Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-11
CHAPTER XII.

KARINOEsl ENGAGEMENT RING.
In the first hour of my anguish after
hearing that Karine was lost to me l had
come very near to registering a vow that
voluntarily L would not see her again.
Now, however, since our memorable
chance meeting in the hotel, my resolve
was different. | determined, on the con-
trary, that l would see her as often as
possible.
Even if 1 had to follow the Tressidy' S
into the country ona pretence of hunting,
or some other fiimsy pretext of that sort,
| would be near her l had luckily kept
my head sufficiently to breathe no word
of love to her. l had even dwelt with
some emphasis upon my friendship" as
though to assure her that she need fear
no more, need dread no persecution at my
hands. | believed that she did not sus-
pect my real feeling for her. and certainly
Sir Walter and Lady Tressidy had no
reason to fancy anything of the kind.
Mildred had suspicious, | was sure, but
they could only have ben born Of quick
and jealous intutions. He could make no
charge against me, and it was not likely,
l thought. that he would choose deliber-
ately to put such an idea into his tiance' $
head, unless | was far less cautious in
my behavior than | meant to be.
l could not conceal from myself that the
talk | had had with the fellow at the
Wayfarers' had somewhat discouraged me
as to the ultimate success of my efforts
to expose him, and as days went on,
found it impossible entirely to shake off
the impression made by his words.
His personality was disagreeably mag
netic to me- I had to acknowledge its
power. and in spite Of myself there were
moments when felt daunted by his def
ance
Had he not been very sure of himself
he would not have dared to say what he
had said. / believed. as firmly as ever,
that there was a black spot in his past.
upon which l could put my finger, if only
l could place him in my mental gallery of
photographs, in which his portrait had
been so mysteriously blurred or changed.
But he and Karine Cunningham would in
all probability be man and wife at the
end of six weeks; and six weeks was, af-
ter all. but short space in which to tear
the mask from SO preternaturally clever
a scOundrel.
l thought then land even yet, l trusO
this man, if | were able to do so, was
not all selfishness.
Knowing nothing, yet suspecting much
with a haunting vagueness it seemed a
horrible Dissertation to me that the beau
tiful, gentle girl should lie given up to
MILDRED. | had little enough hope for my
self with her; whatever might betide for
even had it been possible, under happier
circumstances, that she should have
learnt to care for me. she and her friends
would he sure to misunderstood and con-
denim my motives in working against the
man she had promised to marry.
Should l have the good fortune to show
him to her and those in authority over her
as the william | believed him to be, could
not imagine myself ever attempting to
take selfish advantage Of his downfall.
What ] might do, or try to do l told
myself must be without any hope of
future reward
1 had persuaded myself that the oftener
/ could see Karine, and impress upon her
the strength and disinterestedness of my
friendship, silently assuring her of my I'M
forgotten resolve TO help. the better it
would be for her. She had said once that
she had many acquaintance, but no
friends" and she had seemed glad to
welcome my friendship; so that l wanted
her to see that l did not mean to fail her
that, after all. it might not be as she had
thought, too late. AT least, / succeeded
in convincing myself that these were my
only motives in calling again within the
week on Lady Tressidy.
1t was Thursday and the family was to
fit away to the country on the following
afternoon. l was informed of this by the
footman, whose duty is was to tell me
that his mistress was experimenting the
packing at the moment, but would be
down almost Immediately Meanwhile.
Miss Cunningham was in Lady Tressidy S
boudoir and would see me-
l could scarcely believe in my good luck,
and in her courage-or good nature.
She had been writing al little daven-
port by the window, but rose TO receive
me. and extended her hand. In the other
the left-she held a pen, with the ink
still wet: and so it was that as she greet
ed me my eyes fell upon ring which had
not before adorned her finger.
1t was the third of the left hand, and TO
my amazement. I recognized the magnif-
cent diamond-still in the old setting
worn for so many years by Harvey Farm
ham.
(To be continued)