CHAPTER XXVIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 128, 14 November 1885, Page 3

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE FATE OP THE LETTER. '• My Lord," said Rebecca Hough. The evergreens rustled, swayed, and, Robert Hood stepped into view. His brows were drawn to a black frown ; his eyes scintillated fire ; rage distorted his features. , Before he could open his mouth Rebecca presented the paper Lillis had j übt entrusted ! to her care. She said quietly, and with the deepest respect, " Something, my lord, which mebbe'll be of use to you. I don't know." Hood snatched it from her hand. "So," he hissed, "you saw me? You found out your treachery was discovered ?" Rebecca stared at him in a dumb blank surprise for an instant, and then echoed slowly : "My treachery ! I thought I'd done your lor'ship a service." "A service," sneered Hood ; "would it have been such to mail this as you promised ?" shaking the note in her face. " I didn't mail it, my lord," ' For a good reason ! because you saw me through the branches." The woman's eyes lighted angrily. "I think, my lord," she answered, her harsh tones rising a little, "I think you forget you brought me here to keep the young lady from doing anything agin your wishes. I've got her confidence, and your lordship's got the letter." Not quite satisfied, Hood cried sharply : " \ou whispered to her !" "I whispered, ' Make it short and safe,"'

Tony coon saw lillig, The sight of her instantly recalled the scene in the breakfastroom. "That charming creature knows more than she tells, "he thought, " and is I, fear, in some danger from Langdon. But happily she has her mother's protection, and is therefore safe without my interference." He smilingly doffed his hat, and Lillis, who had been watching his approach, went forward to the edge of the terrace to meet him. She addressed him eagerly, consumed by an impatient desire to know whether Rebecoa Hough had started for the village. " You have just come from the lodge, Mr Folger. Did you see anything of the — " " The woman Rebecca Hough," she was about to add ; but the sound of an opening window and Lady Melross's voice stopped her. *• You are coming in, my dear," asked her ladyship as the girl turned. "Very soon, mamma, almost immediately," answered Lillis. Lady Melross hastily re tired before a chilling blast, and Tony Folger, naturally imagining the girl's inquiry related to Hood, j answered accordingly — I "Yes, Miss Melrosß, I have seen the earl within the last 10 minutes. I came ' upon him near the box bush bower, and directly sent him to the lodge to — " " The lodge J He is at the lodge ?" suddenly and breathlessly interposed Lillis, in i scarcely audible tones, "Yea, waiting—" His sentence was cut short again, Without a word the girl flew past him, ran down the marble steps, and in a minute was lost to view in the wild intricacies of the avenue. ( To be Continued, )