A Strange Disappearance

gate. She came out when she saw me approach, with

uch things as I ha

"I never was so frightened," whispered she, "I thought I should have f

't begin in the middle of your story, th

ittle, "Mrs. Daniels had a visitor

me, "you can leave that out. Tell me what

some sharpness, "how should I know h

ok then? You sa

oked like a queen, that she did; as grand a lady as ever I see, in h

dark woma

d so were her eyes, if

ery tall and p

. "You know her

k I can tell who she is. And so she ca

new master would be hom

l me all about it; I

n enough she did'nt like the lady, fine as she was in her ways. She was going to answer her too, but just then the front door opened and Mr. Blake with his satchel in his hand, came into the house. And how he did start, to be sure, when he saw them, though he tried to say something perlite which she did'nt seem to take to at all, for after muttering something about not expecting to see him, she put her hand on the knob and was going right out. But he stopped her and they went into the parlor together while Mrs. Daniels stood staring after them like one mad, her hand held out with his bag and umbrella in it, stiff as a statter in the Central Park. She did'nt stand so long, though, but came running down the hall, as if she was bewitched.

though I knew it might cost me my place if I was found ou

r?" I asked, for she

rised; and he talked and talked, and I could'nt catch a word, he spoke so low; and by and by she sobbed just a little, and I got scared and would have run away but she cried out with a kind of shriek, 'O, don't say any more; to think that crime should come into our family, the proudest in the land. How could you, H

ed I, a little taken back myself at

ng to talk about such things as that, I thought I had better be anywher

hat you heard in the half do

u think so mean of me

o any further into this

of profiting by this weakness of hers to gain admission to her presence, she being the only one sharing Mr. Blake's mysterious secret. Borrowing a valuable antique from a friend of mine at that time i

by one rebuff. Handing the basket I held to the girl, I urged her to take it in and show her

but encouraging. Her incredulity, however, must have been speedily rebuked, for

d the Countess walking the floor in an abstracted way, drying a letter she had evidently but just complete

s dressed in some sort of loose dishabille that was in eminent contrast to the sweeping silks and satins in which I had hitherto beheld her adorned; or that she was laboring under some physical disability that robbed her dark cheek of the bloom that was its chiefest charm. The change I ob

hought I, and already fe

d love of art which she undoubtedly possessed, showing itself through all her languor. "Where d

question, "except that I should not be afraid if all the poli

t bespoke the French Countess and softly r

besides," and she set it down with a fretful air, "I am in no mo

a fabulo

. "You had better take it to some one

e towards the basket. "I would very much l

ountess, and hurriedly taking the placque from my hand with an impulsive "O there

my time. The book in which she had placed the letter she had been writing lay on the table right before me, not two inches from my hand. I had only to throw back the cover and my curiosity would be sat

REST C

o match the sample you

's. If you still insi

propose, I will see w

annot but advise you

of velvet do. I went

lu Chittenden. She ha

ever. She created a g

husband who comes h

eyes and empty pocket

woman's beauty. How

imagine. You ask me n

and he looks well, b

ver saw. In regard to

ade mention, let me

icable. He h

he Countess made a movement of advance and I clos

remarked before, I am not in the buying mood. If you wil

placque behind me, "I have been considering the matter and I hold to my or

d me suspiciously. "

plied I; "and as he has an a

away. "I do not want it;" said

placque and