Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-08-05
CHAPTER Nv.

tcHtOu Ddl Win any tuluB UuI uupplucbn
at their hearts-Ida Raughton and Wal
ter Cundall.
She was able to tell herself. as she sat
in her dressing room after her maid had
left her, that she had, after all. become
engaged to the man whom she really
loved; but she had also to acknowledge
that, for that other one, her compassion
was very great.
She had never loved him, nor did she
until this night believe the rumors of So
ciety that reached her ears, to the effect
that he loved her; but she had liked him
very much, and his society had always
been agreeable to her.
And, for she was always frank even to
herself, she acknowledged that he was
man whom she regarded with some kind
of awe; a man whose knowledge Of the
world was as much above hers as his
wealth was above her fathers wealth.
Yes, she reflected, he was SO much
above her that she did not think, In any
circumstances, love could have come into
her heart for him.
As for him, he hardly knew what to do
on that night. He walked back to his
house in Grosvenor place (he was too un-
easy to sit in his carriage), and, letting
himself in. went to his library, where he
passed some hours pacing up and down 1t.
Afterwards, when he was calmer. he
went to a large escritore, and, unlocking
1t, took out bundle of papers and read
tim.
They were a collection Of several old
letters, a tress Of hair in an envelope.
which he kissed softly. and two slips Of
paper which he seemed to read particu-
larly carefully. Then he put them away
and said to himself:
1T must be done. there Is no help for
1t. My happiness is gone forever, and
would not wreck the happiness Of others:
but. in this case, my sin would be beyond
recall il hesitated."
And, again, after a pause, he said to
himself: 1T must be DONE"
He rose in the morning at his usual
time, though 1t was nearly six before he
flung himself wearily on his bed to snatch
some troubled rest. and when he went
down stairs to his breakfast he found his
secretary, Mr.. Stuart, waiting for bin.
"West told me that 1 should find you
looking better th%n ever, Mr.. Cundall,"
he said, "but re<nnot honestly say that
/ do. You look pale and worm"
81 am perfectly well, nevertheless. But
/ went to ball last night, and, what
with that and travelling all day, l am
rather knocked out, but 1t Is nothing.
Now, let US get to work on the corre-
spondence, and then We must go into the
city"
They began on she different piles of
letters, Mr.. Cundall throwing over to
Stuart all those the handwriting Of which
he did not recognize, and opening those
which he did know himself.
They went to the city together later on,
and then they separated; but before they
-al ha L
what club Lord Penlyn belonged to.
Blacks 1 fancy, and the 'NOyagers,'
but we can see in the directory" And he
turned to the court department of that
useful work and found that he was right.
In the evening of two days later Gun
dali called at BLACKS" and learned that
Lord Penlyn was in that institution.
All through those two days he had been
nerving himself for the interview that
was now about to take place, and had at
last strung himself up to it.
He had prayed that there might be no
cruelty in what he was about to do; but
he was afraid!
"How are you, Cundall?" Lord Penlyh
said, coming down the stairs behind the
porter, and greeting him with cOrdiality.
II have never had the pleasure Of seeing
you here before"
Then he looked at his visitor and saw
that he was ghastly pale, and he noticed
that his hand was cold and damp.
"Oh, 1 say!" he exclaimed, "aren't you
well2 Come upstairs and have some
thing"
II am well, but l have something very
serious to say to you, and"
ida is not ill?' the other asked ap
prehensively, his first thoughts flying to
the woman he loved. And the familiar
name upon his lips struck to the Others
heart
"She is well, as far as 1 know. But II
II Of her that l have come to speak. This
club seems full Of members; will you
come for a stroll in the park? 1t is close
at hand"
eyes, yesw Penlyn said, calling to the
porter for his hat and stick. But what
can you have to say to me about herT
Then, as they went down st. James
street, and past Marlborough House into
the park, there did come back suddenly
to his memory some words he had once
overheard about Cundall being in love
with the woman who was now his af6-
arced wife.
Now tell me. Mr.. Cundall," he said,
'what you have to say to me about my
future wife"
II have come to tell you first" Cundall
answered, "that, three nights ago, asked
Ida Raughton to be my wife"
WHAT the other exclaimed, "you ask
ed my future"
"One moment" Cundan said quietly;
II did not know then that she was to be
your future wife. If you will remember,
I had only returned to London on that
lay"
'And you did not know Of our engage
ment?
Il knew nothing. Let me proceed. In
proposing to her and in gaining her love
for she told me that she had consented
to be your wife-you deprived me Of the
only thing in this world l prize. the only
thing wanted. l came back to England
with one fixed idea, the idea that she
loved me, and that, when / asked her, she
vould accept me for her husband"
He paused a moment, and Lord Penlyp
said:
''While I cannot regret the cause OF
your disappointment. seeing what happi-
ness 1t brings me, l am still very sorry
to see you suffering so"
Cundall took no notice Of this remark,
though his soft. dark eyes were hxed
apon the younger man az he uttered It
Then he continued:
"Are you a strong man? Do you think
Fsu can bear q sudden shock?
II 90 not know wb4r you mean. NO
what you are driving att! Lord Pcnly'
said, beginning to lose his temper at thes
strange hints and questions. II am sorr!
for your disappointment. In one way, bu
Il u not in your power, nor In that Of an!
one else. to come between the love Mis-
Raughton and I bear to each other.
"Unfortunately 1t is 10 my power ant
I must do it-temporarily, at least. A
present you cannot marry Miss hauSh
toa."