Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-07-04

CHAPTER 1X.-(Continued)
ESQ Lady Darlington is in town" said
the latter, after their first exchange Of
greetings.
Indeed! have not heard from her"
81 don't think / was mistaken. saw
her drive up to Mrs Ruthven's hotel as
l left this morning"
81 did not think she would be up just
yet How is Mrs. Ruthven today
'No great things" said Shirley. This
unfortunate business has taken such a
hold on her. | believe she suspects every
soul that comes near her. She ought to
get away, among new scenes and people,
1t is pity she has bought this villa.
at is not bad investment. She might
sell it any day for thousand or so more
than she gave The owner was very hard
up for ready money"
"Ah! that's always the way-those that
have, to them shall be given And our
charming friend has a keen appreciation
OF a bargainn'
"Of course-it is in her BLOOD" said
Marsden, laughing. "Now must go and
looE after this sister of mine. Shall you
see Mrs. Ruthyen to-dayY'
II hope to do so. She fancies she has
some faint clew to the rufian that robbed
her. l don't believe it myself. 1t seems
fhcre is some suspicion about half-caste,
from Pondicherry. | scarcely know
what" and Shirley pulled himself up. Il
avoid the subject with her now"
1--WE cannot wonder if she is q little
%noTbid! l shall call at any rate-early
tomorrow" They interchanged good
mornings" and parted.
Il wonder the bereaved widow did not
send for me?' unused Marsden. "Why
does she hang Oh to that cad?' He walk
ed slowly toward his club Il don't fancy
she cares for him. not now at least-l
wish she did-or, for any one except my
self! She might have him for trustee
she may have whom she likes | am we'll
out of my difficulties, and I'll take deuced
good care to keep clear OF any more. The
fact is am very simple in my tastes, only
L fell in with all eXtravagant set! l wish
Mrs. Ruthven would take her departure
anywhere, even to another world. Has
she made a will? Who has she left her
money to? She has no relations. Sup
pose she made me her residuary legatee?
That would be too comic! | wonder why
she is so civil to Nora? She is always
watching her. She is such keen devil,
she suspects | am in love with my charm
ing cousin. Ay! but she little knows how
youth and force, and invention. Nothing
shall part us. But l must be cautious
for a little er-then-then-"
So, with head erect delicious sense of
success uplifting his spirit, Marsden stroll
ed down Park lane and along Picadilly.
Reaching his club, he found a note from
his sister, commanding-rather than invit-
.ing-him to dinner that day. Marsden
felt bound to obey-much to his annoy
ance.
Lady Darlington was exceedingly form
5lable to him just then. She knew some
G2Alng of his life and embarrassments-
and she suspected more. She had no hest
tation in questioning him, in the coolest
and most embarrassin manner; more
over it was exceedingly difficult to mis-
lead her.
Marsden, however, prepared himself for
the ordeal, and "came up smiling at sew
cn>thirty, with his pleasantest, frankest
mnnner.
"Well, Clifford, and what have you
Keeen doing with yourself since we part
ssG5" asked Lady Darlington, when din
'sner was over and they were left alone.
~ great many things. 1t has been a
tDeastFy time altogether. | was over in
Amsterdam. as you know, after these I'M
lucky jewels. | was in great hopes of
finding a clew there, but it's no use. Mrs.
Ruthven will never see them again. Then
l went to Paris, to see De Meudon. He
was awfully i'll, poor fellow-gas fever
,or some such thing. l spent few days
with him at his villa, and had a talk with
rsome of the principal jewelers. in Paris.
Vout could find nothing One of them
suggested the stones might have gone to
New York or Sydney. Then 1 came over
here to attend to Mrs. Ruthven's bust
uess-she was in such violent hurry
about that villa"
y lis the affair flushed, and the money
paid DOWN." sharply.
Yes" returned Marsden, looking up
surprised "Why do you ask?"
--'Thank Godr' said Lady Darlington
,g,mphatically "You know 1 never mince
matters, and I can tell you l was in 4
norrid fright about this purchase, lest
well, lest the money for it should not be
Forthcoming in time"
'My dear sister, l am immensely fiat
;teres by your high opinion of your only
brother" bowling ironically.
THAT is all very well, Clifford, but I
know you, and l know what temptation
a large sum of money absolutely at your
xnspgssal must be. l dreaded the appoint
ment of a new trustee and the discoveries
he might make; that was one reason why
/ was so eager to press your marriage
with Mrs. Ruthven. l am still anxious
for it. but not for it's immediate celebra-
ton"
1.Lsabelle," said Marsden quietly, but in
$, tone of feeling, while he looked straight
at her, his soft. dark-blue eyes grave
and reproachful, II have been reckless,
>xt~ayoyant eyerythino ourht NOT to he
but to rob woman, too, of whom l am,
in a sense, the guardian-that is an in
fanny of which l am incapable" He was
evidently good deal moved. Il do not
deserve such suspicious from YOU"
ssMell / am sure | hone not" cried