Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-09-04


kuthven!' cried Lady Dorrington, press
ing her large. white hands together.
Whatever occurs to you," said Mars
len politely. ''Only that you require no
hints from me. l would suggest your
telling the simple fact as a matter of ordi.
nary gossip"
How can you be SO unfeeling, SO
'hameless?" exclaimed his sister, her eyes
sparkling with Indignation. II would not
answer for the consequences, were she
told too suddenly of your treachery. l
dare not face ner with the knowledge of
your base desertion in my heart. Do you
know that she is worth two hundred
thousand pounds. if not more?'
1.-Two hundred thousandr' repeated
Marsden. slowly. "What delightful
rhythm there is in those words. Yes, my
dear sister. no one knows better than my
self her financial position. She is not
quite so rich as that, but, l confess,
wish her fortune was Nora's; still dare
say we shall manage IN immense amount
Of enjoyment without it,"
Clifford exclaimed Lady Dorrington,
rising in her wrath, "you have not the
ordinary gentlemans sense of honor. you
have not the faintest regard for duty or
justice, you are n slave to the grossest
seIhshnesS, regardless of everything eX-
cept your own pleasure and self-indul-
gence; you are weak beyond what l should
have expected, for you must have yielded
, against your better judgment to Nora's
wiles. for never will believe that she did
oot try to attract YOU"
Marsden laughed.
you can take what view you like of the
natter" he said, watching her with quiet
ayes.
'.Dorrington will be disgusted with you,
and quite give you up. As to Nora and
Mrs. L'Estrange. l never wish to see them
again. l did believe they were well-bred
gentlewomen."
"Do well-bred gentlewomen never
Icheme?" asked Marsden innocently.
'If You had any honorable instincts
would hope to move you" continued Lady
DOrrington. "As it is, l give you up, and
| beg you will leave my house, where you
will never again be n welcome guest"
Very WELL" looking at his watch.
"There is a train at three thirty, which
will suit me. l will have luncheon and bid
you very heartily farewell"
Lady Dorrington took up some letters
| that lay on the table before her. darted
IN angry. scornful look at her brother, and
left the room without further speech.
Marsden's face grew grayer and softer
when he was alone.
"A man can't help his nature. l sup
pose?' he muttered to himself. Il cannot
look on the cant and shibboleths of So
ciety as cOnstraining truths, and ] am
certainly better man than most of my
fellows How l hate unpleasant faces!
The worst of this storm in n teacup is, that
Isabel will not do the civil TO Nora, and
Nora will worry herself about it. At any
rate | have her promise, and | feel | can
trust her"
He rose. drew the writing materials to
lim, and quickly traced these words:
Dear Mrs. Ruthyen: May l hope to see
you for a few moments. as | am obliged
to return to town Immediately. l should
like to see with my own eyes how you are,
md shall be most discreet"
To this, a verbal answer was returned.
Mrs Ruthven's compliments. She
was sorry she did not feel equal TO see
any one, but would write when able"
us luncheon readyT asked Marsden.
when the foOtman had delivered this mes
sage.
mot YET. sir. 1t Will not be ready for
quite half an hour"
"Then you must give me something TO
eat first and tell them to bring round a
trap. want to catch the three-thirty up
train at Rockingham. Send my man to
me-"
Lady Dorrington was in Mrs. Ruthven's
room, and Lord Dorrington had gone down
to the Home Farm, when Marsden set
forth. So he left without leave-taking,
save from the stately butler and his satel-
lite footman, with whom the easy-going,
open handed, affable squire was prime
favorite.
..Tant MEX" said Marsden to himself,
as he gathered up the reins and drove
off sharply. Il wonder if Mrs. RuthveD
scents the battle from afar? Her mes
sage sounded warlke."