Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24
CHAPTER XT-Continued.

- HE WAS more nearly ready than
they expected All her trunks were
packed. and the butler promised 10
~ to take them Immediately to the
railway station. In quarter of an
hour she appeared in travelling cos
tune. with her jewels in a bag, which she
carried in her hand. There was train FOR
London passing Monk Rawdon at O'CLOCK;
and after Justice Mantfnsham had LETT the
cook brought in some, dinner, which Dora
asked the RawdCns to share with her. IL
was perhaps, a necessary but painful
meal No one noticed Mostyn. He was en-
forced to sit st!lI and watch It's progress
which he accompanied with curses 1t would
he q kind of sacrilege to write down. But
no one answered him. and no one noticed
the orders lie gave for his own dinner, until
Dora rose TO leave forever the mousse Oh
bondage Then she said 10 the cook:
See that those genuemaniy constables
have something to eat and drink. and When
they have been served you may give that
manipulating to MOStyn-"the dinner OF
bread and water lie has so often prescribed
for me. After my train leaves you are Tree
TO 20 to your homes Farewell, friends
Then Mostyn raved again ana hnalIy tf4ed
his old loving terms. Come back to me,
Dora" he called frantlcaily. Come back,
dearest, sweetest Dora l via be your lover
forever. l Will never say another cross word
TO YOU.
But Dora heard not and saw not. She left
the room without a glance at the man sit
ting covering between the officers, and
bubbeElug with shame and passion ana the
sense Of total loss. In a few minutes she
heard the RawGon carriage drive to the
door. Tyrrel and Ethel assisted Dora into
1t, and the party drove at once to the rail-
way station. They We're just able to eaten
the London train. The butler came up to
report all the trunks safely forwarded, and
Dora dropped gold into his hand ana
bade him clear the house OF servants as
soon as the morning broke. Fortunately
there was no time for last words and prom
Uses: the train began to move. and Tyrrel
and Ethel, after watching Dora white face
glide into the darkness, turned silently
away. That depression which so often fol
lows tie lifting OF burdens not intended for
our shouhiers weighed on their hearts and
made speech difficult. TyTel was especially
affected by it, quick feeling of something
like sympathy for Mostyn would not be
reasoned away, and he drew Ethel close
within his arm and gave the cOaChman an
order to drive home as quickly as possible
for twilight was already becoming night
and under the trees the darkness felt op-
pressive.
The little fire on the hearth and their be-
lated dinner somewhat relieved the ten
sion; but II not until they had retired
to a small parlor and Tyrrel had smoked
a cigar, that the tragedy of the evening
became possible topic of conversation.
Tyrrel opened the subject by question as
TO whether he ought to have gone with
Dora to London"
Dora opposed the idea strongly when 1
named it to her" answered Ethel. She
said ii would give opportunities for Mostyn
10 Islander both herself and you, and think
she correct. Every way she was best
alone"
Perhaps. but I feel as If I ought to have
gone, If I had been something less than
a gentleman; in fact. as if I had been very
ungente'
There Is no need !" answered Ethel a
little Coldly
''It is terrible position for Mostyn"
He deserves it,"
He is SO sensitive about public opinion"
In that case he should behave decentIy
in private"
Then Tyrrel lit another cigar, and there
was another silence. which Ethel occupied
in irritating thoughts of Dora's unfortunate
fatality in trouble making. She sat at a
little table between herself and Tyrrel 1t
held his smoking utensils, and after awhile
she pushed them aside, and let the splendid
rings which adorned her hand fall into the
cleared space TyrTel watched her a few
moments. and then asked, What are you
doing. Ethel, my dear?"
She looked up with a smile and then
down at the hand she had laid open upon
the table. L am looking at the ring of all
rings. See Tyrrel 1t Is but little band of
gold and yet II gave me more than all the
gems of earth could buy. Rubies and opals
and sapphires are only Its guard. The
simple wedding ring is the ring of great
price. It is the lovelest ornament a happy
woman can wear"
Tyrrel took her hand and kissed 1t, and