The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-31
LADY NEwDIGATE's FINGER.
BY EDGAR FAwCErr.

realized that, even if he hated the whole proceeding, he was quite too emotion less a person (outwardly) to give
 sign.
 Proigne "did nothing" and did 1t with conspicuous luxury. Had not his par ents died genteel paupers? Who gave him his sumptuous flat in De We're Gar dens? It was his aunt, the wealthy Mrs Clavering. And evidently this lady didn't mind about Lady Newdigate any more than Sir Ralph minded about Proigne.
 But Mrs. Caverly did mind She had
 been a London belle in her day. and
 had cherished the man whom she mar ried.
 In her Curzon Street drawing room
 we find her sipring tea and talking
 with the daughter or dear dead friend.
 Now, Amelia" she was saying. T
 know that I can confide to you that I detest the whole thing terribly. want 1t to end. It must end" "I think there might be way, Laoy wheatshcaf unused aloud. Then she told Proigne's aunt what the way was.
 Mrs. Caverlay was nodding somherly when she finished Not at all bad, my dear; not at all bad. You're the sort or woman who could bring them togeth- CT Adela Strafford; of course; yes' your step- sister, and just ready to ap- pear in the world. ony IS. too; ana
 Flora Newdigate is 30, If a day. IS the resemblance so striking?"
 Its really wonderful; though Flora,
 you know, is much more beautiful.
 Lady whcatsheaf arose to go. "Brinr her here to tea on Friday; don't fail" pleaded Mrs. Caverley. I'll have Cyril. positively promise him. And you must positively promise me Adela.
 Adela Strafford met ProIgne at many places besides his aunt's house in the near future. Lady wheatsheaf had all the resources of a gay. rich woman. She sometimes contrived that meetings which in reality had been arrangeo should seem products of mere coinci- dence and accident. One day. at eBl- eravian afternoon crush, Lady wheat sheaf drew Mrs. Caverley aside. My treasured young sister has fall- | en in love. she said
 what! With cyrii7 So duioklyT .It isn't so quickly. after all. It's been several weeks, you know. The
 marchioness gave little shiver. T begin to feel sorry we began It. She was sorrier when she went home that afternoon. to her house In Port- man Square.
 You didn't go anyhwere today' tnen' Adela7'
 The girl turned from q window through which she had been gazing down at the fleet t-driven cabs and vic torias. Her eyes were woe-begone, put her gaze looked brave. though harsnly pained.
 "Mrs. Ponfret has been here, Amelia. We have had quite long talk. "Merciless little scandal -monger, thought Iady Wheatsheaf.
 she has told me everything" Adela went on.
 "What-what?"
 "That Mrs. Caverley and you are con spring to steal from Lady Newdigate | her adorer, her vassal. That you have heen using my so-called resemblance | to her as a lure. That Lady Newdigate laughs at the whole affair. and has made 1t plain that she need only to hft | a finger to have him repentantly back at her side. .,, Here Adela's wrath blazed out. Its all truew she cried. T don't blame you, or Mrs. Caverley either. You botn had motives. You. Amelia nave ai"ays wanted me to marry what you call we'll Besides, I-I love you too much to blame you for anything. The siri paused, and drew in long breath .
 But Cyril Proigne! l should ike 10 meet him once more. and shall! "Adelai Why-why?
 gro tell him how infinitely I despise him for having dared to use me as his makeshift, his cats paw" She gave a laugh of piercing bitterness. As if the finger of his idol couldn't have been lifted without employing poor, young country girl like myself as the lever forcep' She echoed her own laugh again. and caught up mantle and hat
 which had evidently lain in readiness near by.
 Adela!" panted her sister. where on earth are you going? Surely not to him"' .. I would! I'm going to her."
 one moment, Adela, threw ou. Lady Wheatsheaf.
 But the girl darted away.
 To Grosyenor Square from Portman was only a short drive.
 T think. Miss Strafford," said the butler, who had a long-tried memory, and recognized Adela as having called one day with her sister, the ultra-smart Marchiones of Wheatsheaf, that Lady Newdigate is just at present in the H. brary."
 Without a word of reply, Adela pass ed into the library, remembering Just where it was, having been shown its oaken carvings and Van Dykes:
 "Ah. you're alone?" said Adela' glanc- ing here and there and finding that only coigns of shadow and patches or brightness encircled that one encnant- ing figure in the half-gloomed cnampeI;
 Lady Newdigate (of whom II hao been declared that an active VoIcAno could not n-plus her) merely answer cd: wont you have cup of tea
 NO. thanks. I don't care to sit down' either I simply came to tell you, LauE Newdigate, that as far as l am con cerned, you may lift your hhsei o' or not at all"
 "ReaIly? Lift my finger? But do1t understand" The exquisite face lookeu decorously astonished-no more.
 "Oh. yes, you do understand, saIo AdAla, with far more quiet than sho faIt "I never knew till today that MT. Cyril Proigne had paid you court for wears. I never knew till today that the attentions he has shown me ,,,ere caused by his wish to regain your favor. It was cruel, most cruel or you. Rut if was crueller still of him. Tomor- row I leave Lon ion, and whether you lift vour finger or let it lie idle, Will not concern me in the least, hereatter'
 Adela was turning away when sbane rose from a sofa haIt screened hv cop,ous palms. Instantly the glri recognized Cyril ProiEne' Tie hao turned very pale, but his usualiH Placlu ,yoica was never mol e composed. LOOK s+raIeht at Adela, he spoke.
 ayou didn't see me when you came