The Yellow House

ns and emotions, as were kindled into life by certain never-to-be-forgotten happenings. Time cannot weaken them. Whilst we have life the memory of them is eternal. And there are other days against th

ill of winter shakes us on the most brilliant of midsummer days; the color steals from our cheeks, and our blood runs to water. We are at the mercy of those touches of icy reminiscence. There is no escape from them. There never will be any esca

understood. He would be better in a few days. He ate and drank sparingly, and then retired at once to his room. We heard him drag himself wearily up the stairs, and Alice burst into tears, and I myself felt a lump in my throat. Yet what could we do? He would not have us nea

ce and lustreless eyes became objects of remark amongst the meagre congregation. I could hear people whispering t

ly ill dear," she remarked. "I am particularly sor

gorous after the dull vault-like gloom of the little chu

l night. I have spoken to him about your father. He remembers him quite wel

guely. "Do you mean our Bish

visit has nothing whatever to do with diocesan affairs, but I shoul

hat no one was listening. It w

d the Bishop wants a preacher badly. It is owing to what I have told him about your fa

t," I answered, blankly. "He is really very ill. H

ake a good impression-well, it is the chance of a lifetime. Of course, we shall all be terribly sorry to lose you, but Exchester is not ver

yes, and seemed scarcely to see me. I walked by his side, and repeated what Lady Naselton ha

ughtfully. "You are quite sure that there is

ded a

hey knew him very well indeed. She is most anxious that you should do yo

o his eyes for a mome

ave other things in my mind now. I am not in th

e to remain wholly ignorant of them? If there is any

flickered for a moment upon his pal

d, softly. "Till then, be p

e ate scarcely anything, he went into his study. We hoped, Alice and I, that he h

Kate," he said. "I

, but as he was leaving the

ather?" I asked. "I was

t to refuse. What made him change his mind

hortly. "I am starting now, tho

g my hat and gloves from the stand. S

was going to take the road which led to the Yellow House a

to Bromilow Downs," he said

ry now and then he pressed his hand to his side. Physically, I could see that he was scarcely equal to the exertion of walking. It was mental disquiet which had brought him out. His eyes were dry and bright, and there was a hectic flush upon his che

chimneys of Naselton Hall. I looked at them, and of a sudden the desire to tell my father what I knew of tha

ng to say to you. It is something

Something in my manner seemed to attract

Only mind that it

told you before. One afternoon last week I was at Lady Naselton's for tea. I met a man there-half

us marble rigidity settle down upon his features, chasing away all expression. In the silence which followed

South America. On the envelope was written: 'In London about the 15th.' Well, as you left for London at once, I considered that you went to meet that person, whoever it was. Then at Lady Naselton's this ma

ice seemed to come from a great distance. His eyes were fixed upon that b

-"so very near! How did he

n's son abroad," I answered.

there was a look of deadly earnest in his white, set face. To look at him made me almo

y be to-day. Kate, your eyes are younger than mine. Is that a man coming along

ere was a figure in sight,

said. "He is co

forward; his upper lip quivered; he shaded his eyes with his hand. I followed his rapt gaze, and in the middle of the dusty white road I could see the man now. Well within sight, I watched him draw nearer and nearer. His carriage was buoyant and un-English, and he carried a cane, with which he snapped off the heads of the thistles growing by the hedge-side. He

e encountered my father's steady gaze. His hat slipped from his fingers-he stood like a man turned to stone. His black eyes were full of horror; he

father said, grimly. "You were about to ad

e. I could almost fancy that his teeth were

e his eyes never left my father's face. For some reason or other th

ning in that direction. I will show it to you myself. There

road. The stranger muttered somethin

he said, calmly. "It

had called Stephen he

suggested, faintly-"s

yes fixed on me. "I want you, Kate, to call upon Mr. Charlsworth and tell hi

med to tell me that this was no ordinary meeting. The man Berdenstein's look of terror as he had recognized my father was unmistakable. Even now he was afraid to go with him. Yet I was powerless, I dared not disobey. Already the two men were wal

bout an hour. Alice

e in yet?" I as

no

added. "He was quite cheerful, and had a wonderful color. Why, Kate

ppose?" I asked, ig

e. Come in and have some tea