Middletown transcript., 1903-09-26

must return the ring at once, for it woult
be better for no one else to see it. Som,
might take it as additional proof tina
the marriage was not accidental.
The night seemed very long, and Ad
die slept but little, rising with bac
headache to face the coming day. Rathe
to her relief, che met Nita in the pas
sage. Addie had put Chesteron's' rinl
in her pocket and intended either t.
give it to him herself or to ask Nits
to do so at the earliest opportunity.
Mr.. Chesteron, looking rather per
turbed, was already in the breakfast
room when the girls entered, and so wa,
Mr.. Dellwyn, who still looked unusually
grave and annoyed. The latter shook
hands with Addie and tried to speak
as cordially as ever, but Mr.. Chesteror
only bowed and Immediately looked
away.
Chesteron and l are going to Edin.
burgh this morning, said Mr.. Dellwyn,
trying to speak indifferently. We must
hope that this affair will turn out better
than We expect. Come, Chesteron! We
have no time to waste-the trap will
be at the door in twenty minutes. Nita
my dear, 90 to your place and give Ches-
teron and l some coffee.
Mr.. Chesteron was going away, and
Addie felt glad. She hated to see him
but felt vexed that he turned away from
her for she must give him his ring before
he went. He was still standing near
to her, and she had to pass quite close
to him to get to her usual seat. She
touched his arm and, holding out the
ring, said quietly and coldly-
This is yours. l forgot it last night.
Take it, please.
Thank you! too forgot it last night
And, taking it from her, he slipped it
into his waistcoat pocket.
Is that the ring? inquired Mr.. Dellwyn.
May I look at it? We shall Of course
say that it was gentleman's ring and
was used quite accidentally.
1t was my mothers.
Aldwyth hesitated for a moment as
he passed it to his host He too had
just remembered the inscription and
those unfortunate initials, "A. to A.
They stood for Aldwyth and Adelaide
as well as for Aldwyth and Aline-the
names of his father and mother.
Mr. Dellwyn gave an exclamation of
surprise as he read the inscription and
looked sharply from one to the other.
Your mothers ring? he questioned.
Yes. My fathers name-like mine
was Aldwyth, and my mothers Aline.
1t is strange coincidence, Mr.. DELL
wyn remarked drily.
Yes-but still coincidence.
Chesteron felt annoyed, for the tone
of Nita's father had been rather un-
believing. The remainder of the party
however appeared one by one, and soon
afterwards Mr.. Dellwyn and Mr.. Ches-
teron left to catch an early train.
Nita's father telegraphed that after
noon that they would be detained for
one day at least; but the following one
passed, and they did not return. Addie,
restless and miserably i'll at ease, could
not even paint and wandered about the
quiet lanes, dreading to meet any of
the people who lived near lest they
should look at her with an inquisitive
stare, but quite unable to remain at
home. Charlie was very good to her.
The consequences Of his careless piece
OF mischief had been a great shock to
him, and he tried To prove his c"ntrition
by thousand small kindnesses to Adj
die, who received them with pathetic
gratitude.
10 RE f,nNTINI-ED