The morning news., 1889-05-19
DORA RUSSELL.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDl
A N o V E L,

=
Dixon felt that it would be impossible to
discuss the subject of their marriage before
Ruth.
And Ruth looked rather annoyed when
she entered tie dining room and saw who
was with her father. She did not like Mrs.
Dixon; and she did not like the idea of his
second marriage.
Kenyon" she said, addressing him. II had
letter from Frances this morning, and he
wi be in the village this afternoon about
O'Clock. and il you will go back to Sudley
with him to dine and stay all night, he
will be very glad, and he will drive you
out"
He is very good" answered the colonel,
and he drew out his handkerchief and
wiped his damp brow.
II will 60, then,' said Mrs Dixon, softly;
''l shall sea you later in the day, l suppose 9'
she added, looking at him tendesIy.
Yes, yes, IL be sure, or | shall write, ," he
hurriedly answered, and he opened the
door of the room with alacrity for Mrs.
Dixon, but he did not offer TO ESQ her
through tho garden.
Good Jy,' she whispered. pressing his
hand
"Good-by, "he replied, without looking at
her, and he mentally determined it should
be long good-by indeed.
When he went back into the dining room
ne found Ruth sitti penSively by the fire
Old memories were crowding round her.
and she always felt very sad when she en-
tered her fathers little house.
"Wen, is she gomez she asked, looking
round.
Yes" said the colonel, and again he
wiped his brow, and then went to tle side
board and drew out the brandy bo5tle
And you are really going to be married
in ten days" asked Ruth
Not SO sure of that" he answered brief
ly.
'What! have you had quarrelW said
Ruth, smiling
The colonel made no reply; he thought Of
taking Ruth into his confidence. but he was
never quite sure that his daughters would
not amuse themselves at his expense, so he
remained silent.
"How is Auiley this morning?n he asked.
and 50 changed the conversation, and by
aud-by Ruth Went away, and he was left
t his own unhappy ref ction-.
On one thing hs vas determined He
would not see Mrs. Dix II again. He
would 60 20 Sudley, aud write 70 her from
there, and stay there until it was all SET
tied.
And he carried this out. He went with
his old friend back to SudleY, armed With c
stock OF garments 20 las5 hln at least
fortnight; and after dinner, when the two
men were alone, he tod Kenyon Of his
IT, ubie.
II have made a fool of myself, Kenyon"
he said, bru quely, after drinking three
glasses of old port in rapid succession.
My dear fellow, most of us do that once
or twice in our lives answered Kenyon,
with twinkle in his kindly eyes, for he
rather guessed what was coming.
That woman l was going to marry,
Mrs Dixon, has taken me in about Ter
money-comp!etel taken me i'm meauly
and untruthfuly asserted CJl. Forth.
Nv hat! SHE'S not got 5 muc }, thelp
She's got pothinG, as far as | can make
out; nothing about which there is any GER
tainty at least
Col. Kenyon gave soft, low whistle
IT ats awk ard, he said.
rs nfoundedly awk ward, and l won't
have it at any price," roared Forth. Il
won't marry her, Kenyol. Wiil you help
me out If itT'
Easier said than d me, should say"
That's the worst of it. i leech is moth
ing to her. The way she sticks to one,
and makes love to one, is positively indeli-
cate.'
Kenyon laughed aloud in fact, the ex-
preston of For-h's face was irresistible.
ITS no laughing matter for me, - he CON
tinue1, lrritably. Il wrote 10 her when /
found it was all moonsline ebout the
money, aud told her it as no use talking
Of marrying when there was nothing to
marry on; AMI what do you think she did?
Rushed up to my house, my dear fellow, and
said all sorts Of foolish, idiotic things about
love. Love, indeedw
Again Kenyon laughed.
But what maize you think she was rIcar'
he asked, presently And how did you
find OUT she has uothing"
Forth hesitated he was ashamed to tell
an honorable man like Kenyon he had gone
Nd to town to look at the late Mr.. Dixon's
will, for he knew Kenyon would despIse
such an action.
That ass, Appleby," he said, after mo-
ment's consideration, told me her husband
left her twenty thousand pounds, and SO l
believe be did, but the fool of woman
speculated with it, aud lost fifteen thousand
pounds, she tells me, in fortnight"
But she still has five then3
"Yes. badly invested; but I don't care
what she has won't have herln
"You are quite determined on this~
"Quite determined; Pm sick of the whole
affair"
We'll, then, write her a straightforward
letter, and tell her you want to bac!: out Of
it; but of course you must offer her some
compensation"
Compensation repeated Forth, rue
fully.
''Yes. certainly; you asked her to marry
you, and if you have changed your mind
you ought to pay for it,"
How much do you think" hesitated
Forth, who did not quite SOC the force of his
friends argument.
"Well, say five hundred pounds"
Five hundred pounds Were am | to
get FIVE hundred pounds, do you think, TO
throw a way in such a manner"
well raise it somehow; you are my
Frances father, so owe you more than five
hundred pounds"
Col Forth raised his shaggy light eye
brows in pure surprise at the others words.
Il should write to her at once il l were
you, and rave it settled,' continued Ken
yon; and Forth having agreed to this, he
retired to the library TO compose his letter
TO Mrs. Dixon.
''Dear Mrs. Dixon" he wrote after some
consideration, 81 have thought over our
conversation this.morning, and the position
of our affairs, and | have come to the con-
clusion that marriage between Us is out Of
the question. To roy mind, to live on d
very small income is simply miserable, and
| am sure you are too sensible not TO see it
in the same light when you reflect upon it.
But am very anxious not to cause you
any annoyance or disappointment, and
trust we snail be able to arrange this ami
cahly. i arm staying with my son-in-law,
Col. Kenyon, at present. and shall be glad
70 receive a letter from you here, and hope
to be able 20 meet your views on the sub
iect though you rust please not 10 forget
that I am a very poor man. Still, with as
sistauce. / may be able to do something.
I ri