The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-10
CHAPTER XIII.

Of his manly, honest love. OnIy lew
,rords though, and these words so sad. that
+bov filed the young mau's heart with I'M
oosv snnrehension. But she would see him,
she told him, to ibid him good-hy."
at is all that Is left to us, dear Kenard,"
,ho added: ''the memory of our love, and
this last meeting"
Kenard Seaforth, therefore, went to this
+rvst in very nervous and agitated state
- mind. He, of course, could conceive no
raoson for Ruth's conduct. except the disap-
rroval of his father and mother. Ruth had
made no comment on this in Ter last letter,
I'D TINS rather confirmed Kenard in his
original idea But when he saw her-saw
her so shattered and changed, be at once
came to the CONCLUSION that tnere was
deeper stronger use.
"Ru'bw he exclaimed eagerly clasping
her trembling hand; "wnat is it, my darl-
iugg Tell me, and let us think what can be
IN "Notbing, nothing!" sobbed the poor
girl, quite breaking down; this IS the last,
last time, Kenardp
And her head fell upon his breast.
He kissed the soft, ruffied hair, and drew
her closer to him.
"That is folly, darling; nothing can part
us if we cling to each other"
But Ruth only walled and wept, and in
vain Seaforth, with the kindest and tender
est words, tried to comfort her.
Don't don't, Kenard, it's no use, she
said. pathetically. DO you think if there
were any hope | should give it up"
sBut dear, don't understand
And cannot tell you" she interrupted.
raising her tear stained face, a d looking
straight at him with her large, wlstful
ewes: this is " hat makes it so te rible, 80
-tf,ipEiup what must think of
me-feeling that you will despiss me; and
yet"
~ shall never despise you, Ruth. My
darling, darling girl, only trust me; why
can you not trust mes Surely you believe
never should betray anything you could tell
mef'
A temptation crossed her heart at this
moment to tell him all. She hesitated; ;
again she looked in his kind, honest face,
and clear eyes, Her lips parted, and then
a burning blush suddenly dyed her pale
face. Size shivered; she drew herself back
from his arms, and all the ter IDLE conse-
ouences that might follow, if this miserable
story were told, flashed across her brain.
Seaforth naturally would resent Audi US
conduct with the strong st indig-
nation, and then Audley's bitter
tongue might be united. 1t was i'm
possible; there was no help for 1t; she must
bear all the pain; all the loss of this, to her,
the dearest man on earthm
II cannot tell you,n she faltered, in a
broken voice. after a brief silence, and her
ewes fell 81 eau only tell you what | wrote,
Kenard-there is no help for it-and-and
we must say good-by."
"If YOU would only give me some clewn
She mournfully shook ner head and then
with a sudden tender impulse put both her
hai DIS in his.
"My dear, let me be to you as if you
had once loved some one who is dead
think of me as dead-yet love me little
still"
Ruth-deadl with your sweet face near
mine!"
He kissed her passionately as he spoke,
and as their lips met, she flung her arms
round his neck and laid her soft, wet cheek
against his.
"Good-by, Kenard," she whispered.
"Good-by. nv love, my only Lowell"
"How can you ask me to say goo1-by" he
answered, impetuously, clasping her closer.
1--WE must say it" and sne gently drew
herself back from his arms as she spoke.
go away now, Kenard, and go from
Headfort for a time-you will spare me
some pain by this-and-and afterward
don't quite misjudge me. Believe, at least,
that cannot help myself.
Promise not to change to me then,
Ruth
81 will promise" she said, with even a
certain solemIity of manner, and gtin she
looked up i'll his face. "At least, 10 one can
force me me to give my heart, or make me
forget you, Kenardm
At this moment the voice Of Frances
Forth was heard outside the drawing room
door, for this sad interview had, by Ruth's
WISH taken place in her fathers house, and
necessarily WITH the knowledge of Frances,
who had promised that it sho Id not be dis
turbed. But from the minute Of Seaforth's
Trfy Erou HaI hoo linz " nm
easy. She knew that her young sister was
deeply attached to him, and she not unnatu-
rally dreaded his influence on her heart.
What if the silly girl were to commit
herself" she thong IT, as she walked impa-
tlently up and down the dining room wait
ing to hear him go. But she will not be
50 mad-no, for her own sake she will not
tell.n
Still, she was very anxious, and as time
went on-time so swift to them, so slow to
Frances-the elder sister began to feel she
could no longer endure her suspense.
She vent out into the passage, therefore,
and loudly and ostentatiously called out
the name Of the one maid of the establs e
ment. Then she noisily turned the handle
OF the drawing room door, and Kenard's
hands and Ruth's fell apart as she did -.
"GJod-by," whispered Ruth; and as
Frances opened the door and walked in,
Ruth again looked up into Kenard's face,
uAu ne never IOrROU the SILENT misery ue-
picted at that moment in her gray and
Shad,wy ewes
>, "Good morning, Mr.. Seaforth," said
Frances, holding out her hand, and as she
sp' ke Ruth quilted the room, aud Seaforth
and Frances were alone. And it crossed his
mind as he stood there, looking at her beau
ttul, blooming face, to ask her what allied
Ruth; what possible cause there could be
Tor her strange conduct. But Seaforth bad
an instructive distrust of Frances. She had
al avs been most ag eeable to him, and
yet he had never really liked her. He
hesltated, therefore, to eak of what Ruth
might wish concealed; and Frances quickly
FOR she did not want to talk of Ruth-be-
gan to ask after Beaton, and show the
greatest interest concerning him.
DID you give him my messagep she
briefly. ''
But whyw
saw no good in doing so''
very polite Of you," said Frances, with
shrug aud smile
seaforth did not speak; and after waiting
Ior moment, expecting him to do so,
france, added:
Is he going from here soonF'
Yes, believe so; his mother is ex-
pected to-day, and she will probably take
'TO-day4n said Francas raAacr,yaIv