The morning news., 1889-05-19
CHAPTER ,XXXIV.
TRIrST RITRAYED-

-.
CHAPTER NXXlN.
TRUST BETRAYED.
The chill autumn had faded into cold
dark winter, and the sea swept coast on
which Headfort stands was bleak with
winds and storms aud mist yet still Mai.
Audley lay a prisoner in the room to which
he had been carried insensible two molt s
ago, and still his youag wife watched and
waited on him, hiding as best sac could her
weary heart
Seaforth won't home fer Christmast-time
but Sir Arthur Beaton either did not ask
for leave or could not get it. He spent
Christfnay day az Sud,ey Park, where there
was much fea6ting and mirth. Bat Ruth
did not go, and her Clris5mas, was any
thing but lively one, for nearly all the
d ~ she wa il thu sick room Of an impa-
tieat, irritable invalid.
Auiley, indeed, could not reconcile him
self to the changed conditions Of his life.
The ttl, stal wart, good-loo5ing soldier sud
denly found himself broken alike ii hea th
and spirit E, and it was no doubt a heavy
cross to bear. And it was the remem-
brance of this which made RIth SO patient
and gentle in all her ways to hin. But do
what she would, she could not satisfy him:
and at last he decided that in the beginning
If the lew year he would 90 up to town and
try what a change OF air and scene would
Ruth said nothing to dissuade him, but
her heart sank at the prospect of leaving
Frances, for it was the one bit of bright
ness in her life-her almost daily visitors
from Sudley. They had tried to persuade
her to 60 there for Christmas, but How
can IL She had answered patheticllly, and
Col. Kenyon agreed with her.
at would be cruel to leave the poor fellow
ups airs he said, put we will come and
see you in the morning, Ruth; and Frances,
here and he laid his hand kindly on his
wifes shoulder, must bring you so ome
holly"
And tbeY came, and not only brought
the holly but all manner OF good things
Frances was in high spirits, and full of eX-
citement, and was lo5king hauGsomer than
ever.
How odious that you can't be with u.s.
sho said 81 do4'S sec why you could not
come"
Ruth made no answer, she still wore
black for Miss Audley, and she felt very
sad. She was only Il girl in years still, and
her life was SUCH a dreary and weary one,
that on a day hso this could not help think
ing OF it. she could not help thinking, too,
that Frances never seemed to rememce er the
bitter sacrifice she had made for her sake
She was as bright and gay and careless as
though no shadow had fallen on her young
sisters life, and though Ruth tried not to
feel ANNOYED by this, il sometimes seemed
verv, very strange her.
well. at ell events, | wish you a merry
Christmas and a happy New Year said
Frances. presently, rising and preparing to
leave; "ah, here is Sir Artuur-Hugh, we
might as well drive him over with u.s.
just as you Ii Q, dearest" answered Col.
Kenyo ; aud when few moments later Sir
Arthur entered the room, he asked MN TO
90 back to Sudley with them.
81 saw the carriage aJ Mrs. Audley's
door" answered Sir Arthur, a faint color
mounting to his brown, good-oOking face,
$50 came across to ask what time l was
expected this evening"
"No time like the present drive over with
US now. said Col. Kenyon: and Sir Arthur
was but too pleased to accept, though he
asked for few moments grace 70 run back
to the fort to tell his servant 10 follow him
with wlat he would require.
For be was going to remain all night at
Sudley, and indeed spent SO much OF his
time there that the neighborS sometimes
gave a little shrug when they spoke Of it.
And Col. Forth by no means liked 1t, and
often contemplated giving his old friend q
hint Of his opinion on the subject. But his
own matrimonial misadventure had made
him rather shy OF interfering with Frances,
as he was not little afraid Of her sharp
As Sir Arthur hurried TO tho fort and
back to Ruths house, Frances seemed in the
gavest spirits She kissed her sister on each
cheek when she went away, and Ru h
stood at the window and watched them CO.
and then with a heavy sigh went up TO
Audley's room, where he was lying on
couch by the fire. "
ut was Frances and Col. Kenyon she
said.
"And who rang the bell twice after the
Kenyons canieg' asked Audley, looking up.
That was Sir Arthur Beaton."
"Aud be didn't come up to speak TO mew
said Audley, With some anger In his tone.
"He was going to Sudley with them, aud
no had no time"
''He goes good deal too oftea TO Sudley
old Kenyon is a foolm
Ruth bit her lips to suppress the retort
that rose upon them.