The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-16
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henri. There were. doubtless, difficulties
ahead, but sufficient for the day WIS the
evil, or. rather. the good thereof. Beatrice
loved him. hat was enough for the pres
ent, and he had good hope that when 1t
came to the pc:nt Lord Mutrie would not
let caste prejudice and family pride stand
in the way of his daughters happiness
Johns practice had suffered somewhat
from his absence. but his return very soon
put matters right. for his cure of Nr. Mu-
trie had made him locally lannon's. and Lord
Mutrie's favor had made him fashionable
The Mutries went from Scotland to
Brighton. where Lord Mutrie had q house.
then TO London. where he had another
house.. and they did not return to the Pri-
DRY until Christmas Eve. When John
called he was kindly received, though Be-
atrice seemed TO keep rather aloof: but this
being doubtless a part of her plan and
meant merely To put him on his guard, and
other people off the scent. gave HIM no con-
Germ.
A few days afterwards he Glanced to
have a visit from q gossiping patient who,
rs he was going away. asked the Doctor
whether ne had heard the news.
~ hOWcs
"Bere, read it yourself" said the other.
producing a copy of the Tattler and point
ing to q marked passage. The passage ran
thus:
"A marriage has been arranged between
the Honorable Beatrice Mutrie. only
daughter of Viscount Mutrie. of Clay bury
Prrory. and Sir Guy Darnley. of Pleasing
ton Park. Besides being a wealthy land
owner. Sir Guy is a great athlete. captain
Of the county eleven. and Almighty hunter"
do you believe iti'' asked his visitor.
why mott Ii Is there in black and
white"
Anyhow. it is o lie. You make take my
word for that"
wei. you ought to know If nybody
does. But what q shame. BY Jove. won't
his lordship be riledi The fellow who
wrote it deserves hipping. Leave
you the paperi OF course / will. 1t isn't
worth pocket ROOM"
Aud the visitor went his way. -
Doctor CoIlet spoke truly. He felt sure
that the story had been evolved from the
amer consciousness of some malicious
penny-a-liEer of the gutter. 1t was simply
impossible. inconceivable. Beatrice had
promised to be true; aud to question her
loyalty were treas on to their love.
And yet
Soon. In spite of himself. the poison of
jealousy and distrcst began to filter into
his mind. The Tattler. though a society
paper. was fairly veracious. It took pains
10 verify it's Information. which. In this
instance. might have some foundation in
fact. Sir Guy Durnley had probably been
O frequent guest at Lord Mutrie's mansion
IN Mayfair. or had been seen in her CON-
pany at the theater. or elsewhere. tribes
light as air are enough for purveyOrs OF
gossip to make q paragraph of.
Then he read the paragraph again. and
the oftener he read the more inscruta bic it
seemed. At length his doubts grew SO pOr-
tentlous that he resolved to set them at
rest, come what might. He would 90 TO
she Priorv. He could easily find an excuse
for another call. Lady MutrIe had asked
him for some saiicylate of coda tabloids for
her rheumatism. He would take them HIM
Bolf.
so he put on his hat and set off on foot. A
walk would do him good.
Al Colleb drew near the house he met
one OF the upper servants. for whom. O lit
tie while before, he had successfully pre-
scribed. The man greeted him. and John
inquired about his health, and asked
whether lady Mutrie was at home. Yee,
she was at home. Had they any visitors.
"Only Sir Guy Darnley. He came last
night
.Sir Guy D~arnley-he-" gasped John.
"Yes, haven't you heardi He Is engaged
to our young lady. 1t was ranged in
London. but hadn't to be made known till
Christmas"
Are you sure-they are really engagedfn
Undoubtedly. And it is quite a love
match. They are together at present, some
where In the grounds. Good day, Doctor"
No use going 10 the house, now. John
turned into q ~shrubbery with winding
~alKa and laQnlnU aua1nar N free wtDad
away the perspiratiOn that was streaming
down his face. Even yet he could not be-
lieve that Beatrice had deliberately play ed
him false. she had been forced into this
engagement against her will. Her father
had insisted and she had weakly yielded.
He must see her. hear the truth from her
own lips and then
Here his reflections were interrupted by
the sound OF voices. and the next moment
he caught sight of two people coming TO-
wards him-a man and q woman. His arm
encircled her waist. she was elinging TO
him fonGly. the light OF love In her eyes.
The sight put John beside himself; he
hardly knew what he did. Had he pos
sessed q weapon be would have killed them
both.
When they were within a few yards of
HIM ne topped into the path and con
fronted them.
eatrice gave a little scream and re-
leased herself from her lovers embrace
"You here. DR.. Colletin she stammered.
1T is true. thenf"
"Whats"
That you are engaged to this gentle
mann
"Yes. 1 beg your pardon-Sir Guy Darn-
ley
fore you are on with the new, Miss Mu-
trie.D
"Wbat does the man meant Is he madfr
demanded Sir Guy, h%aughtily.
Il mean that this lady was atfianced TO
me-is sfiianced to me, IL there be truth in
scman."
III is not true. Guy; il is not true" cried
Beatrice. "iou forget youself. DIR. Collet.n
And you add lying to treachery! As you
were false 10 me. 50 will you be false to
him."
"By God. sir. If you don't cease these in
suits and be gone. ] will thrash you within
an inch of your life" exclaimed Sir Guy,
botly-
"~lnsultsw
.What insult can be greater than the
suggestion that Miss MutrIe could so far
forget herself as TO become engaged 10 a
miserable vendor of quack mcdonnell Be-
gone, / say"
John stepped forward and made q threat
ening gesture. albeit his rival. an excep-
him with a blow.
"No violence. for heavens sake.n ex-
claimed Beatrice. stepping between them.
You are laboring under some dreadful de-
fusion. Dr. COLLECT In your cooler moments
Jon VIII regret this-unseemly conduct;
and l-we-wili overlook ID IN considerA-
tlon of your services to the family"
4 Will go. l will 20" returned John, bit
terly. The only thing | have 10 regret Is