The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-13
it unless Lady Hastings can get at your

il unless Lady Hastings can get at your
brother"
But he must not see anyone, not even
ny mother and YOU know how much ne
likes her, though she is his stepmother.
We went up to visit him, vet the nurse,
Mrs. Somers, was obliged TO refuse rs.
His mind is much disturbed. ana he Is or
dered 10 the sea side
quilted his lodgings IN hensIngton ana
LETT no address
THAT seems very extraordinary.
Not TO metz cried Val. starting up to
pace TO and fro. Not to mel Considering
who pulls the wires. Yes, Ruth, will
tell YOU what Is wrong. | was IN mess
about money some little time ago. | had
lost heavily on-Oh, on various events
that you know nothing about, and wanted
desperately to turn over new leaf, 10 ex-
change with Clavering into the Seven
teenth-fthe regiment Il going 10 India
next monthl-tO live on my pay and try
TO work round; so l put my pride
ing else 10 put there, and wrote
to James Hastings The was always more
like brother than cousin TO mel He
has lots Of money. too. and no one 70 think
Of but himself. | asked him for
$500 and permission TO pay it back by
instalments. lie soon replied, enclosing
his check for the amount / asked in
letter, a lecture in fact, but a kind one.
/ felt sure | had come to the end OF my
troubles and even yentured TO dream-no
matter what OF course lost no time IN
getting the cash and disbursing it. Some
days after / was asked TO call at the bank
where | had lodged the check, and the
manager informed me that the "Orien-
tai" (where James banks had re-
turned ii, the signature being doubt
tul-it was awfully shaky. I certainly
had a shock, still, / was not greatly dis
turbed. i told the fellow that IL was all
right, that / had a letter from Mr.. Hast
ings that would settle the matter, but, by
Joye, cannot find the letter anywhere.
| must have torn it up. Then / went TO
kensington to James lodgings; there the
angelic nurse would not let me inside the
doors. She said she would take an Oppor-
tunity Of representing the matter 10 her
patient and would write TO me. So
she did-to say that Mr.. Hastings
was not clear on that or any other sub
ject If James cannot or will not remem-
Der the transaction I shall be accused Of
forgery, and / have not little Of evidence
to clear my character"
Carew again threw himself into a chair,
at the end of this long speech, and covered
his face with his hand.
surely no one would believe you cap
able of such disgraceful act" cried
Ruth.
Don't be too surei / have not too good
a record. / am considered reckless, extray-
agant. quarrelsome, a gambler, and men
are ready TO believe anything of n gam
bier. nor are they far wrong; it's the most
deviIish tendency that ever dragged man
down"
"My mother and | will 90 TO James and
insist''-began Ruth, eagerly.
cay, but where will You ind him ?" in
terrupted Carew. Even his lawyers will
not give his address, and didn't look
i g. -
The mere fact of'being suspected of such
disgraceful act Will be a black mark against
my name forevern'
''Val, dear Val, you must not give up"
said Ruth, laying her hand with kindly
familiarity on his shoulder. MY mother
and | will testify TO the affectionate terms
You were always on with my brother"
She stopped abruptly, for Carew took her
hand and was covering it with despairing
kisses
why, Val, your troubles must have
turned your brain, ~ looking down at him
with grave surprise, drawing her hand
gently away.
been so weak as 10 betray myself. Do not
be angry, Ruth"
81 am not angry" she said, sadly draw
ing slowly away from him.
'.You must know how it is with me-"
cried Carew, starting up and facing her.
Right or wrong, | cannot keep back the
words Though | dare not ask or seek
your love, you know that all the passion
and tenderness of my heart is yours"
"How could | know it, when You have
been so harsh and 9uarrelsome, and even
unkind to me. Nal2"
lis it possible you do not understand
why? Why must drunkard take the
pledge? Because he does not trust him
self even TO sip the cup he longs 10 drain
to the last drOp."
DO not talk Of such things now" she
cried in some agitation. I'VE want all
our wits to help you out of this terrible
strait. Oh! Val, am so terribly sorry for
YOU" with a quick sob she pressed her
| handkerchief to her eyes.
Carew made step nearer, when he was
| arrested by an exclamation from Ruth
"Oh, mother, dear, am so glad you have
| come"
| Turning, Carew saw n small. refined
| looking woman in widows weeds just
| crossing the threshold.
| Ruth ran to her, and drawing her for
| ward by both hands, continued: Wal is
| in such frightful scrape. We must help
| him through. believe you can, mother -
This Is alarming. Tell me all about il -
said Lady Hastings. shaking hands with
| Val.
1T is too bad to trouble you with nv
| troubles, but | think you can, and | am
/
| Yes, If | can" she replied growing
very grave as she looked from him to
| Ruth. Tell me all s" She sat down on
the sofa, and signed 10 Carew To sit beside
her. Lady Hastings was still a pretty
woman, with white hair and dark eyes
Though small and fragile looking, she had
| an air of delicate determination, and a
| decided. though clear low-t0ned voice She
listened with profound attention to Ca
| rew's recapitulation of his story, and
! when he paused she was silent for a mo-
ment as If rejecting.
Il see you are IN a very difficult posi-
ton, Val" she said nj length, though it
seems absurd that you should be accused
OF so base an act Surely the counterfeit
| IN James check book would prove the
| check was really sent 70 YOU by him"
| mo doubt II would, and | begged the
| amlahle nurse 10 look fOrit. It's sure not to
be locked up, you know how careless he is.
| but though she most readily promised to
| make thorough search for it, she cannot
! find trace of il. or SAYS she can't. so II
the thing is not cleared up shall be sns-
! peCted of having taken the check book rs
| We'll As having forged the check. | was
! often in and out OF Hastings room, YOU
| know"
James is evidently in a curious mental
| condition. said Lady Hastings, but [
| shall try 10 see him tomorrow. The nurse
. seems q superior woman. | do not think
| You are just 10 her. She was most re-
IuCtant To refuse me admittance to her
/ patient when | explained Ia her"
DO you know who she is ?" interrupted
! Carew, with bitter smile
No, not Al all; she does not look quite
like an English woman"
Il should think not. She is really half
{ la, 81