THE CURSE OF HER LIFE OR A DARK SECRET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3108, 5 February 1909, Page 2

THE CURSE OF HER LIFE OR A DARK SECRET.

CHAPTER XXXlV.—Continued. "Then we tied him hand and foot," Rial continued, "and locked him up in a room that was r.ct likely to be visited, and where he could not be heard if be shouted ever so loud." "Wretches!"

"It was Mr Heathcote's doings, not mine. Ht wanted him out of the way, while you were arrested, and we left him food and water to last him a week, at any rate. Besides, we have been down since and renewed the supply." Lady Disbro shuddered. Matters, were, indeed, at a desperate crisis with her. With a warrant out for her arrest for murder, and the officers even then looking for her, what could she do? Her enemies seemed on the point of triumphing. Should she give it up, yield everything bow at the last moment, submit to be dragged "to the prison, to the criminal dock afterward, and have her life sworn away by that wicked demon who had already cursed her life so fearfully! Never! A thousapd times never! She looked up. Rial was watching her anxiously. Lady Disbro's countenance brightened. "Serve me now, and I'll forgive you and reward you," she said, extending her hand. "Is it a bargain?" "I'm not fit to touch your hand, my lady. I'm your slave to command," Rial answered excitedly. "I'd serve you if I could, anyway, and I want to be revenged on them."

"You shall. Go out and buy me a large cloak and a thick, long veil, both black it possible, though that is not "so material as haste. . Then get a closed carriage and come back here to me."

She gave him her purse and he went at once, returning in about an hour.

He had brought the cloak and veil ana the carriage waited. "See if the coast is clear," Lady Disbro ordered, as she adjusted the cloak over her handsome dress and muffled her head in the veil.

"I owe this thought to Rose," she said to herself, as she wrapped the cloak close and prepared to descend. Rial met her on the stairs. No one was in sight deserving of suspicion. "Tell the man to drive to No. 5, Angell Terrace, and then come inside with me, I may want you again and yo j might be seen if you rode outside."

Rial obeyed. No. 5, Angell Terrace was not far. It was the residence of Doctor Sanitas.

Lady Disbro had a long conference with the doctor, after which she gave Rial new orders.

Doctor Sanitas was an old friend. She would remain there till the following day. Rial was to learn' what he could, without exciting suspicion, of the whereabouts and plans of Heathcote and Kose, and to come back to-morrow to Doctpr Sanitas' with his information.

Doctor Sanitas went away when Rial did, and did not return until tar into the night. Then he went away again in the morning, and came back about one o'clock. Rial was already there.

The proceedings against Lady Disbro had been kept very quier so far. They were looking for her, but not in a very active manner. Heathcote was in Charges Street still.

ii. ; "Id all ready?" Lady Disbro inquired of Doctor Sanitas. "Everything, my lady " the doctor answered obsequiously. But he look" ed somewhat anxious, and disturbed. "I don't like the idea of taking him by force. It would be so much easier to use stratagem." "Not with him. He would see through any artifice you could devise. Besides, the more startled he is, the more he is taken off his guard, the morelikeJyhewill.be to betray the diseased state jf his mind, and in the establishment of that lies my own safety." "True. Come then.'-'

CHAPTER XXXV,

"IT IS MY TURN NOW!" Two carriages waited at th 6 door. Lady DisCro, Doctor Sanitas, and Rial got into the fnremo3t. The other was already occupied. Lady Disbro's face was perfectly colourless, and fixed as marble. The two carriages stopped at No. "50, Charges Street. Lady Disbro and Doctor Sanitas Jed Ihe way, inquiring at the door for Mr Mordaunt, thenama Heathcote called himself here. The occupants of the second carriage—two large and powerfullooking men —followed' closely.* As they stopped at the door of Mr Mordaunt's appartments, Lady Disbro motioned Rial to come beside her. They entered without the ceremony of knocking. Only Doctor Sanitas had been announced.

Mr "Mordaunt" was advancing from the farther side of the room with a smiling countenance. He knew Doctor Sanitas, he having made a plausable excuse to introduce himself before now.

He came forward smilingly. But he stopped when he saw Edith with Rial beside her. and for a moment he looked as if about to faint. With an effort he forced his eyes from her set face and threatening eyes, and saw the men behind her.

Then, indeed, the livid change that came over his face was fearful to see. The glare in his eyes were frightful. Doctor Sanitas and Rial hung back now. But Edith, arid the two men who had been in the second carriage, advanced slowly towards Heathcote. jn pvi'h's eyes was tha* evil fire ■w'ni h o i'y burned there in moments of ex reme excitement like the preserf. Her beautiful face wore its

By HELEN CORWIN PIERCE, Author of "At His Own Game," "Carrie Emerson Wilde," "Badly Matched," "The Cheated Bride," Etc.

[ whitest, most inflexible mask. She j spoke to the two men without looking 1 toward them. "Kemember what I told you," she said in a low voice. , She had desired them to wait till she gave them the word. I Ths men retreated towards the door, but their cold, watchful eyes ; never left Heathcote's face, j "You she devil!" Heathcote said, at last, fairly gnashing his teeth as he spoke. i " Yes," Edith returned, in a quiet i but very strange voice, "it is my j turn now." I Heathcote glared at her again. I "Your turn for what?" he asked ; savagely, and with a stealthy glance ! towards the two men watching him. I They did uot look exactly like | officers of the law, but somehow j their aspect .filled him with an awful dread. (To be continued).