Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-02
CHAPTER II.
The Shadow of a Fear.

For several minutes Lady Ruth said
nothing. She was leaning back in the far
thest corner of her chair, her head rest
ing slightly upon her fingers, her eyes
studying with curious intentness the out
line of Wingrave's pale. hard face He
himself. either unconscious of, or fndiffer-
ent to. her close scrutiny had simply the
air of a man possessed of an inexhausti-
BILE fund of patience.
'Ninsrave, she said. quietly, Il think
that the time has gone by when 1 was
afraid of you
He turned slightly toward her, but he
did not speak.
Il am possessed she continued, 'at
present OF more womanly sentiment. /
curious"
All. he murmured, you were always a
little inclined that way
i am curious about YOU" she continued
You are. comparatively speaking, young.
Withholding enough. and strong Your
hand is firmly planted upon the lever which
moves the world. What are you going to
do?"
That" he said. depends upon many
things
You may be ambitious" she remarked
IF so. you conceal it admirably You may
De deVoting your powers to the consumma-
ton of vengeance against those who have
treated you i'll. There are no signs of
that either, at present"
We have excellent authority" he re-
marked for the statement that a con-
siderable amount of satisfaction is deriy-
able from the exercise of that sentiment"
Perhaps she answered, but the pur-
suit of vengeance for wrongs of the past
is the task OF fool. Now, you are not a
fool. You carry your life locked up with
in you. as strong man should. But there
are always some who may look in through
the windows. l should like to be one"
An empty cupboard he declared. "a
cupboard swept bare by time and neees-
sity
She shook her head
Your life she said. rs nodded to-
ward purpose. What is it?'
Il must ask myself the question" he
declared. before ca Il tell you the answer"
NO. she said. 1.-The necessity does not
exist. Your reckless pursuit of wealth,
your return here. the use You are making
of my husband and me- are all means to-
ward some end. Why not tell me?''
Your Imagination" he declared rs run
ming away with you"
Are you our enemy" she asked rs
this seeming friendship of yours a cloak to
suffer? Or" She drew a little closer
to him, and her eyes dropped.
Or what?" he repeated.
rs there little left" she whispered, '.of
the old folly?''
why not?" he answered. quietly. IT
was very much in love with you"
1T is dead" she murmured. II believe
that YOU hate me now"
Her voice almost a caress. She was
leaning little toward him; her eyes were
seeking to draw his.
Hate you! How impossible" he said,
calmly. You are still beautiful woman.
you know. Ruth"
He turned and studied her critically
Lady Ruth raised her eyes once, but drop
ped them at once She felt herself growing
paler. A spasm of the old fear was upon
her.
Yes" he continued, "age has not touched
you. You can still pour, If you will. the
magic drug into the wine of fools. BY the
by. 1 must not be selfish. Aren't you
rather neglectful Of your guests?"
Never mind my guests" she answered
II have been wanting to talk to you alone
for days. Why have you done this? Why
are you here? What is 1t that you are
| seeking for in life?"
,, "A little amusement only" he declared
II cannot find 1t, except among my own
kind"
"You have not the appearance of a pleas
ure-seeker." she answered.
Mine is a passive search he said. II
have some years to live-and of solitude,
| well. l have tasted at once the joys and
! the depths
You are not In love with me any longer,
are you?' she asked.
/ Il am not bold enough to deny it." he
| answered. "but do not be afraid that shall
| embarrass you with a declaration. To tell
| you the truth. l have not much feeling left
/ of any sort
/ You mean to keep your own counsel
| tHenI she asked.
| 1T is little to keep" he murmured
| land have parted with so much
| She measured the emotion of his tone the
curious, yet perfectly natural Indifference
Of his manner. and she shivered q little
| Always she feared what she could not I'M
derstand
Il had hoped" she said sadly. that we
| might at least have been friends"
| He shook his head.
| II have no fancy he declared, for the
cemeteries of affection. You must remem-
| Der that l am beginning life anew. l do
| not know myself yet, or youl LIE, drift
| into the knowledge of one another and
perhaps
well! Perhaps?''
| There may be question Of friend
Ship
Lady Ruth went back to her guests and
| with the effortless of long training
| she became once more the gracious and
| tactful hostess. But in her heart the fear
| had grown a little stronger. and a specter
| walked by her side Once during the even
| ingly, and she breathed a few words to
him. He laughed reassuringly.
| ''Oh! Wingraves all right, 1 believe" he
| said. ITS only his manner that puts YOU
| off bit He's just the same with every
| one! l don't think he means anything by
it,'
Lady Ruth shivered. but she said moth
| ing. Just then Aynesworth came I'D, and
| with motion of her fan she called him
to her. -
| please take me into the other room -
| she said. II want glass of champagne
and on the way you can tell me all about
| America"
] "One is always making epigrams about