The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-12-31

turns toward -ths window. i He STARTS 10
his feet, his handsome face dark with pas.
sion. sgi
Ruth Hs cries. saizing her hand in
his fiercely, II was all horrible mistake.
My cowardice has brought you TO this. My
darling, you love mef''
i She does not move; shiver runs
through her--a shiver Of mortal agony.
Ruth, speaki Tell me you love mep'
You hurt me, " she says family, striv.
Ing to free herself from his firm grasp.
She raises her agonized eyes to his, and
then she is olasped In his arms. For one
instant she lies passive, then frees herself
with wrench.
Leave mt, she says unsteadily. "Why
do you come no6 that 1t 10 too late--too
latea You must 60. Goodby." She holds
her hand In dismissal and farewell.
His passion completely overmasters him
as he looks upon her, pale and sorrow
stricken.
Il will not go, he cries vehemently.
ruth, you do not, you cannot, mean it.
For your own sake''.- He advances
quickly, but she repsls him.
For my own sake and yours, go''-
And then ke knows that all Is ended.
With ono fnfewell look he leaves her and
gees out Of the room, while she sinks
wearily into her chair, dull, aching pain
tearing at her heart strings.
Time slips by insensibly. A new beauty
has usurped Lady Berrington's position in
society, from which she has now with
drawn hersbx Her husband is dead
killed himself In tho hunting field-and
she is free tp come and go as she will. Tho
great town ls shuttered and empty, and
she has flown to the restful quietude of
Pens Court, the home Of her childhood,
which she has bought back as home for
herself In her lonely widowhood. Then
wild hopes I'LL her heart. Now that he
knows she is really free, Maurice will
surely come to her-he must know. These
hopes arc strengthened whom, at dinner
party, she bears the familiar name mem
toned. He is coming to stay with some
distant neiahborsl All, 1T is to be near hes
he is coming at last. As each day passes
she waits fbverishly for his coming, and
still he comes not. As each long summer
day wanes she whispers, Tomorrow he
will come, and tomorrow passes, and
still he comes not. Then, one evening, us
she sits peacefully under the cedar trees
ON the gretn lawn, resting in the cool
evening air full of sweet, faint perfume
from the glowing fiowerbeds on the vel
vety turf, a maid appears from the house.
: - gentleman In the drawing room, my
lady" she says; "he gave no name"
Ruth, with wild hope, rises slowly and
walks over the lawn, her black dress sweep
ing over thu grass, her pale cheeks tinged
with q pink color as she mounts tho shall
low steps and enters the cool, shadowy
room, full bf flowers and delicious per-
fumes waited in on the evening air.
A man ia standing with his back toward
her, but as her dress sweeps ov0r the soft
carpet be turns and facHs her. A quivcr.
ing smile flashes Into her sweet gray eyos,
and she hol hs out both hands with little
glad cry.
"Ah, Mahricel At last, at lastl'
Something In his unresponsive attitude
strikes q cold chill to her heart. Has he
forgotten'
II could not pass your neighborhood
without locking you up, Lady Berring-
ton," he says easily. "How lovely this
place isl "A Are you living here altogether
Ruth feels that her throat and lips are
parchod and dry, but she answers him
with an effort.
"Yes; could not endure that drcary
town house after
Eyes, yes," he says hastily; "after your
terrible bereavement. You are fortunate
to have been able to secure the old place
in time. I AM paying flying visit to tho
Carews, at Marsh Kali. You know them,
of course. ="
every slightly. Then-you do not stay
longf"
"Not long. There are many prepara-
tions to be made before April with q
smile), before my wedding. You have not
heard2 Juliet Carew will bo my wfe in
few months time. May ask for your
congratulations for 'auld lang synci
Tho blood rushes with wild flood to
Ruth's hoa It, leaving her sick and cold
everything swims before her tired eyes.
She must speak. She makes an effort.
II hope II sincerely trust-you may be
happy, ship says little unsteadily. II
must call on Miss Carew.
You arc very kind, u he says, with his
happy smiib. "How familiar this place
seemsl Oilr days of flirtation are Mt ali
end, Lady Bennington. All, one does fool
ish things IN tho heyday of youth, but you
showed Yourself to be n wise woman.
Ruth smiles. Has he forgotten ALL
"Yes" she saws, with bitterness. 1--WE