The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-24
A N o V E L.
DORA RUSSELL.
ALI RIGHTS RESERVED
CHAPTER TX.
TlNAT

- then reread it, she absolutely leaned
inst the banister for support What
I'D he meant How dare he write to her
,tnsi she asked herself with quickened
9Th Then suddenly a memory flashed
-oss her brain, which sent quick dart OF
.;o,ant main and terror through her heart
GU. remembered on the night Of the storm
.s che had struggled up the steep path from
A.tov that when she had reached the
highest step "a vivid flash of lightning had
.hovn her for moment the figure OF a
wan epproaching her, and that she had fed
m more quickly in consequence. Could this
have been Maj. Audleyl But no, no-and
GOT he must know something; and Ruth's
Iraes shook beneath her as she carried his
rots unstalrs to her own bedroom, and sat
down when she got there like one who has
received sudden shock
And she remembered, too, with fresh fear,
What be rad said at Col. Kenyor's garden
marty; that he had kept secret for her,
and therefore that she should not have
grudged him rose. And there had been
Something in his manner, too, shade of
suppressed insolence, the very recollection
/ of which now brought burning blush to
Der pale cheeks.
Poor Ruth! She sat with clasped hands,
mil of chill dread. Below, in the drawing
/ room Frances was sitting flushed and smil-
ing. with Col Kenyon by her side, and on
one Of her slender fingers glitt red the
snlepdid diamond engagement ring he had
lust placed there with many tender words.
And there was 10 shadow to be seen on the
/ fair face of his promised wife Frances
hazel eyes were bright, and there was
bright bloom in her cheeks. Col. Kenyon
was urging a speedy marriage, and
Frances was coquettishly parrying this.
Not that she intended to wait long. But it
was her nature to play with mems feelings,
as child plays with its toys. She believed
that uncertainty was great incitant, and
that woman loses her power who loves too
we'll
Frances Forth had had some bitter expe-
reuces, and she had profited by them. She
knew very well that Col. Kenyon loved her
for the safe of my handsome face" she
had told Ruth--but she did not understand
tie ftllness of his love- How could she I'M
derstande Her nature was to his as the rip
ping stream to tie deep sea. He. a man of
high aims and pure life was an unknown
being to her, for size could not probe beyond
he. own depths. In Col. Kenyon she merely
saw the common spectacle Of a middle aged
man in love with a handsome girl, and as
such she treated him. She smiled on him
and coquettod with him, and was pleased
with the size and brillance of the diamonds
in her ring. She liked to hear of OF or dia-
mords, too--the diamonds that Col. Ken
yons mother and grand-dame had W rn,
and which she was soon to wear. Hugh
KENYON told her of these, and praised the
lovely throat they would soon CT Gle.
y wish my dear mothe could have seen
vou, Frances" he said, fondly. aud Frances
smiled sweetly, and inwardly tina ked
heaven that at least she would be SPARED
mOther-in-lawl
And while these two thus sat cooing and
wooing, the pale girl up'tars was trembling
alike physically and mentally. And what
should she doc Ruth thought again and
again, as she looked at Maj Audley's hate
full words. Go and meet him, and Kenard
Seaforth might hear or seel This was the
bitterest thought to Ruth, who had given
the good-lOoking young soldier all. her
beart
But for Frances sake. she reflected, dis
mally
Alb Frances had already cost her very
dear, and yet Ruth loved her, and always
loved her and resented her wrongs more
bitterly than she would have resented her
own. She whould have done almost any
thing for this beautiful sister, and Frances.
In her selfish fashion, was also fond of
Ruth Tte Se two were the friends in the
little household, for neither gave any love
TO the bad-tempered, fault-findipg father
They estimated poor Col. Forth very much
at his true value. They knew that they we're
expected to get married, and that he would
be glad to rid Of them. Ruth was more
attentive to her father than Frances, but,
all the same, she never felt to him like a
loving child. They laughed at his faults ard
failings togethe" for as we give we mostly
get Col Forth was very selfish man, and
so his children regarded him, for we can
not blind the eyes of those with whom we
live
The colonel perhaps vaguely felt this, and
II only msde him more disagreeable II
tney had fondled him, and made much of
MIN, 1t might have softened his sour old
heart. But he knew Frances scoffed at him,
and that Ruth was greatly led by her sis
ter. sun, TO certain extent. he was proud
Of their beauty. They were his children,
ana their appearance was a credit to him
sell lie was also no fool, and had long
lopei that Frances would make good
marriage, so that some of the benefit of
thls might fall on him. And at last this had
actually happened. Almost for tue first
Jinie IN his life certainly for many years.
ToL Forth felt absolutely elated at Col.
Aenyols engagement to his eldest daugh-
oer' de liked Kenyon, and, as it has been
Ieated, had good cause for this feeling. But
u he personally liked him, lie lk.d his
wealth and position better; certainly better
'len be regarded him in the light of fl-
lure son-in-law.
frances would not only now be- off his
nenls' he reflected proudly, but would be
gu a1Vantage aud pleasure to himself. He
vas iona OF shooting, was a fair shot. and
" thought of the coveys of partrdes, the
plesants and the woodcock that were to be
FOUND on Kenyons land. In fact, be was
aelghted with the match, aud went about
TTnlng The news 10 everyone he met AMI
frances and Ruth quite understood the
causes Of his JOY.
.. expect he will turn out quite an affec-
Frances.
And Ruth, now sitting upstairs, thought
vi al this pride and pleasure and moaned
Sol1: What II Mai Audley meant to
s 1aau ~ all into the dust He must know
,,IuIlieuuihg-some secret-and be might tell
'''s 20 COL Kenyon, and end IL all.
a. as one miserable image after the other
ttseu through her brain, she heard Col.
neuyon leave the house, ard a few mo-
r roonN later Frances came gaily into the
i ivo'l aud held out her white and slender
"'u ie as she approached Ruth.
,. zee my dear" she said, part OF my
Then Ruth looked up and saw the glitter
uoth-pght.
Z. And I've been hearing" went on
.iIanee', airlly, 'of other good things Tor
,, I'gu d, am being sold, or am selling my
H., gl the diamond necklace and earrings
t 10y pelonged IN the dear late lamented