The Rhondda Leader

(Copyright,) THE MYSTERY OF CLIFFCASTLE. By MARVIN DANA, Author of "The Woman of Orohids," "ow Iotm of Rebecca and Basil," cc The Oon- Wrsion of a Parent," "The Temptation of John Grooves, 0 "The CaN of Tenoai," JcC. SOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS: Clit CHfl a hu8e» gloomy structure on the East of Bournemouth. Its master is Harold Taimell, a retired business magnate, who livet were in comparative seclusion with his grand- tkiftb, Clarice Landon. Mr. Tarnell has two grandsons, Harry and Charles, cousins to each Other. for whom he intends to provide. Both young men are in love with Clarice, who return* affection of Harry, the elder of the two. Clarice, however, wishes the engagement kept Bret a little while. While affairs are in this r teCharles declares his love, and on his meet- "'I With refusal there is a painful scene. That evening Harry expecting to find Clarice on chffs, meets there Charles instead. Charlei pT^ts him with treachery, and calls him ft »?' &n<* a contest takes place on the between the two men, ending in the fall of narles over the cliff. Harry then realises that he 18 a murderer, and is about to flee from the when he notices on an adjacent hill a man ha i the whole episode. In despair ^aps over the cliff where his cousin had lien. News of the tragedy is brought into ~rUrQemouth, and it is not doubted that both fit? l°'t. It turns out, however, that Charles 8 into deep water, manages to swim to the e»B *n<* Bc*'es the cliffs. He learns from a Ov! conver8ation that, Harry followed him yj™'the height, and realises that whichever of th» 0 8^ou^ appear might be charged with be,murder of the other. After one surreptitious to the Castle by night, therefore, he leaves rpfQemouth without revealing himself to his W Meanwhile some mysterious happea- to Gwtle are observed by servants, and fa.story of a ghost in the closed wing of the gluing is revived. Moreover, while the old jJ 5 i» utterly broken down, it is noticed that i. ^*»rice a kind of feverish excitement seems ^ke the place of grief. CHAPTER IX A JOTTKKBT. «eir **me Mrs. Brennie was quite her- frifi aS*in» so that Skriggs ventured to apeak Jf more insistence: Y 0flr« Mrs. Brennie, I'm waitin' to hear story. If so he's that you haven't one to i, 1 I'll go to bed. I thought eomethin' really Pponed to upset you so." Mi i1°me^1'n'' the housekeeper repeated, Hnu oheeks grew pale again at the memory. h» Mr. Skriggs, don't be playful about it was awful 1» »*t« Sutler listened to Mrs, Brennie more ,(^Pathetically, but when she declared that .n.,?Va• » ghost" she had seen, he replied, •^Wically: u?°°h J Nonsense I" o*n nsense I saw it with my j eyes, an' I heard it with my own ears, n. a-comin' in. I walked through the gate j jUsual, an' I was half-way to the door, when to glance up at the haunted wing, n there in the window I saw it, plain as I 8kr,See 70u f5ght there afore me, Mr. "V Jou a-dreamin' the butler thr. wwmly. "But what wae it you t you saw f +! was a Hgure," the excited woman con- tted, "a figure all in white lookin' out of the • ^aow, an' its face was white as flour, an' it Wo long horns growin' out of its head. It (L8 a spectre, Mr. Skriggs, an* a warnin' of i b, for jt groaned three times, hollow groans, i if that ain't a warnin' of death, I'd like ,now wbat is P Ini'™ » "illy old woman 1" Skriggs stort y°u don't want to be a laughin'- Drerimi- IL hold your tongue about that keAtw. v 8cepticism exasperated the house- r be ond endurance. |w-i„ to know what cause you hate, Mr* tell f?"' I? me to hold my tongue. I shall 4n> 7Tr' Darnell what I saw, and Miss Clarice, n I shall leave here, and go to my lOoTiw prepare myself for death. Tou'r# to tell me to hold my tongue." •Pot! • Pa.n £ Skrifgs realised that he had hig ^^yyttdieitraily, and he attempted to cover only advisin' yon," ha murmured MWii Hje n eu» you haven't any business to advise 'olk« won't believe any such queer ,re^> Mr. Skriggs, I'll see about that. some folks have a heart if you Wknyhow» I wouldn't talk about it,* the .«7 ,^ged. iti|> talk about it," was the unoompromts- Mrs. Brennie, you would not talk <(j if I asked you not to." *tig» J*011'* know any reason why I should ^*ito1V1Ltura 'or your sake, Mr. "fit housekeeper retorted. 5<0k the old man argued. Joftil*' indeed 1" the other answered, ft toss of the head. "I didn't *av/0UMCared to be my friend, though I wa» 1 wi ^n' am»" Skriggs averred, stoutly, w*th much internal reluctance. He J the conversation was tending towards J4«afi'#r0U8 point, but he was resolved at all to stop the gossipy woman's tongue. Ult "'f UN. Brennie, do oblige me, an' don't foolishness." tJi«°- *he cried, made angry again lnJndioious word. MI know wfiat I sea t?f 0lm I aiu't goin' to be shut up ■?r *ny man. Ton ain't my husband, 1 i ^8»e obliged to obey you, am I f *°rds suggested a method of vietory to 0thole at a fearful cost. In desperation 'oQn though at a fearful cost. In desperation w*y her remark opened to him: iv.J» now. suppose I was your husband, do » mind what I said t" ^ion widow was instantly full of con- "0j! \n<lstammered, coyly: .i J Mr. Skriggs, what can you mean f bun ,• you an' me get married," waa i,^Q0fjr 8 abrupt statement. me!" the housekeeper exclaimed, ty, tL • *udden." And then, with a sigh of b" Continued: "Aroariah, I am your* to prore you mean what you say," continued, glibly, "you'll be an MI tov ^ife, an' you won't talk about thing* i*X yon shoulii't.17 iL ^ui7 to • S>i^ to obey,n Mrs. Brennie replied, Wild horses aouldn't drag from ma didn't want 'em to." it! I cq^1?ow flushed, and her florid, though n c°»ttnJe/ace ^"ew than before, as so*0*' yoa naughty men are N't to s«al the enmgement; but .\tiream if u do take just one." SX flr,t impulse was to rroan, but a 0 t2r\wma* '*ce dissipated his alarm, W °*ed i? duty heoome a pleasure as he °ha«t« salute upon hie cheek. Skriggs's heroic method of tt( wi **gging tongue, a rumour spread III brid°f 'n truth haunted. The story tragedy was revived and rehearsed ha<j &Qd drawing-rooms. One of the 1 ,v^ f0f a woman • form all in white L\? instant at one of the windows on w 1 then vanish into space. Another vl&t .u0. "■ °' chains when lata crept down the corridor by some toothache drops from OOP ard Others had .nor heard went to swell the superstitious tale. Mrs. Brennie was faithful in her promise of obedience, but she could not refrain from a complacent enjoyment in listening to the stories told her, nor could she withhold her- self from saying: "I told you so," to the disgusted butler. Yet the mysterious accounts were for a time suppressed in the castle by the fact that Mr. Tarnell was drawing near to death. Slowly but surely the old man grew weaker, and the physician gate no hope of recovery. He himself realised that the end was near and at last one day he sent for Clarice. The girl entered the room in a tremor of emotion. Her heart, filled with warm and tender love for the relation who had provided her with a kame, had been tortured by the fact that fate had made her the destroyer of hit happiness. To the other suffering she had endured through the loss of her cousins, one of them the man she loved, was added a poignant anguish that she by causing their rivalry had induced the tragedy. And that tragedy had filled her uncle with sorrow, had, indeed, dealt a blow from which he could not recover. All the shadow of mystery was lifted from Cludem's face as she went slowly, into her unole'e chamber in its stead the pallor of regret aad despair lay over the hue of health, and her great eyes were filled with a dumb pleading for forgiveness from the old man she loved. For the first time since the morning after do tragedy when she had told him all the truth, Mr. Tarnell turned and looked at Clarice. Something in the misery and supplication written on the beautiful features moved him to oom- passion. Suddenly he remembered that the eama woe dominated both of them. If he had lost the children to whom he looked for the continu. ation of his name, the girl had lost the lover from whom she had hoped for all happiness. His conscience cried out to him in rebuke for that selfishness which in remembering his own sorrow had not hesitated to add to hers. The natural kindliness of his nature revolted against the cruelty his grief had provoked. He beckoned Clarice to approach. A nurse was at the bed- side, and Skriggs also was in the room. These with a word he dismissed as his niece drew near. When they were alone, the old man enoke feebly: "Clarice, my dear, forgive me." The words opened the floodgates of the girl's tears. She fell on her knees by the bed, her lips to the hand Mr. Tarnell gave. Oh, uncle, unole," she sobbed, do pardon me I It breaks my heart that I should have brought this awful trouble upon you t" It is heavy on you, too, my child," Mr. Tarnell answered. "I forgive you freely. I have been selfish too long. Do you forgive me for adding to your sorrow by my harshness ? "That needs no forgiveness," Clarice replied, more calmly. "I can think only of how I haft injured you. Your death lies at my door, even as does that of-——" She broke off abruptly, and the shadow of mystery settled again upon the lovely face. But Mr. Tarnell did not note this. He thought only of her words, and though he shuddered at them, he answered bravely: "Do not cherish these morbid thought.. Clarice. I am an old man, and death has for loat stood at my elbow. Do not blame yourself so much, dear. Indeed, you are not guilty. The hot passions of youth are the cause. It is not as if you had coquetted and tricked the lads you were honest with them, that I know-honest and true. Be so always, Clarice-honeat and true. I know no better words for my last counsel to you." Clarice made no answer. Her face was hidden in the coverlet and she did not raise it to meet her uncle's gage. After a moment he continued: The property will be yours now, Clarice—all of it, the castle and the money. I know no one to whom I could leave it more safely, now that the lads are gone. Ah, me 1 if only Harry had lived, and I could have seen your child and his here in his home before I died I Now I have nothing to live for, nothing to hope for—that is why I die." The old man lay silent. Clarice raissd her head and regarded him with sombre eyes, her brows uncertain. Then her lips curved in swift decision. 81ae rose and leant forward till her lips were eloso to Mr. Tarnell's ear. In quick whispers she spoke to him. When she at last ceased, there rested on his face, too, the shadow of mystery; but there was a new ring of strength in his words, as he answered: "It is well." Contrary to all expectation, as the days passed Mr. Tarnell, having sunk into a condition of extreme debility, seemed to remain for a time stationary; then he began slowly to improve. For nearly a year after the tragedy he remained a great invalid, but ultimately he almost fully recovered. Now, indeed, his cheery laugh some- times rang in the castle, though not so often as of old. In Clarice he seemed to have centred all his affection, and:it was seldom that he could leave her long out of his sight. One evening as they met together after dinner he said: How soon must you go ? "Within a month," Clarice replied. "Oh, I wilh-" "There, there-don't mope," Mr. Tarnell interrupted. "There are lights as wall as shadows; look at them when you can." Clarice's face brightened as aha mat her uncle's kindly glance. "I was not going to say anything very bad," she answered. "Indeed, I am thankfnl for many things. The cloud lifted for a moment, and Clarice looked almost a happy woman. ^Time had dulled the sorrow ofjthe tragedy, but the shadow of mystery still remained. Now its darkness fell again on the fair young face, as she continued: "You must send me away, uncle." "Yes," Mr. Tarnell assented, I must send you away." His face, too, was now overcast as he nodded his head gravely. Then, of a sudden, he pushed his spectacles upon his forehead and laughed genially. Skriggs, who entered at this moment with the coffee, looked at his master with sympathetic joy, and lingered in the room until the merriment had ceased. When they were alone again, Clarice asked: "Why are you so pleased, uncle f I find a certain spice of humour in this trip of yours," Mr. Tarnell exclaimed, with a chuckle. "It is a funny thing—" But the pained look in Clarice's face stopped him. "There, there,n he hastened to say, pulling down his glasses, and becoming instantly sad. "I would not have wounded you for worlds, Clarice, you know that. It was thoughtless of me." It is I who am too sensitive," his niece aid, rising and coming to his side. 8he stooped and kissed his cheek. You are so good to me," she murmured. As the result of their conversation that night, it was announced in the castle that Clarice was soon to visit a relation in London, and two weeks later she set out on the journey, accom- panied by Skriggs., who was to see her safe to her destination. The two travelled by the afternoon train, leaving Bournemouth Central at 2.16, and thus reached Waterloo before five. It was early spring, but the day had been lowering, and the pall of smoke over the metropolis filled the evening with gloom. Clarice ahivered as she stepped upon the platform, and then sighed with relief as she saw the old butler approacniag her. "Here's a four-whaeler, thetil do for us, misa," he said, and signalled to the driver. In a minute he had, with the aid of two porters, got boxes on top. Clarice stepped into the eab and Bkriggs followed, after direotiag tha driver to the Albemarle Hotel. The old man glanced curiously at his com- panion from time to time, but she said no word, only sat idly watching the crowds in the streets through which they were passing. In Piccadilly, near St. James's-strest, they were in a block for a moment. The cab was next the kerb: a rotuur woman of the working 1. class, carrying her baby, was standing on the footway with her husband, waiting for a chance to cross the street. The mother was hardly more than a girl, and her happiness in the child was apparent, that of her husband, a sturdy, honest-faced fellow, no less. The woman was dandling the baby, which laughed and crowed, and talking to it in affected childish prattle. The mother tossed the baby in her arms. The child caught sight of Clarice and stared at her with round, wondering eyes. CC Be*, pritty loidy," crooned the mother, and held the babe to the cab window, with a smile of pride on her face, as she saw the lady's attention fixed on the child. The husband grinned sheepishly. Humble as they were, this trio made a perfect picture of contented family delight. Yet Clarice did not smile in answer to the smiles of father, mother, and babe. On the contrary, she turned away, and on her face rested more clearly than ever the ehadow of mystery—a shadow cold and awful. Skriggs, who had been watching, felt the strange olouds reaching over him and settling upon him. He saw two tears lie heavy on the girl's lashes and then fall on her cheek. After that he looked no more, and his faithful heart was heavy within him. On the following morning, Clarice, accom- panied by Skriggs, drove in a hansom to an address in Beaumont-street, West. The house was an inconspicuous one. There was no card of lodgings to let over the door. Skrigge knocked and rang. A neat maid opened to him. "Are the rooms for the lady who was to arrive this morning ready ? I the butler asked. "What name ? the maid inquired. "Sanson," Skriggs replied. "Oh, yes, the rooms are all ready. I'll shew the lady up, if you please." Skriggs returned to the hansom. "Everything is all ready," he said to his mistress. Clarice stepped down from the hansom and entered the house. The maid led the way up a flight of stairs to the drawing-room floor. Skriggs followed with Clarice. They entered the drawing-room and glanced about it. "Is it to your pleasure f" Skriggs asked, and Clarice replied: "Oh, yes." "Then I'll say good-bye, Miss Clarice," the old servant suggested. Clarice turned to him and gave him her hand: "Good-bye, Skriggs. Give my love to uncle. Heaven bless you, Skriggs." "Heaven bless you, miss, in all ways," the man replied, huskily. Then he moved away. Clarice watched the shambling figure as he disappeared from her sight, and her eyes were 4im with tears. CHAPTER X. lots. lmll(mvg eulalosity. Four months passed before the completion of Clarice's visit to London. During that time the mystery of Cliff Castle was concentrated in the manner and behaviour of Mr. Tarnell and his faithful servitor, Skriggs. The two old men were often in consultation, but invariably their exchange of remarks ceased the moment another person appeared on the scene. It occurred even to -tho dull wits of the other ssrvants that Skriggs shared some secret with the master, but their efforts to discover the concealed matters were wholly fruitless. Even Mrs. Brennie, who made the marriage, now set for six months hence, an excuse for demanding her aged lover's complete confidence, was not wholly successful in her quest for the truth, although Skriggs managed her inquiries with much tact. What was you a-talkin' of with the M&8ter so mighty secret-like ?" she asked the butler one day, when her sudden entrance into the dining-room had interrupted an animated con- versation. "We was discussin' what he'd like for to-morrow's dinner," Skriggs replied without a blush. "My soul I I don't believe no such thing," Mrs. Brenaie rejoined. "The ideal I know enough to- know that the master never cares a brass farthing what he has for his dinner. Ton've got secrets, Amariah Skriggs." "So you're a-sayin' the butler answered, imperturbably. "Well, an* I'm a-sayin', too," the house- keeper, continued, "as how you hadn't ought to have secrets from the wife o' your bosom." "An' so I nerer shall," Skriggs asserted, gallantly. "Well, then, Mr. Skriggs, do tell me all about it." "When yet%$ r* the wife o' my bosom," Skriggs replied, "I'll tell you all my secrets. Until then not a word. Why, you might iilt me! Think of that, now 1 11 "Never, Skriggs," Mrs. Brennie hastened to assure him, much Battered. If they was to be my last words I'd say 'em when the time comes." "Well,* Skriggs remarked, "since as how I oan trust you, I'll tell you something, though it's no seeret: the young miss is coming home to-morrow night." "An' time, too, I must say f" Mrs. Brennie exclaimed. "My! she has been a-gaddin'. Funny, though, I don't seem rightly to know them relations she's been with in town. Who'd you say they was, Skriggs ? i" I"Tt told you once, an' I won't be pestered telling you all oyer," the butler retorted, testily. "Perhaps you'd better ask master. He knows more about the family than I do, though I don't suppose even he knows enough to satisfy a woman s curiosity." With the last words Ssriggs went out of the room in order to avoid further questionings. lire. Brennie, left alone, meditated on her fanei't manner of reply with much disgust. "He's reiy touchy in spots," she reflected. "Now, I wonder why he's so mysterious about those relations of Miss Clarice's. I'm sure I ain't curious, but I do like to know some things. An' the other time:whon I asked him he flared up just the same, and made hints about waggin' tongues, though he don't speak out. He never tola me a word, though he pretends he has. I believe I will ask master." Nourishing this resolve, Mrs. Brennie con- trived to find herself in Mr. Tarnell's presence, aad at once improved the ocoasion by leading up to the Important subject: "If you please, sir, do you expect Miss Clarice In time for tea, sir?" "Yes," the old gentleman answered, rousing himself from a lit of abstraction. U I hope, sir," the housekeeper continued, tactfully, that Miss Clarice has enjoyed herself in London." Mr. Tarnell made no answer, he was again deep in his own thoughts. Mrs. Brennie first coughed and then repeated her remark more loudly: "I hope, sir, that Miss Clarioe has enjoyed herself in London." Mr. Tarnell started and turned towards the woman. "What's thaU" he questioned, sharply. Mrs. Brennie stated her aspiration for the third time. Mr. Tornell stared at her, frowning for a moment, then his face cleared, and he laughed cheerily. Oh, yes," he said, "she has enjoyed herself." Then suddenly he relapsed into silence and gloom. Mrs. Brennie, no whit wiser than before, went away pussling her brain for an explanation of her master's conduct. He was as bad as Skriggs. Why did he scowl ? Why did he laugh ? Why was he gloomy ? To these questions Mrs. Brennie could find no satisfac- tory answer. Finally, her face grew overcast. "There's some thin' very queer somewhure," was her last decision, "an* I'm going to know what it is. I'll shew some folks that I'm not so much of a fool as I look. Skriggs is in it, an' master's in it, and Miss Clarice may be. I'll find out this mystery, or my name ain't Martha Bronnie-which it's goin' to be Nkrigge. Clarice arrived at the appointed time, and was received by her uncle with tenderest pasting*. "Will Clarice ? he asked. after a little. Clarice looked at her uncle shyly, and a blush rushed to her face. "Forgive me if I wait a little while," she answered. "Let me go to mv room for a few minutes first.n let, yes," he answered, gently, oi course. But don't be too long," "I shall return very soon," Clarice replied, and kissed her uncle. The girl passed hastily up the stairs and entered her room. There she dismissed her maid and remained alone in the chamber. Mrs., Brennie, as time passed, became alarmed about the tea, for it was long past the usual hour, but Clarice had not yet come down to the drawing-room. For the sake of the tea-cakes and her curiosity, she determined to go up and knock at her mistress's door. This she did, but there was no answer to her gentle tap. Thereupon, after waiting a moment, the house- keeper knocked again. Still no reply came from the room. "Why, she must be asleep Ir the woma* refleoted. "I'd batter go in and wake her up,* Mrs. Brennie turned the knob, and pushed ft, but the door resisted her effort*. She triad again, but without sncocss. "Land'sakes ( It's locked I" the housekeeper nattered. She turned away foil of newly wbotted fluiceity. She passed down the eorridor and into the passage leading to the back stairs. There sha Stopped to think of the matter. Hardly a fainute had passed when a alight noise behind her in the corridor caused her to turn. It was dark in the windowless passage where she stood, but the corridor was lighted. As she looked she saw the form of her mistress appear and steal softly forward to the chamber door. Then, While she watched, Clarice put her hand in her pocket, drew forth a key, unlocked the door and went into the room. In a moment more she reappeared and hastened to descend the stairs to the drawing-room. The housekeeper then hurried down the back- stairs, and as she went her brain was in a whirl of confusion. Why did Miss Clarice lock her door ? What had she concealed in her room ? Where had she been? Why ? Mrs. Brennie Vowed to learn. "One thing's sure as sure," was her de- cision* "Miss Clarice is in the mystery t" CHAPTER XI. 7 ths omb wnmow. The next day Mrs. Brennie's curiosity found new food at an early hour. She had gone to the store-room, when she heard a familiar step behind her, and turned to see the bent figure of Skriggs standing in the doorway. The old man was staring at her intently, and Mrs. Brennie judged from the compression of his lips that he was in a serious frame of mind. Yet his first words were not impressive: "I'm goin* out for a little while." Where ? Mrs. Brennie asked, with mild curiosity. "Just up to London." Mrs. Brennie started with amazement and dropped her keys. What for ? she questioned, eagerly. "Well, just for a baby," was the answer, given rather shamefacedly. Mrs. Brennie looked around hastily, and then seated herself in a chair, the better to grapple with this astounding information. There was a moment's silence, during which Skriggs stood staring doggedly at his betrothed while she sat eyeing him with mingled curiosity and disapproval. Finally, she spoke with emphasis "Amariah Skriggs, you tell me all about it this minute." Thus commanded the butler undertook the task of explanation, though with obvious. unwillingness: "Well, it's like this. I'm goin' up to London for a baby which is a sort of relation of ours-that is, I mean here, the young miss's. As I understand this 'ere offspring ain't exactly kin, but it's the baby of a foster-sister of our young lady. An' its mother's gone an' Miss Clarice she's promised to see to its bringin' up. An' so master called me in this mormn', an' says he: Skriggs, I want you to go to town for an infant.' It seems he's kind 0' taken to the idea of childish prattle, as he calls it, in the house. Myself, I ain't partial to babies squeakin'. "That's not a fit remark for you to make, Mr Skriggs, an' you to be a husband in less n' six months," Yra. Brennie said, with asperity. For the moment she was diverted from the objeot of this trip to town, and Skriggs, with a sigh of relief, turned to leave her. But he was not to escape so easily. "When'll you be homeM she asked. "By the train that gets here just before seven." "But why didn't Miss Clarice bring the baby herself ? "Now, how should you think I'd know? Skriggs retorted, crossly. "However, I did hear that there was some delay about the nurse." "Oh, will a nurse come with it ? "Did you think I was goin' to travel alone around the country- with a month's old baby and a bottle f" Skriggs snorted, scornfully, and shuffled off before the housekeeper had time to recover from his sarcasm. At seven o'clock that evening a By from the Central Bournemouth station stopped before Cliff Castle, and out of it Skriggs slowly descended. After him came a nurse with flying ribbons. She had hardly set foot on the ground when there came a rush of light feet over the gravel, and then out of the dusk Clarice appeared. In an instant she had seized the tiny bundle tha. nurse carried, and holding it to her breast feissed it:.nd crooned over it with that fondness that all women feel towards babes. And now Mr. Tarnell himself appeared. "Is the baby all right ? he asked, eagerly. "Yes, Biar," Skriggs answered. "It squeaked some on t'he way down, but not bad, so to say." "Xils her, uncle," Clarice urged, displaying in her words a nicer discrimination as to sex than Skriggs Ir&d used. The old main stopped and kissed the child's face very tenderly and reverently. And now take her inside," be ordered. The nurma and her charge were given a ehamber nexti to that occupied by Clarice, for the girl insisted that she herself would personally superintend the care of the child. It was, indeed, evident to all that the baby was a boon to the lonely- and desolate heiress of Cliff Castle. As the days passed she gave almost all of her time to the child, until the nurse congratulated herself on this appointment. At first the nurse, Janet Parker by name, had had miiigiTiags concerning the situation, for the manner of her obtaining it had been somewhat curious. Iri answer to an advertieement she had inserted in the Daily Ttltgraph, a clergyman, the RIT. Mr. Ansett, had called on her and engaged bier services. He had paid her some money, and stipulated that she must meet him on the platform of the main line at Waterloo on a specified day in the following week. At the hour appointed she had gone to the station with her boxes as directed, and after waiting a short time she had been joined by the clergyman, who himself carried an infant in his arms. The child was at once delivered over to Jatrefc, and hardly was the transfer effected when they were approached by an old man with bowedl shoulders, who shuffled in hie gait. Mr. Ansett introduced the nurse to the new-comer, telling her that Mr. Skriggs was the butler in the family to which she was going. Immediately after this explanation the clergyman went away, leaving the nurse under the protection of Skriggs. As yet she did not know as much as the name of the people to whom she was engaged, though she had been told her destination. It was natural enough, therefore, that the air of secrecy about the transaction should have aroused her suspicions. However, these were in a measure allayed by the severe respectability of Skriggs's manner. The butler informed her more fully as to things at the castle, and explained that the infant was the foster-niece of his mistress, who had charged herself with its maintenance. The wasy nature of her duties and the cenerous (OratlDUfcl on VHP 8>-