The morning news., 1889-03-24
CHAPTER XVII.
AN ENGAGED COUPLE.

Headfort the event was progressing. the
annouucsment of which had driven Ken
ard Seaforth from his home. smarting with
jealousy and disappointed love. And while
he was rushing recklessly into folly how
was it with the poor girl he deemed SO
false, and yet whose every heartbeat was
loyal toehim?
On the day that Maj. Audley had asked
Col Forth's consent to his marriage with
Ruth, no sooner was Audley out of the
house, than Col. Forth summoned Frances
into the dining room, for the more he came
to think of it, the more surprising this sud-
den engagement seemed TO him, when he
had always supposed that Ruth was not a
little attached to another person.
Frances " ent hastily down 10 her father,
for wien unseen she had watched Ruth
leave the drawing room after her interview
with Audley was over, there had been some
ing in her face-something so tragic, so in
tense-that Frances felt absolutely afraid To
speak to her, or question her as to what had
taken place. But she naturally felt great
anxiety 70 know the result Of Maj. Audley's
visit. and her father soon told her.
DO YOU know anything about this affair
Frapces?n said the colonel. closing the door
after his daughter had entered tue din-
ing ROOM "Audley bas just been here,
and he tells ME that he and Ruth are en-
gagged, and are absolutely thinking of get
ting married in a fortnight"
0in fortnight repeated Fances, slow
lv. and she began to understand now The ex-
preston of Ruth's face.
"Yes, rather quick work, isn't it? And to
tell you the trutn, | thought it was young
Seaforth, not Audley, that Ruth fancied.
'fTney both admired ner," said Frances,
with her eyes cast down; "but suppose she
must like Maj Audley best, if she is going
to marry him-well. it's good match for
Ruth"
YES, but / think they had better wait a
week or two. Suppose they are married on
the same day as you and Kenyon, and then
one bother and expense will do"
Frances could not resist retort to this
parental speech.
You ought not to grudge the expense" p"
she said, ION the happy occasion Of getting
rid of us both"
Col. Forth's red face deepenei in tint,
and he glared angrily at his beautiful
daughter.
''Who says / am glad to get rid of you
both 2" he answered, scowling at her from
under his heavy broNs. But you have a
most confoundedly disagreeable way of put
ting things, Frances"
Frances shrugged her fine shoulders.
my way more agreeable she said.
1t rose in the colonel's mind to say he
pitied Kenyon, which sometimes he did
but he also reflected that Frances would
soon he mistress of Sudley Park, d of all
the benefits that might accrue therefrom.
He therefore suppressed his wrath, and
modified his tone.
he said. ''Of course | don't grudge any
expense connected with your marriages,
and never have gru1ged any expense that l
could afford for you both. But Pm poor
man, as you know and could only do what
l could. And think it would be as well for
you to propose to Audley to be married at
the same time as Kenyon. Ask Ruth what
she thinks aboutit."
every we'll :" and Frances rang for some
tea and presently carried a cup up to Ruth's
room.
She rapped at the door, and Ruth said
"Come in, and when she went in she found
Ruth standing with her back to her by the
window.
Il have brought you up some tea,
Ruth" said Frances, rather in frightened
tone
"Thank you, " answered Ruth, and nothing
more, and she did not turn round.
Father called me down 10 ask-about
Maj. Audley," hesitated Frances.
Yes was tie chill response.
HE has spoken TO fat er, it seems, and
said that you and lie are to be married-di-
rectly."
YES, in fortnight" and Ruth did now
turn round and face her sister. He fixed
it So"
But you ought to have something to do,
surely, with the fixing of the wedding
dayln
81 have nothing to do with it at all
What matter is itm
And there was such misery in her
voice, such misery in her white rigid face,
that Frances felt very guilty and ashamed
"l-am afraid you are not very happy,
Ruth n she faltere1.
Happy" echoed Ruth; 81 told you be-
fore would rather be dead but it's no good
talking of it. He has fixed it all. Don't speak
of it again until the time comes.n
But, Ruth, my dear, dear child, we can't
do that said Frances, plea .ingly. st
makes me miserable to see you unhappy,
aud to feel that | am to blame; but We
cannot help ourselves. l am no happier
Than you are, and the more | see of Col.
Kenyon the more tiresome | find him; vet
{" "' Sc am going to marry him all the
same.n
~ are a nice pair, +" said Ruth, bitterly.
We are what circumstances have made
u.s. and we must just try to make the best
VI buluSS. buJ IL Is dDSuru, ana IaUner
thinks so, too, to let Audley have all his
own way. Suppose you and l are married
on the same dayl That will be in a month,
and surely that is quite early enouglp
DO you think you could per suade him to
waitF asked Ruth, like poor culprit grasp
ing at the bope of a reprieve.
"Of course he will wait; shall speak to
him, and settle about itn
"Oh, if he would,n and suddenly Ruth
hung herself on the bed. and hid her face
with her hands. 81 hate him, Francesr'
she cried, land he W II Learn to hate
me. l told him to-day that nothing but
misery could come Of it, and nothing will
nothing, nothing elser'
Frances did net speak her heart echoed
kuth's words, for she, too, hated Audley,
aud regarded his forcing her poor young
slste marry him against her will as a
most cruel and ungentlemanly act.
''ouaer y hat he thinks" went on
Ruth, rocking herself despairingly to and
tro. He must know that 10 be married to
woman WHO loves someone else, who is
always thinking Of someone else, could
only end one way. Yet he persists in it be
bald-mean wretch-that If did not keep
my bargain he would not keep his, and
that then Col Kenyon would never marry
you, and poor Kenard's people would never
let him marry me-"
There is no help for it." said Frances, in
a low tone.n
NO, none-but IL he would put ii off for
a llttle whiie-even for a week, II would be |
some hing. But don't believe he will: b o |
SAID he would be married before Col. Ken !
yon, and | believe he will keep his word