Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-09-11

CHAPTER NIII. (Continued.)
81 am no sensitive young girl, Lad,
Dorrington," she said at length, with
kind of slow bitterness. ito shrink frou
expressing my feelings, and l think yo,
will admit that your brother has deceived
me, basely, treacherously. He had nj
doubt found it convenient to lead his cred
itors to believe that he was on the poin
of marriage with a rich widow, and 81
gain time for the settlement of his affairs
For this he did not hesitate to make mt
nm object of remark to all the compan!
Mt his house when was his guest.
u am not surprised at anything yor
saw" cried Lady Dorrington, greatly dis
trcssed and even alarmed at the sup
pressed, concentrated fury which she per
ceivrd under Mrs. Ruthven's carefult
preserved elf-contrOl. Il am inhnitei!
ashamed of Clifford: but indeed, he is il
every way incapable of making the us'
you suggest of his position with you. H'
Is the merest slave of his whims and fan
cy. He was. | know. greatly taken will
you: and then all that horrid business
Of the robbery kept you apart, and he fel
in with Nora-and-oh. ii is all beyont
my comprehension, 1t makes me perfect
ly i'll when l think of Cliford's unuttera
bic folly. / had, indeed, hoped TO call yoI
ny sister"
Il think you are honest and alive to tht
advantages that marriage with me offers
| shall always consider you my friend
AS to your brother. l have made up my
mind how to act. He will find l am moi
TO be trifed with: but | must gather
little more strength before l can deo
with the matter
surely, my dear Mrs. Ruthven, ne
IL f1.,
wrong done:" said Lady Darlington, il
uncertain accents, very different from he'
usual decided tone, so appalled, was she
by the prospect of the commonplace vu]
garity of an action in court.
Are you afraid of a breach of promis
trial. was her guests counter-question
accompanied by mocking, contemptuou,
lauCh. THAT would be a very weak ant
inefficient payment of the debt l owe Mr.
Marsden-but | will not allow myself tt
speak more on the subject. 1t must b
most painful TO you; it is too much for me
| can write no more to-day. May l trus
To your kindness to send for Sir Harle!
Portman? And will you be so good as t,
ask Virginie to bring me my medicine?
must rest and be quite quiet now
Lady Dorrinston felt herself dismissed
If she had gone to Mrs. Ruthven in ar
anxious angry frame of mind. she left heI
with sense of danger and trouble intensi
fed tenfold. The change in Mrs. Ruth
ven's manner from its ordinary caressin,
softness to the abrupt decision of one wht
knew her power and would use it, seemed
to take the ground of superior position ant
higher breeding from under the eide
woman's feet. Mrs. Ruthven was, in
deed, not to be trifed with. The vague
ness of her threats made Lady Dorring
ton still more uneasy. Did she know o.
any crooked corners in Clifford's conduc
which would brand him with disgrace
were they known and blazoned abroad
If so, how merciless she would be. ''i
wish never had had anything to do with
her." thought Lady Dorrington, as she sa
down in the refuge of her own morning
room. 1T is useless to try and help
Clifford. He is hopeless. But l think
must send him a line of warning. l
really afraid of that woman. 1 shall
never care to be with her again. She wal
naturally angry, and do not wonder at it
but there was a murderous look in hel
eyes | do believe she has a large shar,
of Eastern blood, How unprincipled
was of Mrs. L'Estrange and Nora to at
tract Clifford. They are quite aware tha
| am most anxious he should marry Mrs
Ruthvenl quite; yet they set Themselves
against me; and | have been SO fond o.
Nora, and SO kind to her too"
Here her reflections became chaotic
Though of the strong minded order o.
women. Lady Dorrington had both family
pride and family affection in abundance
The idea of open scandal or disgrac,
attacking her brother was intolerable
and her anxiety to shield him was not on
whit lessened by her indignation
wrath with his inconsiderate folly!
Clifford Marsden meantime sped Lon
downward, well content with the result o.
his visit. He had put matters in train
there was no room now for Lady Dorring
ton TO say that he had kept her in tn,
dark about so important matter as hi,
marriage. and she would no doubt impair
the knowledge to Mrs. Ruthven. The,
would have ample opportunity to abus,
him together, and by the time they all me
again the worst would have blown over.
He arrived in town late and resolved
not to disturb Nora and Mrs LEstrangs
at that hour. Next morning would do
He had a deep, though unacknowledged
conviction that he must be careful an
cautious in his conduct TO Nora.
Yet In spite of his love, there were mo
ments when a kind of lurid revelation
flashed across him that, if he could no
succeed In warming her coldness int,
something akin to his own fire, the day
might come when he would hate her with
deadly hatred. ay, and revenge himself
cruelty on her, if she persisted in her mad
dening Indifference. He could scarce en-
dure the torture it gave him, when she
shrunk from the caresses with which he
would fain have loaded her, and his long
Ing for the reciprocity of natural, un
torced tenderness, was painfully intense.
However, absence always made him
more hopeful He had not seen Nora fol
three days, and who could tell wha'
change that interval might have wrough
in the incomprehensible heart of young
girl?
The post brought him n large number o.
letters, most of which needed notice, ant
before Marsden had finished the briefes
replies he was informed that gentleman
wished TO see him. This proved to be 1
clerk from the office of Messrs. Cooksol
& Dunn his solicitors. who was the beare
of letter announcing that fresh tenan
for Evcscigh had offered better terms
and it was desirable that the question
should be discussed without loss of time.
r1naIIy It was past midday before Mars
len could present himself Mt 3 street.
Nora was looking. he thought, well, ant
very handsome. She had more color thaI
usual, and her manner was less tranquil!
composed She seemed disturbed by nj
presence, and was red and white alter
uately. But her welcoming smile was a
sweet as ever, and Marsden tasted som
moments of intoxicating delight fancylni
that the icy indifference he SO much dread
ed was at last melting away before IN
passionate ardor of his advances.