Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Tlic House on tMarsh -cm— THE MYSTERY OF THE ALDERS. •y TLoamrca wabiixx. CHAPTER XXV. As soon as wa came out of ehuTcb that morning, I found an opportunity of speaking to Mrs. Manners, and asked her, shyly, if she could give me any message to take that aftoruoon to Miss Maud Read at the Hall. •‘Laurence told me to ask yon,' 1 ] whispered, timidly; “it is because he particularly wants my next letter to b« inclosed in hers. He didn't say why: but he is very emphatic about it.” “Dear, dear,” said kindly Mrs. Man- nors, anxiously, "it is a pity young people can not get on without so many subterfuges! I don’t know whethet M-. Manners would approve. But the re—I promised Laurence I would help yon—and there is no harm in it— and so I will. Come up to thd Vicar age after afternoon service, and I’ll give you a packet of tracts for her.” I thanked her and made my way tc where Mr. and Mrs. Rayner were stand ing in time to hear the former advise old Mr. Reode to send his plate, which was known to be valuable, to the bank for safety. “They wouldn't try for my little store, it wouldn’t be worth their while,” said Mr. Reado. “It must take its chances in the old chest at home." At dinner Mr. Rayner tried again to Induce bis wife to go to Monaco, and encouraged mo to join my persuasions to his, which I did most heartily. But to all we said she only replied steadily and coldly that she disliked traveling, did not feel well enough to undertake a journey, and preferred remaining at the Alders. She added, in the same parrot-like tone, that she thought the change would do mo and Haidee good, and that it was very kind of my mother to go. After dinner I ran np-stalrs to my room, and sat down to write my scaroe- ly-begun letter to Laurence. I first told him how happy his letter had made me, and then, obeying his injunction to tell him every thing tjiat happened at the Alders, 1 gave nim a full account of the way Sarah had pre vented our meeting on Wednesday eve ning, and of her stealing my letter out of the bag on Thursday, of Mr. Car- ruthor’s visit to tell me of the robbery at Denham Court, of the accident to Sarah on Friday night, of her ravings about a bad man named James Wood- fall, of Mr. Rayner’s return, and of his intention to take Haidee, my mother, and me to Monaco in a few days. The hope of seeing Laurence again soon had by his time swallowea up every other thought concerning the journey; and I was eager for Friday to come, that we might start. Then I told him that I had some very grave suspicions about the robbery, that I had told them to Mr. Rayner, who did not think so seriously of them as 1 did, but that lie said I ought not to repeat them to any body until ho had thoroughly sifted the matter, and I had promised not to do so. “So now you are not to bo anxious about noy safety any more, my dearest Laurence. For Sarah, the only person who wished me harm. Is too ill to move, and Is In danger, f loor woman, of losing, If not her life, at east her reason, the doctor says And Mr. Bai nor has prom sod not to go away again for more than a day at a time, either on busi ness or for pleasure. There seems a curious fatality about his absences, for both these dreadful robberies that have fr ghtened every body so much lately, the one at Lord Duisinns ami the one at llenhue.. Court have happened while he was away, with no man In the house to protect us against tiir— ’ — -- burglars or our fears of tliem. I think your S rejiul ce against Mr. Kavnecought to break own now, that through h m we are to meet 6 10)1 other so soon; for when we are at onaco vou will come over and see us, won’t you? My mother Is very anxious to make rour acquaintance, though she does not know of our engagement fori dare not tell her any teoreta. I think Mr. Ravner must bare guessed It though, for be says little things to tease me and make mo blush. And rou sco he dues not try to prejudice me Igalnit you, as you thought he would. But be mil,lit try. and every body else In the world might try, for years and years, but they would never succeed In changing the heart 9f your own ever loving • : VlOLIT.' , I had said at dinner that day, in ins war to Mr. Rayner’s inquiries, that [ was not going to afternoon service, but I hail not mentioned that 1 was going to the Vicarage. I felt sure that I should blush if I did, and then Mr. Rayner would guessmy visithad some thing to do with Laurence, and 1 did not want to bo teased any more. So, when five o'clock came I put on my outdoor thing.! and slipped softly down stairs and out by the sohool-room window. I was not afraid of leaving that unfastened, now that Mr. Rayner bad com • back a- ! n Mrs. Manners met ran in the hall of the Vicarage, took me into the draw- Ing-room, and gave me a packet of tracts. These I was to deliver ta Miss Maud Rcade for distribution in her dis trict this week. I went through the side gate of the Vicarage garden and across tne park to j the hall, where I rang the bell and i asked for Miss Maud Reade. 1 had to wait only a few minutes when the door opened and she came in. She was a girl of about sixteen, with a weak but not disagreeable face; and the shook, hands with mo rather timid ly, but not unkindly. “Mrs. Manners asked me to bring you these tracts for your district. Miss Reade. She has marked some for peo ple she thinks them specially suitable for," said I, giving her the packet. “Thank yon; it is very kind of you to take so much trouble,” said she. “Oh, it is no trouble at all!" I an swered. There was a pause of rather awk ward restraint, and then I said in a whisper: "Laurence—your brother—told me to come and S j you, and to ask you to put a—a letter from me to him inside yours. He said I was to tell you to re member your promise, and he would remember Ids; he uuderlined that” Miss Rcade’s constraint broke np at once, and she grew as muoh excited and as nysterious as I. “Did he? Then ho hasn't forgot ten!” she said, in a hissing whisper. “I suppose you know what it is; it’s about getting Mr. Reynolds to come here next winter. Oh, do keep him up to it! I'll do any thing in the world for you—that won't get me into trouble with mamma or Alice—if you will!” “I will. I’ll remind him again In my next letter—or when I see him. I’ll say: ’Don’t forget to invite Mr. Reynolds In the wmtor.’ Will that do?” “Oh, yes, that will do beautifully! But it is & long time to wait,” sighed the girl. I thought she was muoh too young to be in love, when she was still In short frocks and wore her hair in a pig-tail; but I was obliged to help her, in return for the service I wanted her to do mo. “I have brought my letter,” said I, mysteriously. “Shall you be writing soon?” “I have a letter ready now, and 1 will put yours inside and give it to 8 gentleman who is here, and who is go ing bftclfc jo Lojjdoiy directly after tea, ana i win ass nnn so post it av wnoe. •Oh, thank yon!” sa d I; and trem blingly, with fear lest the dreaded Alice should get hold of It, I put my letter into Ler hands, and soon after ward left the house. A fog had gathered thickly and J could hardly find my wav across the grounds. Hearing voices, T supposed it was some of theservants talking, and was just upon the point of asking one of them to direct me to thwgate when a few words in a man’s voice caused me to stop suddenly and listen. It was the voice of Tom Parkes. He was protesting that one of the maid servants, to whom he was talking, wae very cool in her manner. “Yes, to such weathercocks as you,” answered the girl, with rough coqaetrr. *■—* with and, — —. take up with me. Oh, a fine sweetheart you’d make!” But she was not as obdurate as these words promised. It seemed to me, with my suspicions concerning Tom al ready strong, that in the telk which fol lowed he managed with very little diffi culty to find out a good dual about the ways of the household, and also that he spoke as if be had learned from her s g ood deal already. Presently I heard le sound of a kiss, and he promised to come and see her again on Wednesday) and then they went awdjry-while I, seized by a sudden inspiration, found my way not to the para, but back to the house, which was less difficult. I asked for Miss Maud Reade again; and this time she rushed out or the drawing-room and met me in the hall as soon had was announced, and whis pered: “They are all in there. Come into .the libranr.” “May I have my letter back. Just to put in something I have forgotten?” said I. “Oh, yes; here It is!"—and she drew it from her pocket. “Write it here. I **vr f asvs ( AAV/tilling, HUH I wrote on a half sheet of paper, which I carefully folded inside my let- ter, these words: “A man who was at Denham Court, and about whom I have strong suspi cions, is hanging about the Hall now. He is coming here again on Wednesday night” I put my letter into a fresh envelope, and put the tom qpe Into my pocket that It might not be seen about; then I begged Miss Reade earnestly to send the letter off at once, as tnere was something In It of the utmost impor tance; and she whispered again: “Re member—Mr. Reynolds in the winter!” 1 made my way safely, though with some difficulty, through the park and back to the Alders, where I entered by the window 1 had left nnfaetened. I heard the voice of Tom Parkes in the study and that of Mr. Rayner, speak ing kindly in reply. Andf when Tom had said “Good-night, sir,” I wont up stairs and prepared for tea. I said nothing of where I had been or what I had done. That evening Mr. Rayner had a great deal to say concerning the propoeed trip to the Mediterranean shore. He asked me if I was not anxious to see the pretty dresses my mother had been commissioned to get for me, and told mol should look like a little Princess if I were good and did just what I was told. “There is no fear of my not doing that, Mr. Rayner,” said I, smiling. “But you must not give me too hand- mme dresses, or T shall not feel at kome in them.” “You will soon get used to them.” laid he, with a curiously sharp smile. “There is nothing that women get used so sooner than fine clothes and beauti ful jewels, and pretty idleness and— kisses.” Certainly I liked Lanrenoe’s kisses; tut the tone in which Mr. Rayner said this grated upon me, and brought the hot blood to my cheeks uncom fortably. He saw the effect his words had upon me, and he jumped up and came to where I was standing ready to light my candle. “You look hurt, my child, but you have noreason for it Don’t you know that all these things are the lawful right of pretty women?” “Then it is a right a good many of them are kept out of all their lives, Mr. Rayner,” said L smiling. “Only the silly ones,” he replied. In a tone that I did not understand. “Well, I will explain all that to you on our ‘ journey to Monaco.” He looked very much excited, and his blue eyes flashed and sparkled as he held my hand. “Don’t be surprised at what I have said to you this evening. You have brought me luck and you shall share it This journey shall take yon to the arms of a lover who will givb you all the things I spoke of and more—a thousand times more!” That was true, indeed, I thought to myself (but did he mean what I meant?) as I tore myself, laughing and blushing, away and ran up-stairs. There was more delight in the fact that Lawrence preferred me to any other woman in the world than in all the beautiful gowns aud.jewels that ever Pnnoess wore. And I went up to sleep that night with my hands under my pillow clasping his letter. Haidee left my room next day for the first time and spent the afternoon by the dining-room fire. Soon after din ner Mr. Rayner came in with his rid ing-boots on and asked with a smile if I had not a letter to send to the post. He was going to ride to Beaoonsburgh, and, if I gave it to him, it would go a pose earlier than if I pat it into the bag tor the postman to fetch. “No, I have‘no letter, thank yon, Mr. RaynCr," said I, with a blush. “Not a line for—Nice, to tell—some one you are coming?” said he, archly. “No,” answered I, shaking my head.' “You posted that one yesterday yourself, didn't you. Miss Christie?" whispered little Haidee, patting her arms round my neck. Mr. Rayner neard the whisper. “Yesterday?” asked ho, quickly. “ I—I gave a note to Miss Reads to put with hers,” said L A curious change passed over Mr. Rayner. The smile remained on his face, which had, however, in one sec ond turned ashy white. He said: “All right, my dear, in his usual voice, ex cept that I fancied there was a sort of hard ring in It, and left the room. “Was it naughty of me to say?” said Haidee, feeling that something was wrong. “On, no, darling!" I answered. I, too, was afraid I had displeased Mr. Rayner by going to the hall, with out saying any thing about it to any one, in what must seem a sly, under hand manner; and I wished Laurence had not enjoined me to send my letter in that way. That evening, at tea-time, Mr. Ray- aouQUuaadr that he had ifiUBil e hit ter waiting tor wm at tne tvioons- burgh p.isb-ofllou which ol iged h m to go te Monaco a day sooner. , So Haidee and I must be prepared to ■tart on Thursday morning. CHAPTER XXVL Tuesday afternoon there was a ring at the door bell^and Jane name to me saying there was a man in the hall who had asked for Sarah, and who, upon being told that both Sarah and Mrs. Rayner were ill, had insisted upon see ing me. I went down to the hall and found a respectably looking man who asked if he could speak in private to me for a few minutes. I said he could, and opened the door of the school-room. He followed me in and shut it care fully. “I am the brother of Sarah Gooch, miss, who is a servant here.” I nodded assent “I’ve been abroad and worked my self into a good position, and now I want my sister to leave service. And I don't want the other servants to know I’m her brother. It may be pride; but perhaps you’ll excuse it miss. Would you mind sending for her without saying It's her brother wants her?" How could I break the fact of her Ill ness to the poor man? “Oh, please be prepared for bad newsl Pm so sorry!” said L gently. “ She Is ill—very UL” To my surprise, he looked more in credulous than unhappy. He said very suddenly: “She was quite well last Friday after noon.” “Yes—an accident happened to her Fridaynieht She fell down a flightof stairs and injured herself severely. If you will only wait until Mr. Rayner comes, he will speak to yon. Sarah is a very old servant In this family, and much respected, and she has every pos sible care, I ass are you.” . But he still seemed more curious than anxious about her, I thought “She has been in the family a long time, then? Excase me, miss, but I've been away so long that she is almost like a stranger to me, and I had great diffionlty in finding her out But I'm very glad to hear she Is thoughtso well of. Do you know, miss—-if It’s not troubling you too much, and you won’t take it a liberty—if she’s got a sweet heart?” I hesitated. The man's cold curi osity seemed so nnlike the warm inter est of a brother that I began to wonder whether I was right in giving him the information he wanted. My doubts were so vague and his questions so very harmless, however, that, when he said: “I beg your pardon, miss—of coarse it is not for a lady like you to interest yourself in the likes of us—” I broke out: “Oh, pray don’t think that! Sarah has an admirer, I know—” I stopped. I oould not say any thing reassuring about Tom Prrkes. “Ah! An honest, hard-working fel low, I hope, who'll make her a gr ad husband.” He was more Interested now, and wifh miich courtesy. Jane sent the work of putting the order fell upon the cook, at which grumbled very much. Mr. Rayner en tered while she was complaining md •aid: “but—” Ho was very much iterested at last, and was waiting impatiently for my next words when Mr. Rayner quietly •ntered the room. There "had been no ring at the front door. He looked in- quiringly at the man, whom I was iust going to introduce as Sarah’s brother, when the latter anticipated me by say ing, quietly: “From Scotland Yard, sir." "Scotland Yard?” echoed Mr. Ray- oer. inquiringly. But the .name did not seem new to him, as it did to me. “Yes, sir; I've been sent after a woman named Sarah Gooch, from In formation received that she was in your service. Mr. Gervas Rayner, I believe, sir?” Why did he not own he was her brother? I thought to myself. “ Yes, that is my name. But what on earth do you want with my servant Sarah Gooch?” The man glanced at me. Mr. Ray- aer said: “Gocn. Never mind this lady; she Is as much interested in the woman as I am. What do you want with my old servant Sarah?” •• Suspected of complicity In the Den ham Court robbery, sir—some of the property traced to her.” » I started violently. This man, then, was not Sarah’s brother at all, but a detective who bad been trying to ex tract information from me by a trick I Mr. Rayner stared full in his face for a few moments, as if unable to find words; then he exclaimed, in a low voice: “Imposslblet” •• Sorry to shake your trust in an old servant, sir; but proof is proof.” “ But what proof have you?” asked Mr. Rayner. earnestly. “ Last Friday afternoon, between half-past four and twenty minutes to five, your servant Sarah Gooch was seen to give the contents of a black bag to a man in Beaconsburg. The fact excited no suspicion. The man took the next train to London, travel ing second-class. But south of Col chester he was seized with a fit; he was taken out at the next station, the bag he bad with him examined for his ad dress, jewels found in it. and the police at Scotland Yard communicated with. The man escaped; but, on inquiries be ing made, witnesses were found to prove conclusively tuat ti e biseuit-tin which contained the jewels had been handed to him in a street in Beacons burg, on Friday afternoon, between i half-past four and twenty minute* to five, by a woman who was identified as Sarah Gooch.” I remembered seeing Sarah pass through the plantation on Friday after noon, on her way to Bea 'ons’ield, with the black bag. But I w.v> too V-ror- stricken to speck.'teven if had not been, now that (lie blow ban fallen, as anxious to screen her as Mr. IUj tier himself was to prove her innocent Mr. Rayner still protested that he eonld not believe in Sarah’s guilt The dutoetive said that as the jewels had been traced to her the next thing was to see and question her. Mr. Ray- ner told him he could see and judge for himself whether she was in a condition to answer questions. He asked me to accompany him to the room and we went up together. Sarah lay moaning and muttering, feebly. A glance was sufficient to show the dotecave that her illness was no sham,- but he remained for some time listening to her matter- ings. “You see,” Mr. R left the room, “she is quite unable to r ak for herself at pieaent Yon 11 remain here all night and when the doctor c.>mes in the morning ho may be able to tell you when she will be able to talk.” A room was ordered prepared for the datantlve and Me. Ravnar treated him “I am afraid I have entailed a good deal of trouble upon you, cook, by thoughtlessly giving Janet penuisakm to apehd the night at the Tam if the fog grew thick; so I have joar asked Mrs. Saunders to take her up-ataisa duties till Jane comes back, in return 'for which you will be kind enough to watch by Sarah during her nnaToid- able absences.” This silenced the cook at once! It was a Just punishment for her grumb ling, for there waa no duty she would not rather have undertaken than that of watching by the unconscious Sarah, even in her quiet momenta. She Said to me afterward that the nurse was very good; directly Sarah began to talk or grow excited, Mrs. Saunders always managed to hear, and came in to relieve her from the unpleasant task of listening to the sick woman’s rav ings. When tea-time came Mr. Rayner en tered with the detective, whom he now addressed as “Mr. Maynard,” and treated as a distinguished guest Mr. 'Maynard went to his rddta early, and when Mrs. Rayner had gone to ners I remained in the drawing-room patting the mnsio in order, as Mr. Rayner had told me to da “This day’s events have npset me more than you can imagine, child,” said he, passing bis hand through his hair, wearily. “That vixen Sarah has always seemed honest, and yet I don’t know what to believe.” “And yon know the portmanteau I found in the cellar,'’ I whispered, tim idly. “Good Heaven, I had forgotten that! Or rather I had dismissed it from my mind as a fancy brought abont by the excitement of SaraVs accident, and hastily connected in your mind with yonr view of poor old Tom Parkes ear- tying a box across the lawn. Where are the store-room keys, child?” asked he, excitedly. “We must go at once to the cellar, and— Heaven help ns if what I took foryoorfaneyshonld prove to be the truth!” Much against my will I took the keys and accompanied Mr. Rayner to the left wing. I put my finger through the little ring and raised the trap door, all the while trembling with fright and excitement Mr. Rayner went down while I held the oandle for him. Soon ho spoke and said in a tone of groat re lief: “Thank Heaven it was your fancy child, there is nothing here.’’ “Not a deal table?” I gaspotL “No—nothing but water.” “Perhaps the water has risen higher and covered it?” “Come down yourself nn£ sea Or are you afraid to come down again?” “No, I am not afraid,” said 1, uncer tainly. He came np and took the oandle from me, while I descended. The water, I knew by the nnmber of steps which were dry above it, was at tne same level as before. I looked through the ladder and round It Table and portmanteau had utterly disappeared. As I looked up suddenly, Mr. Bayner’s face, distorted by the weird fight tnrown on it by the flickering canola seemed to me to wear a moclung smile which made the handsome features hideous and alarming. “Let meoome up,” said I, sharply. He held out his hand, and when I, trembling and tottering, reached the top of tee ladder he long his arms round me to support me. lint I was so sick with the horror of finding my story—my \true story—disproved, and witb the fancy I bad bad on looking up ut Mr. Rayner’s face, that I slid from his arm, ran out of the store room, along the passage and throngh the swing-door, and leaned against tee hall door to recover myself. Mr. Ray ner was at my side in a few minutes, and, almost unconsciously I let him lead me back into tee drawing-room. He brought me some brandy and water and made me drink it, and bathed my forehead, and told me gently not to be frightened. “ But I did see the portmanteau,” said I, piteously. “ Yes, dear child, I know” said Mr. Rayner, but 1 saw he did not believe mo. He then spoke again of Sarah, say ing the detective would be bound tc trump np some story to show hie superiors that be had accomplished something, and lie supposed he would leave Sarah without a shred of charac ter. “ But do you know, Mr. Rayner, 1 don’t think Sarah has always Men as nice a woman as you suppose,” said I, timidly. “ From what 1 have heard her say, I think, when she was young, she must have had had some horrw friends who made her do all sorts bl wrong things; and that is why I car not bo as much surprised as you are Bl her doing wicked things now.” “Did you toll Mr. Mavnard that?” “ No, I only answered nls questiona He said he was her brother—and, oc course, I did not want to make bin doubt hit own sister. But, Mr. Ray ner, I want to ask you something Have you ever heard of a Jama Woodfall?” He was sitting by mn on the sofa with bis head turned away. Ho di< not answer my question at cnee Then he said, vwry quietly: “ Did Mr. Maynard ask you that?* “ Oh, not I heard Sarah say tin name when she was delirious—tne fin night—Friday night,” I whispered. “ Oht was he a friend of Sarah's?* “ Oh, yes! I think she must haw been in love with him when ahe wa young, and he must have been a rot; bad man who made her do any thhq he liked, and the most enrions part o Jt is that she —ehe mixes his name tq with the people she knows new,” safe I, lowering my voice alill more. “How?” sskedMr. Rayner. “Whoa name does she mix his np with^” “Why, with—with mine, Mr. Ray nerl” said I, blushing uncomfortably at the very thought. a< She kept say ing in her ravings that this wiekot forger—for she said he was a forger- James Woodfall, was in love with mi and wanted to marry me, and that hi wanted her to help to marry this com mon thief to me. Wasn’t it dreadfu to have to listen to that?” whispered I excitedly. “Did she say James Woodfall waa i common thief?” “No, I gate: lid yo> •red that from what sh< •aid. Did yon ever hear of him, Mr Rayner?” “Yea I have heard of him, and! believe he la alive now,” said ha “Then I believe that aha U in low with him still, and teat he is at Um bottom of this dreadful robbery I’ cried L much excited. “Oh, Mr. Bm> ner, couldn’t yon find eat from Sara) where he la now. while tea dataattva t Ure, wl get Um caught?” I aag Ixed upon, mins something aha s enddmiM no( Jamee Wo— will never be I Mr. Rayner droesafc-rooml— front room which pied. I mat him went down-etairs morning. I spent« Hartena in my own preparing for the Journey I thought it carious t! hear from my mother, as I had bar a long letter Moaday. It pleasant to think of being with mother aud of meeting Louroaea. I felt troubled at leaving Mrs. la| in so desolate a place and with on)] servants for companions. Recently ] had eaugbt her eyes fixed as though ahe had wiahad to say to m bring herself to the pointed uttering. The doctor, for whose verdict Mr. Maynard waa waiting, discouraging report as to the p: of Sarah's recovery. He thought was hopelessly Insane and weald have to bs removed to the lunatic asylum. On hearing this the detective, who had •pent the morning aearching Sarah’s room and looking through her boxes, decided to return to town teat aftsm noon; out Mr. Rayner pressed him ta stay, saying that he would drive him over to Denham village that afternoon, and, in the character of a Mead of his, come down from town foe a few days, he could examine the scene of the rob bery and make inquiries without any one s suspecting who he waa and per* haps pick np some scraps of informa tion which would save him from tea reproach of having mads a jonmsy la run. “Do you know enough about rate ways to pass for an engineer or in- Inspector, or any thing of that sort?” asked Mr. Rayner. “You -know, cf oourao, that suspicion haa fallen upon a gang ofHawies who ace at work np on tea Una near there; but, althong 1 there have been detective* among them since, not one b <s been sharp enough to discover any t’.rag yet” The man se -med a little shy at first of interfering in a branch of the work of watching trhich had been pot into oth :r bands. But he was rather put upon his met'le by the allusion to the fact that his joamey had been so far a failure. And Mr. Rayner whispered to me in the hall, with his eyes twinkling, when the detective waa already seated in tec dug-cart at the door, that he had put that fellow up to discovering some thing—it did not matter what—wrong or right He said that they should be back early, as the fog waa rising al ready, and, in order to repay Mr. May nard for detaining him, there waa to be a dinner at half-past six, instead of tee usual tea at half-past five. And. in the very highest spirits, Mr. Rayner patted my shoulder, told me to save myself for next day, and teat he had a present to give me on the Journey, and jumped into tea dog-cart. I went back into the Mrs. Rayner waa sluing by baa lari tena whan whistled. “What ass I, sharply. ] ing bat a few a tea boy tea boy 5 * <2, ** T vfe Tri ~ witn natoee on her lap. ’ “Are you unhappy at the thought of losing her so soon said I, softly, leav ing my seat and kneeling by her side, as soon as the cook had the room. Mrs. Rayner looked at me earnestly, and then whispered: “No, I am not unhappy abont her, but abont you.” * “About me, Mrs. Rayner!” 1 ex claimed, in astonishment “Hush!” she whispered, softly. She took her arms from her child's neck, and told her to go and play; and Haidee obediently walked to tee win dow, whore her ooll was lying on tea floor. “It is •• much as my wretched life is worth to warn you,” whispered aha taking the hand i had laid upon her bp, and clasping and unclasping hot own about It nervously. “You an kind-hearted, and innocent as a child— I see teat now,” she contented, hot eyes wandering restleasiy about tea room. I began to be afirakt of a fit of hys terica or worse; and I bagged her no! to talk if it fatigued bar, and asked has- if I should fetch so ms sen da oologna She shook her head. -lam not hysterical—don't he afraid of that,” said aha, turning bar groat eyes upon me, as if to reproach. “1 only want ta Ml you this—when you arrive in London to morrow, if your mother b not waiting at tee station, insist upon going to her bouse befon you go further. Do not on any aoooanri enter another train without her. Call the guard—make a didSWhaaoa at tea station—do any thing rather.” “But how can I?” said L gently. *4 can not Insist against Mr. Rayner. Be would not listen. Yen knew teat; whan ha Mb one to do a thing, there Is such a strong authority abont him. om must do . “Try, try!” arid aha eantsstly. 1 belkve you have tes powsr, if yen have the courage. Yon have thwarted his wishes as nobody ebs has aver dazed to do—in sending for Dr. Lowe, in taki ing Haidee up-suiru Try oaee more. It is not Sarah's safatytoat is concerned this time, nor Haiders, but your own. For Heaven's sake, try!” She by baek in the chair, her fnea neck ana hands all wet with the vio lence of her feeling and her unaecus, tomed vehemence. Yet her voice had never risen above n whisper that oould not have been heard at tea other end of tbs room. She robed her fees again, and road with unexpected pene tration the look on my fhoa “I am not mad, MbsChristb,” shs •rid, quite quietly. •Think me mari U yon liks—if your mother imete you ai Liverpool Street Station. Bat, if not, rePtetnbsr m^ warning; It may have Mrs. Rayner’s words had toads sa strong an Impromiou upon ms teat 1 resolved in ease my mother failed to meet us at tee station, or to arrive soon after we did. and I would ask Mr. Ray ner to take a cab to toy uneb’s house and fetch her myarit But I could not understand steyhla wifi should strive to make me suspect Mat who bad shown hlmseif to bs om of mybsal and stronrest friends. The fog grew so thick teat afternoon teat it waa quits dark at half past font o'clock when there waa a riagatths door bell, nmleihoyf ' eame in and said Mn. thft aphool sad teen a* once. I want hi and told Mrn Raynor of the nqaaft and aha at- vised ms net to ' aotoo trick ahont that I did aagrOrt s lfhy. he ain’t 1 “Hef Who?” I cried, to at that moment I heard a < branches, and saw dimly fog, a few yards in front of i “ rare of a man eraal 're. and leaping (into the toad, cotesring a cry, I tnrned, and ran, I knew not whither. It Parkes or Gordon, who b me out hero to ponirit too foray ooverics which Sarah matt have told them about. I heard the bey say -Thank pa” and then tee footsteps of the mi com ing nearer to me. He passed ate; I eould wee the vagus form as it want by. But in my icy ut the right I drew a sharp breath; he tamed baek, mpad forma fonad sad raised ms to myfasq all without a word. I closed my apes and shuddered. For the first moment I felt loo exhamted by tea eUtsaMat of these awful ariaatoe to attWflgM much. 1 could only feebly try to push Um off, ere ing, brokenly: “Don't—don’t hurt mar' “Hurt yon, my own darling! Leak up at me. Heaven help me, I ham nearly frightened you to death!” I looked np with nary, andflung aqf arms round his neck. It waa Laur ence, his face so haggard and so dirty but be llwwtylntyrv- = *1 her-wWo**. -. as to be scarcely roooxuicabb; bui told me, as be kissed ms again again, that I most not minu teat, for he had travelod night and day without a moment's rest since be got my letter on the morning of the previous day. “And. thank Heaven. I urn to time, in timet Just a few hours more, and I should have lest your’ “Loot me, Laurouee? Oh, do tsB me what you meant” lotted, piteously. “Oh-Violet, an you still so ' cent as To think that that mi have brought vou to toe?” “Why net?” asked L in a whk “Because he loves you kimseif, ha between bis teeth “if the I even you inspire in i called loro. Your not have protected ^onm Oh. I was a fool, leave you, for body In the world! But I dM not know quite all until your own sweat naive letter opened my stupid eras.” “Oh, Laurenca Lnurenea dreadful thing* are you saying?" shaking with tear, even in hb w “Never mind, my own darih are sate now,” aaid hc, vary gas “But, Laurenea kre mother is gehu with ua Didn’t IteUyva that? Thai abtter from her—” •.•Which she nerer wrote. Oamjwny back to Loudon, I telegraphed ' mother to mete me at toe < Cross station, and there ahe! sue had never seen Mr. never heard a word of the journey tel Monaco.” 7 This blow wro too much fer me; 1 fainted tahteeimur^^ I found that ha had As soon as I waaabbwe _ down tha bna to the hteh “But what shafildc, Lmeef” 1 steed, tremblingly. “Shall I Ml Ma Raynor you hero want me to leave ••Hotter tee said be, quickly. ham net even at the “But what baUthb mystery afa HX^XteSS* *••• "Ah, that b a secret! Ton mind writing till that, wfll you. dadhtof” “Oh, yes, I shallTl t now.” said L eenrintfy. jWi*t yea Ha did not want tofeeo; but I euriona and hurt at his wtehwtoWte.tom.ro *Hy theUtvM t to my 1 abont tee hall, i again Wedne ess.'” the hall 1 Betel tell, i who! toiger but four years. Tl that he Bright be < K I . i uptown end wet for toy to n I E a death. As to 't be alarmed. ] anase train with yon: will really mar- station, for II We toil and led) Midi