The Exeter Times, 1884-12-25, Page 2Gracet Secret "She didn't know."
i uuUr le ►� b7�lir�ka "And did she make no suggestion?"
and the engineer looked at Rolan
sharrply. .
sTo a QF " es, it was she who mentioned you
name," he replied with hesitation..
TWO CHRIST' f 4 DAN ""Ah I thought so. She suggested
that 1 tad persuaded her sister to elope
with tae. I suppose?,,
• "Something of the kind."
When Miss Lilburne heard of the ar- "'Aud may I ask. Mr. Ayre, why you
ranngentent, and found that she could come to rile froth Mr, Lilburne? Wlu
not have her own way, she resigned her- did be not collie himself or send for me?
self to the tyranny of circumstances I should have been only too ready to
with the best race she could assume. obey his call,""
The rest of this terrible year must be' "Ile ridiculed the idea thatyon would
lived out at Silverton Castle, for lir. learnt his daughter; he said you had
Lilburne, with the morbid expeetation given flim your word never to press
of heldest daughter's return, would your suit with her again, and that he
not go to London or Scotland, or:to any had as much CQrtfitlent'e in yonrword as
of the places on the Continent that, it ° he had is mine,
was almost his yearly'
custom to visit. "•Aft"'
Ilere at the castle be remained, and There was pain, satisfaction, and re-
here, sorely against her will, (=rage was lief in the exclamation,
obliged to stay with him. A few seconds later he spoke again:
As the days shortened, and the nights "You have not explained your Inter.
grew dark and chilly, and ('ltristrnas
was again approaching, a horrible fasci-
nation seemed to draw her to the room
under which she had consigned her sis- -"She was my promised wife,""was the
ter to so terrible a fate. answer.
ion ryet whensheat Fairfield shrank a little as though he
At last she Could resist the feeling. no .
longer, length yielded G had received a blow, and his pale face
to the desire, she dared not move the became still paler. but he quickly re -
eliding floor and look down upon the covered himself, and he asked with a
body of her victim. 4 bitter smile on his face;
She had no earthl • doubt that Kate i oleo you seriously believe that Kate
lay there as she had fallen, pr, if net Lilburne, your promised wife, would
exactly in the same Position, If she had voluntarily leave her father's root to
not been actually killed by the fail, the run away with me?'"
guilty girl waa equally sure that her "Meat certainly not,'" was the prompt
sister was I ing dead at the bottom of reply:,
Met horrible pit. "You think I carried her away
But though she would have givenhalr violence, thence by
at sit she might ever possess to look " good 'leavens, not 1 should not be
upon the face of Iter victim, she dared here talkies; caIwly if I believed such a
nuered girl from floor e that hid the
ffeear- thing rvossible.",
ede that ors surely as she did so, ahe c, came"The, what
trlrtr4 ►iii ng Moo ;hitch vat
should be irresistibl; itapelied to cast straws
luerslelf dawn heaide•her. : to ask if you can, or will, hale
.Air Christmas came nearer, however, mei"i wad the eager response, " To -
and the wedding was fixed far the mita- hody__else can I feel convinced, It is
seeding le , (;race became rather wild for Kttte'a sa�Ce. rather than my own,
end excited, that I s ek you. The mystery that aur
at ear-
Since
the Castles they wouldd bba� y m 1unds her
aheresotruly that ddens and would
Ty Aver it, she said, and As her marriage be for her happiness I would rattier see
was to take ow immediately after, her your wife, than have any doubt as
wards, ebe invited a great number of too her safets Ar welfare,'
�este to come to the castle for the My' vital"' repeated Fairfield with
hdatums festivities, and stay over; the mournful bitterness; „the woman isnot
vreidding-da , born, who will be my wife. But you oak
""We will forget last year if it is to be for my 11611/, and ppeerhaps I will give It
forgotten," gibe exclaimed to her lover to you. I must think the chatter over,
alma hyseei'icntily; "and whatever we however. '4i'di you call on me three
dA we must keep pstpttcheerful. I dread da bio+ or, better atilt, give me so
eteistmaa Daroh, how 1 do dread itis �s where I can write to you.'"
she broke own, and basso to sob '`And you will write to me?" euld tremble as she said this, and it was
same tires before Victor could soothe
. trary, he had cherished tite hope that
when he reached Mrs. Fairfield s cot-
Roland
Cage he would clasp Irene Lilburne to
his heart.
r
When he glaneed at the white hair ot
his companion, however, and heard
what was the cause assigned for it, he
felt only too well convinced that some
dark tragedy had linked itself with the
fate of his beloved.
For the rest of the journey the two
risen were silent, one was too sad, and
i► alother was too nervously anxious to
It was a large handsome cottage at
the gate of which they drew up, and as
they walked towards the door it was
opened by Mrs, Fairfield herself.
She was a tali fine -Welting woman,
comparatively young -looking still, and
very like her son, though her dark -
brown hair as yet showed no sign of
approaching age.
There was deference rather than hu-
mility in her manner as she gravely in-
vited Mr. Ayre to enter, while she
herself led the way into a comfortably
furnished sitting-rooin.
The young man eagerly glanced
round the apartment as though he hop-
ed to see someone, but if so he was dis-
appointed; there wasnot a single sign
of anybody having been in the room
save the woman to whom it belonged.
"I have told Mr. Ayre that you could
I probably help him in tracing Miss
Kate," said Fairfield when they were
w all seated; "but perhaps it will he as
t well Kim tells con first how Kate dis-
appeared and what steps have been
taken to find her; you will then be bet-
ter able to connect his part at the story
with the little you know."
est in the matter, .lr. Ayre. I don't
understand what Miss "Albums was to
Roland, as he gave hien his address in
Iter, t "Yee I will write without fail."
But when Christmas Day realiydawn- Then' Roland reluctantly went away.
ed Grace was calm and cheerful, and He would have liked to ask sevei'aal
only those who knew her well could queations, but he felt that if he did so
detect the under -current of excitement . the engineer would think he doubted
which she suppressed with so supreme 1 loin, and he estimated the man's char -
an effort. atter with sufficient accuracyto feel
To -morrow is my wedding -day," she • convinced that only by treatng him
kept whispering to berself "and then I with perfect trust and confidence could
obeli be free --free from the nameless he win his co-operation.
But as Roland Ayre walked away
terror that in this house always haunts
me," from Fairfield's oflii a it was with the
"To-"To-morrow/ But what will even to- g
disa reeable conviction that the latter
clay bring forth?" had questioned and cross-questioned
Wm, and learnt all that he had to tell,
clfarr>~n Iv, ' and told him absolutely nothing in re-
turn..
CoMItADns I:7 CHIEF. "The fellow is as c10s:+ as an oyster,"
Frank Fairfield sat in an office that he muttered, "and yet I like him; there
is something firm, and strong, and
was situated in one of tite large thor- massive in the man's eharacter, while
oughfares within a couple of hundred 1 givespossessing a
yards of the I3ank of England. ,certain oneu the idea fi
He was only a junior.partner in the , nlyexceptional
it latent power which
well-known tirm of engineers to which only exceptional circumstances will
es
bring into action. And bow be loves
he belonged, and he had obtained this Sates Surely together we ought to be
position some two years before our able to find h'"r alive or dead."
story opens, partly b his own great+ It was with some impatience that he
railcar and industry} by
principally 1 waited, day atter day, for the promised
through Mr. Lithium's generosity- t communication; but a whole week
To all intents anti purposes Frank elapsed before a brief mate came from
Fairfield was a working partner in the Fairfield asking Roland to meet him on
firm; he had been to South America, to 1 the following day.
*Russia, and to India, superintending 1The appointment was kept. and when
the construction of railways and bridges, I the first brief salutation was over the
and though he had now been. in Eng -engineer said:
land some three or four months, he! , If you are disengaged to -day I will
knew that he might be required to start I take you to see my mother. You know
off again at any time with but scant i she was Miss Lilburne's nurse?"
notice. i "Yes,I have heard she was her fos-
The young engineer is only eight -and- 1 ter -mother."
twenty, but he looks much older, for Fairfield inclined his head as he con -
since he returned from his last journey ! tinued:
abroad, his thick wavy hair has become i "My mother was as much devoted to
perfectly white. ! ber as•though Miss Kate had been her
lie is seated this morning at a table own child, and site is in great trouble
with plans and drawings spreadout be- about her now. I promised to take you
fore him. , to her. Perhaps you can help each
Ile is trying hard to fix his mind other."
closely upon the work he has in hand, • "But how can I help her? Does she
but the effort required is a great one, know where Kate is?"
and he looks up with a feeling of relief 'She will explain everything to you
when a clerk opens the door and brings herself," was the evasive answer. "Do
him a card. you feel disposed to go with me to my
"Roland Ayre," he silently reads mother's house?"
with keen surprise; then he nods to the "Certainly; my time is at your ser -
youth to admit the visitor. ' vice. Where does your mother live?"
Mr. Ayre came in, sad -looking it is ' "About twenty miles this side of Sil-
true, but youthful and handsome, and verton Castle," was the reply, "and fifty
he started with unfeigned astonishment from London; but we shall get down
when he saw Fairfield, for he had been there in a couple hours."
given to understand that he was a man . Then the two young men went off to -
about his own age..gether, Fairfield leaving word at the
I suppose I ant addressing the per -office that he should not return for the
son I really came to see?" he said, tak- • dayq
ing the seat offered him; you were—yon It was late in the afternoon when
are acquainted with Mr. Lilburne, of they reached Beechcroft, and Fairfield
Silverton?" : remarked that they had still three miles
Fairfield's face slightly flushed as he to walk or ride.
aeplied: "Let us ride," said Roland inpatient -
"Mr. Lilburne has helped me to the ly. "I feel as though every moment we
Position I now hold; do you come to me spend upon the road stands between me
from him?" and my meeting with Kate."
"Yes, he told me where I should find Fairfield looked at his companion in
you, and I should have sought you startled surprise, and he said with a
months ago, but I have been very ill in sigh:
consequence of a shock I received on You are anticipating too much.
Christmas Day." You must prepare yourself for some -
"A shock!" repeated Fairfield. thing the reverse of happy. What
"Yes; you have heard of the strange made my hair turn white in a single
disappearance of Mr. Lilburne's eldest week can bring you no comfort nor sat -
daughter?" isfaction.
And as he asked this question Roland "Was Kate the cause of your white
Looked keenly at the man who he had hair?" asked. Roland in unfeigned sur -
been assured was his rival. prise.
"I have had no direct communication "Yes; last Christmas Eve I was as
with the Lilburnes for more than a free from grey hairs as you are. Now
year," replied Fairfield, meeting his look at me."
companion's fixed gaze without waver- "But how did it happen? Why are
ing; "be good enough to tell me what you so mysterious? Why don't you deal
occurred. frankly with me?
Roland complied, and he told his at- "My
tentive listener how when the merry- mother will tell he all that you
malting was flagging on Christmas need to know, was the •answer. `T
night, Grace Lilburne had proposed'a only warn tvou to anticipate evil rather
game of hide-and-seek, and how she than good. .
bad•uaded'Kate.to•' .in•inthe• ame Roland felt a ehill come over him.
the latter having been lost from Wait It was not the keen air of early spring
time to the present., . , that made him shiver, but the coldfeeI-
"Ahl then it Was Grace who kid with ing of dreadand anxiety that Fairfield's
Kate she remarked theivel Malty 'wh ee words caused him. '
did site gain heel became *her rawer = For, deetpite all reasoning tothe Eon- '•
Roland almet fumed withinipatienee,
Ile did not want to go over the old
otehtwanted know with-
out
ground
again,
hctelhi
But Mrs. Fairfield, though very plite,
was likewise very ficin,
Moreover, she was suspicious.
Yes,. she was suspicious even of ber
own sen. and as Itoland, findingno
escape, began to tell the story ofthatChristmas night over again, she more
than once interrupted bun with ques-
tions,
"And when the search was being
made you, heard nothing about any false
floor in the west turret, did our asked
Mira. Fahrtield with. a searebing glance.
Certainly net; is there such a thing?
he asked eagerly.
"There: was formerly—et least, 50 I
hear from my son --though I never
heard of it is all the yours I lived at the
castle. and I don't think air Lilburne
himself knew of it; but Frank asserts
that lttiss Grace did."
"Grace!" exclaimed his lordship in
sudden (Ramey; "are you euro she knew
of it?"
"I am quite sure," here interposed
the young engineer, "for I once showed
it to her, and threatened to throw her
into the shaft below. Of course I only
meant to frighten her, but she was al-
ways getting me into scrapes with her
deceitful tongue and I thought I would
put a step to it."
1
Roland pressed his hands over his
burning brows.
Ile remembered now how Grace had.
induced her sister to hide and how she
bad afterwards denied all knowledge of
her whereabouts.
Yes, it all came back to his memory
now, even to the dust and dirt which he i
had noticed on fuer white satin dress, I
and to which he had called her atten-
tion.
At length he started to his feet, ex-
claiming:
",Lcrt us go to Silverton Castle at once;
there is not a moment to be lost. That
infamous fg,irl may be starving her sis-
ter to death; quick—quick, or we may i
be too late '1 I
But Mrs. Fairfield said calmly as she
also rose to her feet:
"We will go in good time, Mr. Ayre,
but if I help you, you must help me,
and I have a matter here that troubles
me as ranch as Kate Lilburne's disap-
pearance troubles you. Will you come
this way, and tell me what it is best for
me to do?"'
And she was leading the way to a
door that opened into another roam
when Roland exel tim�tl:
"I will do anytniu4 you rt quire when
Kate is once foun-1, but I must go to
Silverton Castle without delay."
And he was turning towards the op-
posite door, the one by wide!: he had
entered, when he was arrested by Mrs.
Fairfield's calm sad voice saying:
"It is useless your going to Silverton
Castle without me, and you must give ;
me your advice at once. Come."
Then she led the way intone further
room, and he, after a momentary hesi-
tion, followed her.
CHAPTER V.
Better be with the dead,
Wbom we, to gain our place, have sent to
Than on
peacethe, torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. 1
If Iavish profusion, recklessness of
cost, and carefully : lanned amusements
could make any social entertainment a
great success, this second Christmas
Day at Silverton Castle must certainly
have put all other events of the kind
completely in the shade.
The servants and tenantry were not
so well cared for as in the past, it is
true, for Grace had given orders that `
they should put off their merry -making
till atter site was married, when they
could eat and drink, dance and sing, tr.their hearts' content.
All the guest -chambers in the castle
were full, and the eight bridesmaids '
who were to attend the bride on ,the
coming day were here with their moth-
ers or sisters or chaperons, each one of
the eight lookin, forward to the time '
when she herself should take the lead-
ing part in a similar ceremony.
Grace Lilburne had not been very '
judicious in the selection other brides-
maids.
The pretty desire to triumph over her
friends and to create envy and jealousy.;
prompted her to invite Miriam ',Hind-,
man, a brilliant brunette, who smiler
whispered bad won Victor Gay-
herdfs heart, and he was only saved ;
from marrying her by her father losing;,
the greater part of his fortune.
Mr. Lilburne lied objected to Miriam'°
being invited, and 'r had suggested .a ,
cousin of his own in her. stead; but
Grace was obstinate, she had made up.'
her mind to in'. ire Miriam, and Vic-'
for could only.tiope titin the invitation'
would not be accepted..: t.
and brilliant as a humming -bird, Borg-
eous with jewels and costly dresses, and
giving contirmatton to the report that
er father had retrived his fortune, and
waa now a richer magi than ever,
I am afraid that Grace regretted her
obstinacy when she saw stow fascina-
tingly beautiful Miriam was and ger-
taint she was genuinely jealous when
she observed how Victor's eyes follow-
ed
ollowed the girl who had still the power to
make lira forget everybody else when
she was present.
Miriam knew that Grace had not in-
vited her out of affection, and that she
bad no nobler: aim than a desire to
mortify and humiliate her, and she de-
termined that the pain should not be all
on one side.
On her arrival at the castle, Miriam
persistently attached herself to Mr. Lil-
burne. She gave him her sympathy
with such witching tenderness, she con-
doled with him at being about to lose
his second daughter, and then site be-
gan to talo, of dear Kate, who had been
her most intimate friend.
"I am quite sure that Kate is alive,"
elle said, suddenly raising her voice so
tbat all the others in the small tea-room
could hear her.
Grace frowned. But Miriam paid no
heed to the frown as she continued:
"Yes, I am quite sure she is alive. I
dreamed of her last night. and my
dreams always come true. We shall see
her soon, 1 have no doubt of it."
elf you have nothing more substau-
tial than a dream to found your asser-
tion upon, I think it is a pity you ahould,
make it," said Grace with cold severity.
"I don't see why; my dreams have a
strange faculty for being fulfilled. But,
by the way. isn't there some mysterious
passage or chamber in the old part of
the castle, or as it destroyed when
Most of the place was rebuilt?"
She looked. at Grace as she spoke, but.
it was Mr. Lilburne who replied;
"I never heard of anthing ot the
kind. Silv1 on is singularly free from
rice We have not en the dis-
tinction of possessing a family ghost-"
''There is, or there was, some inyeter•
ions means of getting in and out Of the
castle," said Miriam, shaking her rat-
ty bead like a wise bird laying down
the law to Its feathered friends. "I
found out somethingabout it from an.
old manuscript thapapa has in his
library. I Rich I had brought it with
me, but I'll and for it. Did you never
hear of the secret, Grace?" "
"NO.," was the curt reply.
But Grace Lilburuo s face became
deadly white, her bead swam, and it
was only by the meet supreme effort
that elle could keep herself from taint-
ing.Ae soon as whet could do so without
being observed, the guilty woman, es-
caped to her own room, here she
threw oft all restraint, and gave way
to the terrible agony of fear and re-
morse that consumed her.
""The secret of the turret floor is
known," she muttered despairingly,
"and that creature wilt discover where
it is. I saw the threat in her oyes when
she looked at me.
"I will open the floor tonight," and
her eyes looked cold and cruel as the
words hissed between her teeth. "I will.
lower a lamp into the shaft and see
what lies there. I have been afraid
hitherto, but I would rather meet Kate's
sightless eyes and look upon her dead
face than endure the grin of that mock-
ing witch whom I was mad enough to
invite here."
"laving made this resolution, she
managed before ni htfall to procure a
covered lantern and a long cord, and to
hide them in the room the floor of which
hid such a ghastly secret.
This had been easy enough, because
the great ball was in the same part of
the building and several times during
the day she )lad considered it necessary
to go and personally inspect and super-
intend the decorations of holly, mistle-
toe and hot -house flowers.
She made a pretence of criticising the
arrangement of the tables, and the or-
der in which the guests were to be
while everything was altered and re-
arranged according to her orders.
''Do you expect many guests to -night
besides those staving in the house ?"
Miriam asked Mr. Lilburne as the com-
pany was about to disperse and dress
for dinner.
"Yes, a great number," was the reply.
"By the way, Grace," he added, turn-
in•e to his daughter, "did I tell you that
Roland Ayre wrote to me to say he was
coming to -nicht?"
"Roland!" repeated Grace in dismay,
"Yes, l wrote to invite him to dinner;
he says he cannot come till later in the
evening, but he will come."
"Did he say nothing else?" asked the
daughter hoarsely.
"'es; be did say something else, but
it's of no consequence—at least, no con-
sequence to you," and Mr. Lilburne
turned away.
Grace asked no more; she was begin-
hing to feel like a creature at bay,
hunted on every side with no avenue of
escape open to her.
Why did her father invite Roland
Ayre, and why, above all things, had
the invitation been accepted?
After a time, consternation gave place
to mirth, and she laughed bitterly as
she remarked to Victor:
''Your cousin gives a striking proof
of masculine constancy. Last year
when he went away he said he would
never enter Silverton Castle again un-
less he brought Kate with him, or came
to meet her."
"And how do you know that hewon't
bring Kate with him?" asked Miriam
Hintdman boldly.
Grace looked at her for one moment
with a scornful scowl then turned away
without deigning to utter one word of
reply.
Sne noticed however, that her father
was eager and nervous, and pleasurably
excited, and that he looked younger
and stronger than he had done tor some
months past.
"Surely papa does not think of mar-
rying that horrid girl," Grade exclaidi-
ed ae she watched her father and Miri-
am talking together in a confidential
and affectionate manner.
"I shouldn't think he'd , have the
ehande," returned :Victor; "she's an
niicompdonl nice girl,"
"Oh yes, L know you think there is
nobody like her," sneered ,Grace.
"At any` rate, X didh't. invite hes
here," retorted . the young man an•
grilY.
But here again he was d s pp toted,
and Miriam came, 'looking seductive ,
placed, and she stoo over the servants
(To bb Continued.)
KWI 'Z EVIL
Was the mime former;, given to Scrofula
because of a silipecxxiuon that it cou:•i ba
eared by s king's touch. Tho wor:;t la
wiser now, and knows that
SCROFULA
can only be cured by a therm, It ---
tion cit the bleed. it tilt:i• n•: _. ,
the .1, -ase litrpet tu,tc, is t,.i it
gee =oration after ,t;t•neva; son. ;1 i+• •, G
earner synt,,towa. i,r (ter. :al i•
Eezeinna, CutaneVos i.. tit -
'ntors, iio'ils. (at•i . '•ie;, .., .
Purulent t.'lecr"t, :,Ci t A .s i' -
steal Collapse, '•t<, l tt:'•.a
time, ItlteutnatismSerut•oa .r
tarrh, Kidney anti Liet+r t. ,. ,n5,
Tubercular Consumption,ous other dangerous or fatal Mul:*tttco, are
produced by it.
A er'sarsarari lla
',the only. neer 4Z civ;d elan' 4 t'•"^7,Ie
blood -,puri ing medicine. It i ••'r .1N-
1,14 an alterative that it erudit;'t,-i item
the system Hereditary Serefula, and
the kindred poisons of contagion.' di -eases
and mercury. At the same tinge it cm,
riches and vitalizes the bloott restorin
beet,ful action to the vital organs an
rejuvenating the entire system. Thisgreat
Regenerative Medicine
Is composed of tire, genuine Honduras
,Sirsepurilla, with Idiom Dock, Stir
litipia, the Iodides of 2'otirnaiutir: ant(
Iron, and other irtgretilents of lrreat ;}o-
Lowey carefu,tF and sciensihtnlly eo'n-
poundled. Iis formula is generally known
t0 the medical profession, and the lu•4
pphystit.9t;ns consttintly prescribe Axi:it's
SA1tti.r> ttil.r.A as au
Absolute Gibe
For all diseases caused by the vitist;on of
the blood, It is concentrated to the L•l ;h
est pntctceble degree, tar beyond any
other preparation for which like etleots
are claimed, andis therefore the Omen',
as well as the best blood purifying meal -
ohm, in the world.
Ayer's Sarsaparilla
Frt1t'Att1D at7r
Dm , < C. Apr i Co., Aawall,, Man.
(Analytical Chemists.).
Sold by all Druggists t price it; six
bottles for g6.
WAND HOME
Stock Farm
Grosse 110, Wayne Co., Mlch.
SAVAGE & FABNU)I, Paorran`rorts..
Patrocta No.11670
i••• IMPORTED
Percheron Horses.
An stock selected from tho get ashes and dams
of established reptt tation and registered in the
French and American stud books,
ISLAND HOME
Is beautifully situated at the head of Gnats Iii.,
in the Detroit River, ten miles below the City, and
,saecessibte by railroad and steamboat. Visitor:
not familiar with the location may call 'deity office,
sa Catnpau Building. and an escort will accompany
them to the bum, Send for catalogue, free by mail
Attdreu9,. SAVAGE d FAasem, Detroit. Mich,
J. Doupe &Co
—)01?( --
IL 3R. ir 0 AT
OUTNTR
—.)Oil(--
oursvi IPS EVERYTHING FOR
CIIEAP GOODS!
If you want the best value for
BUTTER & EGGS
J. Doupe & Co's
KIRKTON.
Clearing Sale t
Back's Old. Stand.
(2 Doors north of Post Office)
Butter and Eggs Wanted
In Exchange for Goods.
We have just reeeived a large oonsignmsa
of goods direct from wholesale houses, which
we will sell atvery elose prices. Splendid
value in ilaehmeres, Velveteens, Grey, Sear.
let, Cantnn'and Homemade Flannel;.A nide
lot of table napkins and covers. Splendid
Wtneey, t3rey.,and White•Cotton-very,eheae
Also Tweed's and Rendyniride .Llothlleir • A
iota groceries to be doid cheap. ' In 'Boots
fit Shbes'we have.rdd'ed soYne new lines; ani
are prepared to sell the band goode'+itt 'desk
prices. , ,•
JOHN . MAT$msON.
May 29th . Fents*.ry