "You will please excuse me then. Sir George, it even to you I do not break my news at once." The baronet nodded his willingness to listen, and • the doctor oontinued. "I have done all I could for the woman who was injured, and since she regained her senses she has done nothing else but call for your wife. I could pacify her in no other wag, but by promising to bring you both back to her at once. I understand she has injured you in some way, and now wishes to make a confession, and set things right again" Injured me in some way There must be a mistake. I do not understand you, Dr. Bean." " But you remember the name Heath, Sir George?" The baronet changed colour. "Yes, I know the name," he answered slow/Y, as if the recollection of it were painful to hill Then recovering himself he said more cheerfully, "Oh, you mean Roland Heath's people—the young artist, I suppose?" "Yes. It, is of his family I would speak. You remember his father was convicted of murder, 111(1 great exertions were made to procure a pardon.,