Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12
CHAPTER vi.
"Hast Thou Found Me, o Mine
EnemvP0

Hast Thou Found Me, o Mine
EnemyP"
Aynesworth was waiting in the hall on
the following afternoon when Lady Ruth
arrived. He had half expected that she
would drive up to the side door in a han
som, would wear a thick veil and adopt
the other appurtenances of a clandestine
meeting But Lady Ruth was much too
clever woman for anything OF the sort.
She descended at the great front entrance
from her own electric coupe. and swept into
the hotel followed by her maid. She
stopped to speak to the manager Of the
hotel, who knew her from her visits to the
world famous restaurant, and she asked at
once for Sir Wingrave Seton. Then she
saw Aynesworth. and crossed the hall with
outstretched hand.
How nice of you to be here?' she muir
INJURED. "Can you take me to Sir Wingrave
at once? I have such a busy afternoon that
l was afraid at the last moment that l
should be unable to GOMEZ
Aynesworth led her toward the lift
Sir Wingrave is in his sitting ROOM" he
remarked. 1T is only on the first floor.
She directed her maid where to wait, and
followed him. On the way down the cor
ridor he stole glance at her. She was a
little pale, and he could see that she had
nerved herself to this interview with
great effort. AS he knocked at the door her
great eyes were raised for a moment to
MS, ana Ifey were IKE the eyes Oh q 1TlSHt-
ened child.
II am afraid" she murmured.
There was no time for more. They Were
in the room, and WingraNe had risen to
meet them. Lady Ruth did not hesitate for
moment. She crossed the room toward
him with outStretched hands. Aynesworth,
who was standing little on one side,
watched their meeting with intense though
covert interest She had pushed back her
veil, her head was a little appraised in a
mute gesture of appeal.
She was pale to the lips, but her eyes
were soft with hidden tears. Wingrave
stood stonily silent, like a figure of fate.
His hands remained by his sides. Her well
come found no response from him. She
came to standstill, and, swaying a little.
stretched out her hand and steadietn herself
by grasping the back of chair.
"Wingraye, she murmured, and her
voice was full of musical reproach.
Aynesworth turned to leave the room.
but Wingrave, looking over her head, ad-
dressed him.
You will remain here. Aynesworth," he
said. There are some papers at that
desk which require sorting.
Aynesworth hesitated. He had caught
the look on Lady Ruth's face
eff you could excuse me for half an hour,
Sir Wingrave,'' he began.
Il cannot spare you at present" Win
grave interrupted. KINDLY remain!" :. 80
Aynesworth~ had no alternative but to
obey. Wingrave handed a chair to Lady
Ruth. He was looking at her steadfastly.
There were no signs of any sort OF emo
ton in his face. Whatever their relations
in the past might have been. it was hard
to believe, from his present demeanor, that
he felt any.
"Wingrave," she said softly, ARE you
going to be unkind to me-you. whom
have always thought of in my dreams as
the most generous of men? l have Looked
forward much to seeing you again-to
knowing that you were free. Don't dis
appoint me!'
Wingrave laughed shortly, and Aynes-
worth bent closer over his work, with
gathering frown upon his forehead. A
mirthess laugh is never pleasant sound.
"Disappoint your he repeated calmly.
mo. I must try and avoid that! You
have been looking forward with so much
joy to this meeting. then? 1 am fiattered."
She shivered little.
Il have looked forward to 1t. she an
swered, and her voice was dull and ltfeless
with pain But you are not glad to see
me-" she continued There is no welcome
in your facet! You are changed-alto-
gether! Why did you send for me?
''Listen!'
There was moments silence Wingrave
was standing upon a. hearthrug, cold pas
seated a few feet away, but her face was
hidden.
You owe me something" he said.
"Owe-you something?" she repeated
vaguely.
s:Do you deny it?" he said.
"Oh no. MOI" she declared with emotion.
mot for a moment"
II want" he said, ito give you an op-
portunity of repaying some portion of that
debt!'
She raised her eyes to his. Her whis-
pered words came SO softly that they were
almost inaudfble
Il am waiting, she said Tell me what
can do"
He commenced to speak at some length,
very impassively, very deliberately.
You will doubtless appreciate the fact"
ho sold hat nv a
somewhat peculiar one. have had enough
of solitude. l am rich! I desire to mix
once more equal terms among my fell
lows. And against that have the Hisfor-
tune to be a convicted felon. who BIS spent
the last ten or a dozen years aiAong the
scum Of the earth, engaged in degrading
tasks, and with no identity save number.
The position, as you Will doubtless observe,
is difficult one"
Her eyes fell from his Once more she
shvered, though with physical pain.
Something that was like smile, only that
it was cold and Hfeless, fitted acress his
lips.
II have no DESIRE" he continued. 'to live
in foreign countries. On the contrary, l
have plans which necessitate my living in
England. The difficulties by this time are,
without doubt, fully apparent to YOU"
She said nothing. Her eyes were once
more watching his face.
"My looking glass he continued. "shows
me that l am changed beyond any reason
able chance of recognition. l do not believe
that the ;Wingrave Seton Of today would
readily be recognized as the Wingrave
Seton Of twelve years ago. But I propose
to make assurance doubly sure. l am leav-
ing this country for several years, at once.
1 shall go to America, and I shall return
as Mr.. Wingrave. millionaire propose,
by the way, to make money there. I desire,
under that identity, to take my place once
more among my fellows. l shall bring
letters Of introduction-to YOU"
There was a long and somewhat ominous
silence. Lady Ruth's eyes were fixed upon
the floor. She was thinking. and thinking
rapidly, but there were no signs of 1t in her
pale drawn face. At last she looked up.
There is my husband" she said. HE
would recognize you, If no one else did"
You are a clever woman" he answered
II leave it to you to deal with your hus-
band as seems best to you"
"Other people" she faltered, would rec
ognize you"
DO me the favor" he begged her. Ito
look at me carefully for several moments
You DOUBTLESS have some imperfect recol-
lection of what I was. Compare 1t with
my present appearance. I venture to think
that you will agree with me. Recognition
is barely possible"
Again there was silence. Lady Ruth
seemed to have no words but there was the
loox of a frightened child upon her face.
II am sorry" he continued, that the
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