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Mouse ontheMarsIi -0»- TH£ MYSTERY OF THE ALDERS. ST>1. W WlAWAXmOL CHAPTER xhl “Miss Christie!” It was Mr. Rayner calling. I dU not answer. “Miss Christie, my dear child, an you there P Are you consciousP” The handle of the door turned, but i' was locked. “I am not ill, thank you." “But your voice is weak. Did tha‘ woman hurtyouP” he asked, anxious ly- “No, no; I am only frightened. ! will tell you all about it to-morrow, can’t talk now." Then as 1 thought of what had Jus- occurred I again became frightened a the thought of Sarah, and hysterically begged Mr. Rayner to keep her away “She shall not come near you, child I swear it! You are quite safe. I wll lock the door at the bottom of theai stairs, and come and let you out my self in the morning,” he said, in a lov voice. The thought of being locked i> _did not reassure me much; but thanked him and wished him good night, with a last piteous appeal U keen Sarah away. Then I grope, in the -'ark until Ifound a match ant lighted my candle which I placed b’ my bedside. I lay awake a long tim! but finally, worn out, I fell asleep. The following .morning Mr. Rayne unlocked my door and cobducted mi to the breakfast-room. I was looking very white and haggard. The though of having Sarah wait on me at thi table filled me with dread, and witl tightly closed lips I awated her appear ance. But to my gr.tat relief Jan. waited on the table. Had Sarah gon. already? My heart leaped at th. thought. At breakfast Mr. Rayne proposed that Hatdee and I accompany him to town, sayih j that both mistresj and pupil were looking as though i holiday would do them good. JT as sented, rather nervoualy, and he toll me to be ready in an hour’s time. After breakfast I went to my room where I found Jane attending to tin work. She looked at me shyly and I fel sure <<hA bad heard something of nr advent’) e. I wanted to know what She prepared to leave the room as entered. “Never mind, Jane; don't go. 8< S ou are doing the rooms this morn igP” “Yes, miss.. I have got to get into th> way of iL You know Sarah is goini away, miss?” “Li she?” and I could not keep nr face from brightening. “But what { she-going away for?" “ Oh its all along of you, miss! Sb burst into cook and mo this morning and said she would not stay in a hous> where there were sue goings on. Oh she said all kinds o’ things about you but cook and 1 paid no attention b Ahem; we’ro used to old Sally. Bu then she said—she said—” “Yes—well?” “She said as how she went up U your room, hearing a noise, and tbei —as how—” “Go on.” . “Then as ho«v—Mr. Rayner came u; and—and wasn't boat pleased to fim her there—” “ Yes—well.” But Jane would not go on, but go very red and fidgeted about with th cloth she was holding. And suddenly as I watched the gin in wonder, 'th’ whole awful truth flashed upon me o • the complexion that Sarah nad give! to the story. I did not speak for i m nute—and then I said very quietly “i suppose she didn’t tell you tha she tried to steal something I weai round my neck; that, when she foonc she couldn't, she threw a handkerchie) steeped with some drug over my fact to make me unconscious, that shi might get at it more easily; that it wai my screams that brought Mr. Rayne; up-stairs, and that he stood outside anc called her till she came to him. Hera, 1'il show you the very handkerchief. r I had tucked it down in the cornet of one of the drawers. It still smell faintly of the stuff it had been soakec in. Little Jane’s face brightened with wonder and downright honest plea* ure “I’m that glad, miss. I could dance,” sail sho. “She said Mr. Rayner let her fall down-stairs in the dark, and went on up Without taking no notice— and she really is a good deal braised, and serves her right. But there nevei is no believing Sarah. And for her to talk about goings-on! Oh, my, we did laugh, cook and met” And Jane chattered on about Sarah and her many unpleasant attributes till she bad finished her work, and left the room with a bright grin of friendship. So Sarah, after doing me a wrong worse than all the rest in cireolaUng lies to injure my reputation, was go ing. But she would probably not go at once and I felt I could not sleep an other night in the same house with her. I had resolved to leave the Alders as I lay awake the night before. I disliked to do so I was sorry to leave Mr Burner and sweet little Haidoe. And there vis still another reason which made tli» thought of leaving Gddham harder tfian ever. But the terron 1 had passed through outweighed all other considerations. So I packed my boxes and was ready to go. I had no ■alary yet, as 1 had not been two months at the Alders, but my nnole had given me a sovereign for emergen cies. So I went to the study to inform Mr. Rayner of my intention, rather nervously, and I took the dragged handkerchief with me to convince him my adventure was not mere fancy, as 1 thought ho might try to make me be lieve. Mr Rayner received me kindly and gave mo a chair. Then asking me to wait a minnte while he spoke to Sam, he left the room. He had been gone but a moment when I heard a noise and looking up saw Sarah. I sprung to my feet with a scream and darted to the bell. “Don’t!” said she, sharply. “At leakt wait a minute—give me a hear- isg. I did not mean to hurt you last night; and I didn’t want to steal your letter. I only wanted to read it I am of a curious disposition and don’t stick at trifles to find oat what I want to know. The stuff on the handker chief would only have made you sleep a little sounder so I could take the letter. I am sorry I frightened you. I’ve come to ask you to forgive me.” She said all this in a hard dry tone,' not as though she felt it at all. “No, no; I can't forgive yon,” 1 said, inooherently. !*It wisn’t onlj your tnHng to steal my letter and to stup .» me, but the orael way you looked at me—as if—you would like to kill me. I can’t forget it—Ohl I can’t forget it. And yo« did worse than that. Yon told oook, Mr Rayner was coming to mr room. Oh that r wicked of yon, for you knew it wasni true.” * •„ “That’s thnt little tattling Jane, 1 know!’’ said Sarah, vlxenishly. “J never said ^uiii a thing at all; but eb« ll'.ee to me i a s. iry up of everything she hears.” I was silent for a minute. Sarah be gan again in. a different tone: “ You’re very hard upon a poor ear vant. Miss Christie. I don’t deny that I was Jealous of you, and that I want ed to prove to Mr. Rayner that you had letters on the sly from a young gentle man. There now—I’ve made a clean breast of it! But don't it seem hard that I, who've served him end his well for aigh seven years, should have.to gr >rd of a young lady whs, alter much effort into a pretty .toller nk wb .note ran, as well as I “Dbab miss peanmat—f am stHsuyoy that 1 must writ*, lei -barotliefewasselaec mttsiar*' -hat r<«! IN. hurt? veil, wifi; - if yea! jou saw Ihs imrfc la k 1 BUI lust at the wor na lasn’t been here two mom “It isn't at my word. Sarah; I have, had nothing to do with it And, as to' year going away, I heard about it only this morning through asking Jane why she was doing my room.” do / 'Then awa f ?” you don’t want me to gc doesn’t matter to me whether r ou go or stay, as I have packed my ooxes, and am going back to London myself this very afternoon.” Sarah started. Then she gave a dis agreeable laugh. “ You won’t go," she said. “You can go up-stairs sad look M my boxes,” I said, indignantly. “ Have you spoken to Mr. Ra- . Haynet said she, yon spoken about it yet, may lask, miss?' but I am going to tell him this morning." •'Then would you mind, before you go, miss”—sbe laid a peculiar emphasis on these words—“asking Mr. Raynet to let me stayP It won’t matter fa- yon, yon see: but it’s cantelL” more to me than morrow, that 1 nay MS rou aaAkaowthsI rou’'—another pises Mating. “I ahaU pul this on the seat near th# peSl, whore I koow you soever/ evening. “ Youie year at noeiuly, M LAURXKCB ttSAMe* It was dated “Wednesday," and this was Thursday afternoon; so thatft was this morning's walk that he had meant Oh, if I had only come out here last nfght and found the letter! 1 would go past the park to-morrow; but « it would be too late, aad he not expect me then—he would think I was too HI to corns out So the next morning I took ears to .pass Geldhsm Hall, bom going andre- Uurning; but the first time I saw no one An the park, and the second time, to my surprise, I saw Mr. Rayner and Mrs. Reade sauntering along together onder the trees in a vety friendly man ner. I had noticed that it had grad ually become quite natural for the haughty Mrs. Reads to turn to Mr. Rayner as soon os we all came out ol church on Sunday, and for them to have a long chat together, while her daughters looked at the people from the Alders as superciliously as before; but I did not new that he visited ai Geldhsm Hall, still less that be and Mrs. Reade were on terme of such in timacy that she leaned on hie arm ai they walked along, and laughed as he talked in a much more natural and un affected manner than her dignity gen erally allowed. The next evening I had to go to tos at Mrs. Mannen’to take part in the final arrangements for the school treat «Rnt wivt t "Moh w “ to occur the next day. Mrs. u * Manners received me with the ut&oel makeany difference, Sarah, Irene*- kindness aad introduced me to the sirs ted, presently. “You overrate my *” — - - Importance in this household in the strangest way. My words haven’t half the weight with Mr. Rayner that yours have.” Sarah looked at me eagerly as I said this, but she did not seem satis fied. “That is quite right aad natural, as yon have been here so long and are •o much older, too.” She did not like my saying that, 1 saw, by the tightening of her min lips; but I oc t dnly had not meant to offend her. However, after a minute's panes, she said again: “Then, as you won’t he afraid of your words having any effect miss, perhaps you will the less minAsking Mr. Rayner to let me stay." I concluded that as I was going sway it would make no difference, so I said: “Veiy well; I will ask him." As soon as the words had left my lips she thanked me coldly and left the room without showing the least grati tude. When Mr. Rayner returned to the study I informed him of my intention to leave the Aiders at ones. “And, oh, Mr. Rayner.” I went on quickly, “you mustn’t think me ungrateful or ca pricious; but I have packed my boxes, and I want you to release me from my engagement, cpd let me go back to London by this afternoon’s train! For, If I had to alrep ir. that room another night, 1 should go mad.” “My dear child,” he said, gravely, “you can’t do that—for oar sakes." “Bat I mast—I must, indeed,” I cried, piteously. “You don’t know. you can’t tell wjiat I suffered when I felt her hand creeping up to my throat, aad thought I was going to be killed— I did. Indeed. And then I thought the ■tuff on the handkerchief was poison. She saya it la only something to make me sleep. Is It true, Mr. Rayner? Here la the handkerchief.” And I pulled it from my pocket and gave it to him. “Quite true," said he; but I saw him frown. “It is chloroform, which she got out of my medioine-chest. No, that wouldn’t have hurt yon, child, but it was a cruel trick all tbo same Do you know what she did it for?” “Oh, yes, she told met She wanted to get at a letter—from a—from a friend which I wore round my neck. But I have forgiven her and promised I would ask you to let her stay. 1 told her it wouldn't matter what I said; but the made me promise.” “And what made you think tv hat you said wouldn’t matter?” asked he, gently. "There b no reason why It should," laid I. “But I couldn't have promised to ask yon to let her stay if ihi ad not fou must “I will been going away myself. Mr. Rayner, mist let me go.” let you go if you wish It But yon can not go to-day. Think what people would aay of naif it got rumored ibout that our child's governess was so cruelly treated under our roof that she went away without a day's warning. No; you ahall have a difler- »nt roitn, or Jane shall sleep In yours for a week or so, until your very natur al nervousness has gone off; and then, if, at the end of the three months, you itilt wiah to go, why, we won’t keep you, child, though 1 think some of ns will never get over it if you leave us too suddenly." H j spoke so sweetly, so kindly, and yet with such authority of superior wisdom, thnt I had to give way. Then, bound by uiy promise, I had even to ask again that Sarah should stay, and he agreed that aha ahould. But later in the day it was not pleasant to see Sarah’s sold smile as she said, when she heard I was going to stay: “I told you ao, miss.” * And when I said to her: “I kept my promise, and aaked Mr. Raynerforyoo to stay, Sarah," she answered:* “Then I am to stay, of course, mbs?” in the same tone. And I waa reluctantly obliged to admit that she was. And, as I looked at her face, whlcl could never seem to me again to loot any thing but evil, a sudden horroi seized me at the thought that I haf pledged myself to stay for five wholi weeks more In the asms houae with this woman. CHAPTER XTV. The day after my holiday, which was Thursday, I wont to my “ neat” undei the trees by the pond. I had neglected to visit it the day before, an unusual occurrence, but I was feveris \ from the excitement of my adventure, and Mr. Rayner had forbidden my walking about the grounds for thb reason. .1 found Mona sitting among the reeds, not far from my “neat," playing with some bib of paper, which she was busy burying in th# mud with the aid of two little sticks. I stooped down and picked up one or two of the bits of pa- S er. There was writing on them in a and I knew and I had not made out • dosed words before I knew that Mona had got hold >•! n note written to me by Mr. Laurence Reade. Down I Jumped into the mud. oaring nothing for it although I sunk in up to my an kies. I made acarafnl search In the mud nad around npo* the ground and collected every piece of paper 1 could find, which I carried to my room. I careftaUv cleaned the fragments aad ptano ras playing, Mr. Laurence i in to take hb sisters home. Reade, who greeted me with Icy poMteners. I did not find it a pleasant party. The talk ran upon parish mat- ten, of which I knew nothing; and I went to a table by the window and looked at the photographs in two large albums. When Mr. Ifm ners came In there waa a stir, and as he remarked ft waa a pleasant day they all flaw upon thb topic and worried itto death. Then became and sat by me, greeting me kindly, aad showed me some pictures of scenery and told me what plaoes they represented. Then we had tea, after which we went nnstaira to look at the articles for ■ale. While we were looking at them Mr>. Manners said to-me, nervously: “You have never been hi a situation before, have you?” “No, never before." “A governess’ position Las manv trials and difficulties.” “I haven’t met with any yet,” said L smiling. “Of oourae^ome are pleas anter to live with an oti ra. But in all there arise occ jr-v: w' on we must pray for guidance." “Yea, Mrs. Marnera,” very gently. “An honest open face!” said she, a though talking to henelf. Then in a quicker and more practical tone: *T hope you will not think I am catecijMtig you rudely; but Mr. Man ners and flake a great Interest uvyeu, knowing how young and inexperienced you are to have to go outinto the world alone. And he thinks I have neglected you a little. But, you see, Mrs. Bay- net ia so very—reserved, and lives such a secluded life, that it i* not easy to form an Intimacy. But I want you to feel sure, my dear Mbs Christie, that, if you ahould want a friend’s advice at any time, you need not fear to confide in me; and Mr. Manners, being a man and your parish clergyman, could help yon is oases where my woman’s judg ment might be at. rault. ” I thanked her with tears in my eyes, ud, although I did not anticipate needing her help, her manner-was so fin cere that I was touched by it Then we went down stairs and Un shed up the evening with music. After leveral of the ladies had given speci mens of their skill I was asked to play, ind I chose Schurcmn’s “Arabesque,” ind they seemed astonished because I played it by. heart. I heard Mias Beade whisper: “I don’t like her style. That great iifference between forte and teems to be an affectation.’ ■While I was Reade came When I had finished, every body looked at ns qs he shook hands with me in a rnllnr distant msnner; but he managed to press my hand before he bt it go; so I did not mind. And every body listened, as be said: “We nesrd up at the Hall dreadful reports that you were ill, Mbs Chrbtie, and wouldn't be able to come to the school-treat.” “Oh, no, 1 wasn't UL One of tiu servants gave me alright lathe night,” »M L “1 woke up in the night and Wind her ransacking by things. Then I screamed with all my might, and Mr. Rayner earns up and oafled her out and scolded her. 1 was glad to be able to give thb ex planation, whioh was listened to with much attention by all in the room, for I felt sure rumors had gone about Then Mrs. Manners spoke to Mr. Reade about the bazar and he prom ised to come and help. “You are going to }ave a much grander affair than usual, 1 hear,” h« said. “It sounds nngnclofis to say so,” she returned, rather anxiously, “but 1 am rather sorry that we have not kept to the old simple custom- Still, when Lady MUU offered a marquee, and to come herself to help to sell, and to bring her friends, wo were obliged to make a difference. But if Lady Milb oomes’she'll bring a Vt of idle young men, and they wi' .oke I n of every thing; and I do : want hose fast E mtlemen from L •cd • • O ot to talk- g to the village girls.” “I don’t think they will went to do so,” said Mr. Reade. And In the slight bustle of departure he whispered to me: “Wait and I’ll come back and take you homo.” But, when I had put on uy hat and mantle, and Mrs. Manners had led me down into the drawing-room again, to say a few last words to me, I heard a ring and Mr. Rayner’i voice in the halL I started and blushed, and Mrs. Man ners stopped In her talk and looked at me very searching!;’ “Mr. Rayner must have come to leteh you home,” she said, coldly. I would not have missed the walk home with Mr. Ronds for the world. “I am afraid se,” I stammered. She looked colder still at my eon* fusion; .but tber* was only one way oot e! it, to I burst out: "Oh. Mrs. Manners, Mr. Reade said he would come to fetch met What shall I do?" “Yon would rather go with him?" “Oh, yea, year’ Her manner changed all at one She put her am around me sod drew me to the French window. end, and as the corse an let me go, bet while he said: “Mbs Christie! Prey gbe. Where were yon ri “I—I wee going home," I bt a low voice. “But that b not the way." I said nothing. “Why did yon want to ran heme as fast alone, when I had promised to come and fetch your* “I—I didn’t want to trouble' yon." “That was very kind of you. Bat, if I happen not to mind the trouble, may I see you home now I am here? Or would you prefer to go alone?" “I would rather go alone, thank you,” said L though it waa heart breaking to hare to say h. But I thought it was time to show,some spirit, for I sew that Mr. Reads did not believe me He stepped aside to let me asm, end raised his hat very stilly) then hb manner changed all at ones. » 3,0,1 I didn’t mean to make yen ery!" I could not stop him—I did try—but he was ao much bigger than I that he had his arms around me before Inoeid get away. “Oh, Mr. Reade, let me go!" 1 said, frig'itencd. But, as 1 held up ny face to my It, he kissed me, and, : 'ter that, of coons it did not matter, for I km tv that he loved me and that I was safe with him. I remember every word he eaidte me as we walked toward the Aldan that night; hot. If I were to write It down, it would read just like the same thing over aad over again, and not it all as it sounded to me. We did not go straight ’back, bet-e longer way round, for fear the gram ahould make my feet wet; aim we passed the front gate and went on to the aide gate that led past the stables. And there Laurence left me, for I did not want that spiteful Sarah to see him with me. I went through into the shrabr * - - 6 - - left off for fear Mr. Rayner, who might be in hb room, aa it was now qsite dark, should hear mo, and want to know how I got back and Why I was •o late; and Just then I could not have -old him. I wanted to slip upstairs to ny room without seeing any one and o straightway to sleep with the re- iombrance of Laurence and hb last kiaa all fresh and undisturbed in my ' ind. Then I thought I ahould dream ,f him. But I was disappointed. For close o the stable walls" I saw two men, •cither of them Mr. Rayner, and one ad a dark lantern. - I thought they ictod like thieves. They sauntered 'round as if waiting for some one, ihea they oame close enough tor me to recognise them, ahdi aaw to lurprise, that one of them was Tom Parkes and the other the gentlnmaii who had visited Mr. Rayner one even ing, and whose familiar conversation with Sarah had surprised me. I had a full view of hb face as he passed. He was short, of slim, neat build, fob, clean ahaven, with grey eyre and an imperturbable expresaioa of face. When they were opposite aw they turned beck, and lust aa they got to the harness-room door Sarah came from the house with the key and let them in and followed herself. And hi another minute Mr. Rayner passed am from the road and let himself in after. them. Thb mysterious affair, which I could not understand In the least, spoiled my dreams I did dream of Laurence, but I dreamed I was carried awn? from him by burglar*. I TO BK OORTIHCJED.J V DON’T WAIT For a Oold to Ban into Bros oRtHp fff fmanmnnt^ Check it at Cnee AYER’S Cherry P^toral. “Early in the Winter, I took a severe cold which developed into an obstinate, ‘ “ ' very painful troubling me day and ai nine weeks, in eiitte of ni remedies. Ayerie Cherry . torsi being recommended toe, I ‘ ‘ 1 inaid: of M iu which ueveiuiKH uiw» < nute, hacking cough, < nful to endure and ' nwt rlow ansi nirirlit fnr ' egan to take it, and boon, I was relieved of the tickling In my throat. Before 1 finished the bottle, my oMgi was nearly gone, lenanotapeak too highly of its excellence.”— • Mrs. £ Bosch, Eaton, Ohio. Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral AT TMR WORir’A FAIN ud FOR SALE, flOAL, hard and « U wood of all kteda. may baaent me by Wephoa*to the office of the Darlington Manufacturing Company, or, they may bo gtwen to the driver of my wagoa. J. L. EDWARDS. Not, Il—tf. > end I i ealb attention to mom of the Fire Insurance of her late husband's barineet:—With much sstisfaction, the the prompt end liberal which have been experienced by those having sutained lose enAer policies b sued through her Agency,—and as sbe represents only first-clam, high grade Companies she feels assured ofaeon- tinuauce of these valuable business ad vantages, ee connected with transection* hrough bar Agency; and therefore takes greet pieesure in requesting continuance nf like generous support i iSt Manufacturers —or— Doors, Blinus &£OT7XjX>X13’Q8 —ABB- ;V- Buildiog Material. B8TABLMHBD J947 CHARLESTON, 8. 0. April, So IMS—.y LARD m SALE. L ots and parcels of land for sate by the Darlington Land Improvement Company, who will sell on terms One-third cash, balance. to rail purchaser, lota of l acre to 90 acres,To cated where desired on our property. Our land* are good fanning lends for Ml kinds of crops, as well as being loca ' * in or near our town. All perrons to purchase will please cell on tbe undersigned, who will afford every waer* to ex amine our property. Webeljeve we offer rare in ducements for far That’s our buinesp est and most i Darlington of genuine toe, button now worth ooen-am. Pres. ATrea*., CARD, L* Co. ' v.'-‘ fy ■ 2#. Onr line of $8.00 Shorn ev<*r, as we took more before, and i ever handled. In i Bran \ of sorts tTou- t can be loved that re- okt 'medicine. which for more than so yean has been curing many briajES Blood, Neural- gia. Headache, Livnr andKid ney troubles. It’s the peculiar combination of iron, the great strength-giver, with selected shin remedies of true that makes Brown’s Iron Bitters so good forstrengthen- ing and purifying the system. It is specially good for womeh and children—it makes them strong sad rosy. bmi< :-usj TOiffll. BMilK JIB MM ti ll HAI for ladtos ai comment, as we j Shoes for f hand-sewed 1 full line of Good*-, Trunks, We are also i —■ i intoimjeraitoe THE RILEY,. riiow tobacco, overbanted i rone, we propose 1 renter I ■•to T Ourl . igi