The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-13

with MIN ever since my step-son was APP
pointed commissioner at H"
"Ah, 1t looks very bad"
Pray impress upon Mr. Heartwell the
extreme importance of tracing James as
soon as possible" said LADY Hastings.
rising and giving her note to Carew. As
he put it in his pocket the dinner bell
rang, and at the same moment the door
was opened by Ruth.
Il have ordered the dog cart, mother"
she said. Wal must drive to Nutfield.
there Is no up train after 7:i5 at our little
station"
a thousand thanks" cried Carew.
come, then, you must want your din
ner," and Lady Hastings took his arm
''Stopn' she exclaimed suddenly, pausing
before she reached the door. Il have an
idea suppose | go 10 the Oriental bank
people and offer TO guarantee the amount
OF the check? | am good for 500.
ooh, yes; do, mother, d ,ar," cried Ruth
mo, certainly not, | viii accept nothing
OF the sort, returned CaIew, firmly. Be
sides my decided objection TO your risklng
the money. everyone would see in your
action proof OF my vlllainy; my near re-
lationship to James, my intimacy with
the general and yourself are well known;
you would be credited with sacrifice to
save me. No. no! The matter must take is
course. | have been rather a poltroon
about it, but your kindness has reused
that is left me diligently | don't think
any steps will be taken for few days"
Steps! Law proceedingsi" exclaimed
Ruth.
Il sec the force oc what you say" said
Lady Hastings, moving on 10 the dining
room, but remember. | am not afraid Of
trusting you with $50"
Dinner passed silently, though Lady
/ Hastings was car. full in her efforts to
IN ER { .
the sound OF wheels was heard as the dog
cart came TO the door. Carew rose and
took leave Of his kind hostess.
Il can never thank you enough" he
said III low voice full Of feeling.
DO not thank me Val. the memory of
| your help and devotion to my poor boy
when he was dying far away from US all.
is ever present with us. God bless Won
Good bye" Ruth shook hands with MIN
silently, ana he hastily left the room. but
the next moment he called her and she
followed.
''Oh, Ruth. | forgot 10 say I'll TELEGRAPH
the moment | find any traces" then low
erlng his voice, he whispered. FORGIVE
me for disturbing You with the avowal
that escaped me. | should have mastered
myself, but the touch of your hand-do
not trouble yourself about me, dear Ruth.
Good bye"-and he was gone
What did Val want?" asked LADY
Hastings with a slight frOwn.
oh, 10 say he would telegraph rs soon
as he found any trace OF James,
Yes, OF course he viii. Why. Ruth. nv
love, are you SO shaken ," for Ruth had
thrown herself into a chair, ami burst into
tears.
The next day, and several more, brought
no comfort.
Lady Hastings solicitor wrote rravely.
The case, he said, looked serious He had
pat detectives on the search but il was
difficult to get a clue to the missing in
valid. MessrS. LlniIey Il Draper. Mr..
Hastings men Of business did not deny
their knowledge Of his whereabouts. but
would not reveal il.
They seemed quite convinced OF Cantain
Carew ; guilt, and the extreme importance
Of keeping him away from his suffering
relative Meantime tareW wrote seldom
and Lady Hastings became quite alarmed
by the altered looks, the profound deprcs-
sion OF her daughter. Ruth's extreme anx-
lety betokened a degree of interest in the
unlucky Val that awoke Lady Hastings
doubts and fears. tarew had been so
much with Ruth when she was mere
school girl that the Idea of her forming
any attachment TO him beyond a friendly
SlSter.y feeling never occurred to her
mother. and although she had ALWAYS
liked her stepSou'S klnsman. LADY Hast
InEs hy no means wished TO have him for
. son-ln-aw. Her common sense sug-
se>-et the wisdom of not seeming TO oh
serve TOO much, nevertheless the week fol-
lowing Carew's visit was a most purga-
torIai period both - mother and daughter
The Sunday after Ruth had wandered
ont into the strip Of pleasure ground
winch interviewed between the house and
the open fields on the west. Here seat
under line old oak commanded a wide
view over the rich landscape. and Ruth.
too preocCupied by her own painful
thoughts 10 heed the beauties Of air or
earth or sunlight, sat down 10 brood over
her fears.
Prom this reverie the sound of approach
Ing footsteps roU sed her, and looking up