The Penn's Grove record., 1883-09-15

She accepted at ono hoping as she
did 70 that George Fenby would see
her. He was not there to see, how
ever, and Ralph had taken good care to
know that. He was already halfway
home.
But Miss Arnden was in no mood to
refuse. She was in a reckless tenn
per, and Ralph Warder had count
ed on that. One desirious of widen
ing the breach between Alice and
George would have found it a very
easy task to make a beginning that
night.
Ralph Warder's lips moved slowly as
he seated himself beside Alice, but we
will not try to determine what he said
to himself in that crisis in more lives
than one.
81 admire your cloak and hat, eX-
claimed Ralph, ''though the saying it
may be as much a compliment to my
sister as to your own taste. Hers are
like them, are they not ?"
Every nearly !; not quite. But L
didn't know you I'VE noticed what
your lady friends wear"
81 don't very often. l did to-day.
Would the masculine detect the differ
ences ?"
81 think not. But it is a pity to
talk of dresses on such a night as this.
What a strong and helpful ermon we
had this evening p'
YES" said Ralph.
They made a turn in the road, and
there was George himself only a few
few yards ahead. Alice put down her
veil at once. Surely fate was OF the
side of Ralph Warder's plans that
night.
Get in, George. 1 won't take a
refusal"
"Who is with you? Your sister p
EYES," said Ralph, with a prompt
ness which should be admired and
pardoned. 'Sit on this SIDE" said
Ralph, as George got in 81 will sit
between you. The night is beautiful,
isn't it ?"
every beautiful !" said George,
who really had not thought of it before.
"You needn't go home at once. |
will turn here and we will drive over
toward the shore.'
He had turned his horse down the
road leading in that direction before
either of his companions could say a
word. The two lovers were gazing
again on the scene they had looked upon
in the morning. The moonlight may
have softened the harshness of it a
little, but the man between them heard
a sob from the woman at his left, and
saw the moonlight sparkle suspiciously
Oh the eyelashes of the man on his right.
And he thought grimly of himself as
the image of fate-fate, with the de-
destiny of two human beings in his
hands.
81 found a paper of yours this morn
ing" said Ralph, slowly, ''and here it
is. could hardly help seeing what it
was. congratulate you on your bar
gain. You have bought the finest es-
tate about here, George. 1t is remark
ably cheap at the price. | believe the
deed wa signed last evening ?"
"Yes.n
"Mr. Kingsley had not fully decided
to sell it until then, had he ?"
Not fully. He told me his daugh-
ter might decide to want it her herself
when she is married. Mr.. Kingsley
will, of course, give her a handsome
residence somewhere when that event
takes place, for Mr.. Jones, who is to
marry her has no fortune of his own"
sit has been your highest ambition
to own that estate, hasn'tit ?"
Certainly. | wanted the finest
place here"
"You ought to be supremely happy.
You said last night that you would be
when you owned the place"
Eyes"
The answer was short. Ralph could
feel the strong man on his right trem-
BILE in spite of his efforts to control him.
self, and knew that the woman on his
left vas crying softly.
"You said something last night about
your ambition to be master of that es-
tate. Do you remember what it was ?"
"Yes, | think do. Something boast
full, was it not 7"
George Fenby vas beginning to under
stand dimly why he had received the
letter he had.
Worse than that. Did you ever
thing that one o%verhearing it might
think you meant to marry Miss Kings
ley ?"
Never until now. Oh, what have |
done2"
mo matter. Did you " intend to
marry herp Not a word of objection.
You've been led into answering too
much already to stop now. | demand
an answer, George. Did you ?"
The eyes of the two men met. In
Ralph's there was the determination to
know, and, perhaps, something more.
In George Fenby's there was surprise,
which changed to satisfaction, and in
dignation, which gradually faded out.
Never ON my honor !" he answered.
Ralph Warder stopped the horse
They had driven far to the south, and
had now turned back toward the village
again. In front of them was the leve
sweep of frozen march, but farther OF
was the peached village with it,
lighted windows, and with its range Of
sheltering wooded hills behind it. Oh
"