The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-26
A GREAT TEMPTATION.
TCoNTINUED.l


upkind for him 10 leave his promised wife
to come with her father, as she had, but his
coming with Miss Kingsley had been noticed
by several. With the deed before him. Ralph
Warden had no difficulty in deciding why
George had been at Mr.. Kingsley's. and con-
sequently why he had come as he had.
Ralph was well acquainted with young
man living where the Kingsleys had for
merly resided, and through him he knew of
the engagement of Miss Kingsley 10 gen.
tleman living there. He had known this
for long time; and knowing it had thought
little Of events which might otherwise have
deeply affected him.
Last night. for instance, n Laughing group
of gentlemen had spoken of Miss Kingsley.
One had said, ''ohe is beauty and an
heiress Whoever wins her will have
beautiful home. The Kingsley estate is the
f est one in Marsham."
Now, every gentleman in the group knew
that the Kingsley estate was for sale, and
every one had counted at its true value the
answer which George Fenby had made.
Indeed, his devotion to Alice Arnden was
so absolute and complete that no one save
her modest self would ever have doubted it
for a moment.
IT'S my highest ambition to be the mas
ter of that estate" laughed George, ''and |
have made an offer which l think will be
accepted. l am 10 have an answer tonight.
If l succeed | shall be supremacy happy.
If not-why. l Will do as other men have
done-failing OF what l want. [ will take
what can get.
Ralph could not remember where Alice
d Arnden had been when these innocent
words had been spoken. That she had been
near enough TO hear them was evidenced by
her letter. which was before him.
He could only dimly imagine how she must
have suffered in trying To evolve the truth
HaaNra hall hat
she had heard. When a human idol falls
from tho place it has held in the heart, not
the least OF the pain comes from what we
see, or believe We see, OF its unworthlness.
To find our gold but gilded clay is SORROW
full thing. So he sat there, and pitied Alice
Arnden for the faith in the man which she
had lost, as well as the man himself who
had been put from her With what pain
beyond that which would come to her from
a belief that her lover would think and do
what his words seemed to imply, must she
face the added shame Of his STOPPING TO tell
il; nay, more, to boast Of it.
Ralph raised his head. The time had
not been long since he sat down to think.
But lie knew il ALL Two proud and obst-
nate young creatures had been parted by
fate. And he muttered with white, COM
pressed lips, Il alone understand it all. l
alone, of all the world, can set it right.
What a temptaEon!'
We will not seek to follow his thoughts
What man does should be the basis of our
judgment and what we would do. If he
thought Of the curative effects of time on
suffering hearts we can forgive him; IL a
possible future, in which a happy home of
his own was the central figure, rose up TO
meet him, We can do no less tDan pity him.
If she only had the slightest reason for
what she had dOne-but she has none. Ii
George Fenoy was really a scOundrel-but
lie Is truly q noble man.
The band of sunshine rested on his head
like a golden crown. His face was almost
gloTifled as he raised 1t TO the light again.
Aud surely the angels made a record Of
second gift that day coming to the lot of
those whose lives fall Tor little time within
the lines of our story, When he said aloud:
81 will do right! Alice Arnden shall have
her lover back again"
Evening service at the little church was
over. Ralph Warden stood on the steps as
the congregation came out He looked
happy.
If it be true that coming events cast their
shadows before" and that virtue is its
own reward" he was happy. He spoke
cheerfully TO this one and that when he
passed He did not look like conspirator.
Que would not have dreamed that lie had
made plan which for audacity would find
few rivals, while for simplicity 1t might fnd
fewer.
It's better to have 1t over as soon as pos
sible," he said TO himself; better for them
and me"
Alice Arnden was passing him. BE leaned
forward
will you come for little drive with me,
Miss Arnden? The night is perfect and you
look as if fresh air would do you good"
She accepted at once, hoping as she did so
that George Fenby would see her. He was
not there to see, however, and Ralph had
taken good care to know that. He was al
ready half way home But Miss Arnden
was in no mood to refuse. She was in reck-
lasc nd oil hal
counted on that. One DESTROYS of widening
the breach between Alice and George would
have found 1t an easy task TO make a begin
ming that night.
Ralph Warden's lips moved slowly as he
seated himself beside Alice, but we will not
try TO determine what he said to himself in
that crisis i'll more lives than one.
II admire your cloak and hat" exclaimed
Ralph, Though the saying may be as much
compliment TO my sisters as to your own
taste. Hers are like them. are they not?"
Very nearly; not quite. But | didn't
know, you ever noticed what your lady
friends wear"
81 don't very often. Ibid to-day. Would
the masculine eye detect the differences pr
81 think not. But it is pity to talk of
dress on such night as this. What a
strong and helpful sermon We have h d this
EVENING"
Yes" said Ralph.
They made turn in the road, and there
was George himself only few yards ahead.
Alice put down her veil at ones. Surely
fate was on the side of Ralph Warden's
plans that night.
Get in, George. l wont take a refusal"
WHO is with you? Your sister,"
Yes" said Ralph, with a promptness
which should be admired and pardoned
"Sit on this side" said Ralph, as George
got In; 81 will sit between you. The night
is beautiful, isn't ?"
Very beautiful" said George who really
had not thought of it before.
You needn't go home at once. / will
turn here, and we will drive over toward the
Shore"
He had turned his horse down the road
leading in that direction before either of his
companions could cay a word. The two
lovers we're gazing again on the scene they
had looked upon in the morning. The
moonlight may have sOftened the harshness
OF II little, but the man between them
heard sob from the woman at his left, and
saw the moonlight sparkle suspiciously on
the eyelashes of the man on his right And
he thought griinly of himself as the image
OF 1ate-tate, with the destiny Of two human
beings in his mind.
II found paper Of yours this morning"
said Ralph, slowly. and here it is. / could
hardly help seeing what it was. | con-
graduate you on your bargain. You have
bought the finest estate about here, George.
1t is remarkably CHEAP at the price. | be-
yes"
Mr.. Kingsley had not fully decided to
sell until then, had hep"
Not fully. He tod me his daughter
might decide to want it herself when she
is married. Mr.. Kingsley will, of course.
give her handsome residence somewhere.
when that event takes place, for Mr.. Jones.
VINO is TO marry her, has no fortune of his
1t has been your highest ambition 10
own that estate, hasn't it?"
Certainly. wanted the finest place
here" O'' paw
You ought to be supremely happy, You
said last night you would be when you
owned the place."
YES"
The answer was short Ralph could feel
the strong man on his right trer BILE in spite
OF his efforts to control himself. and he
knew that the woman on his left was crying
softly.
You said something last night about
your ambition to be master OF that estate
Do you remember what it WASP"
Yes, think do. Something boastful,
was it rot?"
George Fenby was beginning TO under
stand dimly why he had received the letter