The herald., 1896-06-28
CHAPTER III.

Inc evening is well advanced, darkness
has fallen, and still the great shadow lies
upon the house. Dornham. although by
no means mortally wounded, has still, to
both the doctors anxiety, remained un-
conscious. Pale, inert. he lies upon his
bed, needless of George, who every half
hour steals in and out of the room-over-
whelmed as much by his grief for his
Cousins sad condition, as for the terrible
suspicious resting on himself. If old
Dicky would only wake and tell
He is in the library now, sitting in a
very forlorn attitude by a fire that is slow
ly dying out for want of attention, when
Betty comes into the room.
"Why don't you poke that fire?' says
she in a sort OF angry, heart-broken way
She knows that as yet Lord Dornham' s
unconsciousness has not been broken; she
knows. too, that Claudas engagement
with Meredyth has been broken.
You, Betty? You are not rat,' says
he, getting up and holding out his hand
to her. 'Where is your uncle? Where is
Lord Verlington?"
"Oh, never mind him." says Betty. 'I've
given him his cocoa. But you, George
you?'
Her eyes are so eloquent, so grieved for
him, that he knows she has heard.
Yes, she has got rid of me-" says he.
81 knew she would at the first chance She
has been growing very cold to me of late,
and-this was her chance. / believe she
always preferred Dick, though she would
not have him when he asked her,
"She told you-herself?'
''Her very own SELF" and with a bitter
smile and without a tremor, "herselfv'
Betty's face is pale and shocked
ooh, how could she? 1t was cruel. In
human!'
VERY human, she was only doing the
best for herself. Don't look SO Mortified,
Betty. After all, l have borne the news
very calmly. l am indeed surprised at my
own want OF feeling; l can even look for
ward without much wincing to the thought
that, if poor old Dick recovers, l Shall
some day have to salute her as my cousin
and-Lady Dornham! At all events, it is
better to learn the truth now-the solemn
truth that she never cared a rap about
me-than afterwards. She wanted to know
If the gun beside poor old Dick was mine.
Where was his? It's the same old game
all through, and Of course every one wants
to know that, and l can't answer them l
have nothing to 90 on but my word, and
that seems to count for little. Anyway
this is a good opportunity 10 learn who
ones real friends are now. You-at all
events, Betty"
Tears spring to BettyTs pretty eyes,
fixed so kindly on him.
AS he sees those tears a little pang con-
tracts his heart. All, if those other eyes
could have looked at him like that
through such shining veil of tenderness.
And then comes another thought, far
better one. How beautiful are Betty's
eyes! How clear, how honest! Long ago
they played as boy and girl lovers. Per-
haps-he almost smiled TO himself at the
absurdity Of the thought-it would have
been a good thing if he and she had re-
manned faithful to their youthful dreams.
But Betty, if no longer his sweetheart as
in those good old bygone days, is still a
friend, staunch, true,-a clever friend be-
sides; and, for the first time it seems to
dawn upon him, a very pretty one too.
ooh, l am your friend, of course" says
she; 'but-can't you find that gum"
"No; l have hunted everywhere. am
sure he must have come in for a gun of
mine, and put his own aside in some cor
ner. Or could some one else have come
in and taken his gun and-Oh! that way
madness lies. l can't make it out. / must
say, Betty looking at her, 'it is a COM
fort to talk to some one who does not sus-
pect me of wanting to murder my own
cousin"
IF were you, George" says Betty, in a
clear and stirring tone, 81 should not give
way to silly thoughts like that. am your
friend, forever, as you know, but there are
scores Of other friends to support you and
believe in you, as you will know to-mor-
row.
Il don't know" despondently. Anyway,
they are not here now. And" with a sud-
den glance at her exquisite upright figure,