IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) Y ^ ^ \^^. A y. ^ 2a ;siM iiM Photographic Sciences Corporation \ iV •sj ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commen9ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, seion le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur Iq dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: ire Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre film6s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 3y errata ed to ant jne pelure, agon d 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 •^ OGILVIE'S POPILAR LIBRARl EACH ONE 12M0, ABOUT 2/!0 PAGES. PRICE, 20 CENTS. NO. L-THE SECKRT SORROW. By May Agnes Fleming. 12mo. ■M'2 i>AgoH. Price, 20 centa. story of this atitl.or'8 writings tU.it has been «oUl tor l^Jis tJmn *1 1J5 ^^' lall^SS^ HARTSHORJr ^AT CHAUTAUQUA. By Mrs. Nancy Hartshorn. 12mo, 212 pages. Price. 20 cents ThlH MiiniDcr i« dedlcnted to the '. 8,tM)0 inen.b ers of tlio (J^lmnt.lnm.n T it erary HelemlHc Circle auU all others Who ellj.o [he hu.uorourHme of'lif "^ NO. 3.-T0M, THE BOOTBLACK. 12mo, 258 pages. Price, 20 o^nta. rius number is written by the famous Horatio Alger, Jr., who is undoubtedly the most popular writer of juveni'e literature of the present day. «aT„i« II'i^JT'" l""no"noc(l to be one of the best efforts of his life, and we into the hands of youujt men and women, teaehinif tliem to do riirht n if ler any and every clreumstnnee in life. Tliis is the lirst book wrltt?ilivtlHl author that has ever been offered or sold for less than «1 25 It lias the Bame number of pages as most of his other books. ® NO. 4.-PpPULAR READINGS AND RECJTATIONS. Edited by J. 8. Ogilvie. 12mo, 240 pages. Price, 20 cents. Comprising nemly two hundred clioicc Rtndlngs nuu Reeitatlons. which Snhu, «f^ ,^^T^''W^^'S'""'\ ?•"■«• ""'l •"•« 81>«erally adapted tor Day and ?«n,!?fl^"''«'^H'."" •^.?",'* '"ri!' J"^"''le Organizations. Vonng People's A* Bocnuions, Keadiujt Clubs, Temperance Societies, and Parlor EntertainI mens. They comprise Prose and Poctrv-Serious, Humorous, PatheHc Cmulo, Temperance, and Patriotic. All interested In providing an entw: tnlumcnt should hm e this collection. " NO 5.-VICE VEKSA; OR, A LESION TO FATHERS. ByF. Anstey. 12m o, 220 pages. Price, 20 cents. This story, although not writteu os, nor making any pretension of be- ing, a humorous lMK)k, probably contains more real humor than any othwr l.m.k of the ;,go The stor, is one in which a father and sou change places^ will iIleMe'aliTellers. *'''^'*"'''"«*'« "* *"""» '^^ """using In the extreme. It NO. 6 -DIARY OF A MINIS' ERM WIFE. Past I. By Alme- dia M. Brown. 12mo, 270 pages. Price, 20 cents. This is one of the most humorous stories of the present day, sliowinir in a manner pleasing to all readers, the trials, tribulations, cxpeetations ml actual experiences of a " mlnister-s wife in a c tuo mu vi a Sold by all newsdealers and booksellers, or sent by mail, postpaid, to any address on rece.ipt of price. One copy oi: each of the above SIX numbers sent to any address, postpaid, on receipt of $1 10 Address all orders to » A . -««, ''• ^' OG'LVie A CO., Publishers, p. O. Box a7«7. xtiiA 31 Bom StrMt, New Teric. APR £0 1884 LIBRARl PRICE, 20 CENTS. nes Fleming. 12mo, tlior will inHiiro for this f. has ev., Publishers, RtTMt, New T«Hb. THE SECRET SORROW MRS. MAY AGNES FLEMING AUTHOR OF " CAKRIED BY STOBM," " ONE NIOHT'S MTSTEBT,' " X WONDERFUL WOMAN." NEW TORK, J. S. OOILVIE & COMPANY, al BOS£ STREET. 1\%-.V COPTRIOHT BT BTfiKBT k SMITH. i ! )•'• w \0 CONTENTS. '^ " OJIAPTIB. I. Tub Storm and the Tbaveler^ . II. The Miumoiit Si'Ecteb . III. Tub C'oNsi-i.T.vTio.v IV. Lady Daxk.mohu V. A Ci.Ew TO Tin: Lost O.ve VI. Tim Little Ameuiuan VII. lliss Maooie's Sentiments . VIII. A Second Nioiit i.v the Om) Moon IX. The Witch of the Moon at a Uall X. TiiE Countess Goes A-visiti.no XI. Kate Meets IIek Fkiend XII. Tub Roveu Ciuep XIII. Syiia .... XIV. CiiAHLET i.v Dublin . XV. The Plot Thickens XVI. Kate on the Sea XVII. The Doomed Ship XVIII. An Unexpected Meeting XIX. Jealousy XX. The Quadroon's IIevence XXI. The Koveii Chief's Story . XXII. The Father's Remorse XXIII. The Witch of the Moor XXIV. United at Last XXV. Reunion .... XXVI. An Irish Ball . XXVII. Home Again - . . . XXVIII. Last Scene or All . Manor PAM. 5 11 . 16 M . 89 68 . 88 79 . 99 104 . 125 143 . 137 168 . 183 197 . 212 228 . 236 242 . 253 273 . 284 294 . 309 Sir . 828 S32 L 1 i I I I, T >>. t THE SECEET SOEEOW. I ClIAnEIl I. TTiE 8TOUM AND THE TRAVEI.FR*. " The nisht 1h blind witli ii double dark, The ruin nnd Imil coiiii' down toRethcrj 'Tis Kood to Hit hy tlic (Iro mid li!irl< To the stormy wtithet."— Edith May, 'TwAs night, and the si)irit of the storm Imd spread its sa- ble wings over tljc carlii. Dark, ominous clouds came rolling over the heavens— the rain fell in torrents, as if tiie flood-gates of heaven had opened for a second deluge. The cold, raw wind came sweeping chillingly along, driving the rain in mad- dening splashes against the closed window of a carriage that drove as rapidly as the pitiless storm would admit. The carriage windows were shut down tightly— not a single ray of light came from the interior, and yet it was lighted up. A lamp suspended from the top illumined it, and shone full upon its Inmates — three in number. The eldest of these was a man apparently about fifty years of age. Every thing around and about him bespoke the gen- tleman. His iron-gray hair was brushed back from a lofty, massive brow, and a pair of cold keen, dark eyes flashed be- !• ifl'- p.. ■i •ajr 6 THE SECRET SORROW. neath, while the thick, bushy eyebrows, meeting across the strong Roman nose, gave Iiim a repulsive, and somewhat sinis- ter appearance. His features, taken separately, were decided- ly good ; but there was an air of cold, proud sternness about the firmly- closed lips, and cruel, crafty cunning in his eyes, that would have instantly repelled any thing like confidence. His hat was sloudied down over his face, and he wore a long cloak, that covered him from head to foot. He was evi- dently of superior rank — a man to be feared and respected, but not loved. The second was a young girl, bright, blooming, and rosy — looking strangely out of place with tiiat dark, stern man. Her face was one of those pleasant, cheery ones, that seemed formed only for smiles ; but there was a cloud hanging over it now — particularly whenever her eyes rested on the third and last occupant of the carriage. This was evidently a woman, but muffled in such a manner that no feature was visible. Her head was sunk low on her breast ; and her hands, small, white, and lady-like, lay list- lessly in her lap. Her dress, where it could be seen for the largo mantle in which it was enveloped, was rich ; and there was an air of grace and refinement about her, which at once bespoke the lady. All was silent. The cold, stern featm-es of the man at times, twitched convulsively, as though absc bed in painful thought ; and the eyes of the young girl, who was evidently an upper servar , would linger with a look of anxious trou- ble on the mufHed figure, but neither spoke — •r~ :#- aeeting across the ud somewhat sinis- ,tcly, were decided- ud sternness about nning in his eyes, tig like confidence, e, and he wore a foot. He was evi- ed and respected, looming, and rosy ; dark, stern man. ones, that seemed oud hanging over sted on the third [ in such a manner s sunk low on her lady-like, lay list- Id be seen for the IS rich ; and there ler, which at once es of the man at )sc bed in painful ivho was evidently : of anxious trou- I A THE SECRET SORKOW. 7 Meantime the storm was every moment increasing. Wild- er and wilder came the fierce raw gusts of wind, driving the rain furiously against the coach. Darker and darker it grew until all without was .Trapped in a mantle of pitchy black- ness. Thicker and thicker drifted the huge storm clouds over the face of the heavens, until all above and below lay enveloped m the same shroud of intense gloom. Still on through the storm went the carriage. Over the rougji roads, whore the creaking sign-boards and shutters flap- ped wildly in the wind ; where people, comfortably housed, looked out in wonder, as the coach flew by — wondering where it could be going that dreadful night ; until the city with its rough roads and difficult streets, was left far behind, and the wide, open country lay before them. Still, on — oa — they went, and every moment the stoi-m increased. Suddenly there came a flash, as if the whole heavens were one vast sheet of flame, followed by a crash so stunning, so terrible, that it seemed as if the whole earth were annihilated. The young girl eprang to her feet with a stifled shriek. At the same moment the carriage stopped, and the head of the driver was protruded through the window. "My lord," said he, addressing the gentleman, *' it is im- possible for me to go any further to-night. The moor is right before us ; and it will be dangerous for us to ven- ture!" " No matter ! " said the gentleman, sternly, " drive on ! " The man closed tlie window, and whipped up his horses for another effort. For a few momenta they sped madly on, I! f< 8 THE SECRET SORBrn-. I then came a second blaze of lightning, blinding and stun- ning, followed by a peal so tremendous, that it seemed to shake the very foundation of the earth. The horses stood for a moment stock-still, then they began to rear and plunge so furiously, that it required all the driver's strength to hold them in. At last they grew quiet. The man opened the window once more. " We can go no further to-night, my lord I " he said reso- lutely : "the horses are nearly wild already with fear. We must alight, and seek for some place of shelter until the storm is over. "Shelter!" repeated the gentleman; "and what shelter can we find here on the moor?" " I don't know sir ; but may be " "Ha! I have it now!" exclaimed his master, rising abrubtly ; " the old ^loor ^Manor House, as they call it, must be somewhere near this. Is it not?" " Yes, my lord, within a few yards. But you will never think of going there, sir, surely !" replied the man, in a tone of dismay. "And why not, sirrah?" demanded his master, sternly; " you say we cannot move on any further ; and we are to re- main here exposed to the storm all night?" "But ii is — is — haunted, my lord!" said the driver, per- plexed and anxious. " Pshaw ! you fool ! attend to the horses, and I will go on foot and see it." And as he spoke, he leaped from the carriage and was lost in the deepening glcom. ling and stun- it seemed to } horses stood ear and plunge ;rength to hold m opened the " he said reso- rith fear. We elter until the I what shelter master, rising 2y call it, must you will never nan, in a tone ister, sternly; 1 we are to re- ie driver, pe?> id I will go on iped from the THE SECRET SORROW. 9 '•Janie," said the driver, turning to the girl, who had stood listening in breathless anxiety, "what's to be done? It will be dreadful to stay this wild night in the old Moor Manor, and the earl's determined to stay, I can see that plainly. What's to bo done ?" " Oh ! I don't know !" replied the girl, wringing her hands in distress ; " it is a dreadful place to stay, I know, but we cannot remain here. Lord preserve us! what lightning! Oh ! my poor, dear young lady !" said the girl, turning to the figure still lying sUently back in a corner of the coach. " how is she to stay in that old haunted place? Surely no evU spirit wUl come near her— so good, so patient, and so sorrowful. Oh, John ! I woild not be the Earl of Danemore this night for all the wealta he owns. What a fearful ac- count he will yet have to render for his cruelty to poor Miss Alice!" " Yes, and to young Lord Arndale too. Now, I'll tell you what, Janie. If he was my father, as he is Lord Arndale's, I would just go and marry Miss Alice there in spite of his teeth !" and John clenched his fist emphatically. " She wouldn't have him, John. Miss Alice never would marry him against his father's will. Poor thing! she loves him so weU, too!" And ihe eyes of the affectionate girl filled with tears, as she turned to gaze on her mistress. " Hush ! here he comes," said John in a low voice, as the earl approached. "John!" said the earl, in his cold, harsh voice, "come down, and lead the horses to the old Manor. You can easUy 1 10 THE SECRET SORROW. find a place for them there, Janie, I will carry your raidtress ; you can follow mc. Be careful, the moor is dangerous I" He raised, as he spoko, the mulP^d figure in his arms as easily as he would an infant, and walked cautiously across tht wet manor, closely followed by Janie. "This is the place," said the earl, at length, stopping be- fore something that looked in the bleak darkness like a huge, grim, spectral shadow. Just at this moment there came a blaze of lightning that showed the outlines of ; large, ruinous pile of uneven build- ings. It was gone in a moment, and all was again enveloped in intense blackness. "John " said the earl, as the driver approached, leading the horses, "there is a lamp in the carriage. . Hand it to Janie." The man obeyed. " Now," said he to the girl, "go on ahead so that I may see the way. There is tlie door ; go on." Janie shrank back from the dark, open portal, that yawned like a great, black gulf to receive her. But she dare not dis- obey her stern master ; and with a muttered prayer for safety, she entered the large, desolate room, followed by the earl and the lady. ■s* 1... jT ' "9 ' J ,' your iniritress ; dangerous I ' ' in his arms as autiously across til, stopping be- less like a huge, f lightning that if uneven build- dn enveloped in •oached, leading je. Hand it to .d so that I may tal, that yawned ihe dare not dis- rayer for safety, I by the earl and • THE SECRET SORROW. 11 CHAPTER II. THE MIDNIGHT SPECTER. " Avaunt and quit my sight ! let the earth hide thee I Thy boiic3 arc marrowlcss I tiiy blood is cold ! Thou hast no speculation in those eyes, Which thou dost glare with."— Shakespeare. The three entered the room. Janie [jaused in the middle of the floor, raised her lamp, and all gazed with an undefined feeling of awe around. *» The room was large, long, and lofty. Two high gothic windows stood on each side, through which the liglitning blazed at regular intervals. A huge fire-place, that looked like the entrance into Hades — so black and ominous was it —filled the upper end of the room. There was no furniture, not even a stool— and the place had a damp, earthy smell, as of the grave. For some moments all stood silent, regarding the desolate ruin. Janie was the first to speak. " Oh, my lord !" she cried, wildly, «' pray, pray, let us go on. I would rather take my chance out in the storm than stay in this dreadful place." "Nonsense, girl," said the earl, sternly; "you are per- fectly safe here, and should be glad to have found such a shelter from the storm." T 12 THE SECRET SORROW. JilP h n " But Miss Alice, sir," pleaded Janie, " she will flie in thi^ awful place. It smells like death now." " No fear of her," was the gruff reply. " But there is not even a fire or a seat for her," persisted Janie, with something very like anger in her usually gentle voice. " She shall have both," said the carl; "sit down on the floor and support her for the present, until there is a fire made. It will drive away this earthy smell." Janie seated herself on the ground, and received tenderly in her anna the slight figure of the lady. John immediately after made his appearance, having seen the horses properly sheltered. ^ "John," said his master, "go and find some wood, and make a fire ; you can get plenty through those old rooms. Make haste now," and he quitted the room as he "spoke. In a few moments both returned ; John bearing in his arma a load of wood, and the earl, the carriage cushions and pil- lows. These he spread on the ground, and laid the lady upon them. Then he took off his cloak, and spread it over her. During all this time she had suffered herself to be raised and carried like a child, without a word or an effort at resist- ance. Now she lay with her face hidden in the pillows, as still and motionless as a corpse laid out for burial. John had succeeded in kindling a fire, which now blazed brightly up the huge chimney ; but vainly strove to dispel the lurking shadows that filled the lofty room. This done, be went in search of more wood. Janie seated T 4. will f'le in thft her," persisted ' usually gentle it down on the there is a fire ;eived tenderly m immediately jorses properly ome wood, and se old rooms, he "spoke, ring in his arma hions and pil- 1 the lady upon d it over her. ' to be raised effort at resist- :he pillows, as rial. h now blazed ^e to dispel the Janie seated THE SECRET SORROW. 13 herself in the chimney-corner, the earl stood opposite, both gazing into the fire, absorbed in their own reflections. At times both would glanct at the still figure on the floor, then Janic's eyes would flash angrily as they rested on her master, whose knitted brow, gloomy looks and compressed lips showed how deeply he was agitated. The storm, meanwhile, seemed still increasing. The light- ning glared, the thunder crashed, the rain fell in torrents, and the wind swept wildly through the empty chambers of Moor Manor, waking a thousand echoes, that sounded, to the ears of the startled watchers, like shrieks of pain and hon-or. John had gathered wood enough to last all night, and now he entered and took his seat beside Janie. For a while both were silent, out of respect for their master ; but as the silence grew oppressive, Janie inquired, more to d ire away the superstitious fears that were creeping over her, than from ciu-iosity : " John, why is this old place deserted? Tfho owns it?" " I don't know who owns it now," replied John, evident^ glad to find on opportunity to break the dismal silence. " j.t was formerly owned by Sir Daro Sinclair, but that family of Sinclairs are all dead and gone now." *' Ah ! and so the old place was sold?" " Yes — no ; not exactly. You see the way of it was this : Sir Daro was one of the most awful wicked men that ever lived. Every night this place used to be filled with all sorts of riotous scamps — hail fellows well met — and he was the 2 14 THE SECRET SORROW. i worst of them all. Hi, father, n.ul grandfather, and fore- fathers, from the days of Noah, lived here, but somehow the old Manor came to him heavily mortgaged. Sir Duro could not do without money ; so, night after night, with a mask on his face, he used to go out as a highwayman, and rob all ho met. At last he was discovered and arrested, found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. He escaned-none knew how- fled hither, and defied them all to take him again. 'Tis said he sold himself to Satan, on condition that he would save him from being hanged. I suppose the old boy kept his promise, for he was never again taken by the law. But, one wild night, just such a night as this it must have been, when, seated by his boon companions, as the clock struck twelve, Satan appeared in their midst, and carried him off bodily.' 'Tis said his cries were heard for miles around. The rest all fled in horror, and never came near Moor Manor a-ain. Since then it has been deserted ; for every night, it is said, his ghost appears, and when the clock strikes one, vanishes amid a cloud of fire, with such awful cries that even the wild animals that haunt the moor fly in terror." John's voice had dropped to a hoarse whisper as he went on. Janie Istiened with bloodless face, and eye di- lated with horror. Even the earl grew pale, and drew near- er the speaker, with something like an undefined feeling of awe. When he ceased, a dead silence fell on them all, while they gazed on each other's faces with hearts throbbing wildly with fear. They seemed to see mocking faces and spirits of the J V MHtflii^UtWnSigKeTS: w ather, and fore- mt somehow the Sir Duro could with a mask on , and rob all ho :1, found guilty, ne knew how — fain. 'Tis said he would save Id boy kept his law. But, one ve been, when, struck twelve, him off bodily. . The rest all Manor again, ht, it is said, one, vanishes t even the wild rhisper as he , and eye di- id drew near- led feeling of ill, while they ig wildly with spirits of the THE SECRET SORROW. 15 dead in the blue glare of the lightning, and to hear cries of agony in the maniac shrieks of the wind. Voices and crea- tures not of this world seemed flitting in thousands by them in the gloom. The Arc had burned low on the hearth, yet no one moved to rcplen sh it. Suddenly, Jauie arose to her feet ; her eyes fixed, as if fas- cinated, on the oppsitc wall, and slowly dilating, until they seemed about to start from their sockets. Every drop of blood had fled from her face, as she stood pointing, with one finger, in motionless horror. Both turned their eyes in the direction to which she pointed. The room was, for a moment, enveloped in profound, pitchy darkness. A figure, clothed in garments of fire dripping with blood, glided across the room. A low, unearthly groan came from its fleshless jaws as it turned round, disclosing the eye- less sockets and grinning skull of a skeleton. It passed them ; a vivid flash of lightning blazed for a mo-. mcnt — still it glided, on and vanished, with an unearthly cry, through the opposite wall. A shriek, a terrible shriek, burst from Janie's lips, as she bounded forward and fell, with a deadly owoon, on the floor. 16 THE SECRET SORROW. » CHAPTER m. THE CONSULTATIOK. "When will the unwelcome, weary days be done? Time loiters ever when we'd have him fly."- Anon. The cold, gray dawn of morning camo faintly through tho high gothic windows, festooned with cobwebs that had never been stirred for years. Tho great empty room looked even more dreary and chill in the foggy morning light than it had done the night before. She who had been called Miss Alice lay on the floor, where she had been placed upon entering as immovable as ever. By her side lay Janie, sleeping tho deep dreamless sleep of bodily and mental exhaustion. At a short distance sat John, dozing in fitful starts, and rousing himself up again in alanr, as he remembered tho fearful apparition of the preceding night. Opposite him sat the earl, cold, calm, and stern as ever, with his eyes fixed intently on the red dy- ing embers. No sleep had visited his eyes. When the mind is troubled, we liced not bodily want. For more than an hour after day dawn the party remained thus ; then, as the dim light grew stronger and stronger, until every object in tho room was clearly discernable, the earl arose, walked to tho window, and gazed thoughtfully out. The storm of the previous night had not yet ceased. The . ' f THE SECRET SORROW. 17 e donef ."- Anon. itly through tho that hnd never )m looked even ght tfian it had lied Miss Alice )on entering as Jeping tho deep »n. At a short •ousing himself rful apparition arl, cold, calm, on the red dy- iV^hen the mind arty remained stronger, until able, the earl itfully out. ceased. The lightning no longer nasiied, i.->r did tho thunderpeal ; but the rain still fell licavily, and tho wihl l)lasls yet swept fiercely around the manor. The sky was one mass of dull, leaden clouds, and tho moor was so wet and slippery as to bo nearly impassable. The earl gazod out for a whue with an anxious, troubled brow. Suddenly his face lighted up like one who has re- ceived some new idea 1 le walked over to John , who yet slum- bered fitfully in his seat, and touching him on the shoulder, said, in the luirsh abrupt, tone that seemed habitual to him ; " Wake up, man ! don't stay here dozing all day ! Rouse !" and he shook him roughly. John rubbed his eyes, and after two or three efforts rose to his feet, and stood awaiting his master's orders. «' John," said he " go and saddle Black Bess. I am going to the city now, and may not return till dark. Be quick, man I" " Surely, my lord" said John, in alarm, " you are not going to leave us hero alone, in this horrid place, where there are nothing but ghosts and devils !" " Pooh, pooh, man ! that affair last night was all fancy. That apparition was merely the effect of an over-excited ima- gination. Your wild legend frightened you, nothing more I" " But, my lord, it could not be imagination," persisted John. "Wo all saw it, you know that, and I would rather not stay here, my lord !" " Coward !" exclaimed the earl, bitterly. «« I might have known it. However, look about you. Do you think I could bring her," pointing to the lady, " out in such a storm. You're 2* / m la TIIR SErnET .SORROW. crazy, man ! Then pvcn If, ns you nay, thcro nrc ghosts here, thoy will not troulilc yon in the day-time, nnd if tl.oy ,lii what will he I , THE SF.rnET SORROW. 19 do? Ah, you grny-hnircd old HJuncr !" and ho shook his (Ist after him spitefully. " won'tfhoro comoadayof reckoning yet for all thlH? No wondor the dead oan't rest in their graves wlion you'ro around I You aren't content with driving your oldest son to tho grave, but you must drive i-oor i^Iaster Harry there, too. "SVoll, we'll see ! It will go hard witii mo, anyhow, if I don't find moans to lot him know whore Mistress Alice is." And thus apostrophising the object of his indignation, John entered the room where the two young girls lay. His first care was to fasten tlio door securely ; not that there was much danger of visitors ; but John thought it bet- tor, for the i)rescnt, to follow his master's directions. His next was to ai)proach, stir up tlie fire, and pile on more wood. This done, he seated himself and took up his nap and dreams where they had been interrupted by his Impatient master. But John's rest seemed destined to bo woefully broken this eventful morning. This time it was by Janic, who, on wak- ing, found herself chillod with lying on the damp floor, and seeing the fire burning so pleasantly, had arisen. Not wish- ing to be alone with her own thoughts in such a place, she woke up John to keep her conpany. Had it been any one else than pretty Janie who awoke him 80 unceremoniously, John would have been inclined to resent such a freedom, but he had long felt a very tender regard for that young lady, so ho only stretched himself two or three times, gave several jaw-splitting yawns; and his sleeping was over for that day. " Where's the earl, John?" was Janie's first question. M. m il 20 THE SECRET SORROW. " Gone back to the city, to Dirritole, I suppose ' "Oh, John !•• ejaculated Janie, in surprise and consterna tion, " and when is he coming back ? Aren't we going, too i Surely wo will not have to stay here another night?" " Yes, we will then," said honest John, bluntly. " Mas- ter said for us to wait here, and he would return before dark. So I suppose we are to stay here to-night." "But I thought he said we were going to Stanton with Miss Alice, and that's thirty riiUes from here at least," said Janie, the look of perplexity increasing on her pretty face. " Well, maybe he has changed his mind. Anyway, we are not going to-day, nor to-night. I'm sure of that " said John. "Well, then, /shan't stay. I'U go away myself, if he won't. Does he think we're crazy to stay in this horrid, haunted, old tumble-down place another night?" "That's just what he said to me when I asked him about leaving ; he said he would be crazy to go in such a storm." "Humph!" said Janie, "how mighty careful he's grown of us all of a sudden. What made him to start last night in such a storm, I wonder, if he's afraid of the rain to-day? I tell you what, John Jones, there's something wrong about this., more than you or I understand. What made him in such a desperate hurry to take off Miss Alice last night ? And what puzzles me most of aU, she came with hun willingly, though she never could endure him before. I don't see into it all." "Why," said John, "you don't mean to Bay that she came with him of her own accord, do you I" iuppose ' ise and consterna n't we going, too? sr night?" bluntly. "Mas- eturn before dark. to Stanton with e at least," said her pretty face. Anyway, we are that " said John, ay myself, if he f in this horrid, ht?" asked him about such a storm." reful he's grown tart last night in the rain to-day? ng wrong about at made him in Alice last night ? th him willingly, I don't see into to say that she I V THK SECRET SORROW. 21 " Yes, I do," said Janic. " You see, as I said, she always disliked him, as he was so short, and snappish, and cross like. Well, yesterday morning, he came over to the Pines, and inquired for Miss Alice. She was up in her own room, reading. I was with her, combing her hair, and she had not seemed so light-hearted for a long while before. When the servant came in and said the earl wanted her, she looked quite frightened, and asked if was alone. Betty said yes, so Alice went down to the library where he was. She was away about two hours, and when she came back, John, I declare I nearly dropped down with fright, she looked so awful white and ghastly. She never spoke one word, but dropped right down in her chair, and covered her face with her hands. I spoke to her several times, but she didn't seem to hear me, and at last I left her to herself, thinking she might wish to be alone. A little before dark she sent for me to her room. I started back when I went in, she looked so unlike herself — she was just as white as a ghost — as the ghost we saw last night, John. She rose up as I came in — for she had been lying on the sofa — and seeing how frightened I looked, she smiled, oh ! how sadly, and beckoned me to her. I went over and knelt beside her, and she laid her hand on my head, anoi said, in her own soft, sweet voice : " You love me, Janie, do you not?" " 'Oh, my dear, dear mistress, yon know I do,' and she looked so pale, and lovely, and sad, that I felt the tears falling from my eyes on her hand. " 'And I love you, too, dear Janie,' said she (we are foster- i 28 THE SECRET SORROW, Sisters, you know, John) ' and now I want you to do me a favor.' "A favor, Miss Alice, ' said I surprised. 'What is it ?' '« 'I want you to go over to Dirritole, and take this note to Lord Arndale,' and her voice faltered as she spoke his name, 'and then find the earl, and tell him yon are ready to ac- company him. He will bring you back here in his carriage. I am going on a journey to-night, Janic, and I want you to accompany me.' " 'A journey. Miss Alice,' said I ; < where to?' "•I will tell you again,' she said faintly, 'and in the meantime you must keep it a secret, even from my father. Not even he, Janic, must know of my aosence till to-morrow. I will leave a note to tell him. Go now.' " She waved her hand for me to go. I took the note and started for Dirritole. It was pouring rain, and it was dark as pitch when I reached it. Just as I went into the hall, drippmg wet, I met the earl face lo face. The note for Lord Arndalo was in my hand, where I had held it as I came along, to keep it from getting wet. " 'Who is this for,' said he, fixing his eyes on me in his stern, piercing manner. " 'For lord Arndale, my lord,' said I, all of a flutter, for I always was afraid of him, he looked so harsh and cold " 'Give it to me, then,' said he. ' I will deliver it to him.' And, before I could refuse, he had taken it out of my hand. " I was too frightened to say anything, so I merely stam- mered out Miss Alice's message. I ■ ''y'-mmmammmttm Itlt THE SECRET POflROW. Hi nt you to do me a 'What is it?' i take this note to le spoke his name, are ready to ac- re in his carriage, nd I want you to e to?' tly, ' and in the from my father, ce till to-morrow. ok the note and and it was dark int into the hall, 'he note for Lord as I came along, 23 on me in hia of a flutter, for liarsh and cold. Oliver it to him.' ut of my hand. I merely stam- • " *Tes,' said he, ' I will be ready in a moment. Step in here while I hand this note to Arudale.' •'I went into a little dark room; I waited about five minutes when he returned and told me to follow him. We passed out to whore the carriage stood without meeting any one. We drove, as you remember, to th'j outer gate at the Pines, where Miss Alice met us, got in, sad has never spoken a single word since. Poor, dear, young lady !" said Janie, wiping her eyes as she ceased speaking. "Well," said John, thoughtfully, "that shows she did come without being forced. Yet there's something wrong about it. Master told me he wanted me for very particular business, and as I'd been in the family so long, he thought he could trust me. He said all'l had to do was to drive where he directed, keep silent about the matter, and he would make me comfortable for life. It looks like bribery, don't it, Janie." "Yes, John, and I wish Miss Alice was safe at home again. I don't like this business at all. The carl is a strange man, John, and I know he is anxious to get Miss Alice out of his son's way. Hark! what's that?" she ex- claimed, springing to her feet in alarm, as the sound of foot- steps overhead came distinctly to their cars. " It sounds like some one walking" doesn't it? " said John, growing white with fear. "Oh, good Heaven ! it must be the ghost ! " gasped Janie, clinging to her companion in horror. Both listened intently for some moments, but aW was pro- foundly silent again. •¥i iiildi liii 24 THE SECRET SORROW. "It must have been the wind," said John, drawing a long breath; "all's still now." Again they listened, but nothing met their ears save the howling of the v,hul. "Yes, it was the wind-nothing else," said John, with renewed confidence. "We're easily scared here, Janie- There, don't be afraid, I'll go and bring in something for breakfast. Perhaps your young lady may take something. John went out, leaving Janie trembling with fear ; even the fire seemed to chill her now, she shivered so convulsively. In a few moments John appeared again, bearing the materi- als for a good meal. "Here," he said, with an effort at gayety; «'we won't starve at any rate. Help yourself, Janie." "I don't want any, thank you; I cannot eat here; but perhaps Miss Alice may. I'll give her this. ' ' And she poured some wino in a glass. "Here, Miss Alice," she said, stooping down over the prostrate figure, " here is some wine for you— drink it." "No, no, take it away, I don't want any," murmured the faint voice of the kdy. " Let me alone." "But you must take it, dear Miss Alice," said Janie. "I>o — for my sake, noT.." And she passed an ai-m under her shoulders and li'ted her up. As she did so, the heavy cloak fell back, displaying a pale, sweet face. A shower of golden hair fell rippling down her back. She raised her eyes-large, liquid, bezel eyes— to Janie'9 face, and said, faintly : i mm T ffBl iWJMM W tfg ' ^ga W t^r:' THE SECRET SORROW. 25 I, drawing a long leir ears save the said Jolin, with ■ed here, Janie- n something for tkc something, th fear ; even the so convulsively, iring the materi- ^ty, "we won't t eat heie; but down over the -drink it." ' murmured the >" said Janie. i and li'ted her sk, displaying a 1 rippling down J, hc3el eyes— I ♦' I don't want it, Janie. Take it away.' "Now, Miss Alice," said Janie, decidedly, " you must take it. You must cat something, if j'ou expect to live. Here, drink this wine at least." and she held it to her lips. Finding there was no escape, the lady drank it, then push- ing away the offered food, she said, sadl}' : " Janie, I cannot take it. Let me alone, now — please do? " She raised the wistful brown eyes so pleadingly, that Janie could not refuse. With a sigh she arose and took her seat in the chimner-corner again, and watched John, whose fear of ghosts seemed in no way to have diminished his ap- petite. "Here's some excellent ham, Janie," said John, " as you said yourself to Miss Alice just now, you can't aspect to live without eating." Janie smiled faintly, but shook her head. "Not now, John; I'll eat by and by if I feel hungry. Meantime let us think of some plan to deliver Miss Alice from the earl's power." John carefully stowed away the remains of his breakfast, out of reach of the ghosts, replenished the fire, and sat down beside Janie to consult what was to bp done. The weary hours dragged slowly, very slowly on, to the two sitting by the fire, awaiting the approach of night with beating hearts. m^ ii n •! i, 86 THE SECRET SORROW. CHAITER IV. LADY DAN EMORE. " Cah'3t thou no kindly ray impart, Thou strangely beauteous one? Fairer than fairest work of art, Yet cold a:, sculptured stone?"— OrtZway. Meanwhile, through the splashing raiu, over the soft, ,vet, boggy raoor, galloped the earl. The moor was passea, the flat open plain lay before him, u few straggling cots appeared in view, the hum of busy life came already to his ear. A few hard-working peasants, on their way to their day's toil, looked up in surprise as the horse flew past. It was an unusual thing to see a horseman riding at such a pace across the moor at that early hour of morning. At last the earl became conscious that he was attracting observation, which of all things he wished most to avoid, and dropping the rein upon the horse's neck, be leaned his head upon his breast, and gave way to his reflections. They were far from pleas- ant, as might be seen in the frequent knitting of his brow, and the convulsive twitching of his lip^. ♦'It must be so," he muttered, at length, unconsciously aloud. " She must remain in the old Moor Manor for the present at least. I did intend conveying her to Stanton, and i •mfm r— », rt, s? " — Ordway. ver the soft, ivet, was passea, the ng cots appeared o his ear. ly to their day's last. It was an ch a pace across At last the earl servation, which ropping the rein jpon his breast, far from pleas- Dg of his brow, 1, unconsciously ' Manor for the to Stanton, and < ■ THE SECRET SORROW. 27 secreting her there, but my abaencc at the same time with her may excite suspicion, which I particularly wish to avoid. Those servants, too, cowardly fools ! may give me trouble, by refusing to reniaiu with her there, for fear of ghosts. That phantom last night — what could it moan ? The place has long borne the reputation of being haunted, but I am not fool enough to believe any such ridiculous nursery tale as that. Some one must act the ghost to frighten people away. Yet it cannot be inhabited ; no one would dwell in such a tumble- down, desolate place. I shall have it thoroughly searched, however, and if convinced there is no one there, I shall take care that those servants do stay with Alice Desmond, at least until they can be safely disposed of elsewhere." He paused for a moment, and putting spurs to his horse, rode rapidly along, then gradually resumed his former easy trot, and muttered, like one whose mind is made up : " Yes, it must be done. I am sorry, for the sake of both, that I am obliged to resort to such extreme measures ; but it cannot be helped. Arndale shall never marry the daughter of Hugh Desmond. In him are centered ali my hopes now. Had Walter lived, the case would have been different. Henry might then have married, if he chose to be such a fool, a girl without fortune ; but never, even theil, should he wed one ia whose veins ran a drop of the Desmond blood. Now, how- ever, the idea of his marrying a portionless wife is simply, utterly, and decidedly impoFiiblc. He must and shall marry one whose fortunes at least equals his own. And now for Dirritole." 28 THE SECRET SORROW. As ho ceased speaking, he rode rapidly forward, and soon left the moor far behind. , Three hours' hard riding brought him to his journey's end, and he drew rein before the outer gate of the noble estate of Dirritole. A groom in waiting took charge of his horse ; and the earl turned slowly and thoughtfully up a shaded avenue that led to the house. The family mansion of Dirritole was a quaint, large, old-fashioned building of dark gray stone, with peaked turrets, sloping gable, and deep bay-windows.' There was a still, quiet, stagnant air of repose about the place, that spoke well for the gravity of its occupants. Even Stag, the lazy old mastiff, had an air of dignified reserve about him, which he had probably learned from his betters, as he walked slowly up to salute his master. The carl went up a flight of stone steps that led to the hall. There were doors opening on either side, and into one of these, on the left of the hall, he entered. The room was large, and splendidly furnished. A rich velvet carpet, wreathed wth flowers and buds, so natural that one hesitated to advance, for fear of crushing them, covered the floor. The ceiling was fantastically and gracefully dec- orated with oriental tracery of raised gold on a blue ground. The walls were covered with paintings, rare gems of art— many of thcni worth their weight in gold. Statues and busts of exquisite finish were carelessly, yet with artistic t.aste, scattered aiound. Heavy curtains of crimson-damask d aped the lofty window, and cast a pleasant rose-hucd i\ght through the apartment. The air was heavy with the perfame >rward, and aoon lis journey's end, noble estate of )f his horse ; and 1 shaded avenue of Dirritole was lark gray stone, sp bay-windows. ?p^se about the ccupants. Even lignifled reserve •om his betters, t led to the hall, nd into one of lished. A rich , 80 natural that ; them, covered gracefully dec- a blue ground, gems of art— atues and busts artistic taste, damask d aped pose-hucd iight itb the perfame / TEffi SECRET SORROW. M breathed from a vase of rare exotics that stood on the marble table. But by far the fairest sight in that gorgeous room was its mistress. She lay languidly back in the large arm chair, half buried in a pile of soft cushions ; the mellow light falling like a halo on her regal brow. The jet-black hair was braided in heavy plaits aroiuul her finely-formed head, seeming a strik- ing contrast to the pearly whiteness of her face. Not a single trace of color was perceptible, save a faint tint on the exquisitely-chiseled lips. The large, shadowy black eyes were cast downwards, and the long, jetty lashes rested on the pearly cheeks. Her small, white hands lay folded, with a weary, listless air, in her lap, and altogether "my lady" wore a sad, lonely air, that one would hardly expect to see on the face of the proud and beautiful Countess of Dancmore. And yet it was its usual expression — few people could boast of ever having seen a smile on the fair face of the Mistress of Dirritole. Very seldom were those white lids raised from above the dusky, shadowy eyes, seemingly dragged down by the weight of the long, black lashes. The thin lips were compressed with a hard, bitter expression, strangely out of place on the face of one so young and beautiful. During the six long years which had passed since she had first crossed the threshold of Dirritole as its mistress, no one could say .;hey had ever seen the faintest trace of any emotion on that calm, pallid face. No light ever arose to those deep, dark eyes ; the fire which must have once burned there seemed to have gone out forever, in the dim, dark clouds of some un- 8« / 80 THE SECRET SORROW. known Borrow. Smiles wcro rare visitora to those beautiful lips, coining now and then like rare flashes of light across that shadowy face ; coming for a moment and lingering with a mournfid sweetness, far sadder to sec than even her usual cold, passionless manner, and again vanishing like the fleet- ing glance of a moonbeam on the snow. The proud world sometimes condescended to wonder what could h.avo over changed my lady into the culm statue she was ; and yet changed is hardly the word — no one could remember to have ever seen her otherwise. With the heavy Ipshcs ever droop- ing downward over those mournful black eyes, my lady bs'oodcd in silence over the past hidden from all other eyes. She sat now in her usual position, with her hands folded quietly together in her lap ; her eyes fixed intently on the carpet, as if studying its figure, witliout the slightest expres- sion on the quiet face to betoken of what she sat musing so intently. Respectfully, almost reverentially, the earl advanced to- ward her, and, stooping, touched lightly with his lips the broad, white brow of the lady. The large eyes were for a moment raised from the floor and fixed on his lace ; but no sparkle of pleasure shone in them at his appearance ; one little hand was extended and laid in his, as in a low, musical voice she murmured : "Welcome home, my lord." The strong foreign accent with which my lady spoke, at once proved her to be a foreigner — as, indeed, any one might guess from the peculiar style of her beauty, This done with THE SECRET SORROW. 81 to those beautiful 03 of liglit across md lingering with m even licr usual ing liko the llcet- The proiul world could have ever he was ; and yet remember to have Ip.shcs ever droop- k cj'cs, my lady om all other eyes, her hands folded :d intently on the B slightest cxpres- shc sat musing so earl advanced to- with his lips the je eyes were for a his lace ; but no appearance ; one ; in a low, musical my lady spoke, at •ed, any one might ', This done with an evident effort, the small hands were again folded, the dreamy eyes again sought the lloor, and the countess was lost once more in that dream-land :ii which she lived — that myste- rious shore which no eye sees but her own. For a moment tiiecnrl stood behind her chair, gazing down fondly yet longingly into that still beautiful fiico. Perhaps he, too, was longing to draw away the vail that had hid the thoughts of his wife. One would scarcely recognize, with the tender, subdued expression his face now wore, the hard, stern, cruel tyrant of the night before. A strange contrast they bolii formed in that splendid room — ho so tall, harah, and forbidding, with his iron-gray hair, and the deep curves and lines that ago, trouble, or remorse, perhaps, had stamped there. She so young, so beautiful, so desolate, and lonely-looking, as if all that had ever made earth dear to her had gone forever. People wondered sometimca why she had ever married one old enough to be her father, and who had already a son older than herself, but no one ever presumed to question either. The earl was too much feared, and no one, not even the boldest, presumed to ask the countess. Without speaking a word — without even rais- ing her eyes — she commanded involuntary homage. In vain they wondered and inwardly chafed at it ; in spite of them- selves, they would involuntarily hold their breath when she spoke, and reply in tones strangely low and subdued. Suddenly the earl's meditations were brought to an end by the unceremonious opening of the parlor door, and a young lady entered. The new-comer might be about twenty years a 83 THE SECRET SORROW. t of age, of middle size, with a fine, sweet figure, and peculiar- ly graceful carriage, albeit iier only pretentions to beauty. Her face was far from liandsome — not even pretty ; and the haughty, erect form — the bold, highbrow — the firm, reso- lute conipresHion of her lip», and the decided, almost stern exprcHHiou of Iier features bespoke a pride unsubdued — a resolute, unbending, not to Hay obstinate will ; and an energy and determination not to lie shaken. Yet still she was not homely ; in fact, the general opinion formed of Kate Sidney woa that she was a plain, yet graceful and lady-like woman, with rather more energy and firmness than usually falls to the lot of the daughters of Eve, and of rather lan obstinate turn of mind ; but that was a failing inherent in her mother's family. Kate Sidney was an orphan. Her mother had been a sis- ter to the Earl of Danemoic ; but she, as well as her husband (who was colonel of a regiment) , had died ere Kate had at- tained the ago of fifteen. As the orphan, or rather orphans (for Kate had a brother one year yoi'nger than herself) , were poor and friendless, having no relp'^ns from whom they could claim a home, save himself, the earl had taken them both ; and Kate Sidney and her brother Charley, had, ever since that time, found a home at Dirritolo. Though naturally of an affectionate difiposition, and really loving her uncle. Miss Sidney was an exceedingly undemon- strative young lady ; she, therefore, passed him with a slight but respectful bow, saying, quietly : " You have returned sooner than we expected, uncle ; I be- lire, nnd peculiar- tions to beniity. »'cn pretty; and V — thoflrm, reso- led, almost stern lo unsubdued — a 11 ; and an energy itill slio wns not I of Kate Sidney ady-likc woman, 1 usually falls to her nn obstinate it in her mother'! * had been a sis- ill as her husband ere Kate had at- r rather orphans an herself) , were from whom they had taken them liarley, had, ever iition, and really dingly undemon- hira with a slight !ted, uncle ; I be- TTTE RUrRET BORROW. .13 Here yon told m you were not coming bark for a week at least." " Suoli wnn my intention," replied tlie earl, onlmly ; «' but I found it rioroHsary to make some cliunjre in th.vnnte position, gazing on the ground, as immovable as a ■/I -'v. .^■■).-Kwmm$^ np 40 THE SECRET SORROW. figure in wax-work. Kate watched her a moment, then turning away with a Imlf-mr.ttered, "How singular Auni Madeline is !" she tripped out into the hal' A sudden noise, proceeding from a room opening into the hall, attracted her attention. The door being ajar, Kate stepped softly for- ward, and looked in. The room was in a state of the utmost disorder. Books papers, cigar stumps, and a thousand and one miscellaneous articles lay scattered over the floor in every direction Stretched at full length on a sofa, in the middle of the floor and surrounded by a perfect chaos of disorder, was a young gentleman, quietly engaged in smoking a cigar. Tall, and finely formed in person, .vith a high, white forehead, dark chestnut hair, and beautiful dark-blue eyes, in which lurked a wicked, mischievous, dare-devil expresdon-Charley Sidney was decidely handsome. Before him, on the present occa- sion, stood a prim, vinegar-visaged old maid, caUed Misa Dickett, the housekeeper of the family. Now, as Kate well knew, the housekeeper was the very soul of neatness, and that the least speck of dust was suffi- cient to give her nervous system a severe shock ; she rightly judged that the worthy virgin had entered to pour the vialg of her wrath on the devoted head of Master Charley. Miss Dickett was a privileged person, and ruled with a rod of iron over the heads of every member of the family, save that of the earl's son. Lord Arndale, on whom she doted. Mr. Sid- ney, who was gesticulating with great force, had just ceased speaking as Kate approached. Neither of them noticed her, -X. moment, then, singular Aunt I sudden noise, I, attracted her )ed softly for- irder. Books, '■ miscellaneous 3ry direction, le of the floor, ', was a young ar. Tall, and Jrehead, dark '^hich lurked a barley Sidney present occa- 1, called Miss iras the very iust was suflj- ; she rightly >our the vialg arley. Miss a rod of iron save that of 1. Mr. Sid- l just ceased noticed her, THE SECRET SORROW. ^j .nd Ml« Dickett went on, in reply to something the young gentleman had said : ^ ^ to try to keep to nghts, 'cause it's »„„ than hcvcr th, .Z " ^«"' but really, my dear madam, " began Master Ph.^i m an expostulatory tone " vou «p» t ^'''*° ^'^ Charley, io t-e .„., 0, z oZ, c: ;:rrri:r r::; or'r.rr r ■ t'-^ ""- ™"--- " , ^ '-"' "'K"" I encountered a passage in the «fty-elevcn.h book o, Julius C»s., (or so^e oti,er oldl ve) " * Did ye hear of the Widow Malo'ne? Q. ,. • Och hone. She hvea near the town of Athlone, Alone."' Miss Dickett had listenpd t« ♦),!„ "srened to this ripeech, not very weU I ■ it 4« THE SECRET SORROW. I 5 knowing whether her young master was in jest or earnest ; and now taking advantage of the first pause, while Charley was roposint? on his laurels, she gave vent to another burst of indifinant feeling. ' . "Yea, it's all very fine," repeated the outraged female, " sl.owin' off yer larniu' afore folks. Yer needn't think, Mr. Charles, you're the houly one in the world which is larned, for I 'ad a edification in my youth as good as hanybody, so I had, though I never larned no chang tckang bangs like that, I larned what was a 'eap more uscf ullcr, which is to keep things in their own place ; and if you'd stay at 'ome and lam hit, too, hit would be more prq^toftZer than goin' to live among them Iriph in Dublin, which is too wulgar to be looked at, so they are." " A very just observation, ma'am," replied Charley, " and one which shows a great deal of good sense, but bad gram- mar, on your part, and — what's that?" exclaimed the young gentleman, tui-ning abruptly round, as the sound of a sub- dued laugh from the door-way broke upon his ear. Kate retreated ju.it in time to avoid meeting Miss Dickett, who came sailing majestically from the room, and who, see- ing no one, went indignantly down to the kitchen, muttering as she went : "Yes, hit's all very fine, so it is." Kate remained in her hiding-place until the coast was clear, and, then coming out, she tripped lightly from the hall, the last sound she heard being Charley's voice,»singing : " Arrab, vhillalloo murder ! oh I- why did ye die?" , . ■Mmm HHM "■■■JBlWrw '■>■ .-»ut bad gram- led the young ad of a Bub- ar. Miss Dickett, ind who, see- en, muttering ast was clear, the hall, the ring! lie?" •*i THE SECRET SORROW. The rain was falling, not heavily, as it had done some hours before, but in a damp, dismal, chilling drizzle. A thick, dense fog, perfectly English in its character, made the gloom 80 intense that one could hardly see oltjects a yard off. In ^ftct, a more unpleasant or disagreeable day for a ride could not be found. The groom, who stood holding her horse, seemed tu be precisely of this same opinion, for as Kate seated herself and gathered up the reins preparatory to starting, he re- marked : " Better not go to-day, Miss Kate, you'll be soaking wet, and it won't be good for the pony either." "My good fellow, be kind enough to mind your own affairs," replied Kate, haughtily. And the man, crest-faUen at her remark, slunk away. With a smart cut of her whip, the horse darted forward ; in a moment, the lofty turrets and majestic trees of Dirritole were out of sight. Her road lay partly through a dripping forest, known by the name of Danemore Forest, from its be- ing on the property of the earl. The forest path was passed, and Kate entered a smooth, broad road, over which her horse went with a rapidity that promised speedily to bring her to her journey's end. In a short time the Pines— as the, home of Alice Desmond was called— came in sight. The place had taken its name from the gr at number of those trees by which it was sur- rounded. .. smooth, graveled path led up to the house— a larjie but handsome mansion, of modern appearance and ^ THE SECRET SORROW, architecture. A servant advanced to take her home ; and, as Kate sprang lightly from her seat, she was struck by th« melancholy, dejected appearance of his countenance. " Why, my good Peter, what is the matter?" inquired Kate with graceful condescension, addressing the old man, whom she well knew. "Ah! Miss Kate! sad news, sad news!" replied the old man, mournfully shaking his head. -Whathas happened?" exclaimed Kate, growing pale with sudden apprehension, "nothing has befaUen vour young mistress, I trust?" " "Alas! that I cannot say no," answered Peter, drawing his hand across his eyes. "Miss Alice has gone, or been carrried off, no one knows where." " Good Heavens ! is it possible?" exclaimed Kate, horror- struck to find her apprehensions so soon verified. "Who could have been capable of so atrocious a deed ?" " That's just what I have been puzzling myself to find out ever since I heard it," replied the old man. " I thought she hadn't an enemy in the world ; for if ever there was an angel on earth. Miss Alice was one." •And her father-poor old man! how does he bear this terrible blow?" said Kate, compassionately. "I haven't seen him since he heard it, which was only this morning," answered Peter : " buc Bess L'Olise, who was "P at the house, told me a while ago he was taking on dread- fully. He had a letter-a note she left on her dressing-table -which seemed to afflict him dreadfully. Bess said, her lorse ; and, ruck by th« ice. uirod Kate, Qsn, whom led the old g; pale with )ur young p, drawing 0, or been «, horror- . "Who • find out ought she an angel bear this V&S only who waa n dread* ing-table aid, ber i THE SECRET SORROW. 45 "tep-flister, Janie, Miss Alice's own maid, had gone with her. too." ' " A letter !" exclaimed Kate. - Perhaps that explains." And, turning from the old man, she hounded up the stops like a dtcr, in a manner very different from her ..sual ,lig„i. fled motions, and burst unceremoniously into the room where the old mrin sat. He was lying back in a large arm-chair, moaning and wnnging his hands in the last extremity of grief. He held a note tightly cmmpled up in one hand, over which he at times broke forth in passionate lamentations. The snows of seven- ty winters had vhitened his hoary locks, and the venerable features, generUly placid and dignified, were now convulsed with sorrow. As his eyes fell upon Kate, he started to his feet as .f to meeetber ; but his strength.exhausted by suffering, was unequal to the effort, and he fell heavily back in his seat. "Too late, KateSidney, too late," he cried bitterly. "She .8 gone-gone forever, the light of my eyes, the star of my beart my sole eartHy comfort, my young, beautiful Alice I Oh, Alice, Alice!" ^nd with that despairing cry, he covered h.8 face with his bancs, and swayed to and fro, in hopeless sorrow. Kate advanced, kneh before him, and took his hand be- tween both hers, while «e said, in » voice which she vainly strove to render calm : My dear sir, be comlorted. I feel convinced we will all flee Alice weU and happy »nce more. Do not, I beseech vou, thus give way to your gritf." *• THK SECRET SORROW. Tho old man Hocmcd not to hear her. His cyo8 hml a va- cant, wo,nU.,i„K look, hh though he huw not the object nrouml, but rather wan puiug at souu-lhinfl; l.eyontl the reach of their viHion. As Kate ceased, he suddenly and passionately broke forth : ^ "What have I ever done that I am to be thus bereaved? ^ hat crime have I ever committed, that I am thus severely chastised? I have neither slain, nor stolen, no; coveted aught, and yet I am punished by losing all I leva on earth, while the wicked tri.miph in their sins. How loig, O Lord ! how long? Thy han.l lies heavily upon me, .nd upon my house, while the ungodly rejoice in their crime. They have stolen from n,e my own little ewe-lamb, and left me alono an.l desolate to go with sorrow to the grave. iVe have been surrounded by those who called themselves frbnds in the day of onr prosperity ; but when the hand of the Lord lay heavily upon us, all fled. They have borne my cWld, n.y ouly one from my home, and there was no arm raiji'ct around, roiiph of tlioir onatoly ?)roke us hcrcavecJ? Iui8 severely no.' covotod »v« on earth, Igi O Lord ! id upon my They Jiavo ■ft me alono J have boon 8 in the day lay heavily 'y only one lefend her ; They have ignin! Oh, Joud in his 47 we'pinj?. IIo laid his hand on her bowed head, and said, kindly : ' J'oor child ! you loved her, too ; but why should you weep? You have many friendH left who lovo you Htill, even as she loved you, but I have no one ; I an. alone— all alono ; there i« «'(. (),o in the wide world to care for the striken old man, Hince th. (laujrht,,,- „f his old a-o has boon torn from his arms,' leaving .„ ,v..rd behind her to tell of the fate, with no fare- well, Havcthis." llo erusUd, as he apoke, the letter in his hand. Kate had forgotten itin her sorrow and compassion for him, but the action restord it to her mind. Perhaps it might throw some light on the rystei'y. "Will younot let me see the letter?" she asked, hesi- tatingly. "les, yes, tkc it ; it is but right you should read her last farewell-tho las farewell of one who loved you." Kate eagerly ook the letter. Her eyes filled, as she glanced at the M^Jl-known handwriting. It had evidently been penned in ahasty and trembling hand, and ran as follows : vering her Id man as I, frenzied 8 came to eased by Mt OWN Dear Fat«„ ,_Ere you read thi«, I shall be away from home; but gnevc not. hope soon to return. I cannot, I dare no" now cxplam w V I am oUgod to leave you for a time; but bCieri me, the .eparat.0, » «« j,i„f„„„ „, „^ .^ ^^„ ' • « J may not now expl.n f„rt,or. but onee again I beseech you to bear my tZl T '■?7""""- ^^ '"'"'^"' •^''"- aceompanie. me. kZ ter to you, until tb retun of your own UtUe- " Aucjb," 48 THE SECRET SORROW. Kate read this letter with wonder and surprise. The ruja- tery seemed to increase, and this letter, instead of dispeL'ing it, only increased it the more. What could it have been taat induced her so strangely to leave houie? Kate knit her brows, and tried to think. But the more she though, the more inexplicable the whole afifair became. She glared at the old man, who now lay back in a sort of stupor, hs grief having exhausted itself by its violence. Seeing shecould be of no use here, she resigned him to the care of an old serv- ant, and then -slowly and thoughtfully turned fromthe house. With her ejos fixed in deep thought on the /round, and lost in her own reflections, she heard not a light Hpping foot- step behind her, until a clear, musical voice, w^ a neculiar foreign accent, close to her ear, called : "Miss Kate." Kate turned hastily round, and sawbeforher a bright, handsome girl, whose vivacious, sparkling bick eye^, dark, rich complexion, full voluptuous figure, andoquettish air be- spoke her a native of sunny France. It wagBess L'Olise, the step-sister of Janie, whom, as we will hav^frequent occasion to mention, we may as well make the reader acquainted with. Jaiiie's father, who was steward at th Pines, had lost hia wife when Janie r/as a mere child. Abut a year after this melancholy event, business called him t London, and whUe there he contracted a violent attachmnt fa- a handsome French milliner, a widow with one daightet then residing with her mamma's friends in la belle trance. The steward \ rise. The rj/s- ad of dispelling t liave been taat Kate knit her he though, the She glarced at tupor, hs grief Qg shecould be ?f an old serv- fron>tlie house, he /round, and it tipping foot- rUi a neculiar her a bright, k eyei^, dark, aettish air be- s L'Olise, the uent occasion r acquainted , had lost hia ar after this a, and while a handsome len residing rhe steward THE SECRET SORROW. ^g wanted a wife to mind his house, and look after Janie. Ma- BraTd^h^ "T"- " ''''''-' ^--^M-omoist for better, for worse. Madame L'Olise, became a bride ent for Bess, and took her with them to the Pines. A ew years after, Alice Desmond, taking a fancy to orettv T latuer s pet. It needed b„t little coaxing to induce him .„ .en he. to ..nee . ^ edncated ; „ndl„ t ladl^ ^e l,.d „„ved ahon. . ,e„ p.evi„„, to ,„e opening „, Z On the present oecion, m.demoi«lle adranccd with . pro'o-