The morning news., 1889-05-05

SNdIsi anu Wnlie Iney were Unere, S6aIOrbh
came to inquire after Audley, and Col
and after few words brought him into the
dining room beside the sisters
he silently clasped Rdth's cold hand, then
)oke to f. ces, though his eyes fingered
| on the pale worn face wnich always was at
! tractive to him.
IS le looks very tired, does she notF' said
Frances, noting Sesforth's expression "She
sat up all last night with Maj. Audley, and
it is terribly trying
| but any woman would have done the
same, Frances" said Ruth, quickly, aud
with a sudden blush.
Il don't know that, my dear; many
women under the circumstances would not
have goue near him."
| Seaforth looked quickly from one to the
other; he was wondering what Frances
meant
II think you should try to get some rest
now" he said.
| Il would-if it was over, answered Rlth
With little shiver; but it is so dreadful to
think of such pain"
| 81 do not suppose be will suffer much !;
| they were going to give him chloroform,
| Murray said,S replied Ssaforth.
He only stayed few minutes longer, but
| Rut 'uld not help thinking Of him as she
| sat there waiting t. hear whether her huS-
band had survived the operation or not
She tried not to do this; to co lcentrate her
thoughts on Audley's suffe 'ings, but in
vain. There had been the old sweet look of
| kindness and sympathy in Seaf Jrth's eyes
as he had spoken t, her, and she thought
| he almost understood the struggle going on
| IL her own b art.
IL seamsd hours and hours to the sisters
before they heard two of the doctors de-
| scending the staircase, and a few moments
| later DR.. Murray raped at the dining room
| door and came in.
Il thought [ would come and tell you"
| he said, that Maj. Audley has borne the
o Grafton even better than We expected,
and we trust now that he will ultim ately
| recover"
Neither Frances nor Ruth spoke; but Col.
Kenyon warmly expressed his pleasure at
| the news.
Poor fellow, earnestly hope So" he
| said; 'he has such a splendid physique he
ough TO pull through
1--WE nope he will, now" answered Muir
ray, but | am going back to him, and you
will excuse me, | am sure, Mrs. Audley,
but we all agr- 3 it would be best for you
not to see hi Il to-day
Very well" said Ruth, quietly; and she
did not
But in spite Of DR.. Murray's opinion, for
the next few days Audley'a life hung on
thread
HE might sink aly Moment" was whis-
pered through the anxious b useholl, was
told at he fort, listened to by kenard
Seaforth with a pale face and suppressed
excitement. Per APPS ne, too, against his
higher instinc had clung to an unsp0ke
nope. If Audley were to die, Ruth would
be free ag iin; free to tell HIM what force
had been brought upo : her t. compel her TO
act against what he felt almost sure were
the feelings of her heart
Yet it was brutal - he told himself, ''to
wish the poor fellow dead"
So restless did be feel that he took long
walks by the sea coast, watching the green
rolling water break up against ths brown
sea walls, or vaguely fixing MS eyes on the
white gulls skimming Oh the waves. But
he could not forget tor a moment the hu-
man soul whose summons might come ''in
the twinkling of an eye de migat be
dead now, he thought over and over again :;
and he used to call at the house, when he
returned o n these expeditions, t. inquire
for Maj. Audley, and he thus oftel saw
Frances AMI Col. Kenyon, and occasionally
Ruth, and these clance meetings were like
faint leams OF sunshine 70 her amid tue
black winter II her fe.
For though Audey was no coward he
was a most impatie II and ex9cting invalid.
1t enrag, d him % think that he lay lere a
cripple for life, and greatly dlsfgured.
And he was jealous AMI angry il Rutl
were ever absent from his bedside. She
was, in truth, worn out with waiting o.
him, and the uncertainty of his recovery or
monroe very was very trying to her poor,
weak, human heart.
But she did her duty bravely and well,
and the doctors, perhaps, thonglb that
what made the young wite's face 50 pale
was the fear of losing her husband. They
insisted on her leaving MIN sometimes on
account of her own health, and ole day
when she went down stairs to lunch, 20 her
surprise she found Sir Arthur Beaton
talking to Frances, who still remained with
her.
He rose and shook her hand very kindly.
Il am 50 sorry for eI yout trouble, Mrs
Audley," he said but | hear Maj. Au1ley
is going on we'll"
"He has been better these last two davs,"
answered Rutl: when did you re5urn."
Last night, and / came here at this IN
reasonable hour toinquire for II ij Audley,"
and he cast down his dark, han Is Jme, gray
eyes, as he spoke.
He, in truth, had seen Frances beautiful
face smiling at him through the dining
room window, and had been unable to re-
sist going TO speak to her. She had known
from Seaforth be was expected back at the
fort aud she had been watching for him,
and told him this in ner coquettish way.
al am so pleased to see you, " she said
''We have had the most dreadful time
here, but of course l could not leave poor
Ruth"
'lJ was very good of you to stay" he an
swered.
You must look in sometimes to help to
enliven me- smiled Frances. 81 was
watching at the widow, hopiIg TO see you
pass"
He looked eagerly up In her face.
do you really care to see me againT he
asked, in low voice.
II really do, she answered. Don't you
know that very we'll"
He did not peak, but Frances knew by
the glad lignt In his eyes tdat her foolish
words had made hun very happy, and when
Ruth went down stairs she found these two
laughing and talking together, both looking
well pleased
~ nave assed Sir Arthur to stay aud
have lunch " iti us, Ruth said Frances;
''it seems 50 funny to cal him Sir Arthur
doesn't it--.he o & Arthur Beatonp'
"Well, arm the old Arthur Beaton STILL "
he answered, with some meaning in his
words.
"Yet it is a great change" said Ruth.
"A mans circum 5tances do not change
his feelings, Mrs. Audlsy."
"But | think they very often do an
swered Rutn; 1--WE are as circumstances
make US aud she cast do%n her eyes aud
sighed ever so softly, lost Frances slould
hear that fai { reproach.
"Of course we are as circumstances
make u.s. said Frances. energetically.
"But don't let US talk OF it-ot what might
D., l,aan ~ and gna FO q rpqtlaSglV and