Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-09-18
did you tire of it so soon p asked shir

| "Did you tire of it so soon II asked Shir.
ley, in surprise.
Yes; sickness and seclusion have
wrought a radical change in me. I now
feel l must be in London and in the COM
plete country, alternately"
II am afraid, Mrs. Ruthven, that
have unconsciously done something, or
left undone something. that has induced
you to withdraw the confidence you once
placed in me-" said Shirley. with wound
| ed air, looking straight into her eyes.
Then you are mistaken; give you ex
| actly the same amount of confidence / al
ways did-a good deal, but by no means
all. You have been useful TO me, and
have been useful TO you. / am still dis
posed to be your friend, but do not sup
pose you have the smallest power to injure
ne. The day is long gone by for that
'Injure you! Do you suppose that such
an idea ever crossed my mind: Ny in
clination is only to be your best devoted
,ervant-more, if you would accept me.'
Mrs. Ruthven laughed softly.
Il quite believe you," she said
still"
You have never been quite the same
since you were robbed of your rubies," he
interrupted. you seem to have grown
doubtful of every one"
Il am" ste exclaimed. with sudden
fire. Utterly, completely distrustfuii
and you mutter feeble complaints because
will not tell you the vague hope l have
of recovering them. Leave that alonei
| may confide even that TO you one day,
but never if l find you presuming to try
discovery on your own account l alone
have slight clew, and | will have no one
meddie."
Shirley looked at her so completely
startled and surprised that she laughed
strange. almost hystericsf, laugh.
You must not excite yourself, be
exclaimed; "you might bring on another
relapse"
That would never do" she returned, ii
nm altered voice. Il want TO be well
soon; have q good deal to do. Tell me-
Shirley" she went on, why did you not
make love TO Nora L'Estringe: She
would have been a suitable wife for you"
II was quite willing TO do so, but some
how il was impossible. | could never
per beyond the weather, or the last new
waltz. with her"
What is there different in her from
other women" she asked, scornfully;
Won have been tolerably successful with
, other women
Il don't know; Miss L'Estrauge 5
frank and pleasant, and all that sort of
thing, but she is the most inaccessible
woman | ever came across.
Shirley, you are & fool. A young
creature fresh from the school room and
educational irons, is the easiest game Of
nil! Man, have you SO little experience
rs not to know you can always count on
at least one traitor within the trenches p
Perhaps tha game was not sufficiently
exciting; anyhow, Winton did not give
fellow e chance"
"Winton! Yes, that Is a man l should
enjoy mortifying. l think he was fond
of Nora L'Estrange, and l suspect she
liked him But who would refuse Mars
len of Eresleigh:"
He is not so great catch"
Listen to r1e," cried Mrs. Ruthven,
not needing him. Il want to go TO Lon
Gon-iet me see--I think l could hear the
journey next week 1 want you 10 take
rooms for me at the Alexandria Hotel:
! shall keep Them for awhile. | like this
place and can go mp TO town as l like.
You must secure good rooms, and hare
everything made comfortable and warm
above all things warm"
Captain Shirley took her directions with
profound attention, and then their talk
flowed in ordinary channels. Mrs. Ruth
rem, was quiet, and in rather more cheer
full mood; she was more civil and friendly
than usual. Yet Shirley left her with an
impression that there was danger IL thu
air.
TO be continued.J