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,'----..."CHAPTHE XXV.I

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CHAPTHE XXV. I Up to the Hall Lady Mabel followed the trail efthe strange lady. So plainly did it lie teady for her following that there was really Ho scope at all for the exercise of her ladyship s fieculiar talents. The lodge-keeper remembered he stranger's passing. She had asked if the house she could see were Heathwood Hall, and whether Mr Gaythorne lived there. Craig, the handy man at Heathwood, remembered her coming. He had opened the door to her him- self in his afternoon capacity of indoor servant, for Gwynne Gaythorne kept up only a bache- lor establishment. and had told her that Mr liaythorne had only just left the house. "What did she do then?" asked her ladyship. She asked to see the housekeeper." n I should like to see the housekeeper, too," 'laid Lady Mabel, with decision. Craig showed her innto the stiff and formal drawing-room, darkened to the day and deathly still. where no woman had reigned since Gwynne's mother had died, and soon Mrs Arden came. She looked disturbed, almost tearful, and distinctly offended, but for that Lady Mabel was prepared. Yes," she said, putting aside as super- fluous Lady Mabel's careful and exact explana- tions, yes—but all the same I'd have thanked your ladyship to let the matter alone. He had his faults, my poor dear boy, but I had hoped they could be buried with him. And Mr Felix is coming down for the funeral. Mr Felix, he's the heir, its his business, and he could have managed things quietly perhaps. I'd as lief the lady was left to him, beggng your ladyship's pardon for saying so, but I would, all the same." Yes, Arden, yes, I daresay," agreed her ladyship, soothingly, but I thought perhaps I would help him. Craig says this woman tame a few minutes after Mr Gaythorne had gone out. Did she follow him ?" No, my lady. She said she would wait toll he came back." Then where was she between the time he went out, alive and well, Arden, and the time when he was brought home again 7" In the drawing-room. I showed her in jnyself." to Was anyone with her 1" No, my lady." Could she have got out of the drawing- room without anyone seeng her ?" Oh, yes, easly enough. All the windows atood wide open, and there was only Craig in the garden. Of course he might have seen her AS she walked across the lawn if she had wanted to follow the master—but then he might not." Perhaps," suggested Lady Mabel in a lVhisper, perhaps she did follow him." But Mrs Arden shook her head. Begging her ladyship's pardon, I don't think so," she said. When they brought —the body—home she came running out of the drawing-room to see what was the matter, and she looked quite cool. If she had followed my poor master she would have been heated and dusty-looking." And how did she take it ? What did the do ? It must have been a shock to her, who- ever she is." It was indeed, my lady. I couldn't pacify ,her, not anyhow, at first, and what with the trouble of losing my poor boy so sudden and then having her fainting and hysterical on my hahds— and Mrs Arden wiped her eyes. Tt was like losing one of my own, very nearly, and 10 sudden and so shocking-" Yes, yes, Arden, we all felt it, I assure you we did," Lady Mabel patted her arm in acute sympathy. But we have something else to do, now, besides regret him, and that is to 'bring his murderer to justice. This woman, now. How is it no one saw her ? No one has mentioned her. No one seems to know she was here at aIL" No one does except just our own house- hold, my lady. The Manor servants had gone when she came running out. And ours won't gossip. 111 see to that. Not about the master, my lady. We all liked him too well. And it isn't the first thing we have had to keep quiet I think it's very, very suspicious, she said in a deep whisper. Mrs Arden shook her head again. Begging your ladyship's pardon, I don't think that," she said. There isn't much doubt in my tnind as to who it was-" I shall communicate with the coroner," ahe said. I think that woman ought to be questioned." Oh, my lady, please." Mrs Arden twisted her hands together in acute distress. Think of the scandal! It will all come out if she is arrested without cause." But how do you know it is without cause ?" Lady Mabel had found her scapegoat, and meant to make every use of it. To me the thing is plain." Yes, so it is to me—but not that way! Oh, if. only your ladyship wouldn't interfere. My poor boy. I've shielded him so often-and now when he is dead your ladyhaip is going to rake things up! Don't my lady, don't for all our sakes! At any rate lea.ve things till Mr Felix gets here." Have you written to him ?" I can't, my lady. He is coming home from Cario, travelling night and day." Is he coming alone ?" No, my lady. Mrs Gaythome and Miss Angela will be with him. The will join him in London." Then how do you know when he will get here? If he were coming alone it would be different-but with a mother and sister to hamper him-h Someone knocked softly. Her ladyship said come in," and Craig appeared, a telegram in his hand. With a quick apology Mrs Arden tore open the envelope and read it. He's coming to-night, my lady," she said. Lady Mabel nodded a little abseutty., Of Rake things up, Arden! What things ?" she inquired presently. Who does the woman say she was ? My lady, she says she is his wife." His wife." Lady Mabel dropped limbly back in her chair. His wife," she said again, in faint but vehement protest. But I'm bound to say I don't believe her," Mrs Arden went on with vicious energy. ,Master Gwynne had his faults as I said be- fore, but he knew better than to put a foreign woman in his mother's place. And she's foreign. Spanish she says. She may be Spanish, but she isn't his wife. If she had been. if she had had a claim worth making, she'd have made it before now. She would have come forward at tjae inquest. She was in the house at the tine—only nobody knew it. She would go to tne funeral and take her place before all the world. She might if she choose. She's ordered black fit for a duchess, but she isn't going to the funeral, as far as I can see. What Mr Felix will say I don't know, for she's no fit friend for Miss Angela." But Lady Mabel put up her hand and checked the flow of eloquence. Go to the funeral," she echoed faintly, Why, where is the woman ?" 11 She's here, my lady," said Mrs Arden quietly. CHAPTER XXVI. You are sure you have packed everything, Angela ?" Everything that matters, mother." My dear," a little fretfully, it all mat- ters." Not now." returned Angela under her breath. Mrs Gaythorne moved uneasily, and the rich milk lining of her new black dress rustled as she did so. It was so long since she had worn a fashionable dress. The cab is ordered, isn't it ?" she asked presently. Yes, mother." In Mrs Gaythorne excitement ran to words. with Angela it induced silence, a certain un- readiness of tongue, though the light in her eyes and the crimson spot on her cheek were eloquent. And you won't forget to arrange with him beforehand, Angela, how much he will charge. Eighteenpence for two people, and twopence each package." Mother," interrupted Angela again, it _doesn't matter now. I'm going to give the cab- man five shillings and sixpence for every box." Oh, my dear," protested Mrs Gaythorne faintly. Why shouldn't I. There'll be only one to- day in our lives." It's so difficult to believe it's all over, Angela," she said presently. Yes, it was all over, the long endeavour to make sixpence do the work of a shilling, to face life on a pittance that meant prudence for one and poverty for two, the ghastly pretence of being guests, at a stranger's table whose grudging hos- pitality had to be paid for in hard cash, a fact, which might be ignored, but must never be forgotten. They had bidden good-bye to their fellow guests at breakfast. Now there was only Mrs Seymour, the overworked and over- weighted little proprietress, to whom to say farewell. She came in as Mrs Gaythorne spoke, and the regret on her face, if not entirely dis- interested, was genuine. Yes, it's over-for you," she said, taking Mrs Gaythorne's thin hand and fondling it. I wish it was for me. too, sometimes." Angela turned impulsively. Never mind, Mrs Seymour," she said. As soon as we get settled I'll put a housekeeper in here, and you shall come down into the country and have a long, long rest. You would like it, wouldn't you, and I should., I should like everyone to have something to look forward to, to-day." Mrs Gaythorne looked up quickly. Angela bitter, Angela rebellious, Angela strenuous to reform, she knew, but Angela with a missio) to make all the world happy was new. Mrs Seymour smiled. You'll forget, my dear," she said, for she had had promises made to her before. No I shan't. I'm not the sort that for- gets." The cab came up as the girl was speaking. Mrs Seymour waved her hand on the steps, Angela put her head out of the window, and said Paddington!" with never any inquiry as to bow much he would charge to take her there, and the old life was behind her-for ever. On the platform at Paddington Felix was waiting for them-a thin, brown Felix, very tired and very grave. I've reserved a comparfenent, mother," he said. Never mind the luggage, that will be I all right. This way, Angela." He opened the door of a small saloon carriage as he spoke, a carriage with broad windows and a table and deeply-cushioned seats, with illustrated papers lying in tempting disarray. Oh, Felix cried Angela, in almost awed delight, and Felix said H'sh How long will it take us to get there ?" asked Angela, presently. Under an hour Pity, isn't it," said Felix, laughing a little. I know what you are thinking, of course," she said quickly. That it is hardly decent of me to feel like this. But I can't help it. I can't be sorry. I only saw him once—and that once 1 didn't like him. He knew we were poor, horribly poor, and he never did anything for us. And he gave me the oddest feeling that if I had been pretty he would have done." He was good to me," said Felix presently. Angela shot a dark look at him. You have an immense capacity for gratitude," she said. It is a good thing to have. And I have feason for it. But Jor him I could never have done anything. I daresay motther thinks I haven't done much as it is—" I never said so. Felix." Felix laughed. Never had motherly hen more frantically combatted the suicidal inclination of self-willed ducklings for the water than Mrs Gaythorne his determination to devote his life to art, Angela's to dedicate hers to literature. You only thought no, is that it, dear ? But, never mind, I'm going to," he went on almost gaily. I shall have a studio fitted up at the north side of the house, there's a, capital room that wants nothing but a big window." He broke off. It is heartless to be planning in this way," he said. I've other things to do before building studios-and I don't forget it." What other things ?" asked Angela quickly. But she knew even before she saw the quiver that ran over her mother's whole frame. You—won't be vindictive, Felix ?" No, mother. But I shall bring him to justice, if I can." For some little time Angela sat silent, watch- ing the flying edges with unseeing eyes. Gwynne was murdered-and because of it life had suddenly taken on rainbow hues for her. There seemed something callous, even cruel, about such a freak of destiny. I shall be pleased to see Nora again," she said presently. It is years since I did—and she was a darling girl. She married, didn't she, Felix. I never quite knew whom-" Felix stared out of the window, and spoke without looking at her. ,His name is McLeod," he said, quietly. McLeod! Not Kenneth McLeod, the novelist, the man who wrote By the Waters of Babylon That same," replied Felix, and his voice was grim. Angela twisted her small thin hands together and her dark eyes blazed. How lovely," she said under her breath. "I think if I could have chosen from the whole world the man I should best like to have as a neighbour-" Felix moved uneasily, and something in his face checked his sister's raptures. I—don't quite know about—neighbours," he said slowly. Don't go promising yourself "I-don'tquite know about—neighbours," he face checked his sister's raptures. I—don't quite know about—neighbours," he said slowly. Don't go promising yourself feasts of reason and flows of soul in that direc- tion, Angel, because—it mayn't be possible, my dear." Why not ?" asked Angela crisply. Felix looked at her, and doubt and discomfort troubled the look. Distance lends enchantment, Angel," he said slowly, and to none more than literary folk. They are apt to be very disappointing. I know the fellow has always been a sort of little idol of yours, hut all the same when you see him you mayn't like him." But I shall," with conviction, I'm posi- tive of it. No one but a nice man could have written such a book." He certainly wrote the book, but all the same he may not be a nice man," persisted Felix quitely. As a matter of fact I have every reason to—ask you, Angel, not to make any definite overtures in the way of friendship till—till I lead the way. I have my reasons, and they are good ones." You are very mysterious." I have reason for that, too. I don't want to be compelled to say any more at present. I have, as a matter of fact, nothing definite to say. It was only a hint, most disquieting hint, in Patterson's letter to me." For a moment Angela studied both the situa- tion and Felix. Then she spoke with even more than her usual decision. Hints! I hate hints," she said," and lawyers and caution and prudence, and Mr Wordly Wiseman, and everybody who talks like that. Kenneth McLeod is my friend before ever I see him, and I shall take the very earliest oppor- tunity of letting him know it." My dear," said Mrs Gaythorne anxiously, you must be guided by Felix." The girl laughed and shot her brother a look half mutinous, half-merry. Felix sighed as he saw it, for he loved his sister, and no one, as he very well knew, had less intention of being guided than she. CHAPTER XXVII. Tired, mother ?" Mrs Gaythorne smiled. She was very tired, but it was more with excitement than fatigue, forthe journey had been quite a short one. It was, however, nearly over now. The carriage that had met them at the little country station was bowling smoothly along the county lanes. Angela was looking about her, silent and obser- vant, and something in the brightness of her eyes and the glow of her thin dark face brought Felix's anxious regard from his mother to her. Don't expect too much, Angel," he said, quietly. Gwynne was not a rich man, as rich men go. There are fortunately no charges on the estate. Things will be fairly comfortable, but we are not going to be millionaires, you know." I don't expect it. I remember." she said, softly. My visit to Aunt Elinor when I was eighteen is the one purple patch in my girlhood. Gwynne was abroad, or I might not have en- joyed it so much." She broke off. She had hated him. but he was dead. It was time her dislike was dead, too. Felix said no more. They had turned into the avenue. Felix smiled. Life lay round him, rosy with possibilities. He had. he told him- self, all that made for happiness. His mother and sister to provide that feminine element in life without which the artistic temperament is seldom or never content, and for the rest peace, leisure, a room in which to paint and a garden in which to dream. The house, its handsome rose-coloured Jaco- bean front wreathed to the chimneys in creepers, came suddenly into view. And then the gloom of its shuttered front fell chilly on him ahd woke him to remembrance. He profited by a crime-a crime as yet undiscovered and un- punished. I don't forget, and I will revenge," he, told himself, sombrely, forgetting One who said in the ages long gone by Vengence is miue-I will repay." Mrs Arden'was waiting, tremulous and ex- cited, on the steps as the carriage drew up. Craig hurried down from his seat to open the door. Felix went up the steps with his mother's hand through his arm, and smiled at the pleasant-faced woman studying with anxious eyes this stranger who had come from the other side of the world to dominate her life. You are Mrs Arden ?" he said, tentatively. Thank you—I thought so. You remember my sister, but you have never seen me. My mother is tired—she has been ill. I shall be obliged if you will take her to her room at once." But Mrs Arden hesitated, agitated and un- certain. Should she or should she not tell him of the woman in the drawing-room, waiting to confront him with an impossible claim ? Mrs Gaythome intervened. Take me yourself, Felix,' she said fretfully, and Mrs Arden led the way without another word. Felix put his arm about his mother's waist. You had better come too. Angela," he said over his shoulder, but it did not seem that Angela was needed. Angela caught her brother's hand as they came out upon the cor- ridor. H'sh," he said, with a touch of reproof. We'll talk when we get downstairs. Dinner is waiting for us. You won't dress to-night, will you ?" Oh, yes, I shall," with emphasis. So much depends upon first impressions." But there's no one to imprest-but me." And the servants." Well, don't be long, dear," he said, and Angela nodded. I'll be ready as soon as you are, but I won't go down without you." she answered. The dress she chose was a black one out of respect to the dread Presence in the house. but the sparkle in Angela's eyes hardly matched it. Poor Angela, all unaware of one awaiting 'f her, sinister and silent, in the very room be- neath her feet. The great hall had a domed roof and a broad gallery ran round it; Angela, leaning over, jumped guiltily as Felix slipped his hand iu I brotherly fashion through her arm. The pair descended the stairs together and passed outside a half-opened door. This is the drawing-room," Felix was say- ing, as they ciossed the threshold. He brcke off suddenly. Who was this in monumental black who rose to receive him ? She stood a massive, almost a magnificent figure, her back to the window, her hand I graciously extended, and then* was about her I bi ts a suggestion of royalty receiving. subjects of which Felix was instantly aware. I beed you Wel-come," she said graciously, and the shock took his breath away. For a moment he stood silent, wonderingly assimil- ating the massive smile, the extended hand. the trace of a foreigner's difficulty with an un- familiar tongue in her speech. Then he spoke Thank you," he said courteously, though for the life of him he could not quite subdue a touch of irony in bis tono. And may I ask who you are ?" I am the widow of monsieur, your brother," said the stranger, sweetly. CHAPTER XXVIII. Ir. the drawing room at the Manor not a mile away, Nora sat in the window, the rounded window facing west, w:v;n she had sat with Gwynnne Gaythorne so short a time ago, and listened, white and frightened, to the tale of his love for her, the love that ended in tragedy for them both. To-day Gwynne lay under his own roof for the last time, for to-morrow he was to be buried. And she sat almost within touch of the husband she loved-yet sundered from him by a gulf beyond all bridg- ing. When the silence grew more intolerable than speech Kenneth broke it. v I am the widow of monsieur, your brother," said the stranger, sweetly. Lady Mabel is late," was all he said. Yes, Lady Mabel, dismayed at the success of her endeavours to provide a scapegoat for Kenneth's sins, had sat lost in reverie when she ought to have been dressing for dinner and she was late. I'm not sorry," she said quickly. 11 Be- cause I have something to say to you. Ken- neth, he is to be buried to-morrow, and I want to know what we are going to do. To do I don't understand you. Nora moved almost irritably. We are his oldest friends," she said, under her breath. Some of us ought to be there." For a moment Kenneth thoughtfully re- garded her. „ Do you mean that you wish me to go ? he asked presently. ,j, No. It would be horrible. You couldn t go," Nora answered him. But Kenneth's eyes, grave, sombre and suf- fering, did not fall. The thing is here, Nora," he said presently. There are for me two alternatives and only two. One is a frank acknowledgment, the other is to behave as though my conscience in the matter was entirely clear. Sometimes I am tempted to think it would have been bet- ter to risk everything—and take the first one- Nora dropped her face in her hands with a little sound, half sob, half sigh. Oh, it would have been," she said, in a quick, breathless whisper. I can't think why you didn't! Even punishment would have been better than this continual fear." Kenneth's eyes widened wistfully. Nora, under the pressure of pain, could be as un- reasonable as any of her sisters. You are surprisingly ready to see me hanged." he said, with quiet bitterness. You wouldn't be hanged." And I have so far been under the impres- sion that I carefully followed your expressed wishes in the matter. It isn't easy to remem- ber now just what was said at a time like that, but Icertainly believed I was doing-as you would have me." Yes, perhaps you were. I don't know. As you say one can't remember-though it is only a week ago. But you can't go to the funeral, Kenneth, it would be horrible." Sorely you don't contemplate going 1" No, but I'm afraid Ailie does." Ailie! Ailie doe3!" Kenneth stood straight up, rigid,, under some unexplained and unex- plainable revolt. She can't, Nora. That would be horrible indeed." Why ?" asked Nora, faintly. I mean-for her,"—a quick and subtle alteration in his tone. "No young girl should ever be present at a funeral. And in this case —when one considers the relationship between them ¡--the way she has grieved for him But I thought she was wedded to solitude. And now she is actually ready to take part in so public—and so panful a scene as this funeral-" Nora flung out a quick hand and stopped him. Kenneth, she knows the truth—and it's you she won't meet," she said. Kenneth turned sharply to the window. What a tragedy had been his coming into the life of the woman he loved with every fibre of his being, to whose service the whole of him, body, soul, and spirit was vowed. Oh, had it only been possible to set back the wheels of life short week, and stand where he had stood before that sweet half hour in the tiny grey church. His face was hidden, but the set of his head, the very lines of his back, were elo- quent of his grief. Suddenly Nora rose and slipped a timid hand through his arm. Now I have hurt you," she said tremulously. No," he answered, with something of an effort. No. I am-not surprised. It is very natural." And I had to tell you because I don't know what to do, Kenneth. What about ?" Ailie," said Nora, again. For a moment Kenneth stood in frowning thought. One thing is clear, Nora," he said, pre- sently. Ailie must not go tq this funeral. If it is imperative that we take some part in a function that is likely to resolve itself into a public demonstration against me we will avail ourselves of the formality which I believe is customary on such occasions—and send an empty carriage." A public demonstration against you!" It is only too likely." Then—do people suspect—?" They wouldn't tell you they suspect, they would tell you thev knew. I can read-not suspicion—but certainty in their faces. If I walk down the village the cottagers leave their doors and hide in the dimness till I have got by. If I meet—those I once hoped would be my friends—they look another way and do not see me." And you were ready to face them-at this funeral!' I am ready to do anything that seems to me best for you, Nora." It was a simple statement of a simple fact, entirely accepted, by the force of his love utterly unescapable. But the words, winged with quiet pathos, went straight as an arrow to N ora's" heart and stayed quivering there. Then you think, you really think, you are in danger ?" I know I am in danger. I am watched go- ing out and coming in. How it is nothing fur- ther comes of it ?—Why it is I am allowed to walk about in the daylight yet a free man- Kenneth, you must go." Nora's voice, sibilant and sharp with terror, broke in upon his quiet revelations. You must not stay here any loger, not another day. You must leave England while it is possible. I will see you have money—everything !-but you must go." He smiled very slightly and the pressure of his arm tightened on that little trembling hand. That would be the crowning folly of all, Nora," he said. Folly! No, the folly is to Btay here where any day may brin:7 disaster. You must ro, Krrmet.h, go to Spain. People arc safe there whatever they have done——" Spain Then you have heard Already Tsn't it astonishing how soon gossip travels." I Lady Mabel, snapping her bracelets on her plump arms as she came, sailed up the long room.—" I awfuJJy sorry to be so late-lmt really I was so busy thinkine: I couldn't Lady Mabel broke off. The man before her v/as a criminal, neither more nor less. They were bound to shield and harbour him because he happened at the same time to be Nor's I husband, but the fact of his criminality tinged I every look her ladyship !vP. him and every word sht said. And here was Nora clinging to his arm as though everythng was ii ib should be, and he had every right to her caresses. The sight made Lady Mabel sick. Kenneth's quiet look was on her .It was not always easy to remember that he was an outcast, with the hangman's rope dangling above his bead. Have we heard what ?" he enquired and a little smile softened his sombre face as he spoke. What is the latest gossip, Ijady Mabel ?" But Lady Mabel, her attention sharply arrested by Nora's white and terror-stricken face, never answered him. Kenneth, will you go ?" she said again and Lady Mabel caught the breathless whisper. Kenneth bent over her and for a moment all his heart's yearning tenderness shone in his pleasant,ugly face. Dear, I can't," he answered softl'y. (To be Continued.)

[No title]

--Hearth and Home. L

Teachers, "Make a Row." ,

EISTEDDFOD AT NEATH.

CANDID PRISONER.

, John Reddeli's Will. 0 --r…

FIRST VISIT TO SANDRINGHAM

QUEEN ALEXANDRN8 RETURN.

AWAKENED BY BURGLAR.

100,000 PRISONERS-