The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1898-10-29 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

CHPAPTER XXIII.  Rate Craven and Denzil Blair walked down the fine gallery without, as Lethaby had remarked, taking much notice of the pictures. Their minds were too full of other things, their thoughts too much absorbed and pre-occupied, to allow of their feeling any interest in the various works of art by which they were surrounded. Rate's whole attention was fixed upon Rober Lethaby, whilst Blair went along full of tk, horrible certainty that Lethaby had lied to W.m from first to last, and that he had seen and interviewed John Craven upon the occasion of his visi to Abbeylands. This opened up all kinds of terrible possibilities, and filled his mind with startlini suspicions.  Nevertheless, they both paused for a mement before the portrait of the first Fames, and were as much struck, though, perhaps, less surprised, than Lethaby, at its wonderful likeness to Lady Willoughby. They noticed him start and change colour, his evident astonishment and consternation. And, wishing to talk the matter over without fear of interrruption, they left the gallery, and wandered away through the beautiful grounds. Passing along near the back of the little summerhouse, and fancying herself far removed from any ' human being. Kate had spoken out plainly and decidedly. Then, unconscious of the pain and anguish that she had planted in poor Pamela's heart, she walked quickly on, scarcely heeding where she went.  "I will tell 'Harold the whole story to-night." she said, with decision. "It will be painful, but it must be done. The boy must be saved at all costs."  "I agree. But what steps do you mean to take then? Our proofs of Lethaby's guilt, remember, are almost as vague as ever. To be morally certain of a thing is not sufficient in the eyes of the law. lam convinced be could only have heard of your cousin Archibald Craven from your father. But I have no positive proof that he did not hear of him in some other way. We know that John Craven came to Abbeylands, and we suppose that Lethaby saw him; but he sap, he did not, and we cannot prove that he did. We feel sure that Craven had with him valuable papers relating to his identity and right to the house and property of Abbeylands. But we know no more about them sad their fate than we do about your father. He disappeared' he and his little girl, and we believe them,to be dead; but how, when and where they died we are in absolute ignorance. We may suspect and surmise that Robert Lethaby had something to do with—perhaps, even murdered—them, but can we prove such a thing? Have we evidence enough, think you, to convince any jury of his guilt'?" "No, alas, No." "Then why tell Harold? Why poison his mind against the man?" "Why? To prevent his marriage with the man's daughter, of course." "But would you prevent it? Would Harold, if he loved the sweet girl—and Pamela is sweet and lovely beyond words—would he give her up because of our suspicions—unjust and unfounded he would call them—and ruin his happiness and hers? / sieo't believe he would." ut if he heard that her mother were insane, s d that not frighten him? And we, at least, are " 'of limit w , Yes."--sighing—"But as I told Lethaby todo Marion's insanity was—must have been, purely accidental—ciused, I felt sure, by some terrible shock."  "And what. did he say ? " "Denied it, of course. Though I must confess he looked etartled and changed colour. He gave her plenty of shocks, Miss Craven. The poor thing was most unhappy. Till little Pamela came she had nothing to live for; though, according to what he said just now, there wits another child. This pussies me; for Marion, nho used to write to me frequently, never Mentioned any baby but Pamela. However, that has nothing to do with the present inestion, and is of little matter now, But, I merely Wished to say that I do not see whj her mother's