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The Herald, 1907-02-08, Page 70 CteDexynek, 0000 (9q0C9C0t2=0 =00 COCC • "Did you—I beg you; will forgive the question, Miss Elmer—but did you notice anything remarkable about this lady?" inquired the baronet, with in- terest, "I noticed her extreme pallor, which, perhaps, seemed so ghastly only in eon. treat to her jet -bleak hair and eyes, and her black dress. I noticed, also a deep melancholy approaching despair, in the expression of her features, and a sort of restrained frenzy in her glances and motions. I saw her but an instant, but 'in that instant I Will not deny that her appearance impressed me very deep - lye "Humph! humph!" muttered the bar- onet to himself, whether he approved or disapproved of the interest expressed by Miss Elmer in the -person alluded to. "Mass Elmer, .,your appearance and manner, no less than the hight eneomi- tuns of my friend, Dr. Seymour, give me the greatest faith in your prudence and benevolence." Laura bowed. in silence. The baronet seemed embarrassed, and doubted how to proceed. •At length he. said: "Her name is Mrs. Ravenseroft. For important reasons she lives in strict se- clusion. Her home has hitherto been at Hurst Hill, our place in Yorkshire, but she has come up to town for a particular purpose. The seclusion that was desirable even in the country, is quite indispensible for her in London, but she requires re- creation, air and gentle exercise, and she must take this in company of some proper companion, whose society and eon- versation will be her security. For she must lib kept from all other pupils. This, lv1is`s' Elmer, is the confidence I had to repose in you. The favor I have to ask is, that you will be so kind as to take two hours daily, not from your own time, but teem the schoolroom, and be- come the companion of this unhappy young woman in her drives." The baronet ceased, and Laura Elmer prepared to reply. The "confidence" that he had professed to give her was baa a half confidence at , the best. Who was Mrs. Ravenseroft. What were her re- lations with Sir Vincent and his family? What was thee nature of her unhappiness —guilt or misfortune? And what was Cho reason -replier strict seclusion? These were mysteries which Laura Elmer felt should have been elucidated before she should have been requested to become the companion of Helen Ravenseroft. "You are silent, Miss Elmer. I am well ; aware that the service I venture to ask v of you is a very important one. If you feel any reluctance to undertake it,. pray do . not hesitate to say so," said the baronet, gently. "I only wish to reflect for a few mom- ents whether -L. could, with propriety, accept the charge you would honor ate with. I will at least drive out with the lady this afternoon, when I shall then be better able to judge," . "I thank you more than you can im- agine, Miss Elmer:' said the baronet; and in the fever of his gratitude he would have°'raised the hand of Laura to his lips, but .qhe coldly withdrew it., saying • that she would go ' .and prepare for her drive,'` Sir:Vineent held the door open for her to pass out. She paused one moment up- on the threshold end said: "I have been. in. the habit of driving. out daily with the young ladies; shall they join us in our drive this afternoon?' "By no means," said the baronet, hast- ily,, and with great emphasis; "by no means. They must forego the airing to- • dray, and after this, should you kindly continue to take charge of Helen in her. flours of 'recreation ,why, other arrange- ments must be made for them." Laura Elmer, less satisfied than ever, bowed slightly and withdrew. She returned to bar schoolroom, dis- missed her pupils for the day, and 's then went to her own room to put on her bonnet and shawl for the drive. She had scarcely drawn on her gloves, when Lizzy, the little ladies' maid, came to her door with Sir Vincent's compliments and carriage was waiting. Laura Elmer went down to the front hall, in which she found Sir Vincent with a lady, clothed in black and Closely vei ed, leaning upon his arm. When Laura came quite near, he, went through a slight presentation, merely saying, in a very low tone: "Mrs. Ravenseroft, Miss Elsner" Laura courtesied, and was about to offer her hand, when the lady, without raising her veil, gravely bowed, and im- mediately averted her head. Sir Vincent then led her out, and plac- ed her in a carriage. He then returned to Laura, handed her into a seat beside Mrs. Ravenseroft, and told the coact. - man to drive to the park. As the bar- onet disappeared within, and as Laura was settling herself in the carriage, she observed a gentleman on horseback emerge from around the corner, glance in- quisitively at the occupant of the car- riage, and then, as though unwilling to be discovered, retreat behind the angle of the house. She had twice before noticed this indi- vidual loitering near the entrance of Les- ter House. And now his appearance the third time, and seemingly with the same. purpose of espionage, filler her mind with vague surmises, which were, however, unmixed with misgivings, for certainly there was nothing whatever sinister in the appearance of this man. He seemed to be about twenty-eight or thirty years of age, with a tall and ele- gant figure, a fine head, covered with shining, light yellow hair, that fell in clustering curls around a forehead white, smooth, and round, as that of childhood, his features were delicate and regular, his eyebrows softly traced, his eyes bine, clear, and gentle in their gaze, his nose straight, lips and elfin molded into the very ideal of sweetness and benevolence. Frankness, affection, and gay good - humor were blended in the habitual ex- pression of this captivating countenance. So Laura Elmer felt no misgiving at seeing this gentleman, for the third time, loitering near Lester House. His mot- ives and purposes might be eccentric, but , could not, with such a face as that, be evil. The carriage drove on, and in due time turned into the park. It was, as usual, thronged with visitors in carri- ages, on horseback, and nn foot. eupataon to bring leen tit out for an hilar' airing. Mrs, Raveneeref t looked; 1 ed more 'interesded in., t3 Her eyes beetenie t"lvet d ,to ren, 'awl like .the flame 'r, candle, the light and color and out from her tesuady 0 At last her fixed :regard ' attention of the boy, who', be pulled his mother's 'sleep "Oh, mother.! •see.,,tho.t 2�e lady! how she looks at, lie The young widow turned, her attention was immedl, by the little girl, who, star 1 i and pointing eagerly, exela "Mother, mother! Here!: very man that took awa, stock." The excitement and vette child drew all eyes to folio tion of here outstretched fin The widow started, an ,dt ly pale. Laura Elmer followed 'the child, and to her surprise, S. man who had watched tlr corner of Lester House. He. horseback, and had eviden, their carriage to the park, reined up his horse in a 1 side windows of the earrfa few yards distance, whet'c' calmly upon the watch. Before Laura could form upon the circumstance, she by a shriek from her compais: She turned quickly rounc Ravenscroft had already eli open window, from which with her wild eyes fixed, n white arras andclaspedhall toward the horseman, and, voice, calling in an agony tion: . `Rayburne! Rayburne! Rayburne!" The thrilling anguish oft vrr treneq could never be described. ,aerel er be forgotten. t; The lady by Laura's side had not once raised her veil or spoken a word; and Laura herself was too much obserbed in thought to break her companion's reverie until they had reached the park, when, thinking it well to engage the un- happy lady in conversation. she said: "There is quite a numerous assemblage of visitors here to -day. Will you not throw aside your veil and look out?" "No, no; but you may let down the windows, please; the air is stifling," re- plied the lady, in a low voice. • Laura opened the windows, and the carriage wound slowly around one of the most beautiful and secluded avenues of the park. They had left the gay thieve of fashionable visitors behind, and had reached a quarter frequented by nurse- maids and young children. "See," said Laura, 'we have reached a very quiet part now; will you not raise your veil and breathe some of this deli- cious air?" The lady put aside her veil, revealing again that face of ghastly pallor, with its bloodless lips, wild black eyes., and shadowy black tresses. "Seel observe these various groups of little children as they pass• how much marked individuality there is even in these little people; their very looks and manners tell their characters and histor- ies. These, now, are the children of some wealthy citizen, with their pamper- ed nurse—observe the children, all and sashes, hats and feathers—and see the consequential air of their over -dress- ed attendant," said Laura, wishing to wile her companion from her sorrowful thoughts. The pale woman looked languidly forth, but neither the pomposity of the nurse nor the vanity of the babies cduld bring one smile to those sad lips. ' "Yet, Iook again," said Laura. "There is quite a different group; there is some poor young widow, who has left her oc- 444 ,jrntrw r:0000-0 yr Don't neglect your cough. Statistics show that in New Yorl, City lone over 200 people die every •week from agumptionn. And most of these consumptives night be laving now if tuner had not neglected the warning cough. You know how quickly Scott Emulsion enables you to throw off a cough or cold. ALL DRUGGISTS; 50c, AND $1.00. 000000 4044044404 0 girl 'seem, group,, child airing ng n . e fare,. ed the ed, es pale" ,;when called rward ells the your S£ the dirtie- d dead- of the e sante n, the tilon .e wed 1 :i .Av ith the to+'ta led "the Itorsemais smiled and lir arrnS. A wild cry of joy burst frons" {ir, lips of Helen, ;re she tried to brertk r,, :he carriage door. But Laura tt ,Y a eer arms around the form of the tael ,_ wo- men, and forced her back into ,le. r ,at, where here reeistanee suddeirl,�' , :a5d, and site sank in a swoon Laura was greatly• shod ed,' . the carriage, and began try alt t,•• the hands and face of the faintr lis Mau with. some Hungary water th x 7; l i yhrp- pened to have at hand. While. r s :uu- xiously- engaged in trying to' +$core consciousness to her clrarge,•'she ieard her own name softly called, rend eeekieg up sae Ferdinand Cassino a r" and S Deng' Per,'y Lester standing beelde` the carri- age window. ;& •'1 beg your pardon, Miss' Elsner, but my young friend Percy: here receipt/eel your carriage, and insisted on cor erg u;+' We were taking a walk liroii r t,ee park. Your companion seems t; „ a i Can 1 be of any serviee ?" yai , t; hL is e to tot. "Oh, Mr. C'aseinove, Lem sra t surldcn!yNe l see! t I, the t` you the here! Yet I i':.> ,Cod yon can,- assist Ines e 1 ?'t�, ;, .ti r i I tiers brit `it;. i iv seen by no one; tic. -'r,- telly ii 1 Co know how she shortie, het hosiji+ r ;: t11, her strange charge, slttsirld tt e. i:atter' upon her recovery, again bei o,rri !,a erienn- a -eable.i . ,. ''',.; -; , "The lady has fainted! t `t r ' 'tssrit you," eagerly pleaded Cassieteae,ee grpt ing to open the carriage door. l "No, no; she is reeovering. new, a you must leave us if you plrt:e, Cassinove; but first tell nue' 1;vw m '!i of this strange scene you ; i,r, watt ` c;. ed "The whole of it. Por, ,d nry!se)f were walking in the park,wr ..:said e Re recognized your carriage; 'd we ore coming toe ard it, when .1 her.;en . t•o see my landlady with her ewe hillren; I sawthe little girl start fere it'll wail an exclamation that drew r i,, , ore's attention, nine among the rr fi award a certain horseman, a light n+., t a gen- tleman, in whom those childrenl��,�:.ilpain- ful cause to be interested, arrr:'" I saw the frantic gestures and hec of re wild cries of your friend before a : einted. And now, as you will not parer ;,me to assist you in any way, 1 ser go in search of that mysterious I. OPr l .,haired Adonis, with whore also I be to ac- count to settle on behalf oft'widow and her orphans. So 1 shall l�s;',before night, whether, despite his r 1 liz•eiioe- sessing appearance and fascia I,f rg; Hai- ner, 1 cannot bring him to ti. •-t me se acquaintance , of the xnagistre4.," sand young Cassinove, bowing etre i`riiti ing, And. lifting his hat, he bowers 1 ;, ply and walked rabidly away. 4 Laura h•uner then -gave he „eelusiee attention to her patient, w' ,,il yew recovered sufficiently to et-: 'b i to n;, his led eyes of her companion and modulat- ing her voice to its utmost tenderness, "whatever the unknown cause of your sorrow may be, believe me, 1 sympathize with you from my soul. I will serve you to the extent of my power; and I will never reveal the incident of this after- noon, unless 1 should be convinced that your own safety and 'welfare required Helen Ravenseroft caught and kissed the hand that was extended to her in pledge of the speaker's sincerity, and then she drew her black veil across her face, and relapsed into silence, which lasted until they reached Lester House. Sir Vincent Lester met them in the hall, thanked Miss Elmer for her kind- ness, and took the hand of Mrs. Ravens - croft and hoping that she had enjoyed the drive, he led her away. That same evening. after tea, Laura Elmer was alone in the sitting room used in common by the governess and her pupils, when there came a. knock at the door and to her gentle "Colne in," en- tered Ferdinand Caesinove. "I pray you will forgive this intrusion, and grant me a few moments conversa- tion, Hiss l+,lmer," be said. "Certainly, Mr. Cassinove." replied Laura, inviting him to be seated. He tool; the offered chair and said: "I wish to speak to you, Miss Elmer, in regard to the app ratan c of that strange man. who caused so much con- sternation to your friend, as well as to my unfortunate landlady and her chil- dren. Forgive the question; but do you know anything of Matt" "Nothing wltatever,Mr. Cassinove, ex- cept that I have three times seen him lin- gering about the v lenity of Lester House, and that to -day he certainly fol- lowed our carriage from this house to the park." "Did he attempt to speak to anyone in your carriage?" "\o, not once. Ile kept out of our sight evenuntil the moment that every one's attention was called to hint by the e:.elamation of the little girl." "Little Emily Russel?" "Yes." "It: is most singular. You do not even know hie name?" "Nor suspect who he may be!" •" - fectiy unaecountable, The un- 4ry retalefai' wiles Swoon-. 4i't`'the sight of this strange man, S.Iled 'him Rayburn; I think?" "'les," replied Laura, hearing again in iknagination those piercing eries of an- guish=•-•"Rayburne! Rayburne! Ray- burne!" "And —pray forgive my inquisitive- ness, I have an excellent reason for it, which I will soon explain—the lady gave you no explanation of her own painful interest in this man?"" "None whatever. I know no more than yourself." sit up and breathe freely. Helen Ravenscroft looked irl with a bewildered gazd, and as lee 'reern- I ed to return to her, sigh af'r buret from her bonm. Laura gave orders to the sten to drive hone, "1 hopes you feel better," .- gentle \ eiet`, tnrnirg t0 lial 7r pan ion. "Better, bette! yes, T ;tam r.e bet- ter in my grave! Oh, for rise rr riunless sleep. Ah, why does death eV1 tt.e'loved and the happy from all ,the 4Ik 'sings of life, and leave the desolater s r rr wrecked to all its curses?" cried .1reldle in the same piercing tones of art„';,sh, with which she had spoken to the meth, "Can I serve you in no wae, rkra, llav- eneroft?". pleaded Laura. "In no way but ono; eon4 11 from Sir Vincent the circumstcrr of my 10 tt SIAM. meeting----' She was unable to pronoun, j li .•nuure, her voice that had been tai , tg, now utterly sank, and she broke i, a pes- sion of tears and sobs. Laura drew the .poor he -td 1. n upon her own bosom, and with ti , i,er words and caresses sought to Routeft:ais'nex- plicable sorrow. "Dear Mrs. Itaveeee aft." looking caimly into the w i said, It?otib- the "Possibly net so much, Miss Elmer. And now I will give you my reasons for taking so deep an interest in the discov- ery of this man. The little woman in black, with the two children, wrts my landlady, a widow, who kept a little trimming shop in Berkeley street,.. A few days ago, during her absence, and while the shop was left in charge of the two children, this very man, whom they recognized, came in a cab in broad day- light and removed the most valuable part of the widow's little stock, telling the simple children that he had already purchased it for the orphan asylum. The most singular feature in the whole case is, that the widow, even in her great troa:ble, refuses to seek legal redress, without assigning any rertson for her strange forbearance. She would even have made me promise not to en- deavor to find him out, but I informed her that it was the duty of every honest man of the community to protect the innocent and prosecute the guilty. Your yocuig friend who was so dreadfully agitated by the appearance of this roan could afford some clue to his identity if she would. Can you not serve the cause of justice by inducing her to do so?" "Alas! no, for she not only refused to give me any explanation of the cause of her agitation, but she even 'rvrnng from me a conditional promise not to in- form Sir Vincent of her aceideiltal en, counter with this nein," Front this day, for several weeks, no mare was SO(iit or heard of the myster- ions "light -haired stranger,” whose asp- pearance had caused so much disturb- ance, CHAPTER, XIV' Light came back to the dark eyes, and color to the pale eheeks of Laura Ebner. Sonne new spring of life warmth and in- spiration seemed opened in her soul. There were few in that large household that cared to observe the looks of the governess, else they mast have seen the change that was coming over her coun- tenance; the spiritual beauty that at once softened and irradiated her noble features give a sweeter, clearer tone to her rich, deep voice, and a more elastic grace to all her stately motions. She seemed, indeed, as one who had found, at last, The secret of some happy dream, She did riot care to tell. She seemed to have discovered, tvithin depths of her own spirit, the secret or an infinite Conten . ' or a of earthly happiness ehe appeared to be sufficient mile be'.rreeif, as one whose treaeuaee •were all within, safe from ex- ternal vieissi: udes, independent of ex- terior eir•cueni:,tanees, Indeed, there was little in her outer life to strengthen, comfort or cheer her, She slaw no company, went to no places of amusement, had no congenial felenda Her mornings were passed in the sehool room ,and music room with rer young pupils; her afternoons in driving oast with Mrs. Itavenscroft, who had lapsed, into client reserve, and her evenings in the solitude of -her own room, wrfrere she occupied her time in reading and writing, Only at unseal times, and in the spres- ecce of 'her pupils, she met Mr, Cassi- nove and his young charge, Master tes- ter. She had not seen Lady Lester onr'e since the interview in her ladyship's dressing room. Sir. Vincent Lester frequently visited the schoolroom, and often sent to re- quest the presence of Mies Elmer in the library. And it might have been observed that the only occasions upon which Mitts El- mer's clear brow were clouded were those of the baronet's visits to the school Croom, or her own forced attend - mice in the library, (To be continued.) RHEUMATIC AGONY Nothing Reached the Root of the Trouble Until Dr. Williams' Pink Pills Were Used. "I suffered "almost untold agony from rheumatism, For several weary months I was confined to bed. I had the best of medical treatment, but nothing seemed to reach the root of the disease until I used Dr. Williams' Pink Pille. These have completely restored my health." This strong emphatic statement is made by Mrs. Edna Morrill, of Wood- stock, N. S., a lady who had. practi- cally been elven up as incurable by the doctors. She further says: '•I suffered for over two years and rheumatism seemed to be firmly implanted in my sys- tem. At the outset I was able to attend to my household duties, but at night I suffered the greatest pain. I at once began to take medicine but my condi- ion actually grew worse. I was attend- ed by a skilful doctor, but was ultimate- ly forced to remain in bed, suffering untold agony with every movement. Finally the doctors told me the trouble was incurable. One day I was advised to try Dr. Williams Pink Pills and I de- cided to do so. Presently the pains were not so severe, and I began to feel myself gaining. Shortly after I was able to go about, and in less than three months I was perfectly well. For this condition my thanks are gratefully • due to Dr. Williams Pink Pills." Dr. Williams Pink Pills cured Mrs. Morrill by driving the rheumatic poi- son out of her blood. They actually make new blood. They don't act on the bowels. They don't bother with mere symptoms. They go right to the root of the trouble in the blood. That is why they have cured the worst eases of anae- mia (bloodlessness) headaches and bade - aches, kidney trouble, indigestion, neu- ralgia, ettralgia, nervousness and the special ail- ments of girls and women, whose blood supply becomes weak, scanty or irregu- lar. Sold by all medicine dealene or by mail at 50e a box or six boxes for $2.510 from the Dr. Williams Medicine Co., Brockville, Ont. -o-.o Most Obliging Host. The Duke of Connaught once paid a visit to the late Sir Edwin Arnold at Tokio. and just before he was leaving his royal highness told the poet that he had been a most untiring host. "But," he added, laughingly, "there is one thing you have not shown me which this country is noted for." "What is that?" inquired Sir Edwin. "An earthquake," the duke replied. At that moment there was a violent shock which shook the building and brought some of it tumbling down. The duchess came running in, greatly fright- ened. "Olr, what is it?" she gasped. "An earthquake?" "Only a little magic," said the duke, soothingly. He turned to Sir Edwin with twinklink eyes. "I thought I was not asking too much of you," he said.—Black and White. A MOLDER'S PMDE. A mother's greatest pleasure is in see- ing her little ones bright, playful and healthy. The well child is a blessing to the home, but the sick child is a regular little tyrant. A few doses of Baby's Own Tablets will retake the sickly child well, or an occasional dose will prevent sickness. There is nothing to equal these Tablets as a cure for stomach and bowel troubles. They retake teething easy, break up colds, expel worms and cure simple fevers. Baby's Own Tab- lets are sold under the guarantee of a Government analyst not to contain one particleof opiate—they never do harm— always good. Mrs. G. W. hemp, Carle- ton Place, Ont., says: "I have given Baby's Own Tablets to my little one since he was a week old, and have found them a splendid medicine. At eleven months he weighed overtwenty-six pounds." The Tablets are sold by drug- gists or by maxi at 25 cents a box from the Dr. Williams Medicine Co., Brook- ville, Ont. Following Common Practice, (Yonkers, N.Y., etateswan.) Church—It seems to be the custom now Or an audience to hunt something they hate heard on the sbago when leaving the theatre. livi tbueh-Yes, I believe it has beoomo quite Common,. The other n)ght we had. "Uaole Tom's Cabin" at the opera house and the bloodhounds did some great growling. "Indeed," "Yes„ and when the audieree went out early' nvervna, w•n,; zrmr ll„,• ee