Gratia's Trials — page 198: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GRATIA’S TRIALS. 189 your functionaries never once to cease their vigilance. Do you understand me? The search is to go steadfastly on while I am gone.” ‘* And if we discover a clew ?” ‘‘Then telegraph to me at once.” ‘As you say, colonel, And when do you leave ?” ‘‘ Next week, on the Siren.” And when the Siron steamed out of Southampton, Hugo Falconer was on board. Gratia knew it. She heard Lady Melworth and her daughter speak lightly of what a charming day the Siren had to com- mence her voyage, and a stifling sensation came into her throat. The Christmas holidays came and went. There was the usual rejoicing among the tenantry of Melworth, and merry- making for high and low, yet to Gratia Kempfield it was alla mere outward show. One night, just after there had been a dinner-party in the neighborhood, to which the family of the Hall had gone, and as Gratia sat musing by the fire in Alicia’s dressing-room, she could hear the carriage drive up on its return. Miss Melworth came in, looking radiantly lovely in a pale- preen silk, with a white lace scarf twisted about her pearly shoulders, and shining pendants of emeralds and diamonds in her ears. : ‘“Gratia, dear,” said Miss Melworth, as she came into the room—for the young girls had become more companions than anything else—‘‘I told you not to sit up for me.” : ‘It is not late,” pleaded Gratia, apologetically. ‘‘Tt is after eleven,” said Miss Melworth, glancing at her watch. ‘‘ But, after all, Gratia, Iam not sorry that you are up to hear my news,” , ‘*What news?” asked Gratia. ‘¢Guess,” laughed the young heiress, letting herself sink GComicbooks (Eo) m