Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-08-21

hours, to listen to Lady Dorrington when
abe read the more interesting paragraphs
of the newspapers aloud, and finally to
read her own letters. But still there was
40 intention on the part of Marsden, ap-
parently, Of coming to offer his congratu-
lations in person. He wrote kindly and
cordially. but In strictly friendly tone,
explaining that he was busy arranging
his somewhat entangled affairs, and the
preliminaries necessary for letting Ewes
leigh on q lease Of several years.
This letter was in itself . severe blow.
1t was, however, az nothing compared to
one received next day from the watchful
Captain Shirley. After expressing his de-
light At hearing Of her progress toward
recovery, his regret at not being on such
terms with Lord and Lady Dorrington
that he might venture to run down and see
her, he informed his esteemed correspond.
ent he could now assure her that Marsden
was positively engaged to Miss L 'Es-
trangc. He was with her and her step
mother every day, and all day. Finally
he Shirley had been In . celebrated jow-
eler's shop In Bond street, where his at
tention was caught BY an unusually c,.e
ring, the design being two hearts united
ono Of rubies. the other Of diamonds.
engagement ring, and made to order. He
had scarcely finished examining 1t when
Marsden came In, and after exchanging a
word or two with him, went to the counter
and asked If his order had been executed,
whereupon this very ring was handed to
him.
Mrs. L'Estrange and was admitted, when
ka HhA -
trange's left third finger. There was but
one inference to be drawn.
When Mrs. Ruthven read these lines
she felt as II something had snapped her
brain. Her heart beat to suffOcation, and
her imagination presented her with a con-
fused, broken, shndowy mass of pictures
from tho past.
Was this the result Of all Marsden'i
Implied tenderness and admiration? Had
he blinded her keen eyes and deceived her
sharp observation? He should pay dear
dear! And that careless. candid girl,
whose easy Indifference was absolutely
insolent, whose comparative poverty and
obscurity ought to have been a barrier to
her advancement, was preferred before
her wealth and beauty and carefully cul
tivated grace. 1t was too maddening. !.
she could destroy both, she would.
And how every one would talk! She
had been 30 sure of becoming Mrs. Clifford
Marsden, of Evesleigh Manor-every one
knew that the marriage was expected
and now to be deceived, cheated, deserted
for a mere insignificant, half-developed
creature! Mrs. Ruthven felt murderous.
Her head was dizzy; she passed a terri
BILE night, and next day the doctor was
sent for in hot haste, as his patient show
ed every symptom of a relapse, and before
twelve hours were over she was rambling
incoherently in a high fever.
She must have sustained q mental shocl
of some description. the doctor said. bu,
no one could surmise what had caused 1t.
Mrs. Ruthven had had sufficient foresight,
feeling terribly i'll, to tear the letter into
minute fragments and burn them. and
from her speech little could be gathered
save that she repeatedly accused Shirley
and others of stealing her jowels.
This relapse was q great additional trou.
bic to Lady Darlington, who was at he
wits ends to discover Its origin.
"Some of those horrible letters, no
doubt" she confided to her husband. Il
wish she never had had them; at such a
time the absence of some confidential at
tendant Is very awkward. You sec, we
know nothing of her former lifo and cop
nections."
rTo ha continred)