"Ride on, ride on! And find him if he is there. I'll run home and look

for him. Lose no time. Ride! Ride!" And turning, Jean sped back like a

deer, while the man tore up the avenue to rouse the Hall.

Coventry was there, and went off at once, leaving both Hall and house in

dismay. Fearing to betray the horrible anxiety that possessed her, Jean

shut herself up in her room and suffered untold agonies as the day wore

on and no news came. At dark a sudden cry rang through the house, and

Jean rushed down to learn the cause. Bella was standing in the hall,

holding a letter, while a group of excited servants hovered near her.

"What is it?" demanded Miss Muir, pale and steady, though her heart

died within her as she recognized Gerald's handwriting. Bella gave

her the note, and hushed her sobbing to hear again the heavy tidings

that had come.

Dear Bella: Uncle is safe; he did not go in the noon train. But several persons

are sure that Ned was there. No trace of him as yet, but many bodies

are in the river, under the ruins of the bridge, and I am doing my

best to find the poor lad, if he is there. I have sent to all his

haunts in town, and as he has not been seen, I hope it is a false

report and he is safe with his regiment. Keep this from my mother

till we are sure. I write you, because Lucia is ill. Miss Muir will

comfort and sustain you. Hope for the best, dear.

Yours, G.C.

Those who watched Miss Muir as she read these words wondered at the

strange expressions which passed over her face, for the joy which

appeared there as Sir John's safety was made known did not change to

grief or horror at poor Edward's possible fate. The smile died on her

lips, but her voice did not falter, and in her downcast eyes shone an

inexplicable look of something like triumph. No wonder, for if this

was true, the danger which menaced her was averted for a time, and the

marriage might be consummated without such desperate haste. This sad

and sudden event seemed to her the mysterious fulfilment of a secret

wish; and though startled she was not daunted but inspirited, for fate

seemed to favor her designs. She did comfort Bella, control the

excited household, and keep the rumors from Mrs. Coventry all that

dreadful night.

At dawn Gerald came home exhausted, and bringing no tiding of the

missing man. He had telegraphed to the headquarters of the regiment and

received a reply, stating that Edward had left for London the previous

day, meaning to go home before returning. The fact of his having been at

the London station was also established, but whether he left by the

train or not was still uncertain. The ruins were still being searched,

and the body might yet appear.




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