La Junta tribune., 1898-02-05

Z ESuf Arley Ransome
1&M went of to busi-
4hSH! ness early. The
first thing he did
10 send a note to the earl. saying
all difficulty was removed; his
|hter had consented; the only
remaining was for him to ask
to settle the wedding day.
brd Caraven read 1t through. then
Ned 1t In his hands. and finally
It into shreds and threw it under
feet He had not brought himself
proper state of submission yet.
Would have given the whole world
scape from Arley Ransome; but
choice was plain enough-ruin,
be. despair, or marriage with the
-eyed girl who was mot his style,
whom he was quite sure he should
Ter like.
he marriage should take place in
e course. The RansoInes had as 1t
ere drawn him-nay. forced him
10 II; the consequences must recoil
themselves In his own mind he
nsidered the daughter quite as bad
the father-indeed he made little
btinction between them. The union
Is to be; there was no further need
scruple. They wanted his title. he
Eatsd their money He would be
ffl to them. they coi Id not expect
re.
IN that evening Hi drsd Ransome
eeived letter and ring, The en-
Hope bore crest AMI shs knew at
zee that 1t was from Lore Caraven.
he contents were short. but to the
brpose; 1t was not a love letter. for
ere was no semblanc., OF love in it.
my Dear Miss Ransome; l have to
hank you for your cor sent to my
ben came word that had been care
lilly obliterated and wishes" written
Fer It. with your permission l will
III tomorrow. have sent you an en-
eement ring-wili you wear It?
b yours"-here there was an illegi-
: word
'.ULRIC CARAvEN."
She laid the letter down with sigh
md . smile. She had fancied that q
love letter would be very different.
ehe opened the little parcel that ac-
bompanied the note; It contained a
nagnificent diamond ring-her engage
ment ring. She placed It on her nm
ger. and the sun falling on it made 1t
shine like fire. Still. as she looked at
Il, her eyes filled with tears. She
would have liked some one to put the
ring on her finger; although she was
engaged to be married, and was to
ke q countess, she felt very lonely
Md desolate.
a Arley Ransome smiled when he saw
be ring. At least 1t was an earnest
! good things to come.
Every nice. very appropriate" said
Ae lawyer-"really a ring suitable
the coming Lady Caraven."
rhe day after brought Lord Caraven
nself
That interview was something to be
nembered. Mr.. Ransome. hoping to
like matters smooth and pleasant.
Id invited his future son-in-law to
line with him. and that he might not
bel dull had asked the humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwey to Join
hem.
Il was well that he had done 10. for
|he actual presence Of her lover seemed
% strike Hildred dumb. She looked
Il him whenever she found that he
was looking elsewhere. She thought
Iim very handsome. His indolent,.
kreiess grace contracted 20 favorably
nth her fathers sharp. brisk manner.
he wondered why the earl looked
1orn and hagSard. He was only
|wenty-eight. her father said. She
Wondered, too. why he was not more
3npresse In his manner. He took her
Ipwn to dinner. and the only words
hey exchanged were about the warmth
Il the day. During dinner they never
lpoke. save for the most ordinary civ
lities. When dinner was over. the
,ari evidently preferred the soctety Of
lar. Carwey to hers.
.Why had he asked to marry her IL
,e did mot care TO talk to herr" abe
aid To herself. How strange II
Sas!" Thsn her father invited Mr.
nrwey TO have game at ohess. and
be saxiy walked slowly across the
boom to where she was sitting. He
hood BY her side. tail. stately. de-
bite his indolent grace e. manner.
Her heart beat What v1s he going
o ~! He bent his hsst somewhat
Tiny.
n have to thank you. Miss Ran
loele." hs saad, "Sor honoFing me by
rSnrfr9 my ring"
~ looked mp ak him, and there was
fasehing in the calm ease Of the
re eysa bsfore which hs shrank ~
+ cAkA6e had done.
Xca wished me to wear It. did you
r. - asksd. my fseher thought
CsrtainIy. am dslisAtsd." !
ny - he would. he cDuld. not ooa-
y . tone ot irony. shs detsetsd II
4 Hooked 4 hin a0ain. He bowed