Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-09-25
CHAPTER XV,

CHAPTER XIV.
Despite his cool Indifference to the
| opinions and interests of others, Marsden
| felt that he should be as well pleased that
| his interview with Mrs. Ruthven was
over. 1t is true that she seemed a mere
frivolous, fanciful trifier. much taken up
with the outside of things: but instinct
rather than any deliberate thought i'm
pressed him with the conviction that be-
| meath her pretty draperies was heart OF
steel. which would never melt, though
you might strike fire from it and an iron
will, tenacious to carry out her purpose,
great or small. He knew better than any
one else that a short time ago he had only
to ask and he would have been accepted;
and, thinking that such might have been
his destiny, he had done his best to pre-
pare and smooth the way. From this. his
supreme good luck had delivered him.
Even if he had not fallen headlOng in
love with Nora L'Estrange, there was
much in Mrs. Ruthvcn which dimly dis
pleased him. She was carefully we'll
bred. yet her manners had not the in
describable ease or grace of one born in
the purple there was an under-tone of
animalsm in her tastes and looks: more
over. he shrewlly suspected that fidelity
to husband would be with her very much
n matter of accident, though he did her
the justice to believe that she would al
ways keep up appearances.
In fact. she was an admirably composed
morsel of Paris paste. excellently set and
pleasant to the eye. until placed beside a
brilliant of the purest water. like Nora
However. the visit had to be paid. so
Marsden made a careful toilet, and set
out to keep his appointment.
1t was some time since they had met,
indeed, since their encounter in Paris the
previous spring, they had not been SO
long apart.
Mrs. Ruthven was fully dressed in
black silk and velvet, with a handker-
chief of creamy lace knotted round her
neck. and a dainty cap of the same on her
thick, short hair. Her costume seemed to
indicate that the business on hand was
too serious for the easy negligence of
morning gown.
Marsden thought her looking better
than he had ever seen her before. The
debility and languor of slow GONZALES
cence had spiritualized her expression,
and given more refinement to her move
ments. He could even understand how
some men might think her charming. a
charming toy. There was something un-
usual too. in the earnestness with which
she looked into his eyes. something panied
and reproachful in the expression of her
own.
Il hope she is not going to make a
scene" thought Marsden, as he greeted
her cordially.
"You are very good, for an unpunctual
man, to be so punctual," she said, sra
ciously, but gravely.
81 was eager to see with my own eyes
air 6o y>of,, nod
smiling sweetly upon her. "You know you
were crnel enough to reject my prayer for
an interview at ChedwOrth."
"Yes, it was cruel considering how
anxious you were about me-" Marsden
did not quite like her tone. 81 want to
speak to you about Evesleigh; there ars
one or two little matters you and / can
settle better between ourselves than
through our lawyers"
"More agreeably. l am sure!'
Before / go into my own affairs, how
ever, Mr.. Marsden, l must congratulate
you on your engagement with Miss LES
TRANCE. l always admired her. But your
taste is unimpeachable." There was q
kind of deadly composure in her manner
that struck him as ominous.
Its coming" he thought, while he said
aloud, "You are very good! l am sure
she has often spoken Of you most warm
ly."
"She will appreciate me much more
deeply and justly later on" returned Mrs.
Ruthven, with a slight laugh. "Pray
when does the marriage take placer
THAT is not settled yet"
"And 1 suppose your fair, inexperienced
6ancee is desperately in love with you'll
You have quite distanced Mr.. Winton."
"Well, l hope so," carelessly, feeling
more and more uncomfortable.
81 should think you had, you are rather
. fascinating sinner. l had fancy for
you at one time myself" And she
glanced quickly at him. u glance fiery
enough, half admiration and half anger.
''Is 1t possible!" cried Marsden, with
an exaggerated air of regret. "And how
was l such an idiot as not to see it?'
THAT unconsciousness and modesty for
which you are celebrated, no doubt, pre-
served you," she returned in a peculiar
tone. However, it is too late to talk of
the past; besides. have n curious story
to tell you, in which, am sure, you will
be interested. Do yOu know have found
trace of my rubies at last, and the day
you marry Nora L'Estrange l will give
her one of the best for a wedding pres
ent!'
"My dear Mrs. Ruthven. I am aston
ished and Interested" cried Marsden,
struck by her tone and looking full at her.
Nor shall i"
"Pray listen to me-" she interrupted,
leaving her seat by the fire, and draw
ing a chair to writing table at a littel
distance, where a number of closely writ
ten sheets fastened together with a clip.
lay beside her blotting book. 1T is q lcng
story, and l do not want TO occupy your
time more than l Recd.''
You rouse my curiosity" cried Mars
Zen. li'icin= himself opposite her.
Mrs. Ruthven turned over a page o,
TWO of the manuscript before her. and
resting her clasped hands Oh it, fixed her
eyes on her companion.
Il had she began. "a clew, a mere |
.rifle, which no one knew save myself, and
when l came up from Evesleigh, l sent
for Il man of whom had heard, no mat.
ter how, man of keen, trained intelli-
gence. for l saw that the regular solemn ]
English detective. with his heavy precau-
ion and transparent devices, was merely |
announcing to the criminal world, 4 have |
l secret inquiry to conceal I sent for /
his man. l gave him, and him only, my |
clew''
And why did you not give It at least |
20 me-" cried Marsden, "when was tear |
ing my heart out In fruitless efforts to re- |
cover your jewels"
Il will tell you presently. Well. this
employe of mine, led by my-my sugges-
tons. fixed upon an individual whom he /
thought might possibly have been the rob
Der or agent Of the rohbsy and shadQWl3