Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-07-24


the latter, after their first exchange OF
greetings.
Indeed, have not heard from her"
81 don't think l was mistaken. l saw
ner drive up to Mrs. Ruthven's hotel ai
! left this morning"
Il did not think she would be up just
ret How is Mrs. Ruthven today"
"No great things" said Shirley. "This
Unfortunate business has taken such
hold on her l believe she suspects every
soul that comes near her. She ought 10
get away. among new scenes and people
1t is pity she has bought this villa"
at is not n bad investment. She NIGH
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 thai
have. to them shall be given. And our
charming friend has keen appreciation
of n bargaln!"
"Of course-it is in her blood" said
Marsdcn. laughing. 'Now l must 20 and
look after this sister of mine. Shall yor
see Mrs. Ruthven to-day
Il hope to do so. She fancies she has
,ome faint clew TO tho ruflian that robbed
her l don't believe it myself. 1t seemf
there is some suspicion about half-castei
L
what" and Shirley pulled himself up. u
uvoid the subject with her now."
we cannot wonder If she is a little
morbid. l shall call at any rate-early
tomorrow They interchanged good
mornings" and parted.
Il wonder the bereaved widow did not
seud for me:" unused Marsdcn. why
does she hang on to that cadf" He walk.
cd 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. | AN well
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
! fell in with an eXtrevagant set! l wish
Mrs. Ruthvcn would take her departure
anywhere, even TO another world Has
she made 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 10 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
deeply! That girl has given me fresh
youth and force, and invention. Nothing
shall part us. But l must be cautiOu5
Ior little ger-then-then-'
So, with head erect, n delicious sense oi
success uplifting his spirit, Marsden stroll.
ed down Park lane and along Picadilly,
Reaching his club. he found note from
his sister. cOmmanding-rath than invit
ing-him 10 dinner that day. Marsder
felt bound to obey-much to his annoy.
ance.
Lady DOrrington was exceedingly form
ldable TO him just then. She knew some.
thing of his life and embarrassments-
and she suspected more. She had no hesi.
tation in questioning him, in the coolest
and most embarrassing manner; more
over, it was exceedingly difficult to mis-
lead her.
Marsden. however prepared himself for
the ordeal, and came up smiling" at sev-
en-thirty, with his pleasantest, frankesr
manner.
We'll. Clifford, and what have yor
Deen doing with yourself since we part
ed z" asked Lady Dorrington, when din
ner was over and they were left alone.
"A great many things. 1t has been {,
beastly time altogether. l was over In
Amsterdam as you know, after these un-
lucky jewels. l was in great hopes OF
finding a clew there, but it's no use. Mrs.
Ruthven will never see them again. Then
! went to Paris, to see De Meudon. He
was awfully Ill, poor fellOw-gastric fever
or some such thing. | spent few days
with him at his villa, and had talk with
some of the principal jewellers in Paris,
but could find nothing. One Of them
suggested the stones might have gone to
New York or Sydney. Then 1 cnme over
here to attend to Mrs Ruthyen's bust.
ness-she was In such a violent hurry
about that villa"
.Is the affair finished. and the none!
paid DOWN. sharply.
Yes" returned Marsden, looking "
mrprised. why do you ask?"
Thank God.' said Lady Dorrtngtor
alphabetically. "You know 1 never mince
matters, and can tell you l was in a
horrid fright about this purchase, lest
well. lest the money for 1t should not be
forthcoming in time
My dear sister, am immensely fiat.
tered by your high opinion of your onl!
brother" bowling ironically.
THAT Is all very well, Clifford, but
know you, and l know what temptation
n large sum of money absolutely at your
disposal must be. / 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
tor il. but not for Us immediate celebra
ton"
Isabelle" said Marsden quietly. but IN
tone of feeling, while he looked straight
at her, his soft. dark-blue eyes grave
and reproachful, 81 have been reckless,
extravagant, everything ought not TO be,
but to rob a woman, too, of whom l am.
in sense. the guardian-that is an in
fanny Of which l am incapable" He wa.
evidently n good deal moved. 81 do nof
deserve such suspicious from you"
well, l am sure l hope not" cried
Lady Dorrington, with a searching look,
II beg your pardon; but confess l have
been terribly uneasy since you paid off
that mortgage of Greenwood's, In May.
"Ah! yes. | was wonderfully lucky last
spring. ! won n few thousand at Monaco
and De Mcudon's broker managed Il
double them several times over; In short
| never had such II chance before. so
was able To clear Greenwood and one OF
two other small things. You may well
beg my pardon. II You believed me to be
such IL blackguard, how could you care
enough about me To wish me married te
any woman-to WISH TO sacrlnce 0ny
woman to me?'
Clifford" cried Lady Dorrington, 81
know that you have very little principle
yet am fond of you. l have seen yol
grow up. You have always been nice and
KIND to me, and you are the last of oul
family. l want to see you well married
and free from the awful temptation o.
money difficulties. If | have done yol
Injustice | am very sorry
can afford to forgive you, Isabelle
II hnty 7