The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-02
CHAPTER xXXvIL
CHANGE.

When Ruth returned to Headfort she
found Audley more irritable and impatient
even than usual ~
"You have come back at last, then" was
his greeting as she walked into the room
where he lay smoking, and he held out his
hand, which Ruth took.
81 really could not get away BEFORE" she
answered s'Col. Kenyon was so ill, and
there was so much to do. y --.-'4--
'Oh, heard all about it," said Audley,
throwing down his newspaper; ''all the
gossip. Lady Hastings called on Monday
and she told me- of poor Kenyon's fit, or
whatever it was, and how he asked you to
forward Madame JezebeFs jewels and
dresses to her-more fool hep
81 am going to ask you something" said
Ruth, with quivering lips; ''there-at Sud
ley-her name is never to be again men
toned, and let this be SO here Also"
Audley shrugged his shoulders.
"What matter is it whether we talk of
her-when everyone else does or will?n
''At least it will spare me some pain" an
swered Ruth, turning away; and during
the next few days she found she hadenough
pain to bear.
She was ashamed to go out and meet the
glances of half-veiled pity and curiosity
which met her on every side. Frances
Kenyun's beauty. and her bright lively
manner, and her husbands wealth and posi-
ton had made her the most talked-of per-
son in and round Headfort ever since her
marriage. And now her flight, and Col.
Kenyon's illness, were the theme of every
tongue.
The Rev. John Appleby called when ne
heard that Mrs. Audley had returned to
High street, and when Ruth went into the
drawing room to receive him, he pressed her
hand with a semi-sympathizing sigh.
"Ahlp he said, what trial. NY dear
young lady, l have grieved for you all more
than l can express"
Imagine how painful this was to the SEN
sitive, sore-hearted Ruth! She tried to
change the conversation, but the vicar
wanted to hear all about it, so that he
might go to some other house and say,
poor Mrs Audley told me indeed All, it's
too sad-a fat al step"
"And Col KenyonW he inquired. SIS he
more reconciled? | heard tho blow nearly
killed him.
HE is little better" answered Ruth;
shut please, Mr.. Appleby, do not talk of
it. I"
"Shall we not? Well, my dear young
lady, only meant you to understand how
my heart glows VITA sympathy for you.
Now fully believe thai you were perfectly
ignorant of this unhappy affair until the
final catastrophe; though there have been
sad scandals, of course-sad Scandals and
he shook his head.
The wears call proved so painful alto
gether to Ruth, that she gave the servants
orders that she was not at home to any visi
tors in future; but she regretted she had
done this when the next day she found Capt.
Seaforths card lying on the table.
ibid Capt. Seaforth ask to see Maj. Aud
ley?n she inquired of the servant.
mo, ma am; he inquired if he could see
you, but said you were seeing no one. He
did not ask for the major"
Ruth felt verymuch inclined to say, eff
he comes again shall see him." but she
suppressed the words A strange resolve
had come into her heart; had come as she
looked on Col Kenyon's death-like face
when he lay stricken down by Frances
shame; when she had reread her heartless
words, aud realized that the sister for
whom she had sacrificed her own happiness
and Kenard Seaforth's was totally I'M
worthy.
''He shall know now why l did it." she
thought. "She has spoilt our lives, but he
shall know the TRUTH
Audley noticed a change in the expression
of her face after she returned from Sudley;
it was harder, stronger. She has lost her
idol" he thought, scornfully, remembering
how passionatey Ruth had always defended
Frances from his attacks. But he could not
look into Ruth's heart, nor know OF what
she had determined.
He had taken house, while she was
away, at South KensIngton for three
months, and was now eager to be gone from
Headfort.
81 hope I'll soon see the last of this hor-
rid hole,p he said to Ruth, with darkling
brow.
He hated. indeed. to thin.T of what had
happened to him here, and he had seen a
little start, almost a little s5udder, pass
over Lady Hastings face when she had fist
looked at him after his accident. He was.
in truth, greatly disfgured, the lower part