The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-05-12

there, but she will leave the room when you
go in"
Seaforth accordingly left the dining
room aud went up to Audley's room and
raped at the door, which the nurse
ope ed.
"Can see Mai. Audley!' he asked.
"Ah, Seaforth, is that youF' said Audley,
from the bed, as he had recognized the
voice. "Of course, come in"
So Seaforth went in and shook hand he
would not have touched had he known the
secret of Ruth's marriage. But we shake
many hands in this world whose grasp we
should fling away could we look straight
into that strange and changeful thing, the
human heart. And we are forced also by
circumstances often to seem on friendly
terms when we certainly do not feel so. The
two men who were now shaking hands dis
liked each other, were jealous of each
other, and both wished each other far
away; and Seaforth had been tempted
many time of late to wish that Audley
was out of the world altogether, though, to
do him justice, he struggled against this.
Yet the conventionalitieS of society made
it necessary for him now to call on his com
mandi e officer, and to express hope that
he was feeling better, and to talk Of his in
Juries in sympathetic and commissioning
manner.
How much do we believe, wonder, of
people exchange so freely in the market
places of the worldi Some pleasant words
have genuine ring in them, but a good
actor can attune his voice to hid the feel
ings Of his heart. The sllrest guides to M
mind, whether we can trust our friend or
not, is in the expression of the eyeS-taose
tell-tale mirrors, where the soul is glasSed to
those who learn to read Alright their dumb
but certain language.
Audley did not quite believe in Seaforth's
words, and yet at the moment they were
fairly sincere. 1t was sad sight t. see this
stalwart soldier lying thus crippled, aud it
moved to a certain extent the naturally
kind heart of the young man, though Aud
ley's life stood hetwean himself and happi-
ness They talked together little whiie
principally bout the regiment, and then
Seaforth told Audley that Beaton was wait
ing below to see him also, and, therefore,
he would nor stay.
1t was a relief to them both to part, and
yet they were quite civil and even friendly
in their manner to each other. But when
Seaforth went down stairs, and again en-
tered the dining room, he found, to his
surprise, that Ruth was alone there.
She was sitting in an easy chair close to
the fire, for the day was chill, and she felt
weak and weary, but faint color ccep5 to
her pale cheek as Seaforth went in.
Frances had a message from Col. Ken
yon Tor my father" she said, land so she
and Sir Arthur have walked up to the little
house TO deliver it. but they will only be a
few minutes away
That's all right, thea answered Sea
forth; u told Maj. Audley TINT Beaton was
going up to see him presently
rs the nurse with him nOww asked
Ruth, in a low tone, looking straight at the
fire.
Not when left
She rose and rang tue bell. and when the
servant answered it, she told him TO tell the
nurse to go to " j. Audley.
He does not like TO be left she said,
quietly, as she resumed her seat.
Se1f1rth did not speak; he stood leaning
his arm on the ma To piece, and ne was
looking at Ruth, noticing 10" ill and tired
she seemed.
'Do you ever go out for a walk or a
drive now!" he suddenly asked, abruptly
Ruth looked up, smiled, aud shook her
head
Not since-I left Sudley-the day OF the
accident"
but do you know it is very bad for you;
you should so out-your father should take
you---or may take you Someday"
Again Ruth smiled, and shook her head,
But whym asked Ssaforth, almost i'm
patiently. There can be no harm in that,
surely
Ruth made no answer, and after restless
movement or two, Seaforth crossed the
room, Went to the window, and stood look
ill.,. out into the street
90 you know he said, after short 81
lence. that | am thiaking Of exchanging
of going out to lIdiim
"Are your answered Ruth, in a low
panied tone.
"Ani l want you 10 tell me before / ="
we 1t on Seaforth, with suppressed agita-
ton, ''whY you treated rue as you did,
Ruth. VIII you tell mem he added, and he
went back beside her, and again leaned his
arm on the ma itelpiece.
IL cannot do so,n said Ruth, in falt-
ering voice, and she put her hand to her
brow.
"But why cannot you tell meg urged
Se9forth. Did your sister persuade yOu
to throw me over because Audley was the
richer manp
do you mean for his moneyr asked
Ruth lifting her head and speaking with
some Indignation. "Ah." she added, with
passionate ring in her voice. rising from
her seat, you little know!"
"rhere must have been some motive
You said YOU carei for me- believe YOU
did care; then why did you do it, RuthF'
She began walking backward and for
ward in the room with irregular foo steps.
and after moments hesitation, Seaforth
went up to her and laid his hand on her
arm.
DO tell me-" he said "If you knew
how unhappy, how wild you made me, | am
sure you would not keep me longer m sus-
pense. Did you tire of me, AMI get t,
like Audley better! I would rather know
the truth. y
at was not that, at leastl No, Kenard,
| did not tire Of YOU" and she looked
straight into his face with her pathetic
eyes. II did not change"
Then why
1T is not my secret, and | cannot tell
you--this much | will say would rather
have died."
"Then you cared for me; you still care
for me, RuthF'
And he clasped her hand
Sac did not take it away. She stood there
with her cold, trembling nd III his, and
again she looked up in his face.
81 cared for you," she said, in broken
voice, land because | cared 50 much-keu-
ard, be generous TO me now Doa't ask me
why did tnis-why 1 wrecked my life
but, believe me, ] suffered more than you
oh ! far, far moreW
"Tnat could not well be, Ruth" said Sea-
forth, who also was greatly agitated.
"But it was so, indeed it was, | should
not speak thus, ! know have tried to do
right, but, oh it is very hard"
He saw her eyes grow dim with tears,
and her lips falter, and he knew that she
was speakinR the truth aud that the love