The Man with a Secret

untain white w

thin its breas

ld and pale w

heart an unap

arved and attenuated while the leaves underfoot were sodden with rain. The marble statues which were standing here and there, wore a disconsolate look,

d from the slender chimneys, no face appeared at the bare staring windows, and the terrace, which should have b

Jellicks. On recognising Blake, she wriggled a welcome and admitted him into the vault-like hall which still retained the musty smell observed by Nest

d Reginald, when the heavy door was

like a serpent, she wriggled along the dark corridor on the ground floor f

nd on knocking at a door was bidden by a thin

the room, he stepped forward to greet Una and Cassandra, who were seated

th a comfortable-looking carpet of reddish tint. In the huge fireplace burned a goodly fire, which somewhat warmed the chill atmosphere. The furniture was quaint and old-fashioned, of all dates, ranging from heavy oak tables of Tudor days to spindle-legged Chippendale chairs and curiously inlaid cabinets of more modern construc

mindful of the presence of Miss Cassy. "I have called

all along--so very odd--quite excitable he was, but the dear doctor's medicine you know--so soo

; "my cousin is afraid of getting ill again, so has asked Dr. N

own practice?"

, as he has left it in charge of hi

has gone back to Garswo

t is the painter, very odd, isn't it? he's goin

want his picture pain

laug

now, there is only one picture of him in the gallery--as a young man. I

a little coldly. "I should say he was a very clev

sagely; "worn, you know--oh, shocking!--but very ha

aid Una, slig

don't know why I haven't been married," said the poor lady, pathetically. "

ppressed a smile, and, and assented p

feel like it; I'm made to cling to a manly oak--no, I mean an oakly man--no! not that--mixed, you see! I mean a man

!" said Una, looking reproachfully at Regg

nerves--quite chronic; anyone can see that it comes of being an ivy--I

doubt as to what Miss Cassy meant, but made some con

Una. "Auntie will take you there, and when you

I'm so glad!" sai

he church," replied Miss Ch

conc

have a concert in the school-room sh

ight

ike the piano as much as the organ, but w

king her curls, "so nice--quite operatic. I'll

ch were, to say the least, somewhat screechy. The lady accepted his apology graciously, and

harming young man for audience, chatter

old nurse--quite delightful! Light of what's his name, you know--Moore--exactly; Irish melodies--so pretty! This is the door. Oh, Patience--you are in--so glad--here is Mr. Blake to see you! The squi

r after her, departed leaving R

led lovingly at him. In her demure, slate-coloured dress, with the white apron and pale, rigid face, she looked like a woman who had never known what it was to love or be loved; but every now and then a flash in the sombre depths of her eloquent eyes betrayed the fiery nature hidden beneath that calm exterior. The young man's kiss

the hard voice in which she habitually spoke becoming

all," he replied, carelessly. "Y

d, eagerly. "Work--work hard,

?" he asked, a

r m

, and her eyes seemed to devour him as she gazed. He moved restlessly,

or my pare

became hard and rigid as she pressed the arms of h

ng to you about them

or La

the r

o know all about my parentage. Are my parents alive or dead?--who are they?--why was I placed in your charge?-

ink back into her chair with a nameless dread in her eyes. Th

," she said at length, in a low, harsh vo

re marri

ere not?" she de

of my birth led me to t

would have lost their property. When you were born, they went over to France for the sake of your father's health, leavin

ie

six months after he left England, and your

ied of

Patience, in a low voice,

od

acknowledged I determined to bring you up without letting anyone know the truth. After stayi

you com

and then return to service in London, but Squire Garsworth wanted

not tell me

and even now it is useless. Your parents are de

am th

ook he

--it was left by will, and you hav

as my

but sold out when he mar

was hi

ke--the same

real na

at him in

u not take your father's

alone in

xcept f

and placed his arm car

ickly, "and I shall never forget it. No one co

m his caress while he walked up and

h involved some stain, but since I have the right to bear my father's name, why! I feel qui

love," she rep

her name, though no on

id the woman, starti

ver mind; I carry a fortune in my throat, and will soon be able to keep

on your efforts. Yes, marry Una Challoner if she loves you

or I will forget the past and look forward to the future. I have nothing to offer her now but a stainle

e again soon, my dear boy; and although Una Cha

erby waited till the door was closed and the sound of his voice had died away,

for his dear sake, not for my own. Let the dead past be forgotten. Let him never k

of the Lord at the stricken woman kneeling before him. The ineffable sorrow of the sacred face seemed to

es, as we forgive them t

ype="