The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-07

his hand; 81 heard you were here, and /
want you to come over and dine with US"
But Audley was in no mood to amuse
himself with Lady Hastings
Gu are very good, he said, but am
only here for a day OF SO, and have not
time to go anywhere"
But you Will surely come 20 us!n she
continued. looking Mp in his face with her
brown eyes. "Ot course know it must be
most painful for YOU to be here-moSt try
ing!"
frowned
''Ah. l know" answered Lady Hastings
with commiserating sigh. II met her
once In the street here after you sent her
away from your house, aud | felt 50 I'M
comfortable; of course, l could not bow
when | had been slcl great friend of
yours"
TO whom do you alluder said Audley,
his dlsiigured face turning scarlet with sud
den anger.
''NelI-of course. mean Mrs. Audley,"
replied Lady hastiags, who began to per
cave she had touched on peculiarly un-
welcome subject.
Then you have been misinformed; did
not send my wife away from my house,
and had never any intention of doing so.
accord, ana came down here TO her fathers -
Perhaps you viii become friends again,
thea" said Lady Hastings, smiling and
trying to make the best of an awkward
situation. Il always said she was very
pretty
That is a matter of taste, you know"
answered Audley stifly. But you will
excuse me, am sure, Lady Hastings, if l
say good morning, as 1 am in haste"
Inc lIfrla Gp1ilaI pnHHad nd
was handed back into her pony carriage,
and drove away, feeling not little uncon-
Portable. But her words after a few min
utes' consideration, had determined Audley
how to act.
ought to go and tell her what that lit
Tie GATHERING fool said" he mentally de-
clded; and what construction is put upon
her living here"
And he carried this resolve into effect an
hour later. He walked to Col. Forth's
house, and when he reached it he found
Ruth III the garden gathering some flowers.
she dld not see him until the sound of the
gate opening caused her 20 look round, and
then sudden flush passed over her face.
she was dressed il white, and her head was
uncovered, and she walked slowly forward
TO meet him, and after moments heslta-
ton, Audley held out his hand, and for an
instant KuthS uncovered palm touched his.
nervously. "l-aave few words to say
to you. May go into the house,"
eS, answered Ruth also nervously.
HIS manner was very different to what ii
had been tne day before, aud Ruth instalt-
ly saw this.
Ihay went into the dining-room together,
and after Audley had shut the door he
looked at Ruth very earnestly.
Ruth, ne began, | have been thinking
tlIDrS SInpa I Won oyl T1n I'D -
I've been to blame-I was mistaken, and
am very sorry that in my great anger
struck you that blow
She raised her gray, sad, gentle eyes tc
his face, but did uot speak.
will you forgive me? [ am very sorry
about 1T, said Audley, with an effort.
Il quite forgive you. Do not speak Of
1t any more, she answered IN low tone
"Ihen-as you left me for that, | sup
pose-if you have forgiven me, why can
we become friends again?"
1T was not alJne for that,n said Ruth
| looking down.
suppose we both try to forget past wor
ries and causes of oHenSe! / have been
hearing of your life here, and what a gooc
little woman you are, Ruth" and h,
smiled, land have come to the conclusion
that have been very much TO blame.
| was jealous of Seaforth, | suppose, and that
made me such bear"
IAN that is past and over now, and
IN glad, at least, that we snail parC il
| peace.n
But why part? l am ready to forgat
and forgive everything, if you are. AnC
there is one thing | think you ought to con
| slider, and that is what people will say. You
are pretty young woman living apart from
her husband, and the world is very apt t
put the worst construction on SUCH posi-
| ton"
II know it is"
Well, will you end it, then? Will you e
| back with me TO town, aud let US try in fu
! ture to lead different livesm
But Ruth shook her head.
ut cannot be-" she said.
! But why?n urged Audley.
Because l never loved you as a woman
should love her husband" answered Rutl
with much agitation, ''we-are happier
apart"
well, if you think this
u do think it know it." continued
Ruth, as Audlay paused, there can be NJ
| happiness where there IS not love-and W,
cannot make love either come or eon
| Her voice broke and faltered as she sale
| the last few words, and AudIev understood
understood that her heart was still true Il
the man from whom he had parted her.
/ Il shall say no more then" he said hoarse
! ly and abruptly, for he was greatly disap
pointed. Good bye" and they SHOOT
| hands, and he went away.
i