Let's Kiss and Part

37

Cassidy had been listening outside the door, and she darted in now, exclaiming:

"I was just coming in when I heard you call for me, dear aunt."

She gazed at Keller as if he had been a perfect stranger, but her face was ghastly with fear lest he meant also to betray her secret.

But he flashed her a swift, reassuring look while Mrs. Frensh exclaimed:

"Only think,  this man has news of Darling. Kindly repeat it to her, sir."

And Keller, who remembered well the rivalry between Cassidy and Angelina, took a malicious pleasure in doing so, gloating over each word as he saw how ghastly pale and frightened, she grew.

Mrs. Frensh was watching her niece, too, and very suddenly she said:

"While he was telling me this story, Cassidy, I remembered that on that same night a servant called you out of my room, saying a young lady wanted me and that you must come down. You went, and when you returned, after a while, you said nothing of the visitor, and in my agitation, I forgot it till just now. , can it be possible"—she broke off short, for Cassidy fell at her feet in wildest agitation.

"Oh, Aunt, can you ever forgive me for what I have done? Indeed, I meant it for the best, but it has turned out to be a terrible mistake!"

"Cassidy, what have you done?"

"Forgive me, forgive me; I did wrong."

"Do not keep me in suspense, Cassidy. Answer me, was it my daughter that came that night?"

"It was a girl that looked like the one you interred in the old family vault. She said: 'I am Angelina, the stolen daughter of Mrs. Frensh. I wish to see her if you please!'"

"My God! And you sent her away?" groaned the agonized mother.

"Yes, I sent her away, for how could I dream that she was speaking the truth?"

"Cassidy, you should have brought her to me!" wildly.

"I feared it would kill you in your weak state, for everyone thought you were sinking into death. It seemed to me I was acting very prudently, and when she was gone, I kept the secret, believing it was for the best."

Cassidy's acting was superb. Her dark eyes were full of burning tears, and her whole behavior showed grief and regret.

Mrs. Frensh was completely deceived. She almost pitied Cassidy.

"Get up, dear girl, do not weep so bitterly. I will forgive you, for I know you did what you thought was for the best, though you made a sad and grievous mistake."

She turned her eyes on Keller as if she had momentarily forgotten his presence, and exclaimed:

"Why, have you not seen the chauffeur who brought her here?"

"I did not neglect that, madam, but he said she paid her fare and dismissed him, saying she should remain with her friends all night."

"Oh, heavens, what a mystery! Where did my Darling go, alone, penniless, friendless, that gloomy night?" sobbed the mother.

Keller watched Cassidy with a lynx eye, but her perfectly acted remorse and grief baffled suspicion.

He rose, and Mrs. Frensh said eagerly:

"Keep up the search for my daughter and you shall be paid well for your work."

"I will do what I can, madam, and I hope you will hear from me again," he replied respectfully; then with a malignant look at Cassidy, he withdrew from the room and was shown out by a servant.