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Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143785, 8 May 1912, Page 5

By R. MURRAY GILCHRIST

Author of “Tho Gentle Thespians,” “Lords and Ladies.” “The Wonderlui Adventures!” “Beggar's Manor,” “The Secret Ton* tino. etc., etc, [COPYRIGHT,]

CHAPTER XXXVl.—Continued. Small Emma lifted her hand to brush a tear from her elieek. “\on li think no more about me and Cephas!’ she sighed. .viiuo kissed the good woman affectionately. "1 shall never lorgel you ana your goodness," she said. ■•Some Uav J. shall come hack to the farm, and ask you to lei me have the same room again.” "You li be welcome as flowers in May. EH own that hi m a bit disappointed to give up charge of you, hut all tiie same, 1 know you il be in good hands, i shall go buck to Cephas as soon as I've seen you off.” “You'll marry him soon H’ said Anne. “1 &hali line to think of you being Mrs. Partridge’s right-hand. I'm sure you'll be verv happv; You deserve to he.” ••j haven't much doubt about it, rejoined Sarah Emma, “Cephas is one of the best as ever trod in shoe leather.” Anne took off one of her rings. ‘‘You'll wear this lor my sake," she said. “I wish that I might give you something more valuable, but i. m not a rich woman.” Sarah Emma received the trinket with delight. “It’s beautiful,. miss, and 1 shall be vastly proud of wearing it. Whenever I see it, 1 promise to think of you. See. il fits my little finger just as if it had been made ta order !” “Well, good-night,’’ said Anne. “I’m tired--1 shall steep well.” “You ought to, miss, being so happy/’ said Sarah Emma, as she moved .towards the door. , Sarah Emma left the room and went to her own. There, after a delighted examination of Anne's gift, she undressed (prickly and went to bed. in spite of her anticipations of a sleepless night, she fell ask-ep the moment her head pressed the pillow. She did not waken until the chambermaid brought her a can of hot water. The girl was voting and comely. Sarah Emma remarked that she supposed a great number of motorists vi-ired the inn during the summer months. “Yes. ma'am/’ said the maid. “Being on one of tin? great reads,* we re often full up. Come at all Lours, day and night, so they do.” “Mimy of them are quality folk, I suppose,” said Surah Emma. “There's all kind*." replied the young woman, “Queer tneks some liave. and ua mistake. Why. there was a couple came last night—after you’d gone to bod—” A bell rang sharply, and she was obliged to withdraw before finishing her story. Sarah Emma rose, dresseu herself hastily, ami went to Anne * room, with the intention of proffering her services. It had been arranged that all were to breakfast together in the coffeeroom. - Lord Frederick and Charles Knowsley had visited the garage to assure themselves the well-being of the car; they waited now in the Hall, smoking’ their cigarettes, and examining the interesting coloured prints by Alden with which the walls were covered. The actor and his wife descended the stairs. ML* Edgeworth will be down shortly,” said "the lady. “Me met her friend going to her room. M nat a beautiful morning it is—l envy you your long run through the country. Suddenly a strange noise caused all to rush towards tin* staircase—Sarah Emma was .stumbling down, her hands uplifted, and her homely lace ashen grey. “Sho’s gone!” she groaned. CHAPTER XXXVII. Lord Frederick sprang forward ami caught her by the arm. “Gone!” he ciied. “Gone! You don’t mean—you don't mean that she is dead!” Sarah Emma’s excitement was so great that she could Lame no coherent reply. She pointed upstairs and with one "accord all hastened to the gallery. A young woman stood by an open door, looking with widely opened eyes into the room beyond. “The lady hasn’t slept here,” she said. “The hod's just as when J turned it down last night!” They entered and found no trace of Amie s whereabouts. Lord Frederick turned to the maid. “Ask the manager or the housekeeper to conic here at once,” ho said. “We must know what happened during the night.” Sarah Emma found her voice. /‘Tin suro as sure can be, as that devil has stolen her away. When 1 said goodnight she was happy as happy could be to think that she was safe and amongst friends. 1 ought to have known how cunning the fellow is—l ought to have sat up outside her door and watched all night!” Although she was a. strong young woman, she was rapidly becoming hysterical. Mrs. Mol.yneux, who understood the peculiarities of her sex. somewhat sharply recalled her to herself. “Como, come,” she said. “We must know all you have to tell us. Don't loso your head—time, is very valuable.” “I’m that Imthorcd I scarce know what I'm doing, ma’am,” said Sarah Emma more calmly. “1 bethought to tap at her door on my way to breakfast, and as nobody replied, I made bold to enter. I could have dropped flat on the floor when 1 found the room empty.” “Miss Edgeworth may have gone on her own account,” said the actor’s wife. “Not she, ma’am,” said Sarah Emma, with something like derision. “She was too thankful for the help she’d found. 1 don’t think in all my horn days I ever saw anyone so well

pleased. n (To bo rontnmocl.)