Lady Trebor's Secret, OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 262, 13 October 1877, Page 4

Lady Trebor's Secret, OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

fBY Mrs. Harriet Lewis.] CHAPTER XXXllL—contd. The outer door stood wide open ; the wind streamed in, scattering the lire and ashes in a cloud. They hurried out into the yard. Their jailers had ran to the cliffward side of the dwelling, and were examining the rocks in a panic. Cecil’s quick eyes caught sight of the open gates of the stable-yard and the waiting horses and vehicle. With the rapidity of inspiration, she ran into the yard, unloosed the hitching-strap, and climbed into the vehicle ! Grotchen followed her, sinking down upon the seat, gasping and panting for breath. Cecil’s desk eyes blazed. She caught up the rude whip, touched up the spirited ponies, and drove boldly out of the stable-yard, taking instinctively to the grass-grown road. She knew the road well for a mile or more, and pushed her ponies forward at their best speed. The old wagon had half-way descended the Black Rock lull when Mrs .birvi.s, r<_‘tu: ulny; wit,!i a, lata sensa of caution to secure the house, and keep watch there over her (fleets, discovered the absence of the vehicle from the yard, and beheld it in full flight. Her frantic shrieks brought her Imy'taiid and Maria to her aid, and the three, in a frenzy of madness, dashed down the hill in wild pursuit.

CHAPTER XXXIY. A DECLARATION OF BETROTHAL

The month of May had arrived. The fashionable world had come to Loudon for the season. Parliament was in full session. Lord Bt. Leonards, who was a power in the House, was at Ins town residence in Pari-: Lane. Lord Glenham and his mother were in their own house in the same street, and Lady Trevor was domiciled in her establishment in South And ley-street.

The handsome widow sat alone in her morning-room. Her brunette face, made up in the highest stylo of art with roseate bloom and pearl-powders, kohl, and the A'arions other cosmetics known to a woman of the world who desires to repair the ravages of time and fashionable dissipation, showed no trace of secret care or anxiety.

She was thus engaged when the old Marquis of *St. Leonards was announced.

Slit; arose as lie entered her presence, and rushed towards him with an affectation or'joy —a gushing manner that might have belonged to a school-girl. I am so glad to see yon, grandpapa !” she exclaimed. l ' So delighted ! 1 have looked for you every day since my arrival last, week ! I had almost ceased to expect yon !” She offered him her mouth, but the old lord jtretended not to understand her. lie saw through her aflecla-ion of affection, and gave her his hand gravely, responding;

*■l received your note announcing your return to town for the season, Edith. 1 have been very busy with this railway bill in the House, and have not found it convenient to call before !”

“ I am glad to sac you at any time and always, (loan grandpapa!” rep-Ib d J.jiuly Trevor, .seating Jiar.self on a sola beside the leonine obi lord, ami looking at him. with a gaze meant to be levorcntial and affectionate. “ Yon were trying to find that poor sowing-girl, Miss llosse. Have you found her yet, graudv”

P a l )il “ Wo have not ! ’ was tlio brief response, “ and I am inclined to despair.” “ What a strange mystery it is I” said Lady Trevor, meditatively. “My opinion is, that the girl is dead !”

“ Then where is her servant?’' asked Lord St. Leonards, sharply. “ How can two persons die without leaving any trace of their decease ? They couldn’t have buried themselves. I don’t believe they are dead, I believe there is foul play somewhere, and just so surely as 1 live 11l ferret out the truth and bring whoever is concerned in it—whoever has tried to injure Miss ilosso —to a bitter and terrible punishment.”

The widow trembled, but her face remained placid and sympathetic. “ How deeply you are interested in the late of that girl whom you saw but twice,” she exclaimed. u 1 liked her too, but I am sure she is dead !”

“ You liked her ?” repeated the nia'quis, bitterly. “ You I If it hadn’t been for your treachery to mo in trying to get her out of my way she might have been safe and well in my house to-day. If she is dead, her death lies at your door. You knew that I had determined to adopt her as my grandchild, if she would consent, and you conceived the idea of sending her off to (jireyconrt. “I blame you, Edith, for much of what has happened.” Lady Trevor put her handkerchief to her eyes. “ I owe mveh of the sorrow of my life—all it’s terrible loneliness—to your treachery," continued the old lord, knitting his heavy white brows, his frosty blue eyes gating sternly upon

her. “If yon had bnt brought me my little grandchild after her mother’s death, as my daughter-in-law implored you to do, I should to-day have had Alba with mo. Sometimes I doubt you terribly, Edith, in spite of all your fair protestations. Sometimes the idea will haunt me for nights together, keeping me wakeful and agonised, that you killed that innocent baby —that you murdered her—to inherit her wealth !” “ Grandfather !” The marquis shook of her hands, which she bad put out to him, and moved farther from her. “I cannot bear that name from your lips, Edith,” lie exclaimed. “ I was awake all last night, thinking of Miss Rosso first, then of yon, and my dead little Alba. All my old doubts of you returned in full force. I remembered that your husband was one of the worst ccoundrels in England, I re-membered—-but I have not come here to rehearse the old story, or to accuse yon. I do not wish to know if you are guilty. In the day when the secrets of all hearts arc made known, tie story of little Alba’s death will be made clear !” “ You wrong me most cruelly. Will you never forget your doubts of me, or do me justice,” cried Lady Trevor, apparently overcome with grief. “ I’m innocent of Alba’s death. I could never cansent to a murder. I am of your blood. 11l spito of my faults I am not capable of a crime. I swear it. Como, grandfather, dismiss your doubts of me. Uo mo justice. “ We will dismiss the subject,” declared the marquis, coldly. “ 1 must not see you often, Edith. Yon arouse all the memories 1 desired buried. To return to Miss Eosse. I suppose that you have never heard from her since her disappearance ?” Never. I expected to receive some apology from her for her breach of contract, but I have not done so.” “ I see that that man Pulford is still in your employ, Edith. I came here especially to speak to him. The rumor is rife again that you are engaged to marry him.” “ I beg that you will deny it then. I am not engaged to marry him !” said the widow, decidedly. “Do you think that I would marry my agent, whom I regard as my servant ?” The marquis regarded his granddaughter keenly. “ I hope,” continued Lady Trevor, with apparent indignation, “that 1 know too well what is due to my rank and family to make a second marriage that would be distasteful to you, grandpapa. Besides,” and she affected to blush, “ I hope that your old plans for me may yet be realized. You know my secret, that I love Lord Gleuham. When his grief for Miss Rosso shall have worn away, and he realizes that she must bo dead, perhaps your wellknown ■wishes may have some effect upon him, and I know that Lady Gienham is anxious to bring about the match,” said the widow “ She has told me so. That marriage will bo brought about if there is anything in a mother’s influence, or in a steadfast love like mine.” “ Gienham can do as he pleases. I decline to use my influence,” said Lord St. Lcanards. “ WTien I believed Miss Rosse an adventuress, 1 tried to save Gienham by a marriage with you. But now that I have seen Mass Rosse, and know her to be noble and pure, and more than worthy even of him, 1 should despise him if he were to marry you—even if ho knew her to be dead 1 My doubts of yon, which, try as I will, I cannot conquer, confirm me in my opinion !” “ You arc complimentary.” 11 1 am truthful—and you are not always that, Edith,” The "widow’s hard, black eyes sparkled with rising auger. “ You insult me,” she exclaimed. “ I am truthful—l despise a falsehood ! Do me justice, grandfather ! 1 am incapable of a lie !” Before the old Lord could make any response, Mr Pulford entered the room. His florid face was easy and smiling. He seemed thoroughly at home, and bowed pleasantly to the old marquis, who regarded him with savage dislike. “ We have been talking of you, Mr Pulford,” said his lordship, speaking with forced courtesy. “ I was telling Lady Ticvor of rumours of her reported engagement of marriage to yon, sir. May I ask you to contradict those reports ?” Mr Pulford glanced at the widow, who made him a gesture commanding assent. “ I am happy to say, my lord,” said Mr Pulford, easily, “ that uo contradiction is necessary. Edith, my dear, tell the marquis that the reports are all true —that you hj sve planned a little surprise for him—and that I shall be soon grand-son-in-law and your happy husband !” 1 TO BIS CONTINUED. J

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