Year: 1875

CHAPTER XVII.


THE HOUSE IN THE WOODS.


I got home somehow, and locked myself uE
in my chamber to reflect upon the course
ought to pursue.


IL the first place, had Ellen really discov
cred anything or was it only her suspicion
that was aroused Why had she not spoken
more plainly, instead of arousing in me ter
rible fear that might, after all, be groundless


The memory of my promise to Arthur
flashed wildly over me-my promise to trust
him through everything. Was I fulfilling
this, in allowing Eilen's words to have such
an effect upon me2 Instead of obeying my
first impulse, to 90 myself in quest of the
truth, ought I not to wait and tell him of my
new doubts and suspicious, and demand (as
now had right to do) the explanation which
he surely could no longer withhold? could
not consent longer to remain in blindness
but ought to seek enlightenment from him
and him alone.


Even in those dreadful moments Of uncer
tainty, clung with the tenacity of drown
ing person to the belief that his love for me
was true and unshaken. I could not think
that he had done me any wrong. He, SO
good, so noble, 50 far above all humankind
in my estimation, was surely incapable of be-
traying the trust had reposed in him. He
would never have brought me away from my
happy home and my fathers sheltering a1ec'
tion, only to blight my life and break my
heart. No, felt that everything must come
right in the end. What had done to deserve
such wretchedness? Ellen had deceived me,
or might herself have been deceived.


In any case, resolved to wait-to wait,
though with what agony of longing and i'm
patience can but feebl y describe-until my
husbands return home should afford me an
opportunity of ending this fearful suspense.
The hours passed slowly, lingeringly. Would
the dreadful day never have an end?


Dinner.time came. James knocked at my
door.


dinners ready, madam. Shall bring it
in, or wait till master comes?"


II do not wish any, James" I answered,
without opening the door. II am not we'll.
Keep it until your master comes"


James withdrew. Another hour passed. 1t
was evident that Arthur had no intention of
returning before evening. At last, Matilda
came into my room with cup of tea.


"Please, Miss Rosamond, take this" she
urged. 1T will make you feel better. You
look real white and sick"


drank it feverishly, and called for anoth-
.er cup. 1t seemed to afford me some support.
"You need not stay up here, Tidy" l said,
when had finished. "Quiet is the best thing
for me. shall not want anything else"


"Why don't you 20 to bed, Miss Rosa
mond?"


II do not care to, just yet. Go down stairs
now, and don't let any one disturb me"


Tidy left the room, muttering that she
wished the doctor would come home. With
what intensity did my heart echo the wish q!


Tea-time came.


went down stairs, and out into the porch
to cool my fevered brow. l met Barbara in
the hall. She gave me rapid glance, and
passed me hastily without word.


As stood in the porch looking out at the
moonlight which lay silvery white upon the
grass, little negro came up with folded
paper in his hand.


"Massa SEN dis" he said, presenting it to
me with scrape of his bare foot.


"Where is your master, Pompey?" | asked
as took it.


"Dunno, missis. One man give me dis at
de gate, and say it is for you


'Very we'll you may 60 now"


turned into the house and carried the
note to the light. For moment I could not
summon courage to open it.


At length unfolded it. 1t was half sheet
of paper, twisted carelessly together. Its
contents were brief enough:


"DEAREsT RosAMoND Il find that it will be
impossible for me to return home this evening.
am very sorry love, on your account; but you
must not be uneasy about me. / will be with
you as early tomorrow as l can. Take good
care of yourself You had better make James
sleep in the house. Ever yours, A."


This was all. No explanation, no hint
that an PLANTATION would be given on his re-
turn. stood pondering, while slowly tore
the paper into minute fragments and let them
drop upon the floor


What was to be done next?


l felt my confidence slowly ebbing away
The belief had clung to, that his coming
would make matters clear, and justify my
faith in his integrity, grew weaker and weaker
l seemed to be drifting helplessly out into 6
wide, unknown sea.


At last came to very simple determine
ton. l would 60 to bed. Perhaps sleep, il
| could WOO it to come to me, might lighter
this heavy load that crushed me down NIGH
loosen the "band of pain" that bound my
throbbing brow perhaps-oh faint, forlorr
hope the morning light might bring me re
stored comfort and peace, and chase away
these torturing fears like the shadows of an
ugly dream.


had the house locked up, dismissed Ma
tilda, and sought 10y couch. Drowsiuess pres
emily stole over me and closed my weary eyes
Before long was in profound sleeep.


Suddenly there was loud crashing noise
A sudden thrill, as of swift electric current
passing through me, shook me, and awoke
The cause of the disturbance was easily ex
planned. had forgotten, on retiring, to close
the sash of a window near my bed The vino
had blown the curtain with some force agains
small table, upon which my candle stood
overturning the latter article and sweeping il
off upon the floor.


In the present agitated condition of my
nerves, even the discovery of this state of af
fairs, readily revealed to me by the clear moon
light failed to restore my composure or dispe
the involuntary terror which had seized me
/ shut down the window sash, restored tht
candle to its place, and again sought my pill
low; but it was in vain that l courted the re
turn of rudely banished sleep. tossed anc
turned restlessly for some time, striving t.
Danish the host of unwelcome thoughts tina
came trooping into my brain, and, finally
giving up the futile attempt, rose and strucl
a light, unable longer to endure the halt
broken darkness, in which | seemed to dis
Germ shadowy figures grouped all about m!
room.


lifted the curtain, which had drawn t.