The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02
iismay. they were shown into a private


room.
face was very anxious. Was she, then. so
impatient to be with David Searle that she
grudged him a short hour of her company
II was going to Edinburgh by the night
train" he said, very slowly. 'Then / re-
membered 1 had not given you the caution
you ought to have before you visit the
Searles. II 1 had not met you 1 should
have gone back to Marley"
when you have only just arrived? Is
II so important as all that?" she asked, in
credulously.
He could scarcely trust his ears What
could have changed this sensible girl who
till now, lively and saucy as she often was,
had always deferred to his judgment? He
sighed unconsciously; he knew that Hilda
was right. Ruth was in love. How deceit
full she had been not to give him a hint
of it!
The sigh touched Ruth; she had somehow
grieved him. The memory of his constant
kindness, of the happiness he had given her
during so many weeks, surged up; to her
surprise she felt her eyes full OF tears.
You have not given me your caution -
Her voice was sweet and soft again. A
warm flush of pleasure rose on his brown
face; they were once more friends.
And then he told himself that was not
enough; he did not want Ruth's friendship,
he thought, bitterly; if she loved David
Searle he must henceforth harden himself
against her.
He gave her long look, full of meaning
could she have read it, then he stared at
the wall behind her. She would perhaps
hate him for what he had to say, but 1t had
to be got through.
Il shall vex you, Ruth; you will perhaps
be angry, but am your guardian and there
fore bound to safeguard you as much as /
can. Will you tell me why you wish to
visit the Searles?
He had moved the flower-glass from the
center of the table to the side. Ruth felt
that she was blushing and that his grave
eyes were fixed on her hot face. What
could she say? What could she do? She
was entirely at his mercy.
She was so accustomed to be direct and
frank; her color deepened; She tried to
seem at her ease.
81 have not seen either Mr.. Searle or
my godmother since 1 left Kensington. Is
She knew this was not the truth. Her
eyes dropped in fresh confusion.
81 do not think that is your real reason.
1t seems to me there is something else
which makes you wish to leave Logans.
Have you not another motive?''
She felt that only courage would save
her from self-betrayal.
And if 1 have?" spoken as though she
said-"that is not your business
For an instant her eyes met his boldly,
his persistence was making her angry; then
they dropped again.
He bowed, still looking steadily at the
changing color In her cheeks and her trem-
bling lips, which assured him she was hid
ing some secret from his jealous scrutiny.
Was it possible she could love a weak,
profiigate fool like David Searle? Impossi-
BILE! Even in her confusion there was, he
thought, noble expression in her eyes
She seemed to dare him to say his worst.
He could not ask her if she loved David;
he felt it would be outrage.
IF you were in such hurry to leave
Logans you must have had a reason. ]
think you either disliked some one at Lo-
gans, or you loved some one i'm Kensington
-
Love is too strong a name for my feel
ing for the Searles. / like them, but to me
they are acquaintance rather than
friends"
Her cheeks became pale she looked di-
rectly at him. He saw that she was very
much in earnest she rose from the table
please may l order cab to take me to
Kensington?'
Just few minutes and we will go there
together. IL there is no one in Kensington
you love, then there must be some one at
Logans you dislike. Is it Hilda, or is il
me?"
HE waited for her answer. No word came
from her. His lips quivered with the
strength of his feelings.
You dislike me, do you not?''
mo, oh, no!' she murmureds
Her voice had choking sound She
clasped her hands tightly together, look
ing down at her trembling fingers.
Michael rose and moved nearer to her
He felt that this moment was, one way
or the other, supreme. For an instant he
had a hope of joy unspeakable; then des-
pair clouded round him.
"It would not be wonderful, child, if you
have thought me churlish. changeable in
different to the charm you have laid on
me from our first meeting-while I--Heavef
help me-thought only how best / could
shield myself from-from-" He stopped
There came bright flash from the girls
eyes, then they looked desparing.
What is that really that?' she cried, in
kind of anguish; land you are cruel
enough to tell me so yourself?"
She lent back against the wall and COW
cred her face with her hands. Only for an
instant; before he could hinder her she
crossed the room and rang the bell. 1t was
at once answered.
Call a handsom, please" she said, in a
mater-of-fact tone.
The interruption gave Michael time to
think When the door closed, he walked
up to her. She had turned her back to him
and was setting her hat straight before the
glass. In this she saw Micha&'s face as he
came up to her. He was not frowning now
Am Vuel?" He took her hand and drew
her to him. You don't know how l have
suffered; even now L had best let you &c
without a word, hadn't I?'
The throb in his voice, the lingering ten
3r, n hor