The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-02-25

down, her HANDS clasped convulsively.
her face set and stern.
Max, oh, my Lowell" she walled, In
bitter anguish. 81 have stepped my
soul in crime for his sake, and (oh,
was there ever such vile ingratitude?)
he turns from me now. have sinned
II have sinned-and for nauEht. But
swear to make him repent. to repent
in dust and ashes; and, so help me
Heaven, will do it,"
And Lurline Chadwicke kept her
vow.
CHAPTER VIII
Two Lovers.
As Lesley Dinsmore and John Ards
ley moved away through the green,
shady woods, there came the clatter OF
a horses hoofs, and small gray pony
dashed in sight, with slim. graceful
girl upon his back. At sight Of the
two, she refined in her horse.
"Ah, good-morning!" she c led, air
lily. 81 was on my way to the hall,
Lesley. Why, what is the matter?
Has Brownie been fractious?"
And Maud Bradburn sprang to the
ground, and prepared to walk with her
friend, while the steward led the two
horses.
ut was Brownies fault" returned
Lesley, smiling; "he ran away; his
bride isis broken. believe, SO
thought it wisest to walk home. Ar,
you going to stay all day with m
Maude? I'm so glad!"
"Mr. Ardsley fails to echo your So
iments," laughed the pretty brunette,
srchly; "he looks bored to death in
advance. Honestly now, Mr.. Ardsley,
aren't you awfully sorry to bear the
lnfliction of whole day Of Maude
Bradburn?"
The gentleman removed his hat, and
executed profound salaam.
at will save me from death by
stagnation!" he cried, with serio-comic
gravity.
And Maude turned away with pref
ty, becoming blush. Lesley's face had
gotten very pale; somehow she did not
relish this badinage between John
Ardsley and pretty Maude. He adj
mired her; Leslie was we'll aware Of 1t,
and somehow her heart thrilled
strangely with feeling of pain. Was
she Jealous? She-tLe heiress to the
great Chadwicke estate, who could
have her choice Of all the eligible
young men In the Neutrality-suspicious. of
her own steward? She put the thought
away proudly and marched on, very
erect, and not uttering another word,
merely replying when addressed by
her companions.
Arrived at the hall. the two girls
FASTENED inside, and John Ardsley led
the horses around to the stable, resign
ing Maude's pony to a groom, and lead
ing Brownie himself to the usual
stall. There was look Of stern dis
pleasure darkening his face, and MAX
ing his eyes flash with wrathful fire.
Il believe it was an attempt upon
her life!" he muttered, savagely, be-
tween his set teeth; cor an attack Of
different nature, nearly as murderous,
for l found under the pommel OF
Brownies saddle cunningly contrived
instrument, similar to spur, arranged
in such way as to goad the high
spirited animal to madness. Who did
such a dastardly deed, if not Max
Ruthven? l swear l thought l saw
him hanging around the stables when
the groom was saddling Brownie. And
how came Ruthven so opportunity on
the spot, just at the moment when
Lesley might have lost her life ?-and
with his own phaeton concealed
among the trees. Can it be that he
had contrived that the accident should
happen, intending to save her life,
thus giving himself claim upon her
gratitude; and then expected to reap
the benefit of a tete-a-tete drive home
through the woods to ask her to marry
him? How fortunate that l returned
from the fields in time to follow her,
even at distance. She does not know
who saved her life My darling-my
beautiful darling!"
He fastened away toward the man
sion, just in time to see Max Ruthven
ascending the marble steps The
steward clinched his hands, and his
eyes shone with wrathful light.
''1nsolent;" he muttered, fiercely, I'M
der his breath, ito dare intrude
again."
Max Ruthven walked boldly into the
house, and encountering Mrs. Greyson
in the wide, cool hallway, begged to
see Miss Dinsmore.
Mrs. Greyson looked grave.
"Mr. Ruthven," she said, slowly,
your unwarrantable, and (excuse me,
but the truth is best) ill-bred intrusion
last night, has, l think, given Miss
Dinsmore an unflattering opinion of
you. But l will tell her that you are
here, and she will do as she thinks
best"
So, leaving him standing in the hall,
the old lady sought Lesley, who looked
annoyed at the announcement.
HE saved my life," the girl whis-
pered softly to herself. Il will see
him, Mrs. Greyson," she added, aloud
I'll not be absent many minutes,
Maude."
She had removed her riding habit,
and in long, trailing dress Of snowy
muslin, profusely trimmed with Valen-
ciennes lace, and pink rosebud nest
ling in her gold-brown hair, she look
ed pretty enough to turn the head OF
any man.
She bowed coolly to Ruthvea as she
entered the reception-room, whittier a
servant had conducted him.
Pardon my intrusion, Miss Dins-
more" he began, "but could not rest
until l had assured myself that you
have really not suffered from the acct