1898-01-14 The Wesleyan Argus

              THE WISLYMN T RGU
THE COLLEGE FAPEK.
VOL. IV. BLOOMINGTON. ILL., JANUARY 14, 1898.
THE TRAGEDY OF ANNESLEY COURT.
PART III.
In a few days it was all over. The grated doors of
the Annesley vault opened to receive another occu-pant.
In its dim, chill depths, with hands meekly
crossed, Gertrude Richmond slept with her fathers.
All three, Anna, Miss Kenneth and Richmond were
on the veranda one morning waiting for the carriage
to come up, for Richmond was going back to the city
that day The customary black robes which Anna
wore accentuated the extreme paleness of her counte-nance.
He observed her with some anxiety but con-cealing
his apprehensions admonished her brightly and
lovingly as to the care of her health. The carriage
arrived and with a final cheery adjuration he stepped
into it. "You will come again soon Harold, will you
not," she said, choking back the tears. "Yes! Yes!
Anna dear." he replied. "But you will not be lone-some.
I am sure Miss Kenneth will decide to remain
with you." The carriage started up and Richmond
was borne out of the park gates to the station. Anna
remained on the veranda looking.after the carriage
as it whirled away. When it had quite disappeared she
descended the steps and passing into the garden
entered the summer-house. She knelt down by the
bench and her finger-nails sank deep into the palms.
Margaret Kenneth found her in this posture a few
minutes later when she came seeking her. She stood
at the door for an instant undecided whether she
should speak to Anna or steal softly away. The tears
flashed in her own eyes and rolled freely down her
face. Did not this woman stand in double need, she
said to herself and wavering no longer she knelt down
beside her, encircling her in a silent, gentle embrace.
It was not much, this loving sign of sympathy, but it
was all sufficient. Long and deep were the sobs which
followed from Anna, while the other wept because she
could not do otherwise. At last they .both arose and
seated themselves on the bench, "You will stay with
me will you not? " Anna asked. "You must stay with
me! " she continued passionately. "I have wronged
you Margaret Kenneth. You are a better woman
than I. I am not worthy of your sympathy-some day
-perhaps soon, you shall know."
"I do not understand but I am sure that you have
never wronged me Miss Anna and I will stay if you
indeed wish it." When alone Margaret Kenneth bit-terly
repented her hasty unconditional consent. But
there was no help for it, she must remain a while at
least. She feared lest by some unguarded word or act
her love for Richmond would be disclosed to Anna.
Day by day Anna Richmond clung to Miss Kenneth
less as a dependent and more as a friend. Her old
haughty air was sadly changed. Winter passed and
June roses once more diffused their sweetness upon
the genial air but the Spring zephyrs failed to woo back
the soft color to Anna's cheeks.
Richmond made flying visits to Annesley Court and
each time he went away with increasing anxiety in re-gard
to Anna.
It was a lovely, bright day and the two girls were
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