The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-02
CONTINUES .)

"Val, dear Val, you must not give
up said Ruth, laying her hand with
kindly familiarity On his shoulder. MY
mother and I will testify to the affec-
tionate terms you were always on With
my brother" She stopped abruptly, for
Carew took her hand and was covering
it with despairing kisses.
"Why, Val, your troubles must have
turned your BRAIN" looking down at
him with grave surprise, drawing her
hand gently away.
81 fancy they have, Or I should not
have been so weak as to betray myself
Do not be angry, Ruth"
tsI am not angry" she said, sadly
drawing slowly away from him.
"You must know how it is with
me- cried Carew, starting up and fac
ing her. "Right or wrong, cannot
keep back the words. Though dare
not ask or seek your love, you know
that all the passion and tenderness of
my heart are yours. %
sHow could 1 know it, when you
have been SO harsh and quarrelsome and
even unkind to me, Va1?''
sis it possible you do not understand
why? Why must drunkard take the
pledge? Because he does not trust him
self even to sip the cup he longs to
drain to the last drop"
EDO not talk Of such things now, /"
she cried in some agitation. 1--WE want
all,our wits to help You out of this ter
rible strait. Oh, Val, I am so terribly
sorrysfor you" With a quick sob she
pressed her handkerchief to her eyes,
Carew made a step nearer, when he
was arrested by an exclamation from
Ruth:
ooh, mothes, dear, I am SO glad you
have come!'
Turning, Carew saw small, refined
looking woman in Widows weeds just
crossing the threshold.
Ruth ran to her, and, drawing her
forward by both hands, continued:
ssVal is in such frightful scrapei We
must help him through. I believe you
can, mother"
stThis is alar1ningi Tell me all about
it," said Lady Hastings, shaking hands
with Val.
ssIt is too bad to trouble you with
nv troubles, but think you can and
I am sure you will help mep' he ex-
claimed.
"Yes, if 7 can, % she replied, growing
very grave as she looked from him to
Ruth. stTell me all.'' She sat down on
the sofa and signed to Carew to sit be-
side her. Lady Hastings was still a
pretty woman, with white hair and
dark eyes. Though small and fragile
looking she had an air of delicate de-
termination and decided though clear,
low toned voice. She listened with pro-
found attention to Carew's recapitula-
ton of his story, and when he paused
she was silent for moment, as if re-
f1ecting.
ST see you are in a very difficult posi-
ton, Val,'' she said at length, Though
it seems absurd that you should be ac-
cused of so base an act. Surely the
counterfeit in James checkbook would
prove the check was really sent to you
by himP'
"No doubt it would, and I begged
the amiable nurse to look for it. It's
sure not to be locked up You know
how careless he is, but, though she
most readily promised to make thor
ough search for it, she cannot find a
trace of it, or says she can't, SO if the
thing is not cleared up I shall be sus-
pected of having taken the checkbook
as well as having forged the check. 1
was often in and out of Hastings rooms
you know"
"James is evidently in a curious
mental condition, said Lady Hastings
"but shall try to see him tomorrow.
The nurse seems superb woman. I do
not think you are just to her. She was
most reluctant to refuse me admittance
to hes patient when I explained to
hers
EDO you know who she is?'' inter
.rupted Carew, with bitter smile
''No, not at all She does not look
quite like an English woman. "
ST should think not. She is really a
half caste. Do you remember Reveil OF
the uncovenanted service who shot him
self when we were at Agra?'
"Yes, quite distinctly. -
'This woman is his widow. You per-
haps don't know she was the daughter
of an English sergeant Of artillery and
a native woman After Revell's death
q Somers of the commissariat married her.
He died of drink, and she left India. |
had quite lost sight of her till the other
day. when I went to speak to James
about this internal business, and she
walked into the room. then saw the
case might be complicated. "
"Ahr' exclaimed Lady Hastings.
Then turning to her daughter Ruth she
said: eco tell cook to let us have din
ner as soon as possible. Some food and
wine will do Val good. will call 20
when I have discussed matters with
him - Ruth at once obeyed.