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_.. _., 8‘3 M “'6 ‘TTEE’W" M New Y‘Tk' F- 'Yv 8,8 Sec-9’“ 9 "L"? NPR“ WIFE: ,._:‘-‘ePt- ‘6’ 1384.
VOL  $250 PUBLISHED WEEKLYBY’ BEADLE AND ADAMS, price, N 
\' I a Year- No. 98 William Street, New York. Five Cents. O. -

 

 

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MAIZE FLUNG ASIDE THE SWEEPING DRAPERY AND STEPPED FORTH, HER FACE GLOWING, HER SHINY EYES
GLANCING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER OF THE mummy Iroxmtwmn (JOIT’NL‘ENANCES BEFORE HER.

,SISTER AGAINST SISTER; it?aszegfgsggzztffigssa~:zsme‘ggizfiag

nificent, imp sing and substantial than the villa

01‘: THE RIVALRY or HEARTS mansion known as “Silverdale,” and the sur-
\ WW ° rounding princely estate of thousands of acres.
BYMRg‘ MA By R E31) CROW/ELL comprising the home farm, great reaches of glen

W--- forest and pasture land, glimmering lukelets,

CHAPTER I. making a most; charming and picturesque Iand~

A STRANGE GUEST. scape. A wlde, magmficent drive extends

0 . . .
Fflall the many superb residences situated through the place, cxrcllng hlther and thither,

 

  

 

 

  

 

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’1 etching and t
-,xer§tiane 7 *  ‘ » ~ . * l -

l 'r the gardens were in the highest state of cu}. 3
. ti’t'ifiolf?l Ind thepineries, graperies, orchid

 “over? ’ The perks were spacious, vast sheets or
demorald Sp en

  7 for Silverdale had been, and was the ,
 beloved home 8
v‘  portion when oyal Florimel was in his,
filmmtlte other portion when Royal Flori- j
, s

.v/

s sows beloved“
_ whose'guardlenflflsihed none of his authoriftfiy

I  by the servants.
 ‘ . mammoth
_ r,  was about. 1

" f < ,mdrese,’ manner an stylejstepped
“ " riage at the door‘ of the St: Grace’s Hotel—the

I

‘ external-memes“ Sterne, : ,

   

 

" most romantic 'vtews, and-an bath.

. ~’F‘gilogdri I 1, its entire length of sixteen miles,
; was shad , ‘ r
g together—the work of gen-

p‘its, were famous the country

dor, with picturesque groups of
l.  quaint summenhouees, rose arbor-s, green
‘ mecca. glimmering fountains, maj *stic statu—

iryéevery thing to please and educate and re— ,

fine the senses.

The chief feature of the estate was, of course,
the mansion a vast, imposing dwelling, standing
upon a gentle eminence toward the part of the
park overlooking the ocean, and presenting a
combination of towers, turrets, immense oriel
windows and balconies, that bespoke its solid-
merit , its suitableness for the winter

as we as summer abode of its owner,

since it had been buill:
' “grand!

Royal
and his‘kin weredead, when the events about to

' liter was a baby in arms.
orimel, “ young Royal.” his son,

, 1,
the

l . begchronlcled transpired, and .the little grand

"J

vm liter who had been in her nurse’s arms,

' ‘ i a black sash around her baby, waist in

,firning for the sudden, untimel death of
j ‘ her parents, who were drowns While out
training when the little one was but a few

"“flyj'fiéfuths old—this little heiress, now grOWn to

.fidenhocid, was the only and last representa-
tive oithe proud old line of Florimel. ,

 “Ave a quefn innl‘iier beautiful helme-usweet,
 _ ' in case , enemas, sure yno ueen
" ' 3’ autiful Maize Flogmel,
m her, and who contented himself with o
$ - ‘ her every three months.
, , most of whom had
 the familya‘ll ot‘ Metze’s life, the young

calling

‘  €331“ not haven care, and never having

a the love of {other and mother, sister on

 l  she did nmeve for it, and lived her
- among the trees.

It wesone glorious afternoon ,in mid Septem—
ber, not half. a demon yearsago, when the tide of
beginning to set city-ward
from the cara‘mnsfel‘les 1m along the Atlantic
coast theta youngg , , ,, in every way re-
use: ing “ the youn  of pél‘lod ”
' ate a car-

moet fashionable oi all the fashionable summer
resorts in that fashionahle watering-place—and
' gave the‘coachman the order: “ To Silverdale,”

' , and then leaned back againstthe cushions, gaz-

. i'ng out n (n the sea, as the carriage bowled
"along, wit a slowly hardening look on his
handsome face, that betrayed, with every

‘  thought, the sinister look in his dark eye, the

(half, sneer On his sensual lips, that changed in to a

 ',,‘,smil‘e (ll-gleaming envy as, at last, the carriage

drove in' the ever-hos itably open gates of

,  'Silv‘erdale, iwhere, by t e gracious young pro-
‘ v gramme kindness. the public were allowed to

3.11 magnificent silver, hoecbes, ;,
W131i» n

~ heels clickin on the’til

  
  
   
   

' drive through and enjoy the beauties so w 
renowned, , ' x ;_ - l 1-. r'
' “It is a. glorious ,inheritaneelnhe tho ‘4'
his dark eyes kindling greedil  >-“ It’s
owner need not envy aj‘qneen on throne”
isindeedaro al prize, worthy m best—and *
worst—effor S! t is to bower , tween us, ’
unknown Miss Florimel-owar to the knife— ’
There is a struggle to the death before you
1318; I wonder which shall win?” ‘
And by the look of deadly resolve on his
j it was evident that, whatever the struggle .7
meant, he would certainly not allow himself 
be worsted by any sense of chivalry or hon ‘
To the driver’s amazement, he was orde ‘-
not to proceed in the usual way, accordiu
the route prescribed for visitors, but directed?
drive directly to the house, where the strong.
alighted at the ,grand entrance, and rung T;
imperious summons, which .was . promp 
; answered by the porter, who requested 1
, business.

  
 
  
   

 

 

“ I wish to see Miss Florimel. Be good enou__
to tell her that algentleman from New YO,
wishes to see her a moment, on busmess:” :j 7‘

‘He was at once conducted to a aciox
splendid room at the further and of t e 8!,
corridor where he was requested to aw 
while the message was, given, and to whi;
place, several minutes later, a. servant return
saying that his ,mistress would see b. 
' presently. ~ u ;‘
. Left to himself, he tool: a, minutevsurvey of 
luxurious surroundings, admiring with glee
lug greedy eyes the displa‘yog'tas ' delegan
both within and without, hardly oting _- no
long he was k pt waiting, until glancing at,
tiny, gilded clock on a bracket he saw he no?
been there nearly half an hour, A frown,
' annoyance and indignation that was gather
on his face was cleared by the sound 01" ';
coring of the my).

ball. Then 9 heard the swift rush of trailllig
firments, and a young ,girl entered the rec "
fore w , in involuntary: admiration 
arose and bowed lowly.‘ ‘ ,_ _ « ‘
t was an exquisite revelation of girlish lo ,,

lipase and haughty grace and, dignity u 

which he lookeda—a younggirl, not yet twen 1,,
i slender, raceful, with wide, well-moon 

luminous rown eyes, shaded by still dark
lashes, a com lexion fairasa lily leaf, with 

delicious pin warmth in the round choc 8?;

month small, scarlet, willful, tender, s“ eet 
entrancing, bewitching mouth, perfect eithorj

repose or action: masses of darkly brown 11, 

all rippled and waved in the latest fashion,
her queenly little head: and the whole porf,
picture completed by a dress of airy tissue at:
dull golden shade—a perfect picture of high
piq‘uont, sunny girlhood. , . /
“‘ You wished to see me. sirr’she asked i ,
clear, sweet voice, as she looked doubtfully.
him, “Because the servant gave no name;
supposed it was a neighbor.” . .4, =

“ Then you are Miss Maize Florimel?”

The your: irl bowed,,gravely.,  .

“ You wil ardon me if I decline to give
my name at, iis moment, Miss Florimcl.‘ l
your pcrm’is’sion I will retain it until I: he
made known my errand. I have come 1’- 7“

 
  
   

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 .
v itfiends of yours which I will presentipreeently.
,“3 I to belieVe
request?” , _ - I
, M, evhesitated in her answer, the stranger’s
rows and manner impressing her unpleasant-
 ? but, the s cond of hesitation assured her
I at disagreeable as this strange young man’s
'Vflresence was to her, peculiar as his speech and
finaliner were, she was in a position to rid her-
3911 Of all by merely raising her voice.
.3580, with a haughty little bend of her head
, 9' coldly signified'her assent .to the singular
I rOposmon, pointin to a chair for her 'g'uest’s
. ptance, while 5 e uietly seated herself in
9‘ 9W. easy one beside t a open window.
, 'Wlth an admiring glance about him, the
ghoulig' man seated himself, first wheeling the
, . girl'somewhat nearer the young girl’s. 
 Silver-dale is a magnificent place. No doubt
you love it as your life, Miss Florimel.”
fimith haughty surprise she ansvvered him
y. .

f .“I amunabletounderstand what 111 senti-
. fits in regard to my home have to o with
Jon important business, sir.” ’
 A curious little gleam came intohis eyes, “and
’m - size could have seen beneath his bushy
 iEsteem, she would have also seen estrange
“Elle on his cruel mouth. .
r t has much—4n fact everything, to do with

e responded, quickly. “My business here
_,  tell you that your heretofore undisturbed
£°3$essmn of «th is charming and cherished place
 “breatened—” .
1, “Threatened!” ,

flat 68, Miss Florimcl.
‘ . «mant toSilverdalel”

" !

There is another

' , 98:31:? hairumuseu incredulity. ,

r ,3“le have been imposed upon, sir. Yem-
J~ Mlmeut Is absolutely incorrect. , I am the
5 5’ chdd of my, deceased parents, the only
“fmfdchlld of in late grandfather, consequent-
' 1~ ., tun-the e, undisputed heiress oi the
, Primal estates." '
immevamiled again-and there was an impres-
(that .01; great, strength conveyed y the smile
; 7  avegue chill to the oung girl’s
 at}! not speaking in uncertainty. The
‘fiiggalmam has a superior right to your own,
 as. 7,, 'loriinel,” he saidz with themost positive
« WI “‘1‘, . mice in his tones. ‘ If you will permit me,
 -ll ou—J’ ,

 mterrute him 'th ' '
“ wfif of hgrhau d wx an imperious
 -l "in Ho decline to hear your statement,” she said.
  i weyer prgfiosterous your words are, if you

 

' dear ‘ ' , - * ,
to Ous , stating them I am not, the one
“b.9111 they houldbetold.’ - I refer you to
. flrgui‘mian
 Vim]- find in hew York.
) fa. .5901! dispose of the pretensions oug
2 ghmtgle spoke, she arose. bowing s ’fiht y, as if

mg: in drum With a sudden lurid

 V, has eyes, the stranger ‘ aohed out his
“‘3 ,1 a} .

35

  

.3

He and his lawyer

 , sonny, yet commas, 'ly.
- 88331” he exclaimed. “ I hhvg’ come to tell

 whole Story before it shall come to you

3

     

‘ v Lemme immers'ism.
 bring With 'me  frOml'
you  grant me the attention ‘

3126 uttered an exclamation of halidndig- '

Mr. Asher Lyman, whom you :
refer.” :

lane flash~ '

Romp or the whole countrv. before the .

'.‘ 

newspapers shall blown it, to the World? T’You ‘j 
can at 'leastrfistenstomemnd it you re" ,
the evidence as insufiicient, well" and  ”
.If you find it overwhelming,,convinoing, , '-“
bl you and the rival claimant may bed is to
‘e ect a compromise withoutggoifi --to,,1aw, j ‘ ;
be of you, for {furown sake, is: Florimel," _, :.
,to sten tome. Siyou refuse, tomorrow every 
Nagpym‘k daily all publish it   to. n
His vehement, positive words had theire’flbct;
Maize retumedher seat, her haughty, lover
face a shade paler. ” ’ ”  ’
“ I know your story is a manufactnr;
5 your new claim a forged one. Yet I w
to Iyou. Be brief as possible.”
e bowed. r

    
      
  
  
   

“I will be so. , It isa well-known  A
when 'Royal Florimel, (your agaridfiit‘her, 
died, he left but one chil ,his , ,Royatgto- '
whom he left all his preperl-y withoutii'e-r ‘
serve, and throu h whom you  1th,; 
also a supposed act, that when your father" ‘- 
met his death,‘you, his infant daughter, were < , '
sole heiressto a theFlorimel property. , ‘_ it: ,
was not so. Royal Florimel, yourfather,_had a ;
sown a full harvest of wild oats beforehissfiab -' v
'riege to your mother, and among, his many, 
deeds was a secret man-la e to a young actress, ; . . e'
y who was the rage in Lon 0nd,,iouniwidow
charming and beautiful, with ' ‘ cm ‘9 lived

ie

less than a six~month, bitterly repentgghis‘ .
folly, and, at the end of a year, desert “her. ’ ' f
1 Six months after that, she died, leaving her A ,
new-born babe to fight its way in the world; ~> 
while knowing his wife was dead, not knowing,
of his daughter’s birth, your father came 0' " _ ,
l settled down and _ married your mother—shin
secret his own. And, Miss Fl

d 16 h if ister tgmiml‘im “gm " ‘
an hter voure er a as ,, e e"   
heiriss o v-Silverdale, is alive to-dey.” ‘3 ' y a  ‘
Maize lookedat him, with dilatin eyes,  gr .
did not speak, for she could no  ‘ '
veice. ., ' , , ,  
“The certificate or that marriage.  in
' existence. There are living witnesses .  
There is a registry in the Vital Statistics records
of the child’s birth. . There are letters 
Florimel wrote to his first wife,,a concingiv _
chain of evidence, in which not ‘oneilinkgis _'
missing, and BO 81 Florimelfs true heiress is?
about to enter a c aim for her inheritanceg, ,
“And why never before!” the young.  _
voice suddenly rang out. ff [wasgthe
existence of ‘ this gauihteretlgis pretend?
dauohterw-never mae nown o my,.gran ‘
father, to my father? Why has she waitedw
until now!” ' , . » ,  , 
“BecauSe, until a month ago, she was in 
ignorance of her OWn histor ;,MCaumrrit was .
only by merest accident she earned the truth; ,
which she means shall be closely investigated,
§ Although she has been harshlgutreated, 551m; ,
no wish to war with you, t, her mother’s...
wrongs must be righted, justice mustbe done: 1:.-
Bhe demands her rightful name and benefited j '
she now is resolved to seek redress by lee. "I
i haveoome to “you. MISS Flor-finch  "~_ / 
'ceeding to extremities, to ask what sh, , n he.
‘don‘ei Compromise. or War to. the. death! I)
bring you 13an ,v to Draw the claim. ,' ‘ ‘

 

 

  
  
   

 firm; 9 on wetter mm‘Mr. Lac Flo rd our
 '. .grefivi your {ather’s cousin, {vho ywagymg
' ' confidant“ all throughaua lettervwhich declares
 ,' he'waeei Witnesstogthe marriage; that he
S knows the‘new claimant to be the true homes,
~ alto: giving his reasons for his silence so long;
 ., i Again: I ask, shall it be 'war or’compromiee
r ghetweeu us?“ *' " " '
w  . 1 He mes, _;from, _
‘ v  with folded arms, his countenance set, ‘etern,

   

' -§§Mnifief&r0$6, too, a sudden agitation making
herehiver'like a; leaf.
 i 7 I “- who-euro you?” she Whispered. “Not
‘ A  "3332?“ mile” b t d 1 ’ 11'

‘  ' * , e- o, note. a'wyer, 11 one eep y, persona
interested and who will never givo up the fighfi‘.7
a" k, I, am Claude Noel, and it was my mother. our
‘ ,   tether married, then threw aside, and,‘ ch' d of
-  ‘ ,1;  (our years old that I was, I remember her grief.
.;   It is ‘my halfksieter as well as yours, who inher-
 .  its Silver-dale and its appurtenances, and I need
 g ffnot  you I shall
' , my own sake as wel as here. Miss Florimel,
j *1,» ,ehall we be friends or enemies!” ,

   as he awaited her answer he looked at
  her with the air of a man who held her destiny
‘  in his relentless hands. .

, CHAPTER II. ‘
‘  ., ‘r ,_ , _ M HOUR’S INVESTIGATION.

‘  announcement made by, Claude Noel, at
V 3 ,  vmoéetstupefied Maize. ' ' ,7 ‘
j   ‘1‘ It is in; sstblel” she exclaimed; “, It is in-
  , Vaulting! M‘yéfath‘er left no famil besides my-
" melt; my father was never m ed but to my
; - _ mother. The story isoutrageous,incrediblel”
g   1 Noam handsome, olive face flushed. ‘

 ,v r. u, Bayou mean to accuse my sister and me of
e ,  impostors?” he demanded. '
g   “, have formed ,noopinion whatever,” she
‘   ‘ V returned, haughtily. “But I do think itetr'ange
 ‘ _  should presume to come tome, instead of
‘  ‘winztoMr; Lyman.” 1 I ,

' l A A“; Then you would rather have heard it from

hlmi {I fancied. you would prefer to personally

 

 

'  decision to your guardian for it is no
desire to efiecta compromise. , W e do not wis
; or in ‘j n, to rob you of your riches, but rather
‘ 1' share it with you." '
_ 1 ~ 3 Maine’s dark eyes flashed and her lips curled
 a little contemptuous sneer.  ‘
y- »“ flow verykind you are in your modest de-
_mandel Iwould advise-you to delay your desire
_ w for “compromise ” until you have proved your"
 V eel"! the heir—or rather thehalt‘brother to the
r 1 I   the-alleged half-gister of nuns, Solar as your
 _  wonderful Froofs go—éI Will look into them.” _
. L  _ , 'Noel unified, and first produced from alpacket
; y of documents, the photograph of a young girl,
~ _. _ ,mm] years older than Mame, with an undeni«
 ably handsome, well-bred face, that, beyond
cation, bore a most strikipg‘resemblance to
:5 «I y,fi:iza»Fjorimel’s fathern—hawng the same luxu»
 " ,; , 4 fl
,5 5 not, _ n inherited by Maize, who was, her
 ,,,heauti£ul yonn mother, dark and brilliant,
.( _ , fever again. trees ving from her father his tricks
.  prof speech and hearing,  haughty spiritean
. i   emerin _

 

his chair,_etandlng before her,

if:  examine our claims and proofs, then submit (

uard her interests well, 

v her half-brother coming forward to m

 

! “An estate like Silverdale is" not tofbe

tfiéair hair, haughty blue eyes, thathad 7

    
 

‘ .Undeniamvthe‘photogra, stron  
fl resembled/the  the o
 orimele, who were wonder-tallylikea to
other, and a painful cenvictiOn preee‘ed, *-
1: Maine, as she gazed that the am I

fiancee girl was what , e claimed to"
the picture ice \

rimell , ,

9 A , resemblance—and
[resembles the Florimels~ roves ~.i'iothing‘,‘
said coldl . “I require at stronger - w
‘ "* on s all have them. Perha s, :4;
other evidence the» famil rose lance?
provea great deal. Here a letter from ,
relative, Mr. Lacy Floyd. 1 should have :
sented it at first, perhaps butI desired ,to n
the news gradually. What .Mr. Floyd
' will wei h with you, I fancy.” ' ' '

“Mr. loyd is one of my dearest, most
in] friends,” Maize returned. “He was o»-
iriend,_trusted and true. Yodsa Mr. 7
recognizes your claim!” she ad in m
remembrance. , , 

For answer Mr. Noel handed her the let;
galong‘.l clgsely grillsfen legster,dinmivlvhich’

cy 0y spec cayan in, e 
the same statements Noel had made,
precise dates, entering into closest, miuu
and exglaining why he had kepthie '
long—t at his friend, Maine’s ,,_ather > I
treated his confidence, to which he had.
true until, the true heiress having learned
her birth and rights, by merest‘accident,

 
  
     
   
  

   
     

        
 
  
   
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
    
   
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 

    
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
   
 
   
   
   
 
   

“ZS.

“her claim, he could no loo 1‘ keept eeee
He stated that. Claude Noe had had , in
view with him, and upon his adflw'h’ad :
to Silverdale, where he advised Maine toin
him to remain for a day or so, until him
and Mr. Asher Lyman, who had been not'
could join them. He cautioned her to be ,
and Brudent, and to do nothingra’shl .. A
W ile-reading the letter, a great 0 so
come over Maine’s sweet young face, and as
lifted her glowing, startled 6 cs 150N001, as
finished, he was struck with ts grave 
~for Mr. Lacy Floyd’s confirmation w,
shock almost too'heavfysv for her to endure. ’
'“ What other proo have you?” she. as
freeway, her voice tremolons,‘ even while
or‘ce’d herselflinto bravely‘meeting all , the
of the enemy. ~ _ r , K-
In thate‘ame impressive eilenee,~ Noel laid
fore her the marriage certificate or ~ '
Florimel and Gracieuee Noel, a copy < of :
registry of the birth of Sylvia, daughter“
Royal and Gracieuse Florimel.’ ' _’ '
Maize looked at them carefully. .‘ I
‘: They may or may not be genuine,” she
coldly. “I will leave the proof to 
man. , - " r ‘ 4 '
Noel flushed-again. : ‘  7
“It is well to be cautious,” be m

  
 
   
  
  
 

quished without resistance—which will, i
ever, be useless." ‘ - i \
Other documente‘were shown her, which
Feisty mm. W, n .1, "i -
 e '1,ey_ “

“ but I am no degree convinced of 
and justice of the case. '1 admit on have I
out a strong case, but I leave 1: welder"

 

  
  
  
    
    
    
  

1

j’iheads than mine.  ;  Either
r haltsister, Mim Sylvia, is owner here, or I

-case, I will resign everything .to her.-
; that improbablqtime-J’ “ _
e. interrupted her with a deprecatory ges-

But we would not consent to despoil you,
= Flozginel. Can there be no compromise
size arose as she answered: ,

j t us defer» further discussion until to»
- 'ow when} Mr. Lyman and my cousin, Lacy
, be here. ‘ Will you remain as the guest 0
‘ house until that time?” r

61 accepted the invitation as gravely as it

5'3

      
  
    
   
   
  
   
    
   
 
   
  
  
  
      
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
 
  
   
   
   
 

- s

‘ ‘ for the accommodation of the gentleman
would remain a day or so. - '

1- am aware I must certainly appear in a
‘ obtrusive light to you, "my dear Miss
‘ 11161,” Noel said, ‘as the servant withdrew.
313nm» how much you have at stake—”

No, you do not; you can not know!” she in-
» pted, aesionately. “It is not only that
home is'the most beautiful lace inrthe
M to me, that the servants are ike dear old
. s, but there are a thousand associations,

  

; 1&1 dream-”

119 paused, brokenly, then' walked up and
' , with impulsivek nervous steps.
091’s eyes followed her, keen admiration in

, ze.
dear Miss Florimel. all this misery and
16. need nevor he, suffered. I have told
k. and I repeat it. unless you decline our
.* res, a compromise may be effected by
M, h your plans may s'till go on, your hopes be
- blasted, just the same—J 4' _
alleheld up a silencing hand, and continued
» gulch, restless Ifiremenade, not somuch as
 ng at him. ' ad she seen the expression
Essflark, handsome face, it would certainly
'glven her no narrow hint of the nature of
1.‘ compromise” he had several times men-
“ for her rare glowing beauty, her sweet
 bearing, her pure, dainty girlishness had
‘v Imade an impression upon him, and, an
 rfrpmxthe time he had first seen Maize Flori.
' he Was resolvede win her for his bride—a
a“ tomfiromise indeed. '
g for is caution and prudence he would,
rigielded to 'the strong temptation to open
. “sh

ts to her. / I

“‘ {Will come of itself in due time,” he saidto
5’  athrill of joy quivering thro h him
 “lighted at her lovely. drooping h . “ It
 “Veto come! She-will never cement to
  W out, when, as my wife she they‘re
; 131. undliisturbedrule. Ii rains ha: master-
 'li'Gc cum t,an y assure
limes vsvtill notydfglinish mine.”

  later a servant ,gppeared to
 :1‘- Noel to his room, and; left alone,
'iméihdrew t3 her room, where, locking
‘ ‘  sunk down on the floorxbeside an
_ the tenurso nobly restrained. rush-

“ am tense? 
4 A

When 1am convinced of the  of,

bed hopes and plans of which no stranger,

l

 

tag to her bonny brown eyes, her slender figure  ’ '
convulsed with awful despair. . a .  V

; “,I am afraid it is too true!” she wailedfipita g ~
: eouslv; "‘ A halfsisterwpapa’s other childwthiev “ “

" ' true heir, and 1—1 a usurperl And pen'niless if F 

, it is true! And I have been so thankful for  '
‘ riches because I could help Wilton, enrich h f f , _i
and buy back his dear oldghome for-him! An .' a - ‘ '
’ now I am poor as he is, unablento be of any  
z benefit to him,.and we can never marry l” v  '  - - » ‘
5 With a sudden little burst of sohs, she sprung I
to her feet, dashing the tears impetuously away. 
“But I will fight the claim' until 'ilghtln - is j_, , a :
useless! I will not gently accept ruin and  ‘. : —‘
lation—mine' and Wilton’sl And I was so happy ; _ *
'ust now~—the world was all so bright nowthat I
was certain Wilton loved me!”_ ' = . -  u
And another fresh sh of tears anonhm: ’
storm of convulsive dismay, shOok her 

cruel tempest tosses some fragile flower. 4, . v ;_ ~ "

  
  
  
  
 

 

CEAPI‘ER’III. ' p 1
Dim: jrnnrncr noun. - \ "  ' 5,
WHEN Maize appeared in the parlor again, 51 - " ;
half-hour before dinner-time, she found already ‘ ‘2,
there, as she had expected toflnd. her  
and companion, Mrs. Weston, who had  I '
resident governess at Silverdale until promoted-
to the position at present occupied. ,. a . j g  v
She was a refined, lovely lady, somewhatpast;
middle e, with silvery hair rich and luxurisfl .
ant, brus ed off her fair, pale face and with: -’ _ 
eyes always ,placid and sweet, a low, gentie'
voice and perfectmanner—a friend in whom
the young mistress of Silver-dale trusted,   
citl -—a trust that had never boon betrayed. - ~ ~ A“ 
ow, in her black \ satin dress, with creamy,
laces at neck and wrists,,tiny solitaires in he:  ,;
ears, Mrs. Weston madea charming picture as 7 r 
she sat on the balcOny justontside the'parler - 4 
window, looking out on the sea shimmeringand   ~
shining on_ the other side of the ayenue,“ ‘
thronged With, a gay, fashionable crowd prom-i
enading and drivm . ~1 ' p « y  , 
As Maine’s light footsteps sounded beside-her; 
Mrs. Weston looked around, with asunnyfsmile .. u 
that instantly faded, at sight of the wistful look  ,y
in the young girl’s face, the brooding sorrow in .s
the sunn brown eyes. I ' .. - . 1 ,
" My car, what has happened to you i” the . _
asked, hastily. I r   V 
Maine’s mouth quivered, ’ and she looked .
drearin out on the brilliant scene. _.   =  ~  ‘
“I have come to tell you. Something'm, "
happened, Mrs. Weszon-a—the strangest,  
st thing, We have .a guest who-arride two
ours ago, and Iexpect him to appear every
moment, now.” - . ’ 
“A guest, Maire?~ A gentleman?” J ..  . 
“Yes, a entleman, a stranger, fiisname h ,. a
, Claude Noe ,” and then, With quivering month 

 

and shining e es.  related” the entire“)...  ,, "
traordinary s tement, Mrs. Westonlistening, ‘ ‘,

shocked and startled. ' ..  a y - 1

9 I will not believe in the man’s claims”  1

said, with an impetuesity rare for her. ‘-‘ Heir; ' ’ ‘
an impostor~of course he isl‘ It would .bevfolly, ‘
to doubt Mr. Floyd’s. wordeebutihe letter 
porting to be from him may have been forgedi

 

 
 

U H »; gardenfihe said, dinner being OVer.

 

 

  

   

 ,     L  ,

 

1'! am "glad: he and Mr. Lyman will be here. to.
' ' fincrrow.” , _ ' ' .
  While they were speaking, Mr. Claude Noel
' entered the parlor, and Maine presented him tot
flirt Weston, who, in the hour that she «was
'. with him, until after dinner, discovered his are
~ -' dentadmiration for the young girl. v' ,
/ “ And now if on wil be good enough to ex-
cuse me, I will ta ea twilight stroll throl‘J‘gIh this
as
‘ no'greater pleasure than to begin my acquaint-
”‘anoe‘with 1:! future home, my sisterfs future
possessions. »_ ilverdale is a‘prmcely heritage,
‘ ' ., and its heirs the most favored of mortals.”
  He withdrew with an elaborate bow, lighted
, \‘far‘ci v, just outside the door, and walked leiv
sure y away, followed by two pair of grave,
"troubled eyes. , r I v
“ He has neither delicacy nor breeding,” Mrs.
Weston remarked, bitterly. " His open exulta-
 don, just now. showed all his coarseness and
 smallness. I dislike him excessively.”
~ “And I feel, when he watches me, as though
. there were a toad or asnake nearme. I feel
‘ almost afraid of him," Maize returned, with a
shudder. “ I cannot speak of him without a shiver
of loathing. Let us go for a drive, Mrs. Weston—
a. “ let usgo to Grandcourt. I must see Wilton and
‘ V'tell‘him all about it.”
‘ ‘«‘ My dear, I am afraid—” ,
“ ‘It would not he quite proper;’ I know what
u mean. dear‘Mrs. Weston but, I must go!
, cannot rest with this burden on my mind.
Yes,:1 know Icould send for him to come here,
C but» I do not wanthim tomcat this man. We
will go?” »
And as Mrs. Weston never had refused a re-
' . nest of Maine’s, in her life, it came. to pass
glint twenty minutes later, both ladies were
a  -‘- riding along in an. open barouche toward
r  ifGra’ndoourt.” « l . .
I , ; Itwas quite a drive from Silverdale, almost
« ‘ straight in from the sea, a large, old—fashioned
1* 16.03,; naint and picturesque, past which the.
v v deaf lie and fashion flowed, never disturbing
. or leaving even an impression—a homestea
 Where/generations, had been born, lived and
I died, never famous for wealth, but known wher-
ever their name was heard for their culture,
their charity, their nobility of character.
 Of all the Grandcourts who had been the
‘ ,. head of the Grandoourt family, the present kin
 wand occupant was Wilton Grandoourt, Maine
' ‘ Florimel's lover-mot formally accepted lover-
but whom she knew loved her, and whose pride

 

 

4

 

’Grandcourt a: .

been, Mr. Grandcourt was shocked and hard

 

 aloueforhade him toyspeak. ,
. ' It Was just dusk of the long late summer day _
», .when’ the two ladies from Silverdale were
,‘shown into the arlor at Grandcourt, and hen
fore-the eemnt ad left the roomto announce
' them to his masts): Wilton (argument? himself
. .s-csme than n t a w . quic rin 'ng
.zlzti'ead, at aged of Whio Maize arose, her glee
j an a low, her eyes all alight, as he entered,
,  area :23 his guests warmly. \
I  he was ligand-looking yonggfellow, tall and
. ‘straigh t, with hoble features i icativo of men-
:tsluad moral strength, refinement and insuli-

' 11953. ‘j‘ ,,,,‘ Y ,K | - ’
 His  was-handsewrwith aflrm,~pleasant ‘
’ . elevationdkeen‘  . eyes that softened into
tenderness analogues at Mans: , I

 

I EAlmost at once Maize plunged also the oh

to Grandcourt,‘ telling m
K e hadtold Mrs. Weston‘t
strange experienced the day, and franklyr
asking his advice and counsel. ' ‘
As Maize herself and audits. Weston ha

of her "venturingl
s

fled. asserting the impossibility of the case, and
finally subsiding into ngrave pergllexity when he
learned of the letter r. Luci}: oyd had/wrat-
ten: and deciding, as both la '93 had done,
the remarkable matter was safe in the hands of
such friends and business men as Mr. Lyman
“Xmi'mwtd’ d b sid d' l grossed d i
steysasiey e,eeyen‘ n
discussing the affair, Mrs. Weston had quietly
risen and left them, oing across the hall to the
library, which Mr. randcourt had left upon
his ests’ arrival, and where the lamp burned
me owly and invitingly. , ‘ _ ‘
Left alone, the young people naturally drifted
into personalities on the subject, an ,'
freely and frankly expressed to him the dread
ful sacrifice she felt it must be to give her home
her, expectations up; but telling him that, if go ,
«he must, she would do it bravely. 
While she Was speaking Mr. Grandcourt had _.:«
left his seat beside her and walked seVeral times 3
up and down the room, his face pale and 
thoughtful, and then, suddenly, he pausod in
front of her. , ¢ 
“Maize! Look up at me i” , 5
His voice trembled as he spoke and she lifted
her drooping head/ to meet a glance from his ',-
splendid eyes, to 'see an expression on hisface. 

that thrilled her to her very soul. _ l
“ I have something to say to you, Maize,” he.
went on. “I have kept silent until now, be~f§"
cause you were rich and '1 poor. , But no’w,_’:€
when on are threatened with pove qual' to, ;
mine, may s ask; I me. tell you, ize, my "
darling, that love you, t ?t I loVe youl Le
this threatened trouble dr ve you to matriar-
iingl Let me bgyour protector, yourhusband, 4
Maize, will you . Will you give yourself to me
dear? Will you come to Grandcourt, my blessed
wife, when you leave Silverdale~if you leav
1 , ,

   
    
   
 
    
   
   
   
  
    
  
  
    
    
  

  

‘ His impassioned tones, ea r, impetnous, sent
a flood of happiness over t e bonny face that;
had again drooped beneath the fire in his 9 es. 

“Speak to me, dearest,” he pleaded. “‘ 
you love me—-—do you love me?” ' 

And as she shyly lifted her exquisite flushed 
face for one swxft glance, he read in it all he v.1
wanted to read, and the next instant he was‘
besrde her, her hand in his, her dusky little,
head on his shoulder, his arm around her slen'
der waist. ‘ ' ' 1

And then, a second afterward, she started up,,«=;
all blushes and confusion. . ~'

“Will! Don’t kiss me again 1” she whispered. 2
f‘You must not—4’   I ~ '

Butanother caress stolen of! her sweet mout
interrupted her reproof. _ ' »

“Do not be so aggravating, then, darlingn
Remember, the next time I see you may be
the presence of others, and I know: perfth
well how state! and cold you, can be, for s,
the warm true cart under all. I am inclined
to make the“ most of “my nBW‘Drivileaesugmfl.

 

 

meueru  .0

gsrs'i‘mi Ae‘lmsi‘isism; ‘

      

 

   
  
 
   
      
 
  
 

;« ~ nowshe
yd him. v
’ I; all} not sure I am doing right in ror‘nising
~_1l’larry you, Wilton,” she said. “ ou ought
a, Vera rich wife—J .,
m And so  shalll”; he interrupted. “ A bonny
It- idfi 1 rich in goodness, sweetness and beauty.
fie: firm. who will be doing vourselt an injus-
A  a £129, but I am too selfish, too happy, to
yhggenerous and give you up; We will be poor,
 never_uncomfortable, darling, and with on
Eartha mistress of my house I can suoeee in
«filling I undertake. I haVo large faith in
_ V If, you see.”
JadfiSohave I.”'she returned, with a smile of
  Manon. “ But I may not come utterly penni-

turned a flushed yet grave face to~

 

 

 

 

‘09:? may mean to settle an income upon me’, or
wifive me a share. But there is one thing,
WWII, I have by no means made 11 my mind
to lithe new claim is just, or that will have
WV? up any thing. And if the man and his
pu- Tslster are impostors, and 'I am still undis—
" M heiress of Silverdale, .I will never release
, ' “ fI'Oln your engagement to me. Mind 1”
And brand me a fortune-hunter? My tiar-
1%: my love, I Would not give you up -i'or all
bréworld, for ten thousand worlds! Silverdale
‘ ‘10 Silverdale, impostors or no impqstors, you
b, mule, my very own, forever, from this
~ 93880. evening.

  
    
 
  
  
 

 

 

 

 

   
  
 

may .Tmagine what it is!”
th

 

I: i  Shear] seemin l'fted 11 h l'f :- h-
r 1 . g 1 ,a or 1 e eac
 nfi Wt bright and beautiful before her.

jibe. ,is worth the loss of eVerything else in
1;; World to know I possess his love,” she said,
rously, to herself, as she leaned quietly

.; b
8‘3“ “,1 the carri age, looking up into the starry

 sky;

M

V CHAPTER IV.
jOLAUDn men’s communism.

,
:s n

 .

Mr ‘6; byagreement of Maize's guardian
“" h WP Lyman, an elderly gentleman, stern:

     
 

 it; 'h'uthl’ul, uncom ' ' v

v . , promisxna to a fault, a
 “13086 honor and "judgment were to be
 1,9901: implicitly, and her relative, Mr.
Ken 4 d: *1 §Inall, insignificant—looking per-
, ram: with uiet movements, an amiable tem-

, _"'§§Ptlge e and mild in speech, who was
hm mg attached to his charming youn cousin,

' ‘i‘  :0 rhadlnever failed to serve er ,

, v «r welc , ' v .

g  to Lined the gentlemen gladly, was

r. Braddon, the lawyer whom

tummi‘dian had brought with. him,land;7in 2

 fixith .k‘d to Mr. Lyman the new claim-
; 8‘1.“ 3; - 2.3mm, whom Mr. Floyd had already

 seated eel-sell at, a distant win-

   
 
 

best

 surely do not think I Would do other~ _2 h l 6 m M gm WI  l :4 M r 
, r I _ , ‘ I ~ ‘ ‘ . ’ _ ‘ 1, ,‘b e “3m /  e, I am  fur I {iii L
as had allowed her to slip from his embrace, ‘ “8‘ ask

 g'if’h Wilton; Mr. Noel speaks of a compromise; .

' And tomorrow when your ;
~ (film is at Silverdale, I shall drive over, ’
have something to say to him, and you L

gist then Mrs. Wesmn came leisurely toward 
m"rand then, shortly at erwurd, they went »
Mafia“ the clouds that had lowered over.

a power or attorne

, f _ , i will deCide whether or not we go
I«wallowing morning saw the arrival at I

ler. r .
. Thoughtful and perplexed,

 
  
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
      
   
  
 
 
 
    
 
   
  
 
  
  
     
   
   
  

dorm/Noel somewhatapartfirom the I l
clOsel d'e it,andtheno§nin - he riders: ' 
ous-lo'zking document, tied '   
CliefcleFll‘l'oeCll hadddeposgtgld 111,011; the table. : ‘  r
r. 0 ma e a to re muary‘speeehyw
stating thyat the. uestion gefore them   '
decide u on the egality or illegality o:  a
claim be ore them. 3 . 1 
Then, began along, close studyof the 
papers by Mr. Lyman. Mr. Braddon and Er;
Floyd. while Maize looked on in grave silent-3
afid Claude lice! t1waitelied the gleilglsmfiameuifi  .g
t eyoung gir wi urtive as j -  is ‘
the calmness of assured tr’iifxtrliph in biennial I,

demeanor. ~ . I , ~ 

  

The weer;r examination of the
Mr. Braddon dashed them down, and:
t0“1'i‘%el'd t 1‘ ‘ui dad.

e ocumen sa at to be gen nae, .

if genuine, they pu’tpghemost serious r'a'spect: 
upon the business. I wish to askin some 
questions, Mr. Noel, which I presume you can
answer.” I 4‘ ' ‘ _ -,‘

For half an hour or more, a perfect sthrm at, , 
questions followed, Noel answering prompflys- 
correctly, convincingly. ‘ ~ ’ .  ‘1 "..  _:

“ An now I will question you, Mr. 310%,"; , '
the lawyer went on, as he dismissed Noel from  ~ '
further speech. '   ‘  l

“ Oblige us by telling mail you know eons]
cerning this new claimantto Silverdale.” ,' A I, I , 

So, gravel , anxiously, Mr. Floyd related his V  I
unfortunate nowled e of the unfortunate 11:" l "
fair, assuring them 0 the great griet‘it was to
him to be the means of visiting such a tenrhla 3
trialqu the young girl he loved as a dinghy '

 

Mr. Lyman and
Mr. Brarldon listened to the long story; j .« 7

“It looks clear as daylight ” the lawyer said, .,
as Mr. Floyd ended, “ 1 there is to do is to,
examine the originals of which these papemnro T '

7‘4». ’

 

copies, and see this Miss SylviaFlov-imel as ~
soon as the state or her healthlwill- pen-mite»
You say she is an invalid—a helpless invalid?”  ‘
he asked of Noel. ' _ ‘~  “r. 4: r, r
“ She never leaves her room, sir, orshe would 
have accompaniednme, in place of giving  
{in L man said slow! , "‘ , ,
y V to lawg' f \
Maize arose from her chair, her race pale Ind,
resolute. A ' ; 
“We will decide that here had new,  ,
men,” she said, her voice ringing out clear  / r
“gland piimm' to use justice or   
one agree ,' 
claim, it he is right in hlsdemandmyhym » i . :
time and money bewasted lnremfi,  _ l -   ~
Why should a scandal be created? = “his,  . ; 
right, andif the propertyis not my own! '  .;
want it. Make all the investigatlom,ym 
think best, but remember that if you, studded;
sire my triumph, are already convmced at M; ‘
merit of this person’rcleim; themevidonw
will also convinceetrangers.” : ._ v r   _, 

“ And then,”

  

Her lovely brown eyes were
diamondsas‘she Spoke. , V

“ She lax-ism,” Mr. Lyman said, gravely; .~ 

“Deeidedly prudent and  an  . ,

’.’~

,I;*‘_

 

     
    

 
 
  

 

V -  _ y. "‘ Theiinveetigation rop‘os
‘: needs! to our conviction, and . thou h I am
W grieved’ior our poor little in , 1 nm
v w sure finle meane'tor-J’ I
- Noel interrupted him, stepping forward.
~ - ' “Merit me to speak for myself,” he said,
- - boWi ' toward Mane- “I am perfgctl _awnre
‘ Whnti must cost, Miss Florimel to. re mqursh
“  she has always Valued and cherished as her
”  own,  rather t cube the means of making
' her mice: the loss of ghee: heritage, I offer here
’and‘newaeom romi e. . .
’ "“A. wmpronfisel” Mr. Lyman exclauned, in

' ,t ‘* l A comyromiS'el Ah 2” Mr. Braddon echoed
 » '  m interested attention.

V : ' @7193,” Noel replied, a slight embarrassment
 in his manner. ‘ 'I have no wild idea 0; split-
: ting the'pro .rty—athet would be most impos-
, situated on sireble. What I have tosa may
: seemaltogether uu‘ recedenled, and .I ear 1t
1 " would be said priva. ly to Miss Florimel, but,
I u Latent} alone among her friends, myself re-
"_ ,ed an enemy, I cannot be too honest—

. ' ‘en'; Miss Flonmell” ‘
‘ ' * :He‘tnrned toward her as bespoke her name,

' r " “cl-hire looked wonderingly at him.

 

. heudthnt we have made good our claim to the
 ‘ * 7 :that, a few formalities gone through,
.we' take persuasion. It’ goes to my heart to
n - realisehow you must be deposed, be hurled
from princely wealth‘to com
' lhe‘voknown you but a few, ours, hut I know
‘ - youth be 006 and noble andfiprited us you
' v‘ugraeharmfiig and beautiful: iss Flonmel, I
'  to give m sister a home here, andI
 f feel: you to remain t e mistress of Silverdale as
, my ' wits. Miss Florimel, will you marry me?”
. ierworrk'created the most profound sensa-
’ e turned upon Maize, whose
ce flushed, then grew white as
e slewly arose from her .chair, and
strangerocleimant, a famt quiVer

 

 

 r Adieu; every 6.

 marble; a!

" looked 815 We . , ,
e . on: her lips, a look or clear, resolute light shin-
 : inherth e es. , , ‘

,  Claude flyoel,” she said, “.I have to
» ~ thunk.  forthe honor you offer me,_but I de-
. _ crime-it; Inna notieapahle of marrying for a

‘ home,;and it I were, I would not be your

‘ WV”:  ,

'  ’ a“ Maine!” Mr.’Lyman said, sternly. '
3  ‘  Weill And whatieit you mean! Do you
; r ‘ enema» nierry a men I had never seen un-

' t * _ terda. ? r

 proudly toward her guardian as
’  ‘Iheispolte. _ r 4 t,
 ,“"" do not be so. hasty in your decision,”
  a " waxed. “ Mr. Noel has shown 3 61:91:05-
3 ; your! kindlinessthat demands you » , e tune

consideration”;  , R -
 ‘ r, was: stroked his long gray whiskers
 7; "3i W‘would be e handsome settle
 {Of the combines Florimel,” he ventured,
;  ,Iiihave been too nhraphpmy take
 timetormnsidmtion,m dear

 

it,

:   = _,  ‘  ,,  earthworms sxsm§ ' * I ‘
" r‘  deity:- “is,” my now added admin-Inge?"
' hence my answer would be as it is'rnow.

‘with her, picturing her, future if she left 1193'

 “Miss Florimol,” be We!“ 0“: “YO” Wm?” '

» gar called Wilton lGrandcourt?"
tive poverty."

 

‘ place with my personal efl’eets.

, weeks from today I will be hereto 
"erranzements." ' - ( V.   «'

"/er
\. Vi;

"I  tilde; not ev‘tmonient,” she W
swered; impetuously..~ “ A_ ye’areten Jeers-r

        

In a gentle, fatherly Way Mr. Floyd’reasonoé

      
 
  
   
   
  
    
   
   
  
 
   
    
  
 
 
    
  
  
 
  
 
   
 
   
  
 
  
    
    
  
 
   
 

 
 

heme. In a. grave brief ar me’nt Mr.‘Lyma‘n
‘ laced the cane before. her, ut‘in vein,
or he was not in a. position to do anything for
her, much as he would wish to‘do so. ' ’ .
“ I will not be dependent on our charity,”;
Maize flashed. “ I am young an strong, and
shall never starve.” V '
r ” No, Maize will not come to want even
though she persist in her obstinacy and deliher
ately put herself out of house and home ’? 
Floydsaid, with rave kindliness.’ “ I will take ;
her With me, and am sure she will not "
the offer of a kinsma’n’s home.”

    
  
   
  
   
 
 
 
 

E
:1
6
fl

Noel came forward again. ' :

“ Will not Miss Florimel take time for refiec
tion? Or am I to consider myself rejected!” _; 3
lgaize’s haughty dark head went up in cold :
pr: 8. t . » s ‘ ,

“ You have my answer. You have little ':
manly pride to persist in your proposals after *
my unfiuelifled refusal.” . ' ,

His ace flushed, and there came n'strang' ,
gleam in his 6 es as they met hers.

“ Very we] , Miss Florimel. It must be so,»
then, and the gist of the unqualified refusal is,
I presume, the feet that you have already be- ‘
stowed your affections upon the handsome beg,

 

    
   
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
    
    
   
  
 
  
 
 

A lightning blaze flashed from the hrigh
brown eyes. . I '
“ And if so, sir, what then?” ‘ _ '
M1‘._Fioyd uttered an exclamation of horrified
sur rlse. I . r
‘ My dear girl! You do not mean-J ‘ ,
“She dees not mean that she wishesher name ‘
associated with that of your}?i Grandconrt. Miss "1
Florimel has the proper pri e of a young led?
Mn. Floyd,‘and no young lady would “71311 the "
world to suppose she was interested in a. young 
man, known to be not a. marrying man.”  ,
Mr. Lyman’s words dropped like little hailw "
drops, and waitin r with ominou§bgatienee nnti
he was done 3 ‘ a 'ing, Maize st ' with proud,
upcrested bee . ' ~'
“ Be careful

 

 

_ how’yon speak of Mr. Wilton r
Grendcourt in :1: presence, Mfr. Lyman!" V
said, Warmly. “ e is m betrothed husbandfl

Noel uttered en incredn one, amazed exeleme
tion, and Mr. Floyd turned absolutely livid.

“ Maize! Maize! You do not mean to tell us i
you are engaged—engagedwto that porrerty
ridden rman?’ ‘ '   " 2

'Her face quivered,for the signsof his grief »
hurt her, stench though she was to her layer.

4 “ We will not continue this interview for _
that,” she said after a moment. “ I have said 5
my so ,and all I ask-is to he'lett at Silverdale »
in un isturbed possession while-the investige‘fi
tions are being made. Give men tortni htto Y1.
myself, then come to me with the resu to of
your task. If your preheat o iniens‘ are con,-
firmed, I will hen without "clay leave the

m
if

“Mise’Florimel’s reguest is just,”flNoel said»
“I will leave Silva: ale at once, and h?

 

       

 

' SISTER admirer sist 

   

 

  
   
 
  
    

So the momentous interview ended.
4 Claude Noel at once took his leav
by Mr. Lyman and Mr. Floyd, as 
W briskly down to the carriage in waiting.
“ A handsome fellow,” Mr. Lyman remarked,
. 8 I ' '

f‘ Yes, and a’ fine fellow. What a pity Maize
will not accept him.”

watched

fl
'5
E
4
E

V Mr. Lyman doc ared, resolutely. “ S 6 must
 not be allowed to throw away her whole future

Grandcourt is not only poor as a church mouse,

3 , but 18 over head and ears in debt; it is well un-
< derstood he can’t marry, for what has he to

support a wife on? Maize must be made to see

it. She must in thisN’oel.”

, “Yes.” re ated acy Floyd, softly, “ Maize

innst be ma e to marry him.”

. And it suddenly occurred to Mr. Lyman, by
.4 \ some strange intuition, that under all Lacy
 \ Floyd’s mil gentleness was an indomitable will
‘ S, that was almost fierce in its tigerish strength.

In.

 

 

CHAPTERV.
RATED TO BE.

' . guardian of the youn mistress of Silver
 g" dale a ter the departure 0 Claude Noel and
Mr. l3raddon, remained together several hours
 * In close conversation, both of them equally
convinced of the justice of the new claim,
g,» equally united in considering M .ize’s engage-
‘ZW ment to Wilton Grandcourt a folly, from the
- f oonsummationof which she must be rescued at
' , Whatever cost, and equally agreed that he?“
marriage to Claude Noel Was so desirab e that
 they resolved to use not only their in uence
1hint their authority toward furthering the al-
 ance. '
’ Every moment of their stay Maize had been
looking for Mr. Grandcourt’s appearance, ao—
j  cording to his expectation, but it was a decided
relief to her that he did not come, detained uno
lvoidablyas she had full faith to believe, and
 owing, as she had not known before, the hos-
tiht her guardians felt toward him.
 T is two gentlemen remained to luncheon, and
' “hng afterward departed, assuring Maize she
£13011} 1? left inkgndigtigbegd pegce glowing the
mug wo wee an g n or give so-
Iions reflection to the proposagl Mr. Noel had
lads, despite her ultimatum.
~ Gravely, yet with willful im piousness,
aniline had as them she shoul never give
flip obnoxious sub act the benefit 01 one min-
“6’: thought,’ an then the gentlemen went
Awagg and the momentous two weeks began,
  ys drifting not nnpleasantly by, for with
3‘11 the youn girl’s heavy load of care and anx-
My}, each ay brou ht its blessed share of
';§Weetness and joy in t 6 visits of her lover.
w uteven those two weeks could not. last for-

  

T

 

  
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
   
   
  
      
   
  
       
  
 
 

 

 

o- tember, brought the a pointed time

I , u 9 Noel should depose r, or be for-

;W’Dienced. I

in was one of earth’s most glorious days,

* ,V Wandvperfect, and Maine be thrown open
4 Window and door to the triad sunshine

4'

GVWaIked ‘

‘ She will accelpt him-she must acce thim 1’" ~

I for a mere childish caprice. Whv, that follow 'l

Fer, and one cool crisp day, almost at the very %

‘gyands’alty contaminant teammates.  

l

galaa pearance whiohvshou ,n .betra  'r

rival alimentwhen he came V ‘ , y ,, _
flce its fair young mistress Would pay if, f 

must leave it. ,, .  _ 
She had dpessed herself in similar,
as it for a rand triumph. and she A I like
some‘blue-b coded youn dnchess in harmed
princesse dress of lilac
nu rb diamond cross flashing, on herhosom, * ,4
white wrists. Her lowly, shmmghairywas j ~  ‘~'
piled high on her hati‘ghtg little eadtlmd If J
slender, golden dagger wit a diamond-set  ,
held the massive, usky coil in plate, fbelow?
which, on her white lorehead, was a charmln‘g
little half-waving fri e. . V >
She hadgonedown ntothe srloraalmeéjmfi ‘
.before the exPected arrival of he train the was
to bring her gusts, and, while there, looking ,
with grave, resolute eyes on the‘dancing sea, ':
she. heard the sounds of arrival, and ina,zp9-' ‘
ment Lac Floyd‘entered theroomalone,eom- ‘ ,
gnglaffiec onately forward. and kissing her tens  '
er . 
“I

H

poor little dear,” he said.

but you look like a. young queen—a, younglionc, >
ess, almost. It cannot be possible you 
pecting to come off victorious?” . ‘ ‘ .
A sudden glow rushed to her checks. ‘ _ 
“ I mean that Mr. Claude Noel shall 
know what his victory costs me,” she rot ’ ~, _

steadfastlv. “ These diamonds are 

Florimel diamonds, they, were my mfiher’s,

no one can take them from me; I have a   _

to wear them at the most crushing defeat. ,_ I: _ 

Mr.Lmanhere,Lacy ‘ . V, 
“ ‘e are all here, Maize, and I came  ado V of

Vance to tell you to epare torthe worst. The

law but itvis bees you decide. ,  " ‘
my hear, that, it '1: comes'to summarises.  
my heart and h“ me, humble though they be, are ' ;
ogen to you. Come, my dear, we Will go  »

li rary. ’ v " ' '

He gave her his arm and escorted her tether 
library, where she was warmly» greeted lurks.  .,
Lyman, who looked grave and troubl  
bly Mr. Braddon who was also sorrow I  
t oughtful in manner, whileglgude 
forward with an exultant s ' 7 , 2 v
son with theairot a  __,,,ie:t , q

, “I am most delighted tease you,

 

  

! dcm‘ehasito bed 60111,” hey  "iii? ,
nc var , y In“; _
3 He extended hghand,butalook at,  by  

in the bri ht brown eyes that access ‘
mere tong: of her fingersshe gran , . 1m,

“ I have a little surprise .for 
on, hidin well his chagrmat his a _ x 1,
“Under eadriceand by theass, me ‘  
l hysicians, I.have had my sister, 53   .
‘ fibrin)“, convey)? to Silva Shaw in
most pleasedw , presented, Sylvie,my_
this is Miss Maine our youpger fist”. h
I heiress. of Bilverdale,” ~ I , ‘ ,

velvet, that  V .\ '
molded to her slender, rounded figura'witho I '

so itaires in her tiny, close-set ears andon'   i

to flu you broken down and utterly dismayed, "  ' *

and _   "'

evidence is so lain hattit will be fully to‘gotyo . ' 

 

firfi

,1 him how hopeless his suit W88 regard

  
 
 

   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
   
       
   
  

' -ra little in the background, and saw th young

 " ntl , and only

v . the nflg n covering her from her waist as she
 {sail there,- was Maize reminded of herrincurable

. jinvalidism, her ho eless lameness. ' ,

’ ' ' As‘Noel. spoke, ylvia extended“ her hand, a

',»fi*little gleam of exultation in her bright eyes.

. “You willeshake hands, I am sure? It seems
,wstrange to think you, too, are pa a’s daugh-
: _  ,I‘am glad to see you, my dearl’ . '

“ " ; ’Asshedrew Maize near her, and imprinted a

*""‘A‘nd new to business,” Mr. Flo d said,
giving Maize a chair, and then, the fine repel-ts
. were“ made by lawyer Braddon, the genuineness
in! the documents attested to by Mr. Lyman,
.  he'd rsonally investigated them, and
 (additional ight and evidence gained by the
~'weight'ot S lvia Florimel’s testimony, which
’éhe' gawwit a direct truthfulness that satisfied
 “eved‘Maize, who, the whole case thus laid
u  ,before her, arose from her chair, pale as
" -.  “I hate just one question to ask,” she said.
~’ “ A r._Lyman, do you believe this rival claimant
“to 'lyerdale to be the rightful owner?”
r  “I do,”,he returned, reluctantly, solemnly.
, g "‘And you, Mr. Braddon’l” ‘ '
r _ r .“I‘ at to say, I; do,” he answered,gravel_v.
  i“ '11" on, Lacy?” she said, looking at her
causingwéh steady, piercing, appealing aze,
. > "f a you , have this young lady to be the aw-
_f heiress to Silverdale?”
For‘asecorud, an instant, Lacy Floyd flushed
under her gaze, then he answered, solemnly,

earnestly.
. 7 ‘- .“i do! It is hard for me to say it, Maize,
, hat 'I believe 8 lvia Florimel is the egal owner
; oi Silverdale , v
_.  Andwthen, not a
.1  shiver On her straigh young figure,
,  little/headwell u . -
 A: :1“. hen the-case is settled I have all confi-
dencein the opinions expressed, and my judg-
mentaphroves your decision.” . r
 11$? a'swift, little look of drealriness unut-
_ V " shadowed her beautiful eyes, as she
' ’h‘e’sitatedv‘a second, and then wenton:

 

 

uiver on her 11' . not a
flies held



J What is to become of me?”

 ;; ~hnfi,mheritatively. .
 ‘-  “A: Kits Maine’s nearest relative ,
. v in allowed to demand that she. be left where
’ she in. 1!. heart is touched sfor her; let hi r re-
"  at iIVerdale, I be . Her position need.
' » slightly changed; entreat that she re—

‘  y nudhe bowed With more warmth
usually characterized him. I

.. _  mobile, must kind, Miss Flori.

 _ jMeino’s guardian {than}: you

 .t  d. consent toss. must suitable an

_, I:  3;; ghouidh‘ave been overjoyed

 
  
   
   

,9; 5;“;

  

 

 

 his! (in her hund,the young girl felt an involun—
‘ 11-90011 of horror, as t ough a serpent had,
’l touched her. -

a“ 3:013“ new but one question remains to be i

=     

V ' 1»: nriamanem‘ent, Maize turned toward the‘sofa,'~l

 the 0' slot the photo ra h oelha’d'
' -   hendgge was dressed fashionably and

from the circumstance of '

,ment, I yield to the hetter‘plan and also thank.“

 

‘ .‘ Sylvia Florimel raised her dainty little gloved ,
I beg to '

‘ looked pleased at the young lady’s I

'sion at last.

,grandlvy’ she took it,’d_idn’t she? Ho’w royal

 
  
   
    
    
 
 
 
  
   
   
 

2” ‘

to receive "my cousin to my bachelor’establish. r

you, Miss Flori'mel, and accept on Miss Maize?
behalf.” ‘ ~ ‘ _
Maize listened uietly, and then, with a little“ . 
ominous flash in er e es, a look of stormy im'i“, ,
patience (gathering on er face, she looked from - 
one guar ian tothe other. at L l - .-
“ I beg to be allowed a voice in the matter of
my own disposal, and I utterly decline to re"
main at Silverdale. It has already ceasad to;
be my home. Since these people have entered
it, I leave it.” * . ’ 
“ But, what will you do?” Mr. Lyman asked. 
“You‘don’t mean to marry that bankruptls
Grandcourt?” , g ' I
Maize’s eyes glanced darkly. » ' ’ ‘ -
“Not yet,” she returned, .slpiritedly. “I
would do so to-morrow, could go to him 88, ,
the heiress of Silverdale but I will be an in- 
cumbrance to no man. he will wait for me ' 
and I will wait for him—although I will‘te 
you he has urged me to an immediate mar: £4}
rings. . .g’g',
“It is out of the question, Maize, entirelfirgfi
out of the question that you eVer contract suc if:
a marriage. Neither of your guardians would j
ever consent to anything so rash. Our duty»;
to you, our promise to » your dead parents, ,
would prevent our consent.’ ‘  .
“Most positively,” Mr, Lyman added. \
“I can earn my cum living. Ivcanbe'af:
tea'her, anything rather than remain here v
among peepl‘e’whom I despise” 
Her face new flushed with mutinous scorn; 
and Claude Noel, writhing under it, yet felt/4
every pulse leap with admiration and momen- 
tarilv Increasing passion for her. ' ,
“Then, you will return with me]? Lacy ' 
Floyd said. “ I will do my best to make you 

baggy.”
! If she had but known! V 
It was the only refuge offered her, .and 5-;
Maize accepted it with raiitude, immediately f_.;
withdrawing, going to rs. WestOn and’at'gi
once making her 'reparatiogs for departure. ' i 
Over the piti ul heartsmkness of the ten I
hours that intervened between the time of p 
Maize’s departure from the house of her birth, 
let a sacred curtain fall, hidin the; tears, the
farewells, the partings, the grie that was more“)?
bitter than death, but mercilullyi brief. 5 " 
And the carriage drove away’ With Maine’s};
marble-pale, tearless face looking straight);
ahead, and her *9 aid, Lottie, whom Lacy Floyd 
had told to accompany her, flushed and tears g:

 

   
  
   
 
  
 
 
   
    
  
 

ul. . H

While, sitting eagerly beside the window,.ton‘~ 
the ssfa Claude had wheeled u , Sylvia i
Florimel heaved a long sigh of exu tation, 382'?
the carriage and the cart bearing the trunk) ,_
passed out of sight. , ‘ . , "

“She is gone, bag and baggagel This is as 
it should be-vou and I m undisturbed posse?-
Call‘lsabel: I want myself made
comfortable, and at home, and then. I wishtha
servants mmmoned,rand ourgelves presented to

 

them. Let us lose no time, Claude. Ring f.
my maid."  . ‘ . ' V / *
‘ln one moment ” he answered. -, “flu

.r a,

 

‘y

    
 
  
   
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
   
   
 
   
   
  
  
   
 
  
   
 
  

N...

 

 

than never rest until I have made her :11 wife!
, I love hex-«proud little beauty and I w‘ 1 bring
 r here again as my wife almost- before she
 news it. She little dreams of the snares I
‘ havesat for her, or that the strength she leans
“gost upon will fail \her in her time 'of need!
‘ Ill give her a month, and when I go to ask her
Again to marry me she’ll fall into my arms!”

 ' ‘

' ,fxr.
CHAPTER VI.
> WHAT DID HE MEAN? ,, '
j u TEE journey from Silverdale to Mr. Floyd’s
v bachelor establishment in a quiet, semi-fashion-
r able street in New York city was accomplished
“promptly and quietly Mr. Floyd’s attentions
 and little unobtrusive hindnesses going a great
A Way in Maize’s homesickness and horrible deso-
, lateness. _ -
 It was between four and five o’clock of the
'88 tember afternoon, which, as if in sym athy
Wi h the cloud of misfortune that had dar ened
the young girl‘s life, had turned cold and raw
1, and gray, that Maize and her maid and Mr.
.; Floyd ahghted at the door of the house hence-
r. forth to‘be her home—a renewed sense of utter
‘POmesick desolation assailing her, but which
 'she determinedly repressed, so far as speech and
r manner went, as, taking

 

list, inside, they were met by Mr. Floyd’s
‘flshousekeeper, a middle-aged, disagreeable faced,-
 _ amp-eyed woman, who looked with suspicious,
witfih'lendly glancos at the new-comer. and for
0m, in turn, Maize conceived an instinctive
‘ I‘tip‘ulslon and aversion. ' ‘
F, It is Mrs. Duncan, my houmkeeper,” Mr.
I Syd exlfilained.
  uncan, this is my cousin. Miss Maize
“fin‘énmel, come to remain indefinitely with us,
53!. Whom I wish you to regard as the mistress
' the establishment. Her wishes and tastes
 to be ponsulted in everv particular.”
 ,A‘S plainly as Though Mrs. Duncan had said
$0,; Maize knew she resented the rule of 5 misc
1, Where she had so lon reigned supreme,
 4 “its 9 merely bev‘ved in
gonducth Maize to'her room, thmwing open
" her door 1m ciously, and returning below
' “323 with t e announcement. that “supper”
., gagglka ready‘when the bell rung at six
 Left alone with her maid, Maizo tool: a critical
., “We? of her room, a
1 “meat; even at that dull hour of a. dull day. Its
“3‘98 Windows {need the west, and looked out
film“ a row of  windows on the opposite
nfi‘9f the street, It was furnished can sort
,' Parlor, with a new Brussels carpet lace
flow tire ryover the white linen a ades,
t  r, a little damask Spanish lounge,
~ n’llllt‘ight piano, a few goodartists’ proofs and
m new books andrnnsic. - ,-
 Iarge alcove at one side, draped of! .1357
fig, “1:90an was the walnut, marble-topped
 ‘ v pure and dainty looking

_ 811, t,
 its mime smre pillows, and white
ah???“ theeutg and gilt ornaments

 

   
 
 
 
   
  
 

 
 

a

 

 

  I melamine sienna, V 7

,..flielibore her downfall! I 'rtell Sylvia”? 1

And as he rung for Isabel, he smiled exé‘
herself in :nying, out «toilette for barrows?

t Mr. Floyd’s arm, and _
‘ Ollowed by Lottie with the hand sachel, she ,
.mended the steps and entered the door, where, ~

‘ Maize settled easin into her new position,

‘ent sullenness and .

large, pleasant apart»,

ing '
y w ich now were alight} a

i ng through thoxfixéogwhen shahde   l

  
  
 
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
   
  
  
 

on the dressing—Mmroom that ,lookei like it '
young girl’s room. » p , g e A j  
5“. It seems as though eVerything' ’had  ,

repaired expressly 102‘ my coming,» Lottie”:
ize said, as she sunk wearily in thecosey  r
the maid. wheeled forward forher, her-m 
laid aside. “ My oousm Lacy musthavelkmn ‘  ~‘
1 would never remain at Silverdale  this ,

people. He has furnished this prettyer 
me ,duringthe two weeks between his visits,” 

Which was indeed the case. Lottie beefed. _

mistress and, resolutely "dismissing , her 
Maize dressed in asimple, elegant house of '
black silk, wearing black Spanish lacefliet her.
neck, with Roman gold ornaments» that.  "
particularly becoming to her. ~_.-  ,
At uarter to six she, went down label's-he we? "
lor, w em Mr. Floyd was evidently awaiting :1
her, and who, the moment Maize saw ;: ‘
pressed her, to her inward surprise, ae’liav.‘ 
to make a visible cflort to conceal some  <
anId1 wondlerful exulltatéon.\cato it”.  ' -
cum 9 agents, epre_ ryi ei- _ H
of apology for the great contrastbetweenher
old home and her new, and bade her a warm I,
hearty welcome to all he had in the world,,to ,
which Maize said a. word. gravel , with a" '
smile she forced to her lips. an then thenew ,
life began, when amement later, inresponae to; r L
the ringin of the “supper” bell. Maine was 69-.
corted to t e dining-room, and shown her place -
at the table as mistress of the house“ x Titede L
lowing days were devoid of special interestufir. .-
Lyman called upon her before he left‘the city, .-
urging her to reconsider Claude;Noei’apfler, ‘
and departed lamenting the obstinacy of  
the weaker sex wascapable. : " 1 , ' _
. Resoluwa cultivating a bright, hopeful : 7
wrote letters to her lover. and to Mrs. Weston;
She had her dailyr walk, and several/1' pleasant 
drives with Mr. Floyd. She had her music:
painting, some sewing, and between herd“
and recreation the time passt amends-eerily
as she had dreaded. , r ,  ' '   “
And so, two or v three Weeks drifted 135.3%
a day came that brought ,a changeover the
spirit of her dreamwa day/u ell inioflctoleea‘g,
late in the afternoon. upon her return 
gositing a letter to Mr..Grandeourt in’c'letteza
ox“ in the ne' borhood. She ~
in with-a. late whey and, after taking, *
sacque and hat in her-own roomy 
into the parlor. hich in» the on-nathemtyga
light was full otweird shadows Forstewmn-s
utes,‘Ma,ize remained there, her are! 
thoughtful gravely as asbestood satin 9% m
the test an ening stmt; 91911,”me  ,
book she wished from thethe hWYiiBh? 
into that rotgan, gwhitihdadgomedv  
so re s: m , roun 
pa y g  Sheiknew-w‘ , 
to lay her hand on the 199 did " 1
and had secured it andewas about. remain

{3.1.‘ _.
- in;

at

entering: the ‘ oor, then-glows 
speaking, and then—eClandeNoel l I . ’7 : Ry"

"fr-Step right into the library,” MrrFloyd 
briskly. 1 “One moment first, however, until 
makesurernooneietherel’: , . ~  ‘

    

 

1"“

  
 
  
   
 
    
   
   
   
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
  
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 

5' I 
 V ‘ He struck a matchandappliedit to thechan-

 3 dollar, while, in a sudden: panic.“ terror lest

 (Sheba compelled to come facade face with
’ r whensucees’sful rival, Maize looked Wildlyaround

fearsome wayoi’ escape. But there was none,
except Athrough'the parlor, in which the two
- men stood,and.-withont stopping to reason, she ;
_  flew to the window of the library—an old-fash- 1

‘» ; ienedr deepest window, before which heavy §
- damask drapery hung-and‘concealed herself

' behind it, drawmg the curtains together before .f

liter, making for herself a, most secure hiding— ‘
. 'j‘ [I see. ‘ “ ’

 y The movement was scarcely accomplished, 3

;v'..when the sliding glass doors between parlor
"  find library were opened, and Mr. Floyd entered

 the librar ,, followed by Claude Noel.

 g “‘1 ' bright,” Mr. Floyd said pushing an
' ~‘ ‘mywhan forward to his guest. “lthought no
one was here‘at this time of day, but it was host
‘, to make sure. I’ll just turn the key in the
" ’parlor door, and we’ll be as secure from intru-

r sionas though we were in a desert.”
' 1, Noel took the proffered seat. He was not
leaking quite the same since he had taken
' 'on of Silverdale. His manner and bear-~

.5 ing'were haughty and supercilious, the light in
_. ] his eyes/bolder , and more insolent, and in
' . many ways he betrayed the fact that his
 .r'iremarkable, change of fortune did not agree

' .aJwith him. > ’

 ,As he seated himself, he leaned lazily back,
' strokin his heavy mustache.

 p ii We 1, howls everything? How’s the girl?”

he asked, familiarly. ,

. v“ In her usual perfect health. Just now, she’s

. I cutter exercise. Sheis patient and cheerful and

7 . braveunder the shadow in which she must

I ‘ walk. I declare, my heart aches for her some-

1: times.” ~ ,
V  “Stud and nonsense. Don’t attempt any of

your pussycat gush on me, Lacy! I know you

too well ”

-_' \"F‘loyd laughed, manifesting not the slightest
 displeasureat the familiar insolence of his

 nest, and Maize was startled and amused, for
3 - : n hers estimation, Lacy Floyd was one of the

‘ truest, kindest, gentlest of beings.

-:  35-“I must not remain here an eavesdropper,”
(she told "herself, in an eager, wild Way, for to
' listen to a conversation not meant for her was
" abhorrent to her upright, honorable nature. Yet,
she had no way at esca , but to boldly
‘declhr‘e her presence, an she had almost
resolved to do it2 when Mr. Floyd spoke again:
f  ‘ “As I said, Maize is cheerful and patient, and
' .. 1; .hl‘iglrti despite the discoura ing circumstances.
» , Iattr buts much of it to or di sltion, and
. not [little to the consolation she nds in writ-
ing "to Grandconrt.’ She, has written twice
  has been here, but has received no
’ U. , y.- ‘ . '
 ,~ . sci-intern with a laugh.
  I‘fif-Indeedi ow- wonderful!

’  outhe letters to mail?” ,
v a “““?= yes. she knows of my disappmval of the en- .
 moment between them, but she confided in i
h : my honor, and writes-him open] -——something I ,

v did noticensiderit worth while, j forbid.”

7N llanghedagain. v _ y !
l‘f§ou’ro_a genius, Lacy! You take the 5

  

I suppose she

 

’ u'

r

 
  

exsrna ,lAesmsr Sierras. V" ‘

 

l ately‘ befriends the usurpor and

“It: a ' -'

" '\ .
V ‘ r’
7', ,I'

/,

 
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
    
  
 
  
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
   
    
   
   
   
   
 
  

Jetters and 'dl'Op them In the new“: "
letter-box, and several] annoyance.” ‘ s -' "

Floyd sh ed his shoulders. ‘ I 
“Oh, well, 1 on Egt‘it that way! As liaise’ «,
guardian, I t liberty or opening  a

reading her letters. They did not meet my 313' .
proval,‘consequently I suppressed them.” . j . 
“And, I suppose, you also, as a matter off?
gonsgientious duty, suppressed Grandcourt’s to .4
er. . ' ‘
“ Exactly. The lazy beggar must have noth; “
ing to do but write as I have four in my .
Session he has sent her since she’s been here. "
In her hiding- lace Maize crouched, trembling 3
and shocked. be unexpected treachery she J
had discovered that her cousin, her trusted g,
fiuardian, her devoted friend, was in reality. ;
ass and false, was more an overwhelming, 
shock to her than the amazing deception she!‘
learned he had practiced. , _ ‘ ’ ' v‘
“Butdon’t .overdo the thing, Lacy,” Noel
suggested, reflectively. “If Grandcourt’ don’t .
hear from her prett soon, he‘Will suspect some: ' '
thin and come to t 'e scene. Imitate the girlie .
han writing—I know your ability in that line, a
—-and blufll him off. And now to my special \
business in hand, Lacy. As I intimated, have 
come to renew my offer of marriage to Miss .
Florimel. I love her distractedly, and I mean} 
tolose no time in winning her. I w0uld like 
aotlakg her back with me to Silverdale as my i,
n e. ' _ - .
“Which means you intend to spend-a. little, f
time in the city. ' Very well.- It s important 
that you should marry Maize, and‘the sooner I
the better, for once her husband, you can defy _, ;
fate or accident. The marriage is a most ‘
necessary point in the battle we are waging. v S
Then you will be safe.” /
“Safe! But am I not safe now?” Noel dc,-
manrled, in an eager startled tone of voice. 
“ Not so safe but that some possible accident 
might hurl you and Sylvia back into your ori- "I
‘nal obscurity. You need not question in 3;
ends for I shall not explain. Enough that 
know ust where a poss1ble danger, breatens “
you, just the one Weak nt in the armor, g
which,‘understand me, if Maize knew, if Asher v
Lyman suspected, would lace, Maize back in '
her old sition at Silver ale to—morrow, and 
you and ylvia where you were. I am the only‘ »
man in the world who has the power of injuring ' ,;
you, but on are safe with me. I would rather?- ‘
die than tray you l”. ’ ‘ r
Noel looked incredulously in Floyd’s face, but
the incredulity, changed into conviction that
indeed Lacy Floyd was in possession of asecret ,
which if known, would ruthlessly sweep “him 
from his new position: and as the confictiong.
de‘e shed and laid hold upon him, a cold sweat.“ 1‘
bro e out upon his forehead. ‘ ‘
While Maize, too, fully comprehended—the .7
full force of every syllable Lacy Floyd had i,”
uttered,,_and»a col "

, agoniaed trembling seamed 

 

er. ,, , , .

“ There is a flaw in that women’s claims .to ~
Silverdale, and he, my cousin, my guardian. ,
my friend, knew it, and knowing he'deliber
defrauds the
orphan girl intrusted to his care! There»;
surely some terrible secret herel” ' ' * .

;

 

   
    
   
 
   
   
  
  
 
   
  
  
   
       
 
   
  
 
   
  

M

is

silence fell between the two men, and final—
}. as thong: he had'meant' to give Noel time
 digest w
Gentinued:
/ ‘ What my motiVes Were and are, in for-
Wfirdmgyonr claims, I decline to tell you, but
this one thin§l
Menu, Claude

3 lVla’s way to riches and dposition an easy one;
I ave connived at a frau

v-penniless for the sake of installing your
tar m her place. But I mean to restore much
I that at which I have defrauded her, so, you
‘30 I am not so ' as you may think. By ar-
mgsment wit Sylvm, Silverdale-is largely
your own, and through you, Silverdale must
rWilli-n to Maine. She shall become your wife,
‘1‘; have to force her into it. I will be so far
3W5. that I will break her heart in order to
compel her to be mistress of her own again!
85‘? W111 find 111 will adamant.”
r y I see or this evening?” Noel asked,
“Ear a few mqments’ impressive silence.
I If she has come in—at once. Be gallant
“Id .chivalrous and devoted, Claude; women
_uke such men, and it is in your power to make
 It a hero in Maine’s eyes. You are
‘ Ifilm.iyou‘ng, handsome—good reasons for your
meet ng With success. I will call her at once.”
, infigd a: h: moved towgrd the dogr, Maizg
. asi e t e swee ing rapery an ste
_ firth. her face glowfng, her shiny eyes glggfc-
/ from one to the other,ot the utterly hor-
countenances before her.

see

_  on need not call me, Mr. Floyd! I am
HMO! I. have overheard every word of your
, l3.2;liaisingtion. New, whathave you to say to

 

 

_ CHAPTER VII. .
 ‘ ' wan TO THE KNIFE.
' , AS Maize’s ringing, scorniul voice sounded
 . “Mathew ears, and she made her totally un-

 

, v'  nation or her
 well be imagined.
“Claude Neel sprung to his feet, uttering a
- We: oath, while Lacy Floyd, pale as the dead
. a hint mova a muscle of his body, as he looked
V  91‘. in absoluteyanguish, terror and dread.
J ",_»“‘3:<E§hm1nuit;,.;od long gt :eeme'i an hearth;
 ' em in t a momen ous, aw u
5%, and then, Floyd’s thin‘rhamls began to
  and, unclasp nervously, and he found
' '  “Yb speak—a poor, pitiful, quavering voice.
Wyou.have been in the room all the
> 3; “A the time. Maize?”
,  the time," she answered, drearily. “I
  .Wery word that has been said, how you
 , fiercepted my lettersto Mr. Grandeourt,
_' <- .hifl to e. I thought on so noble and
(food, Lacy, I cved and trusted
..  Oh, Lacy, how could you,
 .~ iWMYOuP’ ' '
 [ tears filled and overflowedher ved
V “ 1 mafia“ tweet, sensitive mouth «in vered,
_  Fhvgdlngmte pain paled her ace, and

 

guardian and her visitor

 

 

>
,

   
 

blew: gm been deal

K .

Sierra" glimmer-Sierra " y i
t he had already said, Mr. Floyd '

yen know—I am your best v
001. I» have made your and’

‘ which renders the ;
thtful heiress—mark moi—the rightful heir- "

1‘ ;. ted appearance before them, the utter,

you utterly base, dishonorable.

ed away his e case though a
t hlixi. ’

‘2 ;.5

" I know, now,  should have  *l
this man’s sister’s claim to Silverdale.” Maine
went on, the emotion leaving her voice. ‘4‘}

have been misled byyou, Lac -‘-but it is not
an irreparable err . ‘
toenight and tray, as fast as steam can 
me to Mr
overheard and immediately return to Silvers ..
dale, as its rightful mistress. Justice shall he , '
done, and my grandfather’s and father’s _ 
tance shall not go to one who has no rx ht tom}? 

On her proud, resolute face was a 100 cistern :1
sadness terrible to see in a young   ,,
Claude Noel, in a- Wild alarm, run __ \ >
call to battle, in Lacy Floyd’sangu shed ears: v

“ Do you mean to st her ruin us?”

His mild, gentle face, lookin ears olderp
haggard and wan, Floyd turne  : -
to the young girl, strivmg to command, ’

 

ed. “ You cannot preve a syllable of your  ~
sertions; I shall de them, in toto; my re A
tation as an honora e and truthful man 
too well established to be assailed awfully:
No one will believe you—-” _ i ‘4' ,
“ I do not seek to e your treaoheziy‘z but
to regain my rights,” ize interru
flash of contem t in her eyes. V
I shall instruct r. Lyman to submit to a jury
will be—who is the owuer of Silverdalei” A ~ .-
Noel uttered 'an exclamation of renewed 
alarm, while, seeming to have suddenly fed '
possession of all his habitual caution an selb
command, Mr. Floyd quietly arose from his
chair, closed the library door, locked _
the key in his pocket, 9. look of desperath ‘

hardening his face. ., a 
“Do on mean to threaten us, Maine! is 
there to , war between us?"
lingwithresolve. _.. 
‘ I mean torecover my stolen inheritanch 'v
she replied, coldly. “Step aside; Lacy  li'
I desire to, pass throughthe doorway,” ‘  _ , '3 I
“ Thatyou can not do,” he returned, prompt, V -
ly. “You do not-leave this room until ,we . 
come at adefinite settlement of this affair. I ».
will make you a
ters have been to to an issue, yougiVe-Iaie'
flour word of honor that you will man-y  : a

on bread-andrwater until the day of my _ p
I will amuse the servants; you must not 
you can intimidate me thus. _ a - 4' 
She stepped sw1ftly
and-field tassel
but oel gag before1 her, .
far bevon er reac . , /y
With a smile of scorn, she turned back to, .
window in which she had been con , : a
second thought reminded her escape thencem 
impossible, even had the shutters not 

 

‘or fifteen feet below, around

‘ which m' a
sharpspiked iron railing. ‘ ' ‘

l ceasing resistance. ,She was a selector  -

f .

know that Mr$~'Lyman,- Mr.‘.Braddon, even.  V
I shall save this how ~, 
. Lyman’s home, tell him what I hare, . A,

out like a; 

“ You do not know what you as ,’T he. plead: "

ted,   L
“ he uestwn —i i“ g ,1

it snaps:  
gleaming in his eyes, a stern, rigid expression;  

She returned his look with brown eyes sparse  r

minim: that, since use 7“

oe‘llvand thus-4’ _ .  > J
“  newest {new 

' o amoc n area.  
passmn. a" I I b

b tifimmghetlittggafi; 
OUtQ.0 ersieo “  x
and bade“; “gm ,  k i

\. v

closedfior it opened over the kitchen-area,   ‘

Quick'as a flashfihc realized the of  

  
  
   
   
   
    
 

 

, W.

I

 

 

114  ‘ s

 Sissies lemma ,srsrna. ,

 
     

\.
\ “ _

 

 .; antigens accepted the
‘ . thrilled every poles 0 Claude Noel’s rame.~
,4 1‘ r ,“ I yield- to your superior strength,” she said,
. "‘ I ,' with animpc'rious little bow. .4-"an, havin§
  achieved such a brilliant victor _, what, may
‘2 I - yingnire do you intend to do nex ?” Y
 “,Vloyd‘had '_ in regaining his self-command,
if aside all regret, weakness and indecision,
" . stealing that as immense interests were at stake
‘ hezmuet rise‘to the occasion, and as Claude Noel
gotcha his pale, determined relentless face,
agent: to feel he was in hands he might safely
,. I t. ‘ , 
" ’. W‘Mp intention is readily told,” Floyd re-
m   ,witha peculiar, strengthtul quiet. “I
' ‘ toohtain your promise to marry Claude
 ,Bhe looked-gravel at him.
» '4 “Youcertainly now me better than this,
Inog”jshe returned. “ I am not afraid of on,
, or}:  man, and Thave no cowardice to w ich
‘  [ importunities or threats can appeal.”
,1 ' "9- ~ Nordd persuasion or threats avail, both of
 * .'.«Which Lacy Floyd faithfullytried. size was
"  ‘,‘ dto listen,’perforce, ut she was not in
v .' the ai’ntest degree to be coerced or driven.
 An. hour passed thus, and Claude Noel grew
freehlyalarmed at Maine’s unassailable positive-
, ; nose. while, alwa s angered b 0 position,
  “lawcydgrew ardencd and re em ess.
’ .  at are we to do?” Noel asked, impatient-
‘i fl «331x, at last. “She won’t give in, and she will go
1 '~ . toMr. Lyman with her story-” '
' ., ’i‘ifihe Will not goto Asher Lyman with her
 ‘, 4  7,,7’7’f-F‘loyd interrupted, with ominous quiet.
- “5 f " ' W,ngmautoo wall to allow him to hear
,,  ferric! is stern justice he will leave note.
" ‘  on the face of the earth unturned but
, ’ will“ find how much truth there is in it. Of
 ajuryl have no fear, for they will decide
ff  merits or the case by the facts before
themmnd the facts are 'on our side. All I dread
" ’ia,,ithat Asher Lyman will remove Mize lrom

 

   
 

“I ;.

 

NH ' ’*
. K;

i ‘ .

 
  
 
 
   
  

   
 

 

..\, .  reach, and so prevent her marriage to you, ‘
: I as! and] that‘WOuld be eguivalent, nearly, to turn— ,

7 admit again.
g c .‘l  twl don’t see what you are oing to'do
alien it,” Noel insisted, in angry (esperation
' o: imf tience. “ She won’t promise.”

’ (

 com sédly
'  kfiasb‘ ' h ‘
v a “)an 18 eyes. _ ‘
a  ' eons der ourseli a prisoneruntil you'do.
T‘i , Ignaz), ortunately, is not in the city. You
   no‘acquaintances or friends with whom I
will allow onto communicate, in the city or
(hill of it. t any one calls to inquire for you, it
 i  willhe easy to tell them you are away tron:
, * home. iMeanwhile, until your rebellious spirit
  , or bends. you wil be lockedeafely 1n
 uglourmm! ‘ ' _ » .
»   smiled. contemptuously.
I _ “find you any , 61 will remain locked up
  1 ion "ln'a room With three windows opening on
‘ , up, entreet? ,liowlongdo you imagine such
« _  Women. will last with. my wide-awake
 ~, ., in}, intelligent maid Lottie with. mel
  ='"  a on may rest assured no dismissal of yours
" . , W081,  hertroin'nie if 1 was in trouble. It
 '  Ion Wish to eate‘your‘self scandal .. and annoy-

ou ma
ml

 

 

 

tion‘with.» afgracethat ‘

‘ ‘3‘ «a, she’will not promise!” Maize replied: :

, well; then,” Floyd said, a des rately ’

' but it does not include giving you yr ur liberl')’. ,

 

l
- know. Be guarded. Est er, on every side. W

. tense scrutiny of his face, he was too engrossed " '

patience. You. can’t lock, her up in this 

 
  
  
   
  
  

ance‘,’y‘ou will be sensible to onenthat‘door ad
allow me to leave the room quietly.” ~ ~ “

“ All cry fine, Maize, bur, in thesfirsi p
there is a way to prevent a syllable of'scanda‘

we
a:
Q

As to your maid, that is of scarcely importance :
enoug to mention: Lottie will be no trouble. ‘
About your present room, at thcrfront of the,
housea-that certainly is ~ an. objection upon
whichI shall consult a woman’s wit. _ Just ring V
for Mrs. Duncan. Claude.” 
Noel succeeded in reaching the severed bell-
rope byusing the library steps,’ and in we mo-'
ment Mrs. Duncan appeared,‘ admitted «by '1
Floyd, who instantly locked the door'againyrew “a
turning the key to his pocket. ' > 
Mrs. Duncan surve 'ed the scene with dilated
eyes, regarding Noel with glances -tliat'werc'.,,,
curious and almost anxious, in the second that" 
elapsed before Floyd closed the sliding» glass»
doors, leaving himself and his housekeeper vii"- r
tuallv alone in the parlor. ‘ r , ‘
“What is the matter?" she asked, uneasily»-
“ Who is that young man?” ' ‘  ,3
“Claude Noel.” ' ' .5
Mrs. Duncan uttered an exclamation of in:
tensest excitement. 
“ Claude—Noel! Is it possible?——Clande Noel’ ‘3';
Sylvia’s brother! That—really—Claugle!” . ' V 
Every feature in her facc betrayed hér agility ‘4:
tion, and her plain, cross face grew almO's re- :'
fined m its pallor. " ‘ ’ 
“ Never mind‘ about him now. I need

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  

 

 

Q.
<2“

our.
assistance, and I want you to listen.” y ' )1
And then, in minute detail, he narratedfillfi
the circumstances of the ition. . ' > e 
“You must help me. on know, aswe‘ll as! ;
do. that she must marry him. Bring it about, ' .
Esther, and for your reward I will grant: you“ ,
the'prayer you have made of me for years. 1‘ "3%
will marry you on the day they are married. ” 
She caught his hand in an agitated sort'of I fill
impulse, and kissed it over and over. _- "‘ , a 3
“I would die to have that justice done‘u’lel
You ,-may depend upon me, Lacy; she shall
marry Sylvia’s brother. But does he knowthe
scorch—the truth, I mean?” ' r
“Claude? No, not a s liable, 'nor must hd

   

ii
.1

l
4

  
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
  

Now}, we will join them, and Iwiil'depend on9 ‘

‘ He slidrd the door back, and theggentered the
library, where’Claude Noel stood fore Maize,
pleading his suit with a passionate eloquence
worthy a noble cause, while-the young girl’s:
eyes were looking straightaway from him as"
though she did not hear a word. - _ I  _ 1,

Floyd introduced Mrs. Duncan to Noel, and
although he wondered at her keen, almostin

otherwise to think of it but the passi moment. a:
for Mrs. Duncan turned to Mame, w th'a hard,’
grim look on her face. ' I
“ So you refuse to obey your guardian, Mi:
Florimel?” . ‘ ' x ' .
Maize did not condescend' to reply, and hire,
Duncan turned to Mr. Floyd. ' “  ’"
“ Such a spirit needs to be broken down. [I
think:- she needs to-he shut up until she can stir ~
mit. It will only be a question ,of time end

.H   ‘ >,

 

,  I SIS‘l‘E u" when SISTER,  

 

I. 
J ‘_.,_

 

, 15 7; 

 

l
,5.» so you must take her elsawhere ——take her to the
1 little house _ I own in the country. My niece
., lives there, and she’ll be glad enough to take
:care of her. Have a close carriage at the door
at twelVe o’clock to-night, and if anybody sees
,orhears us they’ll think we’re catching a. late,
-,lir&in. I’ll see that Lottie is safe and sound in
:; I her bed with a chloroform Sponge under her
 nl’ll pack the luggage, and arrange every-
. : n . ,
; Flgyd and Noel listened to her with deepen-
rin satisfaction on their faces. , -
, H ‘You are worth your weight in gold, Mrs.
Puncan,” N091 exclaimed, enthnsmstically.
‘You have the brains of a lawyer.”
 ‘4‘ No———of a WOI’INID, only ” she said, as she
Withdraw to at once begin her pre ,ations.

t was now far past ~ten' o’cloc , and it had
atrqu eleven when she returned, announcing
(that every thing was in readiness—Miss Flori-

mel’s trunk in the hall. the carriage at the door.
3‘ “ And there is nothing left you but to obey,”

  
  
 
   
  
    
   
  
   
 

 

' yd said to Maize, as Mrs. Duncan brought
er mantle and hat and gloves. “Are you
ready?” '

 

eyMaize instantly arose, a defiant gleam in her

e3. - ' l .

“Ready and glad that this ridiculous farce
is at an end. I shall be, glad to‘get out of the

H in the street. I tell youbeforehand, I
I 8 linot tarner submit.

_= m9 driver—~”

 

   
 
  
    

I shall appeal to

e , V {Duncan produced a vial, from which
the removed the cork, the sweet, sickish fumes
9,1 chloroform escaping instantl . ’

. “I am on my guard, Miss'F orimel. Unless

: . V  promise me you will not make any trouble
~ Will drug you and have you carried to the

carriage.” .

vw Maine’s face flushed with indignation. She
limited from Lacy Floyd to Claude Noel. but she
, . 33w only mercilessness and pitilessness, and to
 ,L3§Ve herself the horror and helplessness of un—
fitffifigmusness, she haughtin promised to be
 , [And . her Own unaided eflorts, walked
 ‘»‘Y’iftly at to the carriage. the two men on
g , either side of her, and Mrs. Duncan leading the
A. {W . The entire party entered the carnage
.f ‘3‘ . thus closelv guarded, Maize was carried
 3' “'3th what?"

I , _ CHAPTER VIII.
M _ r A. BRAVE SOUL.
 mm coach rolled rapidly away from Lacy
-. .4  ~ 0174’s door, the helpless young, prisoner be-
_ w 68!! her two jailers, sittiu in haughtysilence
j» $13319, she secretly marked he route by which
_ iv , went, as far as her acquaintance with the
  Emminod, , ‘ ' l
 ,5: ‘ aloniwhila before they lelt the-streets
1 $156. citybe ind them; and struck the Open
finality, and then Maizs s ounjecturescame to
e , as to what direction she was being

 silence the four occupants of the
 i. 9 mole alongthrou h the darkums of the ,.
‘ fight, and than, after per ape an hour’s time, :

139303 came to a halt. ‘
 ‘3'». 13311984; peered out,
; «0‘ a Rate which \she

  
 

4'

 

 

 
     
  
      
  



‘ and then ahéhted in 
held open. while; with

gwhsu: is right—own at

l was utterly thrown away,

- less also!”

m  e or“ m  «we, .  
sistegi her t3 descend, followed closet; by’Claud’o. 5

Noel. . r ,  ~
“Bring in the young. lady’s trunk, and then   ‘
return and wait for us—it will only: he 3. Stew ' ~
minutes,” Floyd said to thedfivegas, ‘  . )-
by Mrs. Duncan they Walked through  3;: .
yard and up to he front door, when Mrs,  ‘
can ~run the bell, and, after some delay.    ‘
explanations made to a nigh ‘   I, ',__  r .
thrust from the window abo’vganon ,  
effected, just as the cahman  the ,_
on the piazza. ' ~, ,
Maize looked curiously at the, niece, ot.;fifi...,y 
Duncan, who was tobe her jailer;  l ,4.
sunk at of ht of the morcse, vixeuish  4-, .  ‘
redhair an angular fi re—stamp’ed from ,I   ‘ » ‘
to foot with hard hare cease-strangely like at“ * _
Very unlike Mrs. Duncan, who, wit all  15:
cruel disagreeableness, had a  all: 91:. ~ 
better-bredness and even elegance about beg".  , e
In a few concise words, otter hein  ,“_
by Mrs. Duncan to “ her niéce, Ma 3  ~ ‘ ~'
Lacy Floyd explained the positiOn—who  , 
was, whet was expected of her and required; A- _ ,
her jailer. ’ ‘ , . *   "
Miss Dunne vigorously romised to ,1
g " “(hit :7 the“ ‘ ‘

  
 
 

 
 
   
 

bring the con ady to v , ,1 ,‘ ~ 
to be pal her decided upon, an in less,  x  
twenty minutes after the midnight _ _ {.583 f '
arrived at her house, Miss Dunne he  
aroom for Maize’s occupation. ,   , v v 
At her announcement, made at V it, ~ 
some from the little parlor, Lac laid new   ‘

 

and seized Maize’s. arm to con not, hex;  _ M
px'isonrell, but she flung off hum}: as  ‘~ ._' 1%
a serpent had endeavored tocml around her   f
and confronted him,,her face soywhitte thigh,  - -, 
startled him, her dusky bro'wn eyes shmizifimle 1 fl
suns her countenance instinct thhMmefiv , 
. .xbo not dare touch me, y  ,- .: 
friend false guardian, false relatively .319? I 
crite, lknow you at lastr‘but you cannot,  
me to do your will. You know I angno.  '  
-——you know that no amount 0! coercion mews!  ‘
dere me into an act from which my whole soul  «

revolts!” , _ , i    \
ittothe test,”'h_o‘i  f c

“ I am willing to put
quietly. . .,   
Asudden changevpassed over Name’s face, i r
(or, despite her courage, her faith In‘herselfwho‘; h
shrunk appalled from the ordeal were her. i  
passionate pain was in her e es, 3  
mouth quiveredbas ina p1 ’ us I L  ‘
pulse, shelooked‘at im. _ _ » ., 
“Lacy l—it is not too late, £15 to,  v ,
Return to our honor, our 3ku
I will forgive you,  will overl _, a
you have done me if , on Will repent, and
store at‘o m? my filgléts? thgylwinosewwy 1'0 
memro m on ,a .r  
Were, virtuoso tgusted, 139101763 friend , a , 
alone and ,dleasp; 
this eleventh hour!” 

her impassionec! 1“ ,fi. ' 73-1,.‘5'1

“Ref so, and w on my Our  I I, H  L ,

names, gs’c’ome it will, you win- 1193 m y m ‘  I, ,,y  p

' I L K  V NI.»

For answer histhin lips aux-194mg, ’ - l  a
smile and hé‘i’id'vaneed toward by“;  -. 7 

 

       
     
 

,.’

  

in mercy to me, so

Then, seeing "that

 

 

« {I‘ll .l,

 16"

Sisrnnnealnsr SISTER. 

   

 

, V "I hope to find
y see you again, Mame, Now,ii you please,>we
' ,. will go up to your room." l

r. , ,Iu obedience to his gesture, Mrs. Duncan,l
‘,  ' " coined one of Maize’s anus, while be grasped the g
, other, a d-Miss Dunne preceding them with a. E

 j l' I, t, who“ lip-stairs, toaroom'in theattic v:
> ' h urge a], barn-like place, uncarpeted an ‘
" _ ' ,bly forldrn, lighted only by a smallE
 skylight in the very tpeel: of the roof. An f
bed , a dilnpi ated wash-stand, a;

,  chair and Maine’s box, which Mimi
-;  up, consfitiited the entire
’,  v Wage! thé' place, from which Lacy Floyd
 r, _ involuntarily ale the ' entered, while
_' talked in, proud and ghvheaded as a
4;  the marble floor of her audience-

 , I I ‘ , for whatever her secret terror and
 j _ “she would not betray herself toher en-

 

'~ “ltishardlyso luxurious as your rooms at
 " Silverdaleflhe id, “but on my exchange
 ‘atany time. It not too ate to (yieldfliaiae,

even now, and I would gladly; gla 1y save you

this exErience 8a but the word, and be re-
' Med liberty ric es and luxury, Maize.”
\ Hex-lips ‘ sled

‘ , , on .
. ‘1 “Ill ,for the rest of my existence is re-
» ‘ [arable re, to the alternative you 0 er,’ she

*- , returned, coldly.

* _ , »“ Then you. allhave the full benefit of your
" - _ stubbornness,” he returned, turning toleave, and
' than“ ,i followed by the two women, he went
0.  r I , and, standing proud and uncon-
 rquered, _et with death- ale face and dilated
. eyes the could see noth ng in the deep dark
,  heard them descend the stairs' later,
' hard them leave the house, and so her gloomy,
 hie imprisonment began, than which one
_ , l more  could not have been devised.
’, She had glimpse of the world outside no
7 books, no __occupation,of any sort, absolutely
‘-  ,nethiugtodo-but suffer her wearying thoughts,
l, -  pass the hours of the night in restless, un-
" refresh sleep. ‘ Three times a day Miss Dunne
 t er a supply of hard dry bread and
 water. at‘every v-ist urging, her to comply
V, With Mr. Floyd’s demands, to which harungues
, ~ “Maine simply listened because she could not
w 7 help hersel _, and to which she never deigned to

V, l - Elissa weary week went by, thatseemed a
 month to the captive 1-1, when the dreary
.: \ monotony was broken y a visit from Lacy
 _,Floyd, to whom the news of Miss Dunne that
’ her  nor was absolutely unconquerahle was

r  disconcerting.
“. V ot on m hands,” Miss

 

 

 

 

T} ~ sahig'job I’ve
_'  Duane declared. “ Its :21 be 'ef she won’t
 ' Rivals while there’sa hrest in her.”
 , ,_ ‘  idea’s brow contracted darkly; ' _
 1 7“! ntoseelhaveasatan to deal with!
 I‘ll; w the was dead.” I
‘ '_ on half wishva was—what?”

“Nothing. I’ll go up and have stalk with
j ‘ her. l’erhqpsshe will display losesth to me.

 Gills? a ll tend the key.” .

 As in ; ‘nne mid, ,Lacy Floyd tound her j
p \ *nttwlynutatued, «wholly unsuhmissive.‘ as
'1 l  , _' ted, (fearless in the midst of her ‘

  ‘(eud misfortunes» shelled been in

 

 
   

you in shatter mood when her happiest" days, and Lacy Floyd knew, fias is

v cious discoveries!
' cape—to see Asher Lyman—to unburden your

‘ tienoe holds out, for, sooner or later, on

  

well as he knew anything, thatonly death would
break her spirit. ' ‘ - " “

“‘ not mention your pretended regrets to
me,” she said, passionately, during their inter~
view. “Since I have been shutu here lhave 
thought and wondered and spoon ated until I_
have come to a solemn conviction that you have
had designs against me all the years you have
pretended to think so much of me.” .
f A sudden apprehensi’vo look darkened his

aoe.‘

“ I believe this very condition of aflairs—tho
Coming forward of this Sylvia Florimel—has
been anticipated by you for care,” she went -
on, with intense eagerness. “ on have known 
her all her life, and you have plannedtb make ‘ "
her heiress to Silverdale. You have schemed
to this end. You intended to remove every
barrier between Sylvia F crime] and the prize _,
you meant her tO'Win, no 1 you found in me, ,4,
a weak, delicate girl, an obstacle not so easy to
remove. While my father and my grand’
father lived you kept silent, when their dea’th ,
left the way clear, you made your treacherous ‘
mgep’m w r it i 1 id Hi

i 0 secs ewpos iveyiv. s p
e escdgi'lategas thong he had scan a ghost in: a;
s agsof only hearings young girl’s passionate 2;
wor . 

 

And Maize sawhow her accusation struck no ,
random blow. ‘ .4

“ With your own 11' , you said, in my hear- “
in , that morally, in t e eyes of God, my dear
01' home is still my own. And it mustbe mine
again, in the eyes of man.”

“You know the terms,” he said, a curious
tremble in his voice.

“ Never on those terms! I would not marry
Claude Neel to save my life 1" s ' 

“ Do you know what that implies!” he asked, N
after a second’s pause. / ' '

“ I adhere to it, whatever it implies!”

An awful smile-such a smile that it made
herreooil with a sensation of terror from what
seemed the embodiment of some terrible, dead-
ly purpose—played ghastin on his lips, and
then, fixing her bright, steadfast eyes on him,
she demanded, with startling abru these: ‘ ‘

“Lacy' Floyd, what is the secret ink betWeeu
you and Claude Noel and Sylvia F’lorimel?”

For answer, he glared at her in demoniacal

fur .
“yI would like to give you a last chance to
Batch up a. truce” he said resentl , in a. thick,
oarse voice, which Maize uterrup¥ , z '
“You do not think best to answer mv ques- .
tion? My discoveries do not please you.” . r 3
“Your discoveriesl, And what of your pro» 
You mean, perhaps, to 95- ,é

 

 

 

bosom—«to denounce me as a cons irator—to
contest your claim to SiIVerdalel charming ,
programme, beyond doubt, but one which, un-_ '
ortunatel for you, is utterly infeasible.” 
“Then ,will stay here as long as you“ ‘

 

compelled to nt me my liberty. oucaxmot .-:
hide a girl li e me away from the world Very _ ;’
long without inquiries being made by her
friends, Mr. Grandcourt will demand to know 

 

 

 

M

 
   
    
     
       
        
 
   
      
    
   
  
   
  
   
   
   

my Whereabouts: Mrs. Weston will make in-
quiries; Bettie will not desert me. Suspicion
Will fell upon you, and yen will be connelled to
produce me?” i ‘

 Evidently Maize had not over: yet compre~
handed a mod icum of Lacy Floyd’s capabihties
for wickedness. She apprehended nothing more
than a prolonged captivityz even when, without
 a word, he smiled at her With a perfect devil in
a, his lurid eyes and slowly left the room.

CHAPTER I’X’.
’mro run rune.

( As he went slowly down the narrow stairs,
_ Itl: even in the daytime, Lacy Floyd came
deliberately to thecouclus-ion that since itwas
impossible to break Maize’s brave spifitgince
by her own words she knew far more  was
good’for him and the cause he hadeSpoused,
eroic measures wete immediately necessary.
;Maize must be disposed 0!, beyond question;
u build”? i '1 d d ‘
,~ 0 nest on brought a _.o, esperate (5 er.
minefign to his face thatpifatilda Dunne saw
When he re- entered the sitting-room. _
“You found it just as I said! You’ll never

 

tn, ”
» Flo d interrupted her abruptly.
, , “ Vghere’s Sandy?”
r “Where’s Sandy!” she repeated, in sudden,
Ihrinlzing terror, as she stared with frightened
eyes up in Floyd’s face. “And what might
you want with the poor “boy that never did you
my harm?” ' ‘ '

“No, not to me, but all the same he’s the
.Verlest rascal that ever contrived to keep out of
, There's a reward of a thousand dollars
91' his capture, today, on accounto! the bank-
bllrgl'ary last spring—~that precious brother of
: Ours. You couldn’t tell me where he is, Miss
, Dune? If I’d rec to befriend him?”
suspicious, ncredulous look came to her
1:» that his sharp gaze saw and correctly con—

n “Ali: I understand! I happened to strike a.
ail? blow unawarcs. You do know where
handy Dunne is. Is he around here? In the

#3,; W

,' a “3,8. concealed? \

ye - ere was no need for an answer.‘ Her cow-
l-b’ing, figure, her blanched face, her alfrighted
(33.3 assured him ‘ that he had guessed exactly;
' ‘ » 011 need have no fear, none whatevar.
gluith as safe with me as with you. Go to
» glen him that I not only swear not to be—
h Yhim, but will put him in the way of, mak-
; ' 5% hundred dollars and at the some time pre-
: «v9 his “153‘”

'_ ‘u‘ Marcia earnest?!" ,.

EV

., y<‘O§Wbedou _ .“Ihavenlittlepieceot
.m- x. 6530): hand of somewhat. irregular char-
gi‘h and Sandy’s the man for me. ,

 Jinn“? °e rash“ is:
,“"  Bee u r usm wc

 logger-lug Iégedy'youug {allow 0:
, 2-1ng '2' llrlor ve, ’ » p ,
 hear what Mr. Floyd save, Baring};i

a! Said Miss Dunne-

o

“ Come out, and

 Siernn'Aoeifisl-r seem» _‘ ' ‘ I f L  1+ ,: 

f°0ni1uer her never. You [can starve her to.
' but—’ _

{it 11' earnest,” Flch returned with A sincer- s

.bytolegmmto m

 

,, We. rename, you the job, and be in the '

seine boat'ymh ypu. rn go bring you ‘W '  .
thingto drink while you’re talking your busi- , ' ,
nose over.” , ‘ i "-. v \ ,
. Behwtantly and nervously the‘youn re * . ‘fl
bate crept out from wherefihis sister h, , ~h'  ‘  '
him upon heanngFloyd‘des‘cending'the stairs. f
The eyes of the two men metmndu in that! ‘
scrutinizing lance the two black naturesrnt
once thoroug ly comprehendedeaoh other. ' i v  
Lento themselves, without Lacyoll‘loyd new I '
ing betrayed himself, he came nu'unilerf~ » v,
standing with Sandy Dunne. He related
much 0 the story about. Maize Florian! as  j '
deemed necessary, and thenin low,iqnie‘t  ' 
told Sandy that the girl was in the way: ' l‘ 4 x  'L
“ In the way! Then, what are you? , 
do?” Sandy asked, in stu id wohder. ' - '  "  
Floyd whispered in a «ride at was a his: “   ' f1
“Remove her] That is what I want ' V  '~ ‘
services for, my man. Refuse, and I’ll“ 
{ontothe lice with my own hands,” as ,
0 spoke loyd si ificantly took a revolver
from his pocket. ‘Promise toobey, anq'seek r 
to ay 0E, and I’ll set them on your track.”  '
, earn like sunlight on glasmconsign}i to
shoot rom Lacy Floyd’s eyes, and San, y  ‘ g ,
coiled from the hideous purpose he remi’in  

 

thorn. , , v i , ~ "1 ,
3;? gidrrm bad Giuligelggut I ain’taoeec  t
as eeayoung, a moment  «,«4‘ - z 1‘
012, Mr. Floyd, 1 can’t—I can’t-” ',  ». ‘ \ , ~f
Very well. If our delicate conscience ,hds' "  f
such scruples, it w' 1 be as well that you Home ' 
it inside the walls of Auburn $19011 nor the  
next fifteen years of your life. ' ' tel: will you 3 ' :-

gol gbey or be handed over inside oran-
A cold sweat burst out on Sandy’s forehand.- :-  ,. 
"I——-I--I—-,-will do itl”; hewhispered‘honrsely,   v
and LacyFloyd smiled. , ,r >  ,  

Now, listen,“ my,» 

“Bumble young man;
instructions.’ . , » . - ,7,
In low, cautious tones he unfolded his 
never, once removing his eyes from. his m— 1
federate’sa led racer , ' v   H
“.You 1111 rstand it thoroughly? in 
detail? You can manage it, beyond donut?! ;  »
“Yes,” Sandy said, in that same hoqifled, 
husky voice. ‘ _ ,- v
Floyd then gave him an emountot moneyg " «. .:
reiterated his instructions, bidding, ham  
concealed until he received by messengeréd “1,;  r
certain percelnext day. and than he wanton , J .  l~
:txultingh in 1%: taueccelss—nevegdseeniggdnef y‘f‘jx _- 
rode ro ' goomyy ! . -
gloomy in “fine falling dusk 9! the (intone:  
evening, a creepingt crouchm   
figure of Lottie Orr, ’s faith maid.  *' fr“ v 
Since the night, a week be r, than   
had disappeared from Mr. Floyd?! ‘   , 
had retrained, entertginlng no suspicions,“  y 
“‘3 “fill” ‘63 t‘fifimgv‘mgms‘i‘eifilfigm “as” " 
' ' s. as > .1 ‘ r 
to "81 lady’s rifle hegsidegufli, _
betweenreceivkl‘a‘ome rem arm ,  '-
as was Maize’s kindin when a 7 53331”? ' 
notingthedall visitsattbe house of nude ‘ A a
Norah-.mrmiafiqns tears had become, suddenly , ' 
aroused, and she had ventured to telegraphed : , "
Mrs. Weston, inquiring it Miss) Eiorimel» were; ‘ '
there. and well. To which came an immediate.

 

L;

  

  
 
 

 . faithful Mrs. Duncan, and

, 3» my.
 media

3 niece, who lived in Mrs. Duncan’s cottage in

i ‘di not answer my letter.
. and/I’ll meet him and brin him here.
aims shall be free!” a 7
' go, Miss Florimel,” be said. “I den

1

 

 

 

 ,l "ingreat,,satistactionw1th himselt
 inning to take his sister into hisconfldence in

 

 

.518 7

Maize‘slnc'e their parting at .Silverdafe.

'Terrified, and wild with. anxiety, Lottie

' ‘SISTEB‘AGAlhlST SISTER: 

 1' Answer, saying that Mrs. Weston had not seen I

, resolved to write a letter to Mr. Wilton Grand— ,

ocurt, twhich letter , was intercepted by the
read by
. and Lacy Floyd, who decided upo

both herself :
11 instantly ,

dismissing her, and while not letting her know i

. her letter had not been mailed, threatened her

3 with all the terrors of the law it she persisted

«in declarin Miss Florimel was not with Mrs.

H * Weston,» ieh assurance was renewed. Her

wages were .gsld, and she was ordered to return
at once to, ilverdale, to await Miss Maine’s
apXroaohing visit, when she left Mrs. Weston’s.
- "ml, ‘ rently meek and obedient, and
‘ terrified, ttieo left, the house, and taking up
‘9 her residence in. a distant quarter of the city,

resolved to watch Mr. Floyd and Claude Noel
bestshe could, when suddenly remembering
heard one of the housemaids at Mr.
speak or Miss Dunne, Mrs. Duncan’s

the suburbs, Lottie decided to pay the place a

" ‘V . visit. impelled by a feeling she could not explain

or. understand.
gymere accident, she had reached there just
in. mé‘to see Lacy Floyd leaving, and her joy
at the recognition ma be imagined, for it was
met posit ve to her t at Maine‘was within the

 

I» made “P Iny mind I wouldu
i ain’t a-goin to.

case, that her vs no suspicions were correct. ‘

“Now Iknow w tMrs. Duncanmeant when
’ I ,o'verheard her say to Mr. Floyd about ‘ break-
 ing her spirit? I see it all; my 001‘ dear Miss
v Maize refused to marry Mr. ed, and they
brought her here until she gives in! My poor
. » darling Miss Maize!”

' ‘ She gazed at the darkened windows of the

use with eager, wistful eyes.

 : heart swelling with rapturous gratitude that
, ' “She’s in there, I know it, but how can I get ‘

to see her to let her know I am here! Perhaps ‘

it will be best if Imake no attempt to get in. I  h h
, brokenly, .
 glorious dark eyes that struck him as no eyes 

‘ w,- .‘telsgraph to Mr. Grandcourt,’ although he
He’ll come at once,
And by
tomorrow this time. Miss

‘ " Thus stren thening ,her sinking heart Lottie
; ; r returned to t e coupe in wait g, some distance
,‘downthe road, and went‘ hack 0 the city.

 .  all unconscious of it all, Maize was V
_ enduring the tedious hourscf her imprisonment, ‘

‘ little dreaming what was to befall her.
I * my . L the next r morning, the promised
- “parcel ” arrived, which contained a full and
‘ complete disguise for Sandy Dunne-11 partly
. worn suit of sailor’s attire and a rough w g and

'  Vol jett black,.which changed him so
marvelously t , his sister six-risked out with

‘  at the‘sight of him when he entered her
 resents. . By eight o’clocgslhe was gone, point-
lank refusing to tell M188 Dunne where, for

» what, or What the. nature of the little business
a _ eon him and Mr. Floyd had been. At six
o'clock or, the same day he returned, evidently

, but still re-

spite. other importunities. f

 ‘ Atyher nasal hour, ten o’clock, Miss Dunne

’ retired, and at eleven the key of Maize‘s attic

 , y mas dram]. from under her henv head
Sandy’s cautious (fingers. with w he

. Maize

carer paleness of her face, as she reached

summer residence at Cape May. I,will

     
 

silently ascended the attic stairs. and reaching
8 door listened stealthin for, a moment,
and then, putting his mouth“ to the key-hula]
whispered: , , ‘
“Miss Florimel!” , , 1
There was a sudden start inside, then 10W, ,7"
trembling footsteps neared the door, and a fear-.
ful‘z eager voice ansWered him. "
‘ Who is it?” Maize asked. '
“ Hush-sh! Be uiet or you’ll rouso up the 
old maid below! ash-sh! , It’s a friend!’
“A friend! A friend, did you say?” whis- A
pered the low-sweet, eager voice within. . .
“Yes, I’m co ' g invhush-sh, now!” ,r _ ,.
And softly and skilfully be unlocked the door,
opened it, and stepped just inside. It was dark
as Erebus—the poor young prisoner could not
see the glow 1n his eyes, he could not see tn:
ou

 

her band and touch his arm. .
“Who are you?” 's e'whlspered. . . , :
“ Sandy Dunne, her brother. just come horns .2
from sea last night, miss, and found out you
was shut up here against yuur will. And I H
t 'stand it, and I . i-
I’ll help you to escape it 
only you’ll quiet as a kitten, so she won’t
hear us, for there’d be not a scrap of us left .if
she wakes. Are you ready for a journey, I
Florimel?” . _ I
It Seemed to Maine she must be dreamingyst
she answered eagerly: ‘
“ Iam‘ready,except my hat and wrap. I’ll find .
them. I have them. I amready, I am all ready,"
she whispered, eagerly. ' '
“Then come, only be
nd his shoes in his hand, he led the way down,
while, noiseless as a shadow, she folJOWed, her

 

 

still as a mouse, miss,”

was almost unendurable as at length they stood
out under the stars, in the sweet pure night air. j

“0 ow can I ever thank you?” she said , 
as she locked up at him with her '

had ever done before. ' x , '

“Let me see you safe wherever you Wish to r

t want any

other thanks. Where’s it to be? The city 2”

“ Oh, no!” she said, with a shivor of horror.

“ To Silverdale, then?” ‘ '

“No, not yet! I am very friendless, Mr.
Dunne. I have a guardian who is still at.th
go‘. 0 V

 

  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

him.” .
“ You can go by train, there, to—morrow, and
you will want to go to a hotel in the city to»-
night, then. I have a carriage ready to ' rive
you in—I thought it'd be the’cit‘y. As far as 3
getting to Cape May goes,_if it wasn’t that it 
ain’t the fanciest vessel for a ladyyl believe I’d - '
take on in my sleep, if you’d go. 7 I ;
“ our sloop! Your own vessel, Mr. Dunne!
Oh, it would be just the thing for rue—Mr.
Floyd. one of my dians, who shut me up in
your sister’s care, will‘newr be able to overtake
me before I get to Mr. Lyman! Mr. Dunne, I
ray-you take me to Cape May in your own
t. I have money. I will pay you hand* ;_
somel . I pray you do this forjme.” _ ‘ "
'l‘B essed if on’t I” he exclaimed, with ap
parent heartiness. “ I’m afraid‘vou won’t find 

  

sum AGAINST 51st 

>V->'.“. >19 “ w 1‘,

 

   
    
   
  
   
  
   

tweryeomfortabie. but I’ll do the best loan ‘
for you. We’ll get aboard and, be all before
, dill/'light. Here’s the carriage, Miss Florimel.”
'He‘assisted her in, and took his place out-
: Blde on the driver’s seat, touched up the horse

, and dashed toward the city.

bile in a very ecstasy of joy Maize cried a
stonn of tears. .

“Free! free! 0h, thankGodl"

,But if she had only known!

CHAPTER X.
‘ AT MIDNIGHT. '
‘ HALF—WAY between the city and the cottage
' they had just left, Maize and her treacherous
, conductoryassed a carriagg, drivin rapidly in
direction from which ey had t come-
331d no subtle instinct told’ the Occupants of
either coach who it was they weed, and yet, it
 Was the very sarcasm of fate t at in the carriage
r - hastemn toward Miss Dunne’s cottage, was
flton randcourt and Lottie on».
Faithful to her resolution to lose not a moment
onger than was absolutely necessary, Lottie,
upon being driven back to the city, had gone at
Once to a. telegraph office and dispatched a most
urgent message to Mr. Grandcourt begging
him to come instantly tothe relief of her young
,mlstress.
4v It had happened, however, that Mr. Grand—
- cent had been absent from home when the first
' flung 1n the morning, the tele ram had been
K delivered at Grandcourt, an consequently
 ttle waited in vain, feverish impatience all
that day for him, at the address she had given
., 1m, and the next day until just afternoon
.M' Whens. dispatch reached her sa ing Mr. Grand-
- , , court had only 'ust received, er message and
, Would start for t e city on the flrsttrain, reach»
, ‘ 7,, her at aspecifled time. '
A unctually- on time. Mr. Grandcourt drove
 I . “9130 the humble little lodging-house at which
 ' Lgttie was staying, finding her ready to start
- j Without a moment’s notice, and so pale and

 

  

 

Walfn that he was startled at sight of her.
.1 _ _ ,“ Lottie!” he exclaimed, a prehensivelv.
"'0  What is the matter? Where is ‘ sFlorimél‘l ;
i,  at is the difficulty? I could ther from
mbldi’spatch only that your mistress is in
, e.
>  “ We will 0 toher at once, sir. I was sure
.{03 would hrm a carriage—letus lose no time.
'* will tell you a l on the way.” '
é Amazed, Mr. Grandcourt obeyed her eager
  °mlnand, and, the order given the driver at
 ,; “Mia’s instruction, they set od', at a: reusing,
 ; r ,, sawed toward the cottage Maize wasabout the‘
‘ ‘3; “no hour leavin
~-  T consternation of Mr. Grandcourt on beer-
;a. ,. , his. the story Lottie had torelate even paased=
 fIMPipldon, as be learned item h item. What,
‘ ' it?

 
  
 

 

. transpired, from the visit of ude Noel to E

r A letter. Lottie had sent hi and yet, he:

 ,1; H \ scarcely realize the terribeonormityot»
 the aflair ‘ ~

, . r |
,  ,'Whiteand cold with horror,he sat listening 
: ~_ , . the revelations Lottie made, and her perfect
, v ., 3;. “Vaginal [in her conclusions concerning Lien);
 ‘  - an , is an int tor mcueoness msp re‘c
  GNUdOourtptzithya similar belief, difhcult.
‘  it was to realize that the smiling, pleas-

 
 

ant-mannered, gentle—voiced gentleman whom ‘

Maize had so trusted and honored, was sauna
monster of wickedness. ’A cgalloping"resend
hroughtthem to the lenely'li lo cottaie in a ,
short time, and arriving at the gate,he id the ,
driVer wait, no matter how Ion ,supplement 3 
ing his order with the promise o a. magnificent,  - 
fee for the night’s w:1§;’,(add then, followed by j * 

    
   
   
 
 
 
   
  
   
     
    
  

Lottie, he hastened u be walk tothe front
doOr, where he knock loudly, with imperative
im tience. . 2- V : 
. " on the occasion of previous midnight  ‘
its, Miss Dunne thrust her unkempt head ,3
the bedroom window.. r .  , ‘
“Is it you, Mr. Floyd?” she asked ‘in'aflouéd. " , :'
cautious whisper. “ Don’t knock soloindwyou’ll . " 
arouise”the nextdoor people.‘ I’ll let you right 
m, s r. ' I " r 
1n the darkness she had neither seen Lottie, _ 
nor discovered that hervvisitor wasaot'La’cy ,_ ‘1 
Floyd, and a moment later she quietly  ‘ 
thedoor.  ' . g ' v" ’ . 
“What’s up, sir? Nothingthe matter—3’. ; -' ,
Mr. Grandcourt stepped suddenfiinside‘,‘ Lot:
tie closely after him, and not t‘ then, 
the broad glare of the lamprMiss Dunne  ,
posited on the landing at the head of the  _' '
fell full upon his face, did Miss Dunne comers; _
bend the mistake. ’ > f y ‘  
With a shriek of terror she sprun back,
while Lottie closed the front door after er. ~’ ~ .
“Be niet,” Mr.Grandcourt said, commanding-
ly. “ e are not burglars or murdswrsflunian‘fl
Somehow, his stern voice, his handsome, 
lute face, with its determined blue eyes, (in.
spired her with equal obedience and‘terror.. , ._
‘ghat—wh—what do you want?” she chat“
tor . *  ' g,
“I am come to see Miss mofimel,”ehe-sihi.s :j
“Show mete her'instantly.”  ' . v '_'
Miss Dunne uttered an involuntary cry, at 

once defiant and terrified. - a  ‘
“Miss Flor-line“ Who's 'she'l. I don’tknmri 
an such gerson‘. There’s no, such, per-south '
ting house. ,‘ I“ * "’ 3
."Very well,” Mr. Grandcwrt replied, 
“That’s your word fer it. I have 
reason to doubt it that! shall look forhcrfl my: ,
self.” "' I .‘v. H.  «'-
As he spoke, Lottie darted up the staircase
and seized the lamp, while,with a scream, 
Dunne followed her wildly, rushing to the  v 
of Sandy’s room, which she burst operative  ‘
panic of fear and dismay. ; w . ' 

“Sandy! Bandyi-wakeupand—y”   \ 1 ' _
And finding that the room was empty.   ‘ gs; . a
While, glamaing lam-the two  '-
roomsonthat oor an :13 emunoeen I ,‘ " 
' ’ e unto momma/waste .

 

g

Mr. Grandcourt‘had ‘ a N
Miss Dunne follow him, trying and howling] ;; 
in fear and rage. ' ' " > c ‘ ~~ _ ,

The dooroof the attic room stood open, and .
the he was on the outside; “Mr.- Granch
and tie entered. assured a glance “that it  ,_ “
had very recently been the nrlson of the“ young  

’rl they sought, for there was her trunk, the, 
id 0 n, and lace: and ribbons welliknown to
listings eyes'lylng‘as Males had left them. ina' . V
pitiful eflort to passthe tedious hours away'hy » ' 
arrangin and rearranging mom; A dainty ” 
mphyr s wl that Mr. Grandcwrt had often . 5‘

 

.e. '

. seen on Maize’s shoulders at Silverdslez- ink
_ withvfloss threads running likeshining ugh all:
,_  " through iii—lay across the foot of the little
* narrow that, coarse » though it was, was
' made as carefully as though it had been Maine’s

 

 Dunne had hr t up for her prisoner’s
» p supper. and agreen tu ler containing a por-
, tron of water, stood on the chaira-a mute, pite-
'ous reminder of what these prison hours were
toxtheyhighesplrlted young creature who had
been shut in there.
. Grandcourt looked about him, with a
r curious swelling in his throat. .
 ‘ J‘And she was shut up in here!" he cried,
,r . my, “Where is she now?”
 “I don’t know]. She’s escaped, her and

 

r. .  etherl I’m ruined, dead mined! Mr,
 ‘ Floy , ’11 mol” Miss Dunne groaned and la.
i‘  new. ' .
if" r r 1111th her cries and tears Mr. Grandcourt
 turned y to Lottie.

:-  " 1 “We must'be oil at once! Come, Lottie!
 _ You rememberethe close carriage we passed?
1’ Itimlist‘tlgve been imam. .We may overtake

 

 

. tie, and just as he was about to open the front

. door, a low, cautious series of raps sounded on

sixth‘e outside, and he opened—to Lac Flo d,
whose impatience to learn of the safe not on

x ,_ by‘$andy was so great,.he hadcomeout to learn

.' .the' particulars.

‘  j Ii‘he recognition was sudden and mutual.

“ A ~ “Mr. Grandcourti” Floyd taltered, his face
 _. r g to lividness. “You here! What does
‘ T his mean?” , "

 '7  ~“ on v see me here,”. Grandcourt replied,
”. é‘l’lltellyou whatitmeans. Juststep

 

   
  
     
   
  
   

1 his he spoke be seized Floyd’s arm and drew

1 him into the hall, closing the door after him.
i .The amazement of Lacy Floyd at thus find-
ing himeielf confronted at this place of all
"'ot. is, by Wilton Grandcour , of all men, was
,molutely,overpowering. breath came in
aegis, his e es seemed staring from his head,
 V is Gran court eyed him steme and strange.

in r 4 . ,
 ‘f-jA‘ most unexpected pleasure, Mr. Grand-
fiourt,” Floyd forced. himself into saying;
 illiquestionw our statement,» sir. on ask
{me why I am, ere. Inanswerto rescue Miss
Florgun’el from a  and cruel imprison-
  men . ,  . 
,g p ‘ Flo dturncd a startled,.~terrideid glance at
'  urine for a moment dreading that his
 schemes had miscarried. and that Maine’s lover
, I had indeed come to rescue her. i a
  {l‘I “was not to blame, Mr. Floyd! Indeed I
g  1 final; to blame, sir,” Miss Dunne exclaimed,
.,   ly. “ It was all Sandy’s doings; he stole
 We key of! my very pillar and carried her OE!”
"  Acurious relieved, look went across Floyd’s
; lace; had not failed him, and by this
._ time, the were out on the water—before the
' inle ght came nothing further would he
 decreases - = 
 re ' ecu . W9 .  of, expression 0n
"  3'1 353.8 11308, watching: himgifs he did with such

    
 
 
   
 
 
 

’ .

4 ‘1.   ' *'

 

 

SISTER sonvusrsxsrna,

tkeenly intent "gaze, and he knew that Floyd

 *own'luxurious eouch at Silverdale. A 'coarso .
 “blne‘disb, on which lay half the slice of bread :

. ' , ye , .
1g"; Ha hurried down the stairs, followed by Lot-

 

, ness, and the sound of the wind among theiréer

 

   

was not a stranger to the plan oféMeize’s escape
with Sandy; he understood, as if by magic I
that Floyd himself had planned the esca , an
that Sandy was his hired accomplice 0 keep M 
Maine closely imprisoned somewhere safer than 'l
her recent quarters, and thus compel her to 7
marry Claude-hoe]. "

While these surmises, partly correct, partly
incorrect, were occurring to Grandcourt Lacy
Flo d hadsucceeded in recovering his sci-conL
tro, and turned toward the young lover in
well-assumed quietness of voice and manner.

“No doubt on are surprised at all this. Mr.
Grandcourt. 5 do not know how you learned 
that m niece was at this house—~unless this re-’ 7 

mark ly astute young servant here informed ' 
you—but I shall not deny that Maize has been '1
here, by my authority, as a guardian. She is
proud, defiant, headstrong, forgetful that she is a
no longer the mistress of Silver-dale, and defy-
ing my authority as she did while in in house,
declining my advice, threatening to save it
and go out alone and penniless in the world. I I
brought her here—and I will justifym cause in
any court of law-intending to keep or until-
she should grow submissive. Heaven knows
what it has cost me, for I love the child as
though she were my own." ‘ '

He looked up at Grandcourt with an expres-
sion of anguish and rief on his face well calcu-
lated to convince of is truthfulness. ‘

“I do not want to hear another syllable of
your treacherous softness! 'I know ,you, you _,
hy 'tel I have seen Miss Flonmel s prison: i
cel , her prisonlare, and you would dare 'tell' 
your Flausible lies to me. N o viler heart beats
on th s earth than yours, Lacy Floydi I believe
you capable of anything, unless it be actual
murder. But I shall outwit you; I Will find ‘
her. yet!” 7 - ‘

Without another word, he sweeipt impetuously.
past Floyd, amazed and stupefi , Lottie follow-
ing, pale and alarmed, put to the carriage in
wait ng. ' y ,

 

5..

CHAPTER XI. V , x r   “5.

sans MERCIE.‘ - _ ‘ 

IF but some subtle instinct had warned Mame
Florimel that the carriage she passed lied con‘
tained Wilton Grandcourt and Lottie! But,
hearing the approaching wheels she shrunk V
further back agamst the cushions, drawing her
veil and scarf closer around her face and
throat, iliifinerywlousddreadhf lest it might be her
enem , cy , on is waytot cottage.
Maxie knew nqgfear. had no doubtvof her ree-
cuer—for, had he not been most chivalrous and
kind, and had he not voluntarily. released her,
and was he not taking“ her to her guardian, Mr.
Asher yman, at Cape May? And instead not
suspec infilhim,‘Maine felt a gratitude toward
him whic already was leading her toplan how
best to reward him for. his goodness to 
Swiftly the carr age rolled along,.an,d Maize
drank in the crisp cool night air as though» it
,had been wine. , '
After her imprisonment ever

wondrously beautiful, even in't

 

{thinglookedso  
e starry dark: .

tops. the many noises of the night. More to her ‘
, I e

l

 

 

~,‘./T.'

    
  
   
   
   
   
    
    
  
   
  
   
   
 
    
  
  
  
   
     
 
 

_  hem?! sensesthe sweetest mus} c she had ever
After a time, and when Maine kn‘ew they had
 driving throughthe city streetsvfor some
- the carriage stopped, and Sandy came to
: the door, lifting his hat courteously. '
“We’re at the pier, ma’am, where the sloop
lays, ready to start, if you’ll be so kind as to

go alone to Cape May with me—-”

Maize interrupted him warmly.

, “Afraid of you who have rescued me from
wmy terrible imprisonment! Indeed, no, Mr.

none! I trust you as I would my brother.

.You’liave been too kind to me for me to fear

you. .

, Sandy flushed guiltily, but Maize could not
A see the blush.-

. “I thank yoli, ma’am,” he said, quietly, as

33 assisted her to slight, and then escorted her
’ , wn the dark, silent pier to the little V0858]
lying in the dock-dust in exact accordance
. with thadirections Sandy had given, when dur-
7, lug his da ’s mysterious absence from the cot
tags, he d, according to Lacy Floyd’s in-
, , structions, hired the sloop, and arranged to

' have it in readiness—as he found it. ' ' r
_ It was quick work getting Maize aboard, and
in a short time the little vessel was off, and

_12e drew a long breath of relief as she felt
the motion. .

“Afloat! Safe 03 the land! Thank God,”
she thought, but so little dreaming what was in
the heart of Sandy Dunne as he fur-tively eyed
, er, so utterly unccnscious that the greatest

peril of her life was in store for her. ‘
Week from her long imprisonment and de~
_ pnvation of roper food, relieved and hopeful
' , etsomewha dreary in her thoughts. Haizesat

Silence, leaning against the railing of the little

at until, after an hour or so, she fell asleep,
3 ,e sorrowful face growing peaceful as the
 Slumber deepened. » While watching her,
” Bandv’s eyes gleamed sullenly» ,
, . “Mr. Lacy Flo (1 would tell me that now’s
‘ My chance,” be t ought. “If lwas to keep to
lily bargain with the oldegentleman, now’s ,the
-‘ lame and the opportunity to pitch her over-

board. I wonder if I be M; better? It’d give
.  a. hold on him I wouldn’t mind having, but
a then, he’d haven tighter one on me. You re in
my Dower, my little lady, and I mean to make
fiy fortune out of you. You’re not goingto
' ’ 1‘. Asher Lyman, nor to CapeMay: t s very
minute we arestanding out toward Long Is -
'l : Q Your life’s in my'handa, and what I shall
I, _ , Eldon’t rlglh‘tly know myself at.”
 And poor awe slept on, w ile, wide-eyed
 busy-brained, Sandy Dunne matured his

 

“I :‘  one hand Was the reward Lacy Floyd 01-
 him for his word‘s destruction-a trivial
‘ third. and 'Considered only because terrible
 lie behind itaOn the {fiber hand, if
’ 7-8 ewes , wereri empeasure,

so 33:3; argued. And,” before she
m'that dee , exhausted sleep, he had
:tospareher f sin consequence of the

'srsfrnn AGAINST sis'rna

lose no time getting aboard. I’d like to have ;
had time to 'a’ got a woman to go along with ‘
you, Miss Florimel—it may be you’re afraid to ‘

 

 
 

wealth heebe‘lleved that belonging to the young
girl, he could et hold of. , V 4 ~ ". A
" I’ll hide er- away, and I’ll hide myself i.
away, where old Floyd’ll’hever find monitor
give  him ’ a letter‘saying I have obeyed; 
m. 4 * - . -~ ' ' f ‘
A little later‘on, Maize awaked,,and  '
gave her her breakfast, that tastedus never

food had tasted to her beforempotted salmon,»  ~'
sandwiches, jelly and milk, after which, Sandv‘ I '

engaged her in conversation, gradually direcfigf '9‘

, ins,r it in the course he wiehe’druntil  '

Floyd’s name was brought in by Maize he ‘ g3;
and then Sandy prepared to deliberately,
mask himself. 7 _ ’ »~ " I '  , ,z 
' “The less said of Mr. Luci}7 Flo d‘tM'm'.,
ter,” he replied, coolly. “Di you ow, Miss”:
Florimel, that it was he who has arranged, this: V
sail of yours? It was he who hired me torresa' '
one you from your attic prison, unbeknown to ;
mgr sister Matilda, to otter to save on -‘-'-"-'hej 
w o planned everything~the 

boat; who found the money, and  use; 1' ,, 4:

km you,” X A __ 
Maize looked at him with burninfilgas, a 
terrible gloom and horror on her blanc fine.
“Lacy—'—-wished ou to—ekill me!”  ‘
pered,_piteously, ri htedl’y. ‘ ' ‘ v r‘ 
“Just that, miss. esaid itwouidall 
out just as it has—you would be w 
fall asleep, and I was to lose you or   , 4 .
while he pretended to searchhighnud omen ,
lament loudl .over your unknown fate.” :
A swift i ht gleamed amid, he V
gloom in her onny brown eyes, the look of ‘
espair suddenly left her lovely.mouth, and, _
a heavenly smile gathered around it. _,V .~ I ‘ , '«
“ You obeyed every order~ on '-
here—I fell asleep—vet, oh, 1-, Dunne, you j,
did not drown me! on let meiive, you have ,
even betra ed Lacy Floyd to mes-you'gretend:
to obe hm, but you are really hot lending"
me! , dared to doubt you while on 
telllii’ig me. Oh, Mr. Dunne,'you‘w: forgive ~
me , , '  ;' V 
She suddenly reached, forward andprlift'ed , T
coarse dirty hand and harried itfreverentlyfho;
her lips, and in confusion he draw it aways-‘3
confusion and stricken cousciousuess‘.f y  V  y. I,
“ I’m not as good as you think,” he, 
hastily. “ I’m not bad enough to let madman
before my- eyes, Miss F‘lorimel,a hut," all the,
same I can’t afford to lose by you. I’m a  ’-
manhand I mean to make styrene“ out or;
on. - ‘  ’ - r m 
Shedrew back suddenly. , ' ' '  '  9'"
“But I am also poor-and very frieudleaa. My

Y'

 

ewels erg all at  Mei V

at onto my rose . _ _ I 4 I ,

, “Isr'that so?! he responded, coolly, ffYon ~

have money, the l” w '_ ' v - ‘-

‘ “ Only a few d lars in my Chet.” ;

“But you’ve got a rich overs—that high—p
toned young Grain-looms fellow?" ‘  

ale. “He is poor poorer'than Reforms  " ‘
,' to is'heavily mortgaged,” ‘ >  -'  f  r
“Then there’s no way]? see at present of you,
paying me for letting you live, but filmy one}:
my» little plan, and risk it for awnile, anyhow ,

' \

terribleTLi~   ,:

 

 
   
 
   

ya's 50?“??Wnefle  '  

 

“Nan—sad Maize’ssweet imam deadw-  ' 

 
 

  

/

 ;\ as

SISTER AGAINST SISTER. 3'

   
  

 

  
 
   
  

 

' ‘ ‘_“ What’s a promise worth? Not that! Bee

' -‘-/ .able commodity—as long as you are in my pos-
 session. '
 , fame and in my keeping he will be under my
thumb,” he never would be if I were his ac-
complice in your death. I shall make a bi§
thing by keeping you in my possession, and
mean to do it.” I
' '  He looked steadfastly at her, his mouth closed
\ tightly" in grim determination, and poor little
. v. ' Maize, brave though she was, felt her heart
 , ' ‘sink‘with awful despair.
 7 ' ,It was two or three hours intern-hours passed
 '  ',in passionate pleadings on her part at first, then
‘ in silent, hopeless submission—that the little
‘ vessel. entered a narrow cove on the Long
Island coast, very near its north-eastern ex-
"  ~ trainityws lonely, dreary spot, at which Maize
: « r- looked with wistful, dilated eyes as they drew
 a " the shore—a little way back from which,
'asd'clirte was rounded, was a forlorn cabin,
i ‘ before which lounged a rough, grizzly-headed
'- h old man and woman, who watched in sur rise
the arrival of the sloop, which Sandy skill ully
 brought so near the beach that the little row-
 .boatfs'trip toland was very short,
‘  , ‘ ,3 Maize tainted Sandy’s assistance, but climbed
 'lnt'othe row-boat unaided, and directlystood
 ‘ an shore, a faint gleam or hope in her heart at
' s ht of one of her own sex-old, forlorn, fer-
. b1 ding though she was.
“Isuppose you don’t reco ize me with all
this tezgery on, Pete,” San y said to the old
then, “ but you look as lar e as his and twice
as natural as the last time saw you and Mrs.
'fl‘unisonlthem” I _
r ‘3" “Itls Sandy Dunne—of course it is,” the old
' woman interrupted, “and that fixed out, I’m
sure his ‘own mother wouldn’t know him only
0, 1’  hybisrolcei What’s up, Sandy? Perlice after
 ‘- ye? Been a—elopin’, Sandy?”
- handy laughed. ,
“Not much at an slope, Mrs. T.
 look like it? She’s a regular
oneatoo aristocratic for me.” 4 .
~ ,, I - " “Thenwhat is it?” the old makwi‘ed,
' w iuigniflcantly, as he shook'hsnds wi y. .
« T7 v “.‘ A little speculationnl’ll tell {on all about it
r ' by and by. Just at present want a quiet

 

  
  
  
 
 
  
  

 

 

Does she
high-bred

 

“   boardin ~plaoe for the young lady-a 00d, safe

 roova a lock on the outside of he door.
, ‘7’ ’ ‘ Got the accommodations it you’re let into the
'v * speculation, Pete?” . e
 1 "7 , “We’ve got. ’em ” he replied, and then, grasp.

‘ 7 ,' ,ing, Melae’sarm, dandy hurried her acres the
beach to the wretched little cabin, where she
“ r wastaltea to thepsmaller of two rooms on the
g: ' ground‘ficor-dimlylighted,meagerly furnished,
 ’  . sirly clean—and as a struggle would have been
. ’ 5-,.“ foli~y,»Maine weerly submitted while fiendy es-
.  , ported her in, demanding her money, whatever
 ghosts: had anger pegsonbgggeitlxuld
  on so er war m ' ‘ .‘ m,
u ' ,e and themtellgfgher hewoullg

   
  

see her in a few
 .. dwellerham woo woo. Sandy locked her in.

 

 £91,,“th on your]wa to”  Hey, you ', 3mm rkeyto the repulsive old woman and
now—J - , started back- on the little sloop for New york
: .“Notgn ’l’nyway to Cape May! Oh, but you city. ‘ \ .. z i .
 romise ,—v , . , 1 And poorMsize her hi 11 some at last nth .
'i  p Sandy snapped his finger and thumb lightlyt , serif-mush“, ’ g

 .sidesyyou’re a gold mine to me—a merchants,”

As long as Lacy Floyd knows you’re .

n

  

ve herself up to‘ t e full reel!» 4;?
ation of all the errors of her position.  '1

CHAPTER XII. ‘
A Lovnn’s mini. :7
UPON Mr. Grandcourt’s abru aperture 
from Miss Dunne’s cottage, he an Lottie were" j
driven back to New York with all possible ’.
speed, his mind made up to lose. not a moment 
in placing the matter in the hands of askilled 
detective while, having but a short start of g,
, bistable hope was strong that a. clew would be 1;
01]!) . ;
“The fellow Sandy would take her to some 
humble‘isolated 8 ot, the sooner to force her 
into submission to acy Floyd’s plans. My first '3:
3 work shall be to inquire at the various railway ',
stations, although it is nite improbable she was 
1 taken to anytsuch pubic place. To-morrow I -,
‘ shallvisit the wharves and piers.” ,, x e ' y 
Not a moment’s time-was lost in putti fhis 
, questions to the test. By mid-afternoon o .the 
f day folldwin , two or three hours after Maine’s g.
: abductor he set out upon his return to the ‘
i city, Mr. Grandconrt had satisfied himseltion 
v the railroad point, while the detective in his "
. employ had undertaken the public and private ‘v 
livery stables, and fallen in with the man who 
hadbeen paid such a rousing sum of Lacy 
Flo d’s money, throu in Sandy Dunne, for his I»
mi night work, that e had indulged in an ex- 
I cess of liquor, that made his tongue wag freely Li;
and mysteriously; sufliciently howev .r, to War- 2’
rant the report to Mr. Grandcourt t at a claw 
, was discovered which promised fairly. . I _ ~'_
It was late intho evening when Grandcourt ‘
and the officer visited the dingy, lonely little I}
pier to which the carriage had been drivengnnd . 
- there they found the owner of the sloop, his 
lantern beside him, as he rather impatiently, 1‘.
awaited Sandy’s return, as agreed. ’
From him, they learned, with considerable ‘
difficulty, that he had hired hisboat to a young 
fellow who had elo with his sweetheart, g:
which was the story ndy had given him, but 
is what direction they had gone, he had no 
1 ea. , 72'
Bafiled'at the very threshold of what had .
promised so

d

 

 
   
    
  
   
    
   
    
   
  
   
 
  

 

the ofilcer was not disconr: ,
aged, and. at once decided to lie in wait until 
Sandy’s return with the sloop. ‘ ‘ ' 3!;
“Iknow the youn villain like a book,”hej1
said to Grandcourt, ‘ and when he ate in an 
up cranes no disguise can hide him tom mafia;
uHunning to the last degree, Sandy '
,Dunne did not “put in an appearanCe;” ,The 
little vessel came 11:, after a couple rhours’ wait- ;- i'
ing, but not in charge of Sandy who, having 3
secured the services of a man further upthe ;
river, had landed, and sent home" the sloopin 

his care. ~ ‘ ~ ' » 
“Outwitted be and question,“ Grandcm1rt'.
said, in bitter ismay and diasppointmenhv

“ What possible step can be taken next?”  I 1
“ By no means outwitted,” the officer rev; 
turned, as they drove away in their-carriage.“ ~ 
“There is good reason to suppose that

 
    
  
   
  
   
 
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
    
    
    
  
 
 
 
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
   

 

Dunne would take the: sung 

t , . some place
 With which he iswel acquain and equal

" reason for knowing it is Somewhere not very
__ distant. His confederates and comrades were
never manye-chief of them being aPete Tunison
“who only recently served out his time for a
burglary. He’s got a. cabin down on Lang
Island—not a. be place to hide a young lady
away. Let’s follow it up.” v
,As the first train out was not until
Mr. Grandcourt returned to his hotel, after see—
, , ping Inttie .and telling her of their intention, to
ass the long hours between fluctuations of

and tear. . I
 , {bthe firsttrainin the morning they started
‘ for e Tunisons’ cabin, leaving e train at the
nearest station, and being obliged to walk be—
tween three and four miles over the lonely
dreary roads,~every ste of which seemed to
deepen the conviction t t it was to this place
. Sandy had brought Maine Florimel—that
amounted to a reelingh of absolute certainty
when they came in sig t of the wretched little
hovel, in front of which the waves washed
. drearin and monotonously. ,
, ‘ dcourt’s pulses Were beating quickéy and

geagerly as they went up to the cabin, s rting
1 rear. side, and coming round to the wretched
in front door that stood open, while within
 ,Tunison :was preparing a mess of fish for
, their dinner—dropping it with a shriek asthe
~ two stran are entered. ‘
, “ There e no need of makin a fuss, old lady,”
the detective said, suggestive y. “You’ve seen
.me before, and I know you and the old man

tron c you make‘us the better it’ll be for you.

, As he ks,
' arm, Mr. randcourt had gone eagerly to t e
'< doorleading to Maine’s room, the only door ex-
 cept the outer one, and rapped upon it, calling
 slut in passionate mfifness: .
' ‘ “Are you there, izei Are you there?”
r  There iolloweda second of painful, breathless
, Suspense, and then a swift little rush was heard
1 avlithe opposite side of the door, a low, inarticw
 136, cry came from within, and then Maine‘s
;,»‘V'010e answered, sweet, full of sobs, passionate

and incredulous: ' _
' »“ Willi It is not Will—”
*fThe sound at her voice, actually and truly
has own beloved’voice, burst, in the barriers
‘31 rudenoe and restraint on Grandcourt’s pert.
W th an exclamation of rapturous delight, he
31mg himself against the door wrenching the
luck off it. and a delicate, gir ‘sh figure out-
Wrinto the outer room,ra slim figure w:
“abound hair, rippling in silky brown anes

below her waist, and rest passionate brown

Eur-lighting up a face w lite and eager.

" this. lovely little girl flew to Grand-
WI‘N in": arms as‘a wandering bird fines to its

mine: Maine in darliu thank God!”
All. Gmndcourt’s yagile ’soul was in his
4112 voice as he cl her to his breast.
 almost ystertcally, the tears
. §¢down her thin cheeks. , _‘ n
m“ ilten. I’ve prayed and longed so for

:1

\

_.. throu h and through. Let me tell you the less v

Where’s the young lady you’ve got locked up i
here?” ‘ f pared, sw'ftl , as he put her from‘him, and
his hand seizing thevold he ’s

./.

lemme mmsmmn ' *

morning, ‘

swearin like a. pira

i

th  the gloom it

i
l
I
l
r
l

l
i

<

i then let her go

, nized

: the cabin door, so'tbatthe .two lovers were a

    
   
  
    
   
    
  

{lento come to mavens said, her tonestrem- it
, 'ng, her'sweet mouth quivering. :“Take me /
away, Will—take me away, please! You don’t, 

know”what1 have undergone since I left 

e. . l I . P ‘ .
Only a minute oi! time had beentaken for this '1’
hasty, eager greeting, and Mrs. Tunison had, ”
the while, been vain y attemptighg, to- wrench , _
herself from thestrong gripe of e'detectifeis
hand, glancing at Grandco‘urt and Mainewlth‘ -
terror and amazement, and ‘uttcrin  ml ;
shrill cries, which brought Pete;  e,  "
ingas he entered. 4 I l . ‘ . i~~ _‘ 7":
“What the old boy, are you yellin" ab 
about, hey? What the devil does this 
He stopped point-blank” in amazement ‘at. the is
unexpected tableau that presented itself. .  . a
“ It means that this lady isto be'rescued from i
this placo, and we will give you just fiveminufel ,
to clear the way for her.” «. ;  ,
Grandcourt looked full in Pete’s sngrye es, - .- 
' “ The deuce you will! It’llbe all that  w ,,  V = ;
there’s worth tok the old woman   
knew that for a tru -—and I’ll bet Pm a mate - .  -‘
for you; you fine young man! That ’ere lady is,  
left in my care, and in my care she stay/{tin W 
her garde.~n’sorder comes to ma.” ' ' ‘ w ‘  v ’
Grandcourt smiled. r . 7 ~.' 7
“ We’llsee all about that. You may have” t.
your choiceof letting Miss Florimelv go pesos. 
ably, oryou ma' temnkfi all the row you canned ‘ 
ra. .  ~e
With a curse, Pete picked up a murderous i 
looking walking-stick that stood behind the, .‘
door, and rushed at Gmndcourt, flourishing it , .
dangerously, while Maine uttered a. leakage. 1

 

 ‘ fl. ’ n, g
“ n‘t be afraid, dear,” Grandcourt whine. 
then and en y rushing at Petepwith‘a  
ment that did credit to his training as anathletfe, I j
Grandcourt dexterously knocked the 
aside, sending it sfinning to'the other olden! '
the room, and be ore Pete knew what'it-ail
meant, he was lying on the floor, stunned, 
not hurt, by a b ow from Grandcourt’s am   
It was easy work enough then, and‘in  
than five minutes Maize, in see us endghat,
was ready to depart, while old rs. Tuapon,;i
te writhed in the  I
which 1'. eoflicerhadtied her: '  I  u 4, ,
In all her life, Maize Florimel had neverbm, ;
quite so happy as at that moment,wheng'w1th '
her 'arm linked thrwghhergloyerlashe started: ,
back to life and joy again.  ' , ' -  
‘ “It paysme for all,” he whi ' ,lookiug
Win: his face.

 

“The future 1 database, 3,:
u, the hri- htness- or, this hour mu gildaii _, 
golds. lam. saved tron: bondage  _. ,f‘
and treachery, by you, Will.”  . I I; 
“ And there shall be no more troublefor you, 7 ,3}: .1
m darling-neverl”he-nnswered passiona . ,4 
“f have found on, and shell never lose '9;
of you again. 0 one Will ever you I:
more~rest sure o! thatl”  .' ‘ _ _,  j
And the discreet pohce detective persisted in  __ .
being a mastxunwamntsble while in securing '

distance ahead of « him most of
the railway station.

*—

"\...r.
M.»

 

r CHAPTER XIII.
 ‘ .j anonn’uovn.

 Irmay we‘ll be surmised that, as they
_  along the dreary lonely country road,
v followed at such thoughtfully discreet distance
  hy‘the detectiire, that Mr. Grandcourt and

g 7 talked very much inlovers’ fashion, at

least for awhile until the transports of their

. ' Sale mil-union were succeeded by a calm
_ reliectiveness, and then,’ Maine told all the
hideous tale of Lacy Floyd's treachery. the

 1" .thrillinghtory of her escape andthe revelations
2 i ‘  ;Sa‘u‘dy Dunne made to her, narrating the details
’ - L ' I" with an intensity that made Grandcourt listen
 in breathless wonderment.
 ‘  :“Mypoor little girll It hasvheen a fearful
I  experience for you, whose life Was so care-free
“:"fi  V and ioyous until this new claimant appeared!

 

 

 

 

  .‘Aud to think you met all these dangers and-

"f; '  ~' tears alone, my little darling!”
 , ' “But I was neither afraid nor alone, Wil-
gv; V'ton,”sshe answered, in a lew, reverent-voice.
, “5.36 Who has promieel never to.forseke His
 * children was with me, through it all.”

,’ ’ Hr. Grendcourt’s handsome eyes moistened
' ; who looked on her pale, pure face, and for a
=  moment a sweet, solemn silence reigned.
i , “It is exceedingly strange that Lacy Floyd

supports this Sylyia Florimel’s claim to Silver-
 ; dale, knowing, as he does, that. it is a false
' ‘ claim,” Mr. Grandcourt said, presently.
 “ What, do you think, is the mystery l” '
.y P 2“]: have no idea. It maybe that he is to
' _ I r be well paid—it may be a deeper reason. But
y, j: at  events, he has risked everything on the
J‘, “chances of her success, and he undoubtedly
» .; Would Sacrifice me because he fears I would
*1 1 make trouble.”
 “And you believe Sylvia Florimel' not the
 heiress!” '
 ' “Elie isnot, Wilton.”
“ r g “And’yon are the lawful heiress, Maize!”

' ‘ “Yes,” she said, gravely.”
. “‘ Then, “such'belng the ease, and the brother
 of the aspirant to the estate and Lacy Floyd
.‘ ‘1" being allied againetyou, even to the extent of
,f"   your life to further their ends, it fol-
 . lows you are not safe, Maize, nor would you be
' .  inveu with Mr. Lyman. He could have no oon~
’  caption ofthe treachery of Lacy Floyd, the

man who has been his friend for years, from
~ ~ Whom one word would outweigh aehundred of

 V  yours. My darling, you are in a posftion of

y' " v  o” ‘ '
, .. ‘ern, 1am; I. know that, Wilton," Maire
 quietly. . ,’ , .
 ‘ffl‘hen there is but one thing to be done,”
  ou,:his yoioe growing more and more

   
  
   
  
   
   

a.

 

 
 
 
    
  
    
   
 
  

   W4 °‘ W “m

e

 

 , 'sisrsR’AéAiNS'r siesta.

‘her eyes. ‘

 

 with every word. ‘,‘ You are under age, ;.
Gilligooneeguentlyauhject to your guardians, -
50m whims; is a villain, seeking your are; '

[minister Hotel, where, in charge of jhe detail"

 
  
   

me

Darlingl if ever you needed a". friend, apro
teeter, you need it now! ,Let me take you at
once in.my care, dearest. Be my wife imme-.
diately—today—end- Lacy Floyd’s authority
'over you ceases. Be my wife, Maize, my little ;
homeless darling, and you will at least be safes/*1"
I will watch you nightand day; I will defend 
you with my life. Say ‘Yes’ to me, Maize, 
say ‘Yes’ to me!” ' " V_

His handsome lane was all aglow as he looked',":
at, her with eager, passionate eyes, making/it 
indeed a most difficult task for Maine to refuse
such sweet pleading, but all her nature revolt- {L
cd from the idea of a stolen, hurried mar- ,,
riage. « V ' _ A “ 
A sorrowful smile came on her 1i} as she .;

 

  
 
   

 

looked at him. 

“No, dear, that cannot be. When I marry 
you it shall be as Maize Florimel should—fur;
my own dear home at Silverdale, by my Own'
pastor, with my friends around me.” , 

“But when may that blessed time come, my j
darlingil We must be separated unless we are 
married.‘ Your guardians will take you away; 
you have no home, no available friends. 
Maize. it must not be as you sayl. You must
go back with me to Grandcourt, my wife, and if:
we will defy your enemies. Maine, dearest, 
darling, yes!” . ' . 

“No,” she returned, steadfastly; then a 
swift impetuousness broke into her voice, and
he saw a sudden dauntless resolution flash to a,

 

 

  

“The proper place for the heiress of Silver- _
dale is at Silverdale,” she said, her eyes shining
like stars. ' “ I have thought out my plans, and 5
I um going straight to Silverdafel Claude 
Noel is still in New York—’1 ' r 

“ But his sister is at Silverdalel” , 

“Yes, but I have no fear, of Miss Sylvia -r
Florimei. I shall go home and resume posses‘ ~,~E
'sion of my rights, and from Silverdale I shall ‘1
telegraph to Mr. Lyman and, Mrs. Weston to 
come to me. I shall take. actual '~possession,j 
and if Mr. Claude Noel wishes to go to law on, 
behalf; of his sister, he may. . I will not again, I
retire in her favor until forced by, the highest 
law in the land!” ‘ 

He looked admiringly in her spirited young
face. _ " ‘ ' . 
“It may be you ‘ere right, Maize; at anxf
rate we will carry your scheme into efleet. 
We will go direct to Silverdale, and summon‘
your friends, not permitting Claude Noel to 
cross the threshold again until the law confirm 
his claims.” “ ‘ ~ ‘ ' 

“find on our way we will call for Ma;
and take her with us to Silverdale—deatp 
faithful Lottiei” “ - V ,, I 

‘ The ride thew York wae‘iilled .withdi’a';
missions .as to their plan ; arrived at the cit-m:
Mr. Grandsourt conduct Maine to the‘Wett‘s

 
   
   
   
   

 

 

 

  
    
  
   
    
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
     
    
  
  

_, e

if t119111, and Maine thanked the faithful servant
«,‘infl'wazmeet, gratefulan for the great service
:’°.ndered her. ‘ » '*' - '
 F‘iAttended by her maid, Maize rested that
‘ fight at the hotel, and the next morning Lot-
 Went on a shopping tour to buy a‘ suitable
" lette in which her young mistresamight
. her journey. '
And at noon, of a crisp, sparkling, late
, ,‘u‘mmn day, the little party took the train for
j»; e, reaching the station between four and
‘ 7°; and finding that, as had been the invaria-
 Qustom during Maine’s reign, the Silverdale
.Qamage met the train, for any chance guests
‘2  ,y 3 might have arrived.
 Mr. Grandcourt at once escorted Maize to
carriage, and when Philip the gray-headed
ffiman, and Jackson the footmau sew
. me, their delight was too" genuine to be re-
; ""And it’ come home ye have, Miss Maize,
.   thanked the day!" Philip said, rever-
uhfly grasping the daintyrlittle hand she ex-
 ’f‘ded to him. '
y a {laid Yes, home, Philip—it is good, isn’t. itl".she
 l , y.1aughing softly. “ And how are all things
A “ in? EiIYex-dalei” " ' «
 ,‘ shat the same, Miss Maize, had loock till
gem! Misther Noel he ain’t at home, and the
 a. y, , missis the is, and no mistake, and the very
‘  Big???“ 559‘ is, beggiu’ yer pardon, Miss

 

 

  

*  , i: was Florimel is at the house, then, Philip?"
 . an, no’m. She’s there, but this
 afthernoon she’s out a—roidin‘ in your
 a??? Phaeton, a—dhrivin?! Prince Albert like the
1,921. Schief): _
film’s eyes seemed to flesh like diamonds in
.  “Sunlight as she turned to Mr. Grandcourt.
 m We Will take possession without delay,
3; m tumbler Sylvia Florimel nor Claude Noel
a 1‘, “N88 the threshold untii the law unlocks
 . Come, let us lose no time! Drive
 ggmrhillpmfast as the horses can go!”
‘ “1.9 little party entered the carriage, and
 Whipped up the great buy horses, hie
' ~ A! old face excited and his eyes kindling.
V,  5 “mugh Fate had eventually veered from
?  ’ 603’3'101' her benefit, Maize reached Silven
 fore Sylvia Florimel returned from her
 and the home-coming“ of the young
P $3.83“ suspicious moisture to Grandcourt’e
;  ’38 Witneseed the devotion of the young
 . “Unto-w joyful hour indeed (01" her
 '9 him? had been in such peril. 7
  V3 done well in acting that beldly,"
” "  her lover later. “Even if my

   
 
       

  
  
   
   
  
   

 

 .me
theme

        
 

v piazza.

was a perfect ovation—~13. scene that

 

t'iéulz‘zph'f‘ln the end, I shall feel it wee

 

mam Emerging. » f, i I
give, the romained while he brought Lottie to

r. ., ._ .
«The, meeting was most touching between

rightiorme to niake a, desperate enortf,te V ' " l 

tain what once Was my own,” I . . _
As she spoke, Lottie cameinto the room with *
the announcement that Mine Sylvia Rommel}

had returned, and Wes at the door demanding '   3‘;

admission ’in the most indignant menus}; ’ . I
“She cannot enter the house, under any
Circumstances,” Maize quietly ‘said.

to the village, or where they willy They 

not enter here.” _ » ' '. ~  '
Nor did Sylvia Florimel enter. " Twenty ,

minutes later, she and Isabel her maid, drove

oil! in hot haste, threatening the direet  A

'geance when they returned, as soon as a police, "
owner could be found. ' _ ' ‘ k _ .
But Maize only smiled, and. bid her lover"

good-night, assuring him over and over again“;  M ,
fear to be left with ’ 

she had not the slightest
only her servants. -
His solicitude, however, was
removed, and it wasmot until an (hour 
when Mrs. Weston arrived, in hot, eager haste, “

that he consented to return to Grandoeurt, :3» I
while the two ladies, in their rapturous  

union, spent the hours far into the wrangling, 

V wnfldential conversation. , _ V,

 

CHAPTER XIV; " “
_ V narrnnni K ». ‘  
As is already known to the reader, Sandy 

Dunne had cunningly returned the hired ,7
to its owner by a third’ party, while he, him; 1 ' r _

self, discreetly kept well out of sight. ; ,‘

Arrived'at the‘nity, be resolved to " etched; 

to his sister’s cottage, there to awe the new
“’8 of Lacy Floygd with the promigeg “may i 
~ Anxious, nervous, Lacy Floyd was not be.” 

hindhand with his appointment, but at sight 

of Sandy, tranquil as a summer mo” ' 
worried countenance lightened. ,  » v I

“All! Back already?” be do "need; 
shown into the ehabhy'little parlor hyxnise; :
Dunne, who did not hesitate to show how  
ceased she was at the mysterious conference"
from which she was so ruthlessly shut out, he
his voice falling to a hoarse whisper: ‘

“Well, man, well?
turned out?” '

"‘ A 1! Justus I meant it should" -

“Then—thené—"and Floyd’ewhisper   

ed to a sort of eager gaspw“ she Wendi”, ' V
Sandy nodded assent,_end at the. same Vin-u ’
stunt Floyd suddenly shutdown on the no”. . g
eat chair, his {nee ghastly to livldnos's, my eyes 3 : .
Weirdnznd dusted“ I. \ _ , ,V ..  
_ . 'dl", rownedx Pool-um. g I :v
Min Gad!" '. - ‘ y '33,.“ . g

  

 

 

 

“The?  
"Servants understand their 011191?de I have L, '
no fear or her remaining long outside on the 
Her maid is with her—Jet them deified s

 

not so»  i' 

 

locked the (iconnnd went clown? *9. 3W": i. “ :
How  .70“?  '5."

 

     
  

! ._ ' , I I
. .1,..—.__............__...._

- L Sandy s‘ . ' at him in uttereamMBment,"for
such emotion from such a source, at such a

' time, seemed to him little less than imbecile.

. '  “ What’s the matter with you, Mr. Floyd!”
‘. he‘ said, angrily. “You paid me to kill her,

.. findndw-J ' _ a ' _

' ,Floyd shuddered. I .

_  “I do not regret it, but the awfulness of it

 ' “ comes home to me none/the less. She trusted

' ~ Ine‘,aud I‘ betrayed her to her death. But I
regret nothing. It iswell done. Here is your

 _-” ' ’

 ' . He gave Sandy a thick roll of hills, which
 lie-counted before he put safely in his pocket.

13,-  “It is! just what I engaged to give you,”

 I, Floyd said,‘ “ audit settles matters between us.

  I owe. you nothing—you owe me nothing.” ‘-

7',  Sandy smiled curiously. .»

 ‘ “gou’re‘ right, sir. We’re square.”

*" r “, ut before we part company forever, I
want to ask you some questions—about poor
 Kaine. You were entirely alone with her on

. ; the vessel?” . ,

«  “Stark stone alone.”

a 1‘ _,  “Audi‘s-when she slept,’ yon—tossed her
‘ .‘oyerboardl”

  “No. ‘I waited. until ,she woke up. She

'1  what was coming. I told her the whole

'f hideous story, hat I was a villain not to be

 watched this s do of perdition, and that you

1, hired me to kill her—~” ’ I

1‘ ,, Floyd interrupted Sandy’s cool

snubdued yell. V

g -_ ’ f‘You did. net send. her into eternity with

‘ ' “Ithatdamuing knowledge?”

 ‘_  “I told her everything, but beyond her her-

' I , rorand terror was the knowledge that ‘Laoy ’

‘   £qu to serve her.”

'~, ~ The cold sweat stood on Floyd’s forehead,
like‘huge rain-drops. ’

 “You were mad, cruel, to tell her, and yet

Tit makes no special‘diflerence—now. That is

all}: Want of you, Sandy,” and his voice grew

 

recital with a

 

 
 
   
   
   
 
 

yon, now and forever. Our acquaintance

 , police are 'on your“ track, and you had. better
 fget out of the country at onco.” r ‘

 a ' j ,.“I will,” Sandy answered. “Let me ask

’ { you a question first, though. Dues the new

:“heii'esa’of Silverdale live at Silverdale?”

‘ “She‘does.”

   

‘ v- who police Would never think of looking for

 Ina-there, Say as steward, or head butler,
f0W” , ' .

"a... ._“Youl 'What presumption. You Miss Flo-

. rimol’s steward or butler !’1

 *“‘She had better make ‘me either than her
finalityfi’hfiaudy" returned, 'with a suggestive

' . ;_£ "a; tell you a little secret, Mr.

:Fl 1d.  return‘tor my confldeme to Miss

3.

i“

  

 
   

,  SIflEfifAiGlAlhlsl'intsmi“     “I ,9.»

. Long Island shore. Is it at Tunison’a you left ‘

 and. cold again. “‘I am through with

. ~endtx’here, tonight—you go your way, I go >
' ' mine. , 'ButI give you fair warning that 

 ushered iii—Claude Noel, agitated and alarmed. "1
 ' r “Bayou think [I could get a pesitlon'there? I

  
    
   
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
    
 

Maize, she toldme all that she heard between .
you and Mr. Noel in» your library, about the
flaw in the—new claim!“ ' ‘ - '
Floyd started, then laughed. uneasily. '
“ Girl’s nonsense e—jabber,” he said. “ Don’t I
play with fire, Sandy-it’ll burn you. .1 Even it
she heard-it; and told you it,‘what does such
testimony amount to? And remember ”—-and *
his eyes flashed uglily—“ you cannot blackmail .:
“me through anything Maize Florirnel told you.
[’d see you hung high as Haman for her muro
der first!” 7 W .

‘“ Don’t get up on too high‘ a horse, Mr.
Floyd!” Sandy retorted, with menacing anger.
“ ‘Ha’ng’ is 'a mean word,.and I haven’t said ' '
the girl was dead yet!” ‘ ‘ ‘ "

Floyd jumped to his feet, springing at Sandy
in tigerish passion. , ’_ ,4 I

“ Not dead!” he gasped. “ Is she not dead!”

“ No, she’s not,” Sandy sneered, defiantly,
and Floyd shrunk, shivering back as though a
terrible blow had been dealt him. '

“Not dead! And yen exchanged all them 
oonfld’ences with, her! Not dead! Alive—r 
yet!” . 

“Exactly. Not dead, alive yet, and securely ' 1
hidden among old pals of mine where neither
you nor the law can find her.” '

“ Hidden—with—pals of yours! Great God!
Grandcourt was here the night you went away,
demanding your whereabouts, and, only this '
morning he was seen in company with a noted 
detective, who was making inquiries about 
the TuniSons—those old cronies of yours, on the

 

 

 

her?" I ~;
Sandy uttered a sharp. cry—like that or a s .
wild beast cheated of its prey, and the excla- if
motion, the look, the raging fury told the 
truth.

For a second the» two villains glanced at
each other. ' . I

“ The game is up,” Sandy muttered, thickly.
“She is free by this time!” 1  ‘ _

“ Free—with the infernal information you
gave her! Free! but her freedom must not
last; her—” "

A quick, cautious rap on the outer door in:-
terru'pted Floyd, and a puller of apprehensive
I fear swiftly whitened both the rogues’ faces—-

for a second only, and then Miss Dunne

 

 

' “I have important news,” he said, without
preface oi greeting 0r courtesy. “ A. telegram
reached me shortly ago from my sister, saying
that while she was out for a drive, this aiter- . ,
noon, Maize, Florimel returned to Silverdale
and took possession, refusing to allow- her to
enter the house. My sister is at a hotel, in a

' state of great excitement, and summons, me to
her by the flrsttrain.” " ', . ' I '
Floyd stood stupefied at the com.

“Maize at Silverdale! Whatva'cursed 

      
 

  
 
  
      
       
       
  

t931153713 ‘Possession is nine points of the : law, ’
Willie means to tone you to appeal'to the‘

13W. items have taken an alarming turn.” I
' - “What are we to do?" Noel asked anxious- ,

  
   

1y. 2‘, I .
,  "? Proceed to extremitiesl”‘Floyd ex?
dimmed, his eyes blazing evilly. “ We will go
1 direct, to Silverdale, you and I, andm-once
(V “here, it will go hard with me it by strategy
\ force we do not win theyday.”

 

 
 

 

CHAPTER ' XV.
  » am THE STORM. .
T IT-VaS between three and four o’clock of the
day following. Maize’s triumphal strategic
a. ~"etnrn»to Silverdale, and the arrangement that
,; ad been made by Lacy Floyd and Claude
', ',._1,gthat‘ the announcement was made to
I" 3329 that a, party of guests were at the gates,
. Which had by her order been closed and his.
" 119d, demanding admission.
 “‘ It’s not so very large a party, ma’am," the
 Pprter at the lodge said, “but ’it’s quite the
‘ ”""strangest lot I ever see. Mi=s Sylvlas at the
,» 93d ofl’em, ma’am, sitting in her carriage
{18a flujee. Mr. Noel’sralong with her, i
 E“Wearing and threatening, and Mr. Floyd and ‘
'  - Braddon, ma’am, and Mr. Lyman, and a,

I
 3b.“), ' I l
g caught eagerly at the name of herl

.7 . , an.

I 1. ‘SMr. Lyman has arrived? I am most anx-A‘
 933m... mm.» . |,
.f  , :And it’s anxious he is to see you, ma’am, 
' I; 013119 bid me say to you: ‘Tell Miss Maize,

ls. ridiculous farce must proceed no further. 
 all her»? says he, ‘ that I come as her guardian, '
V 2 ’ 5 name of the law she defies. to command
u er ’50 unlock the gates, and yield the premises
‘  , b3_l°gal owner,’ says he, ma’am.”
~ , V’Mrsjllze flushed haughtin as she turned toward
“ Weston.  >
1  I might only have a private interview ,
V 'éatéa_M1‘- Lyman,” she said. “But once the .
 {um are opened, my enemies would rush in
_' ;_ i an “19- What can I do?” ,
 "fmth down to the gates and have a parley
* m,” the people through the bars. I will go
L’eh' 17°“, atfid‘you can take Mr. Lyman aside.
' in”? ,uple ot the men-servants accompany »

l

  
  

‘, 3,35,“ Earning a proper course and the only
* , ‘ ’ able one, Maize at once ordered the car-
 z'  I and ivory shortly the little defensive
, \ “genial; the scene of action.

"I  8 (than curious sceneotsction it‘wu' Out-
..f gygfi 1 Party, as the porter had described it, -
  sw‘mmorlmel in a high state of nervous
I   ant, and Claude Noel furious with
’ rwwmring and cursing at the under lodge '

 ‘ 35g"? daringto refuse to admit them,

  
   
 

his “final role 0f amiable peacemaker,

t

I; . , ,"\

V ‘ , sigmaionizatinsmazg    ” 7 ,,

drom her carriage and went directly toward; ]  j

“owner, and here you are back again; usurping ,-

: girl yonder, Sylvia Florimel by name, 'is‘  
' the rightful heiress, well‘though the proofs

clients. " / _ - - ‘ r I V , _
‘Mr. Lyman, and Mr. Braddon stood apart, H
in earnest conversation, and as Maize stepped ..1 

Lacy Floyd wasstri'ving to pacify land‘cajm   I

     
         
     
  
  

him, she .saw how indignant, angry and, an: 
noyed he looked. In return to her bow at  " “
greeting, he inclined-his head coldly, and with- f
out a preliminary word, broke harshly out:  W ,
“ What does all this absurd.,masquerading I
mean, Maize? ’You voluntarily retired from f 
the Silverdale estate, to give place to its legal ' 

    
   
  
  
   
    
  
   
 
  
  
    
    
   
 
 
   
 
   
  
   
   
 

Miss Florimel’s rights, creeping into her house L v
during her absence—conduct more becoming}: ' ' ‘
thief, an advonturess, than a lady. {I am , .

shocked, mortified at your unaccountableflbe- ‘7  «j

havior.” , f y_  :7 
Maize's. brown eyes flashed and her cheeks _ 
“0135.. ‘

reddéned. ,

“You have heard but one side of the -
Mr. Lyman," she began, with rare, 
patience, but he interrupted her sneeringly: .. - , 

“I 'know all I wish to know—sand that};
that your conduct is illegal, unladylike, absurd;
As your guardian, I command you to‘ open they r

ates!” , " , - " '

“ And as your ward I decline, most ‘positive4 ,
ly, to open the gates, unless I have your gunk, g“ -‘ I
antee that you will enter alone.” “ ' , 7 ‘

Her answer was firm, resolute, her :face"

 

r“ .;

bright and glowing, her eyes like twrini ‘ s
as she looked at Mr. Lyman. '  I  .
“Do you dare dictate terms, to time? When 1' 

I enter, the heiress of Silver-dale and,
friends enter with me.” ' " i 

Maize laughed—a saucy, defiant laugh. ,3,

“ As the heiress of Silverdale and 
friends are already within, 1 do not see but.
that, you will be obliged to go back Where do" ‘-
came from,”~'she answered coolly. . “ 
ownership of Silverdale shall be settled'hy f
law—until it is settled, I remain in possession,“, -
undismayed by threats, undisturbed by sieng ;
at my gates. . My dear guardian, Iwish I ‘._ I.
might explain the matter freelyto you; “That 

 

look. I solemnly assure you, Mr. Lymamjg 
overheard Lacy Floyd tell Claude Noel  ‘ ‘  
was a flaw in the claims, known only to hint-,4”  '
self, in virtue of whichvher claims are neither
legal normoral.” " r  2

Mr. Lyman leaked in amaZement at 'Floyd, 
who, came lorw’ard, surpflso and grief  
pain on hisface. - .  ' -  ,g

“ It is ‘thelmost remarkable statement lever  »
heard,” he said, as it overwhelmed ; with he’-  ”
wilderment. “My dear child, you must be; __ ’
dream-’9 . a v ,  

“ Not a word tome, Lacy Floyd!” aim mm.  y H
mended, imperiously, her eyesglowing 
scorching contempt. “Hypocrite. that ‘ ya“ .‘v 1:

 

 

 

 
  

,;. J

W

~ " same AGAINST/{sterling I

 

 
  

«eh

 

  
  
 
  
   
  
    
   
    
 
   
   
  
   
  
   
    
    
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
    
 
   
 
 

 ' [yen knew Ispeak as truth! You know

 

 ‘shut'me up in the ,garret-Ehamberflrom
-- you hired Sandy Dunne to kill me—”
” Floyd ,zztfered an exclamation, and held up

criedjout in angry impatience: _
’i  "“Hush Such outrageous accusations, Maize!
‘Wh  do you suppose believes such hideous
magmas—“n is‘ot a piece with the rest of your
,' melodramatic conduct in placing us in the
~p'ositlon of besiegers of your house and home.
._,;You should, have devised a more skillful story
' it, you really wished to impose upon people
“With; a fair share of common sense.” . '
_ 1"“ Let the accusations go for what they are
fpfworth,” Noel cried, angrily. “What I want
 imuthat my sister gets inside her own gates. I
 don’t want any trouble if I can help it, but I
’ , don’t mean to have other people living in my
.‘houseflreeping me out of my own, as well as
1 putting me to inconvenience.” ‘ ‘
 -' “You are right, Mr. Noel,” Mr. Lyman
 answered. V “ Maize, again 'I command you to
 unlock these gates. ” "
 rifAnd again I declinel As you doubt my
5' Word, and insult me by your doubts, I will
. Lbriag‘ this, interview to an end. As there is
" Enothing more to’say, but to bid Mr.’ Claude
,TNOelseek the redress he wants for his sister at
(law I will wish you goodéafternoon.”
 f ,, ith ‘ alsweeping, little bow of icy hauteur,
f the returned to, the carriage, and was driven
Ehaokr'to thethouse, leaving the party outside
engaged in an animated discussion. _
 ‘g‘alii it were possible to climb the gates, I
‘7helie‘ve’ I would do it,” Mr. Lyman. said,
lasersdly- . '
s :‘iWe, ust get in by stratagem. Once in
' _ new ,‘we could make our own terms with
her,” N , “,1 declared.
’  53.2136 wretched, misguided girl! , We must
gasses by one means or another,” Floyd said,

 emailed] him to the very earth. “I fear her
. troubles have unbalanced her mind, and unless
 v .we’ protect her,,her name will become a scandal
xthtrough the country.” ' ‘ ,
 ""“0n'ce on the premises and I will take her
away with rue—abroad, anywhere, until she
, recovereher usual good sense and delicacy. For
 preeminent best plan is to quietly with-
"draw, sending word by the porter .to Maize
, that we will seek the legal redress she counsels,
vafidthen, advise together by what strategi
" more we. will gain entrance.” ‘
" , Mn'L‘yman’srplan being considered advisable,
MM instructions were carried out, and in silent
"Quasi-Sylvia Florjmel and Claude Noel cou-
xsae'nted, to drive back to the village. '
,  later, just before the‘dusk of the
 began to gather, their plans all

 

 

t.

   

' , haw you‘look me .a prisoner from your house

9 I hisjh’uuds in piteoua herror, while Mr. Lyman!

"”';'gloomily, ' as though Maize’s accusations had .

‘ sickening aim, and he fell prostrate. on the

~ over, for when Lacy Floyd rushed forward so . 

 

 
 
  

arranged, they started forth agamwnot to the
gates, to force admission, but, to the river, 
which was the dividing line on'one side the -
Silverdale estate, by which they meant to
secretly gain access to the grounds, steal up’ to
the various entrances of the-'rmansiou, and
thus gain personal/possession. Arrived at the ‘
river’s edge‘,’Noel looked about for the two,
boats he had» ordered in readiness tor his party, ,
and to his anger and amazement saw that one
of them was in the very act oi‘being unloosen- , .
ed from its moorings-by a man who was sud- ' 
denly paralyzed with fear to hear Neel hout. 
at him: ' - I '
“ Hello there! Drop it! We’ve got you, 
you rascal! Lyman! Floyd! Come along ,3
quick!” / . 5;;
Sandy Dunne heard the names—Lyman, one . ‘
of the guardians, Floyd, the man in whosa 
power he was to a certain extent—Sandy ' i
Dunne, who had stolen down to Silverdala ,
behind Floyd and Noel, anxious to know, for .7
his own Sake how the affair was to terminate.
And, hearing what he heard, excited, ter-
rified, believing that retributive justice was at
hand, believing, that the sly, artful Floyd had I
in some way healed the breach between him-
salt and the young girl, and. that upon his ovm , 
.unlucky head the weight would fall,either for
what he had done, taking Maize to the
Tunisons’ cabin, or because Floyd had, in spite,
set the police onhis track—in view of all this, ‘
Sandy believed himself betrayed, lost! '
. With a snarl of rage, he turned on Noel. ,.
“ You needn’t call them-4‘11 neverbe taken ~ 
alive!” ' . , ,
Visions of Sing Sing and Auburn were 115'"
ing like demons through his brain as he drew
his pistol from his pocket; the sight of which
failed to intimidate Neel, who was so eagerly  
bent upon securing the boat to get over to
Silverdale. , . 4 , 7
“Get out of the boat~d’ye hearl- Surren-
der!” ’ a V ,
They were the last words Claude Noel ever.
,spoke, for, as he dashed toward Sandy, Sandy
fired, the shot crashing through his brain with

 

 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
 
 

little wharf, just as the rest of the party came
up, horrified, excited. And Sandy,livid with p
the awful fear of what was his sure doom now,
with human blood on his hands, saw them
rush up, saw Sylvia Florimel fallback in her.
seat with a shriek [of awful horror, and then
he put the still smoking weapon to hisowu' 
temple—and fired, an awful smile onjhis face ’
as he fell forward in the bottom of the boat.
But the ,horrors of the scene were not yet

catch Sylvia Florimel as/‘she reeled and tell, it a 
was to find that the terrible s it had been '
more than she could bear, and th nervous or

    
   
   
  

 

pcitement under «which she had'been, for days
had paved the way for, the swittyapoplectio
. fttroke‘ which did its Work'solunerringly. ‘ r I »~
I , Mr. Lyman, appalled and unnerved,.surveyed
- the dreadful scene. ’ 7 7 l /
,_ - “ My God!” he cried; "‘Two people lying
indeed ’at our deed and Miss F‘lorimel‘ dying!
:Whatarewetodol”  ‘  ' ‘ v
\, .“Thereie but ‘one thing to do," 111‘. Brad:
don answered promptly. “We must get Miss
Florimel to Silverdale without the loss of a
f ,moment’s time. There is no question but that
we will be admitted under the circumstances.
have the coachman in charge of the dead
3 , ies until some one returns; our first duty is
i  , tothe living.” . ,.
x , Being the only cool one in the party, he Was
A  implicitly obeyed, and under his management
‘ Sylvia was at once rowed over to the other
Side, where their coming had been made known
‘50: Maize and Mrs. Weston, who, with. Mr.
Grandcourt, and 'two or three men-servants,
, were on the I Silverdale side, awaiting their
I coming, and prepared to prhvont a landing.
I, , But before they had reached the shore, Mr.
' ‘ ‘Braddon had shouted out the true condition of
chairs, and begged Maize’s men-yon behalf of
, . 9116 dying‘girl—en appeal that was not lost,
,, ' When Mr. Grandcourt had satisfied himself it
: - was not a ruse to obtain a foothold.
 solemn procession they carried the dy-
\  ing woman to her own room, where all human
IMans were applied, but in vain, and when
 a fierce rebellion that had not manifested
‘ ills-elf before, and which struck every one
_ With strange amewment, Lacy Floyd declared
 file-Should not die. _
p , ’ “Who says Sylvia is dying? I tell you she
 .7 - Shall not die!” :

 

 

 

  

,fiiy', _',

I As he spoke, he looked in sullen defiance '

- ,5" "Wllfld as the little group gathered about the
g   "15' m8 bed, but there was no ansWering look
N of augbt but sorrowing sympathy for his
-  ~ EGnuine grief.

'3 ' ~ ‘ “No human help can says her,” Maize said,
, p  softly. r “She is passing away now——God have

 We? on her rout". {

’7. t “‘1 thenwith acryno one of them ever
5 ‘. > ' ' fight (amid have come from Lacy Floyd’s
~  ' A “b, l or they never forgot, he tell on his
,  at a: bedside, and lifted the cold, limp
_  d ‘0 his 1iKim-kissing it passionately.

a A

 

 

 

 

9" psismafneinishsmafl  

as, in pitiful armament and abandon he

‘awayto their old home,1roin which theyfiem

 

ran I”.

   
    
    
 
   
    
    
  
 
   
   
   
  
  
   
   

‘ “‘SylvialSylv‘ia,’ come back tonne—“acorns ‘
back and 1311 tell, you what you sooften  
to know!” I have done it all because 1 loved.,_,’
you, I wanted to see. you) rich, and honored!" I
Couldn’t you guess, dearphow it-Vwasl that
you  net,lRoyal’a  born of;
marriage ct, hiswhut ¥mine-1,—mine—-Syljie§yeu
are my own child, and I'would have  '
soul for your‘sakel”, ‘ 5:"  
Almost paralde with horrified amatemanti"
the listeners around that death-bed heard? 
unconscious confession from Lacy Floyd’s, 3i “ 
into the ear that heeded not;  when, a"
while, after, kindly hands took him away, 33393“ f,
knew his mind had received a terrible  In '
shock from, which he never recovered fella,
but spent the rest of his life a harmless, bMd-f;
ing creature, a recipient of Maize Florin:er 
eboundmg charity, in the privam  
which he was taken. ‘ " ~ 7  *
The next day after the tragedies}, '  .

Claude" Noel and his ' half-sister;x:g;w3r6”tflseiix'

a

 

buried, while Sandy Dunne was sent W" ‘
his sister and Mrs. Duncan, from whcig,z.ai
soon as possible, lawyer Braddon heard  [
tail the story of Lacy Floyd’s ‘ marriage}?
Gracieuse Noel, the birth of Sylvia, 
scheme that had been concocted to 
Royal Florimel as the chief actorinstead _
Lacy Floyd. * r < A‘ ._ 
Mr. Asher Lyman remained some days, at}
Silverdale, to apologize to Maize for, his 
doubts of her; and so genuine was, hiaan
that Maize found it no dimcult matter to that: .
forgive him, and to enable him to feel it; . J
allto be forgotten. p" ‘ -_ _ ' 5 _
Early in the next spring there one a _  in
wedding at Silverdale, and Mr. and”:
ton Grandcourt went abroad'rforae-yeajrlsi:;  u
to find upon their return that. not‘oniy'r,
Silverdale in a condition of splendid re,
tion and decoration, but that Grrai‘nimmrt,j a I
was entirely restored to its oldtime 
and elegance—Mama’s wedding present 
man she loved so well. n '   ‘  _
And so, after all the gloom andzhtreeehery
that darkened a brief tints in halt; 
Maize emerged into the toll shining   
or love, endtrmtand joy. " .  _'  i

     
  
    

J J . ‘

T2118: ml 2 

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