The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-30
ALL RIG HTS RESERvEDl
CHAPTER Xiv.
A sTRAGE RETuRN.

He entered the house and went straight
TO the shaded room, where Frances still lay
On her couch, and still held in her white
hand the blue feather fan-the hand and
fan dropping down lnguidly by her side
but now she was leading paper bound
novel, which she fling on the floor as Sir
Arthur went in.
There is not muchin that. at any rate. ~
she said, carelessly. looking up at him.
ssWhat a time you have been out, Arthur
You look quite paIe; you have been too
long in the sun"
Il have had a VISITOR he said, in hoarse,
agitated voice.
"a visitora Whowas ita Why did you
not bring him ing
Sir Arthur did not speak for a moment,
he snrank from stabbing this pleasure-lov-
ing, beautiful creature lying before him &;
and again Frances lifted her bright hazel
eyes to his face
'sWhat is the matters" she asked "You
have not heard any bad news, Arthur"
81 have heard such news" he answered,
with passionate break in his voice, that
I would rather the man had struck me
dead than compelled me to listen to such
shameful words"
.ssWhat do you meang' and Frances raised
herself up on the couch.
ssFrauces. . went on Sir Arthur, with deep
emotion, Maj Audley has been here, and
has told me why your sister married him /;
the bitter cause that had placed her in his
power"
Frances gave acry, sprang to her feet and
grew deadly pale.
'Audlev p she repeated in low, guilty,
terrified tone.
eyes, Audley-the man who knew your
secret, and traded on it TO win your sister,
has now come with his hateful words to
men
'sThe curl The coward!" came Kissing
from Frances pale lips.
Sir Arthur did not speak. Again, as he had
done on the terrace, he began pacing to and
fro with restless footsteps, and Frances eyes
\ followed him with fugitive and frightened
gaze. Then she seemed to gain courage
she drew her lips tightly together, she ma de
o step forward. and a moment later fol-
owed him, and slid her hand through his
arm.
"What did he sayG" she said. ''What
les did he inVents What secret do you
lean?n
N Sir Arthur turned round and looked at
Ter, and gently, but firmly, put her hand
hwav.
l.'Why did you deceive meY' he asked.
why did you teach me to love you when
ysn could have had no love to giveF'
f'How do you mean? l did love you,
Arthur; do love you"
ut must have been very little" he an
ss5red bitterly.
II caunot understand you; you have al
loved Audley to poison your mind against
M and it is not generous"
5sGenerousln he repeated. THAT is
SCARCELY word between you and me.
swear to you,n he went on passionately
shit would rather have not known this
stors-gone to my grave thinking there was
no hadow of shame on your name hut
whas myself had brought. But now this
canIpt be-your sister has told Seaforth--
she his left Audley-your secreti kno wn. y
Frdees gave absolutely despairing cry.
''Rith !" she cried; ''surely not Ruth"
"Y@, Ruth" said Beaten, with a sort of
pity ceeping into his voice; 'sshe confessed
it all Il Seaforth, to account to him why
she bnke off her engagement with him,
and AufileY overheard her, and then they
seperated.n
1.-THE Dol! the foolr' cried Frances, pas
sionatel5and despairingly; show could she
be so mals"
TT is lone. and cannot be undone," said
! Sir Arthur, slowly, and then he added
firmly, land Frances. this must end ali
question IF marriage between us"
"What'
81 cannot marry you under such circum-
stances"
''You cannot marry mea You who took
me from my honle-my husbandg'
II did, aud God forgive me; but did not
know this-this changes it all; I cannot
marry woman with such a past"
'Oh! don't say that" cried Frances, fling
ing herself on her knees before HIM, and
seizing fast hold of his reluctant hand
Arthur, you who loved me SO that you
were ready to take away your life for my
sake! Is it all gones Have you no pitya-
no pity for the fault of young girl?n
fSir Arthur turned away his head, unable to
endure the sight of that beautiful, pleading
face.
'grhink what you have cost me-" went on
Frances, passionately; stink of the home
left for you-of Col Kenyon who loved
me so well.n
t'God knows how often have thought of
him." answered Sir Arthur remorsefully.
"Ihen don't add to the wrong you cid, y
!, pleaded Frances; II know I was as much
to blame as you, but loved you so deeply,
Arthur
And yet you married Kenyon?'
What could | dos We had no money to
i've on at home, and you had no money
Oh! look at me, Arthur, say you will forget
ibis miserable story, and that you win
marry me, as you have promised thousand
timesr'
Then Sir Arthur did looked at her and
rs he did so he raised her to her feet.
Don't kneel there, Frances. will see
What can be done. will decide in a few
. days
Say you forgive mel" And she flung her
arms round his neck and kissed him.
He kissed her cheek in return.
MAY God forgive US both,n he muir
INJURED, hoarsely; "and now let me 90, /
cannot bear any more.n
He left the room a moment later, and
Frances was alone. 1t was terrible mo-
4 Inent to this vain. proud woman, and her
hitter indignation against Audley was
scarcely more bitter than the anger and hid
zen contempt she felt for the man who had
Just left her, for having hesltated moment
! - keep his word, when for his sake she had
sacrificed so much.
ssBut he will" she decided: he has not
/, strength Of mind to break loose from me !:
? but shall never feel the same to him
ngain--never again.
Yet she grew uneasy when all the after
noon passed and she heard or. saw nothing
more Of Sir Arthur. He had left the villa
the servants told her when she INQUIRED
about him, shortly after he had Quilted the
room where their stormy interview had
taken place, and as the hours wore on she
sent ont two of the men-servants to seek
him, with orders to tell him that she wished
to see him
But before either Of these men returned
an especial messenger brought her a letter
from SIR Arthur xvt,fof, fta,. che b..I ,,oI