The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-14

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AID then l shall SEQ you"
II shall make a point of driving into
headtort tomorrow; well, my dear, am
awfully sorry you are going, but you must
come again very, very SOON"
And Frances took Ruth's advice, and
parted with Audley in friendly fashion,
though she felt very angry with HIM still
Audley, too, was perfectly polite and even
agreeable, and thanked Col Kenyon and
Frances for their hospitality in pleasant
terms.
always glad to see you, you know"
said Kenyon. as they shook hands; and a
moment or two later Audley drove out of
the courtyard at Sudley, and then his ex-
preston changed. .'' t-f
Aud the two-Audley and Ruth-said
very little to each other on that homeward
drive But what they did say was cold and
civil; remarks on passing Objects nothing
more. And when they reached HeadforC
about o'clock. Audley went over almost at
once to the fort, and Ruth had two bridal
visitors. One Of these was Miss billiard,
the bankers daughter, and the other the
wears wife, who brought an apology from
her stout little spouse, who was laid up with
a cold.
Mss Hilliard was pretty girl, and
wished now to be on very good terms with
the handsome sisters, whom the world
around them considered had married 80
well. She liked soldiers also, and knew she
would very likely meet the unmarried Off
GERS at Maj. Audley's house. Therefore,
soc was even more than friendly to Ruth,
whom a few months ago she had aim ost ig-
nored. Frances would have scoffed at this,
and maybe said smiling word or two to
remind Miss billiard of this fact. But
Ruths heart was too sad not to be indiffer-
ent to little things. Sac knew quite well
that Miss billiards manner was changed to
her, and why it was changed; but what did
1t matterl She, therefore, talked to her
visitor in the same strain in which her visi-
tor talked to her.
"You know, of course, Mr.. Seaforth is
back" presently said Miss Hilliard; and
as Ruth heard the familiar name an al
most overwhelming emotion swept through
her heart.
She tried not to show this perhaps Miss
billiard scarcely noticed that her face grew
white and clammY, that her hands twiGched,
and for momenG no words came from her
pale lips.
Jack saw him in the billiard room last
night" continued Miss billiard Jack was
Miss billiards young brother). land he says
he's so awfully changed; not half so good
looking as he was"
"When-did he come backw faltered
Ruth.
"Only last night; just before Jack saw
him. But didn't you know? l thought
Maj. Audley would have told you, as he
would know, of course; but tnen you've
been at Sudley."
Yes" said Ruth, in low tone; and she
understood now what had upset Audley and
made him angry about Frances and
herself driving alone into Headfort. He had
known that Seaforth was about to return,
and he did not choose that they should meet
And presently, after ner visitors had left,
Audley returned to the house, and there
was a look of unmistakable anger and an
noyance on his face. Yet he never named
Seaforth's name the whole evening. The
husband and wife dined together and it it
was not a homely meal. Audley felt it
would have Teen better at Sudley, and
knew he bad gained nothing by taking his
wife so hastily, almost uncourteousiy, from
her sisters house. He sat staring at her
gloomily, but her eyes never met his. She
was looking prettier than usual, he thought,
jealously; fcould that gossiping girl have
told her that her old lover had returneds
Audley felt enraged with himself for feel
ing jealous, and yet he could not help it.
And there had been a GOODNESS, haughti-
ness, in Seaforth's manner to him, which
tod him that the young man yet deeply re-
sented his marriage. Seaforth, perhaps,
had not meant to show this, but he was a
poor actor, and mel as q rule do not dis
guise their feelings as well as women. For
a woman will laugh and jest if it be well
and wise to laugh and jest, when her heart
is very sore.
After dinner was over, Audley sat smok-
ing and reading Tor pretending to read the
newspapers and Ruth sat pretending to
read novel. These two had nothing in
common to bind them closer, not one idea
nor thought. Audley's hard sarcastic mind,
which believed, or affected to believe, in
few things pure or good, was opposed to the
tender, sensitive nature OF nis young wife,
whose warm emotions and strong affections
had been so cruelty crushed by his own con-
duct. And she never could forget this; if
she had respected him, her womanliness
was very great, and in time some tender
chord in her heart might have been touched
by her husband. But she could not respect
him; she could not forget the vain cries for
mercy that she had poured out to him to eS-
cape from fate that he knew was revolving
to her. She had told him that she loved
Kenard Seaforth, and ne, knowing this, had
yet forced her into a marriage by threat
so unmanly, SO contemplate, that there was
always scorn in Ruth's heart when she re-
membered it.
Aud so these two, sitting there together,
almost bride and bridegroom still, were
each thinking of the other strange unloving
thoughts. Audley, smarting from her cold
ness, was telling himself he mad been
fool to marry her ;.that he was fool to be
Jealous of her, and that ne wished he had
never seen her face, the face which had
disturbed the easy selfisnness OF his former
HE.
And what was Ruth thinkingi Hard,
hard thoughts Of the man opposite to her
but for him she might now have been
happy, blushing girl. telling herself TO
morrow shall see him-see my kenard-"
and now what could that tomorrow bring
and averted eyes.
She sighed restlessly, and Audley heard
that sigh, and flung his newspaper tmpa-
tiently on tho floor.
81 have often heard, he said, that moth
ing is so dull as TO dine alone with your
wife, and by Jove, it is certainly true"
Ruth did not speak she lifted her eyes
and looked at him, and that was all
II suppose you mean t1at for glance Of
mute reproach, to remind me gently that
need not have been sitting here alone with
you unless had chossnl My dear, l wish
you would say what you intend to insin-
uate. | would rather a woman threw a
book at my head than sit silent and sulky,
as you do"
"Nor l." answered Audley, with au impa-
tent shrug; "well, dearest, as cur good
brother-in-law Kenyon is apt TO express
himself, when addressing the virtuous wife
Of his bosom, / shall relieve you OF the
monotony OF my company for a short while
at least, aud go over to the fort for an hour
or SO. Good-by for the present." and he
nodded his head and went away.