Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-10-16
VOL. XIX
CHAPTER ZVu.-(Continued)


CHAPTER NVU-(Continued)
Mrs. Ruthven was successful along ting
whole line she had marked out for herr
self. If she was a little sore respecting
the feelings Marsden SO frankly avowed
toward Miss LEstrange sh" had the con-
ISOLATION of believing that she was lnfilct-
Ing the cruelest disappointment on ihal
detested rival. Then, she had the man
she loved so utterly at her mercy ana
this, which would have been pain ana
humiliation to n woman of real hear' anu
delicacy. gratified her crude love OF power
while the certainty of accomplishing the
marriage on which she had set her soul,
of faISifying Shirlcy's spitcful prophecies
of defeat. filled her with exultation There
was IL very ugly reverse to the medal. but,
for the moment. she was able To put it aside,
If not TO forget it. With her wealth. and
Marsden's position and popularity, the
world was at her feet. As to his craze
about Nora L'Estrange, that would pass
over. He would find that an experienced
woman of the world must be more
suitable wife for him than mere school
girl like Nora.
For several days after she had come to
distinct understanding with Marsden,
Mrs Ruthven denied herself TO every one
even to her faithful Shirley, who was
by no means pleased with the aspect OF
things.
He had not been accustomed to be thus
debarred admittance, and he scented mis-
chief. Though the day was gone when
he hoped to rckindle Mrs. Ruthven pass
ing caprice for himself, he objected very
strongly to her marrying Marsden, who
had unconsciously wounded his amour
propre. and insulted him by his oppressive
superiority. When. ut last. Mrs. Ruth
ven, was at home 10 him, he was in
very bad temper. indeed. which was not
improved by the careless triumph of her
manner. Il thought you Were going to
cut me completely" he said. when they
had exchanged greetings. why. 1t is
more than week since was admitted!
You have no right to complain; have
not seen any one"
"IOu have not been unwen, hope:
..No; | have felt remarkably well: but
have been busy with these tiresome pa
pers;'' and she waved her left hand to-
ward them. Shirley started, for on her
finger sparkled the doublcheart device. of
rubies and diamonds, he had seen on
Nora's-
Il can scarcely believe my eyes, he
exclaimed. Am | To conclude that Mars
den has transferred his alliance, with the
betrothal ring, from Miss l. Estrange to
yout"
He has" she returned. twirling the
ring round and round, and smiling so1tIy.
And how-how did Marsden contrive
to break off with Miss L'Est-ange?
THAT do not know; but he has done
SO. and as have always found you capa-
BILE of keeping silence when necessary, l
do not mind telling you. that Mr.. Marsden
has made some rather curious discoveries
which in short render his marriage With
Miss LEstrange impossible
discoveries. eh!' in n peculiar tone
"and will you not trust me completely"
mo. my good friend: lin short, | dc
not exactly know myself"
1T is all very mysterious, and deucedly
hard for Miss L'Estrange"
Il don't suppose she is in a very en-
eiuble state of MIND" returned Mrs. Ruth
ven. with an air of quiet enjoyment
Shirley looked at her curiously.
"And have you given up all hopes of
tracing your rubes:" he asked.
Yes" she said, sharply; what suggest
ed them to you:'
Il don't know; perhaps an idea that
Marsden has not hitherto brought you
luck.
He will replace my rubies by the Lars
den diamonds. Now, Captain Shirley,
you said you thought | was going to cut
you completely; you are mistaken; | am
hot going TO cut you, but | am going to
drop you as an intimate friend. Mr..
Marsden. for some reason or other. would
not be pleased, | know, if l continued on
the same terms with you, and he Is natur-
nlly my first consideration. You have al
ways been friendly and useful, and l may
add. prudent: for you have wisely agreed
with me in letting by-gones be by-gones.
But before entering into a new phase of
Inv existence / should like to look through
Il few acknowledgements of yours. which
You have given me from time 10 time.
and She drew from a Russian leather dis
patch box several slips of paper neatly
fastened together.
Mrs. Ruthven,'- cried Shirley coloring
crimson IF you mean that | am to clear
up with you, previous to your entering on
your new phase, you intend to reward
my prudence by running me-
She looked at him moment In amused
silence.
Il am not quite SO hard n creditor, Shir-
ley; partly. perhaps because | do not for
get by-gones, quite. No; | inaugurate
this new phase of my existence by return
ing you all these promissory notes l
wish TO hear no more of them-let us part
friends l wish you good luck in what
ever way you would best Ike it,
Shirley's dark face changed. You are
kind. and-and most LIBERAL he said. Il
wish our old-let me say friendship-was
not to be ended" He took the papers
she held out, and twisting them up, thrust
them into his breast pocket. Il shall
never meet your match again; you have
shown me what can be dared and done
by IA woman, blessed as you are with a
heavy purse and potent WILL
And all's well that ends well" re-
turned Mrs. Ruthven. She gave him her
hand with a slight inclination of the head,
and he felt himself dismissed.
The days flew fast, and that fixed fop
Winton's departure had dawned.
Nora dared not hope that she still held
the same place in his regard OF course,
she thought, her sudden change, her ap-
parent readiness first to accept Marsden
and then to break with him, had lowered
her in the estimation of SO high-minded Q
man as Mark Winston.
He had called as he promised, but boti
Mrs L'Estrange and her step-daughteI
We're out.
He will not go without bidding Us
~ood-by." said the former more than once.
as sne began to understand matters
without Questioning, and grew anxious
that the two she heartily loved should not
spoil each others lives for punctilio. Il
must write and ask him to luncheon or
dinner"
mo, no, dear Helenl Promise me,
promise me faithfully you will not" Inn
plored Nora, with such distressed ex-
preston of countenance that Mrs. LES
TRANCE promised.
This last day was bright and crisp,
there had been q light fall of snow and