The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-08

Lucy Wynyard there was no more jealous
man in England. The geen-eyed monster
became his master. The smallest preteXt
led him into foolish suspicion, and oc-
casionally outrageous words. Every man
land there were not a few who dared 10
cast admiring glances at the lady OF ms
choice. came in for glowering looks or
curt treatment from Bobby, as he was
always called.
Especially were the walls Of his wrath
poured upon the head Of Lucy's foster
brother for whom she naturally had q
strong regard. seeing that they had been
children together. Long before Dartreli
was engaged to Miss Wynyard he never
failed to express his dislike 10 their Ia
miliar intimacy. but when he had asked
her to be his wife, and she had said, Yes,
he put his foot down
Il never liked this Mr.. Luttridge' he
said He is a very off-hand sort Of gen
tleman, and presumes too much He Is
far too familiar with you, Lucy 1t Is all
very well for him to call himself your
brother, but you know he is in no way re-
lated, and he often behaves, it seems to
me, as if he might be your lover
ooh, poor old Horace cried She you
will never think of being Jealous of him
you. 1 can't treat him otherwise than 1
have ever done, and, besides. he is luck
less youth; ne will never set the Thames
on fire"
No" says Dartrell, unless it's in
sured"
Il pity poor Horace" she continued, for
of course she did not see Bobbys hu-
morous carcasm. HE is so hOpelessiy
unsuccessful in everything he attempts.
This fancy of his now 10 become an artist
will end in failure, / am sure. although /
admit he shows more ability at an easei
than anywhere. l really pity him.
"Ah, pity is akin to love. Well, my pet
! don't mean, OF course that you are
likely 10 love him otherwise than-put
there. l tell you I'd rather you didn't
see him. Drop him, please.
Then they would both laugh and go
through the usual Osculatory perform
ances, and the question would be ended
for the moment. But IL required again
and again, always in the same key and
ending in the same way.
Young Horace Luttridge had been ear
~ made a member Of Col Vineyards es-
adjustment, being, as it was understood
the only son Of an old brother officer
who. as he lay wounded and dying on
an Indian battle field. confided his boy to
the colOnel's care Wynyard, true TO his
trust, on returning home and marrying,
brought up little Horace as If he mad
been his own child. He was some live
years old when little Lucy appeared
but as the children grew up, her stron-
ger nature soon began TO dominate that
Of her brother, as he was always called,
and she maintained her supremacy long
beyond childhood.
Then Col. Vineyard died suddenly, and
Lucy went to reside with her maiden
aunt, one Miss Habgood, her mothers
elder sister, at small house in St.
Johns Wood. Her marriage was post
poned for three months. However delay
had no III effect, for Lucy never waveret,
and Bobby was as devoted as overland
as jealous. He had got a step in his CT
flee, and ways and means sufficient were
provided for a fair start
Meanwhile, her prophecies regarding
Mr.. Horace Luttridge were not wholly
verified. He appeared to be getting on at
last. and had established himself in
commodious studio in st. Johns Wood,
although his efforts pictorial scarcely
seemed to warrant his mode of living.
remembering that he was supposed to be
wholly dependent on his art. He and
Dartrell maintained a sort of armed neu-
trality, and Lucy appeared to conform
by degrees more willingly 10 her lovers
wishes regarding the young painter.
They seldom met now, and so Bobby
jealousy in that direction seemed to be ap
peased.
The marriage drew near. on its very
eve the happy pair had been for a stroll
in the park in the fine October afternoon.
They stood at the door of her aunts
house chatting FOR while in the gloam-
ing, the gas above them throwing her
hand rested in his right-both were glow
ed. Suddenly he pressed her third finger,
and raising it slightly, said with surprise.
Where is you ring, Lucy-you engaged
ring2"
She WINGED little as she replied, "Ah.
great misfortune. l hoped you woudn' [
notice it. but l have dropped it some
where, / can't tell where or how"
II M" he said, impatiently, this is
unlucky-a bad omen. You had il on this
morning, because 1 saw it, Where have
you been to-day? You surely remember
missing it,
or when 1 missed it first; but oh! / shall
find it. shall find it"
II hope so. for il is of considerable
value, but you must go in now; your aunt
will be growing anxious. We have had
our talk; so until to-morrow-and to-mor-
row, darling, we part no more.
Their lips met, she turned, knocked at
the door. and as IL was opened he de-
parted.
The marriage was duly celebrated, very
quietly, for Miss Wynyard could not vet
wholly lay aside her mourning. In a
month they were settled in their own
modest home, and they We're as happy
well, happier-than the day was long, for
the days were then at their shortest Time
passed, but that unlucky engaged ring
had never been found: but as il was re-
placed by a more binding one, they accept
ed the loss with a good grace-at least
she did
Every inquiry had been made, fortune
had been spent in advertising but all ef-
forts to recover it were vain. Still, the
subject ranked evidently in Bobby S
mind, but he abstaned at last from acri-
monious comment, and only spoke Of it as
a profound mystery.
Suddenly, however. one January after
noon on his return home, Robert Dartrell
showed such evident signs of annoyance
that his wife could not fail to inquire the
cause
well. Lucy" he said. gravely, "as !
was coming from the Office just now,
met Luttridge. He was for passing me
with a nod, but / stopped. and I don't
know what induced me, but ! asked him
straight out if he happened to have heard
anything about your lost ring. He al
ways somehow seems TO remind me of it,
OF course he said no, but as ! looked him
straight in the face. ! feel sure-Wen
feel sure he was not speaking the truth
didn't like his manner at all. When did
you see him last?'
She looked puzzled. not to say uncom-
Portable. She dropped her eyes. and after
a pause answered, hesitatingly;
oh, / haven't seen him. I haven't
seen him since. / don't know when; MOI
since just before we were married"
Bobby was silent. and the subjec'
dropped.
CHAPTER H.
The next day was Saturday. dense
fog hung over the north of London as
Tl-F.s Il La