The Washington herald., 1907-05-12
CHAPTER Y.
"Let Ne and nv Passionate Love
Go By.s

TO n.y.
'Fanshawe!'
The figure seated bowed over a desk
had looked up with a start at the sound
Of his voice, and then rose impatiently
what the dickens do you mean by
jumping on me Ike this?' he cried. i
haven't got the nerve Of a cat, L
Geonrey crossed the great library to-
ward him. Lord Fanshawes face look
ed white in the dull daylight. There was
q wild and desperate look in his eyes.
Geonrey, looking at him steadily, felt
the cold fasten upon him afresh as he
saw in the handsome face signs of dis
slpation and reeklessness and wild liv
ing And Hetty loved him!
Il want TO speak to you, Fanshawe,
he said, slowly. He had scarcely known
how to begin He and Lord Fanshawe
had been almost like brothers those last
I'VE years. but a gulf seemed to have
sprung between them in the last hour.
What Is II, Geohrey? You look dis
| agreeable. For goodness sake don't
badger me this morning. for I'm ready
to put bullet to my head as it is.
tell you I'm sick and miserable and des-
perste What have you got TO say2"
Geoffrey hesitated. Then his eyes had
fallen on the Oldcastle Chronicle lying
crumpled on the desk by Fanshawe's side.
and he took il uD.
It's about thisf he began; about the
/ paragraph announcing your engagement
to Miss Walter" Lord FanshaWe snatch
ed II from him.
And what the dickens has it got to do
with you?" ne cried. Curse Miss Wal
/ ter l hate her"
u knew it-I knew it," Godfrey said,
| half under his breath. "Fanshawe. I've
just left Hetty Lancaster She's waiting
for you. in the old place. waiting for
| you 10 go and tell her that you are ready
to deny this rumor about Miss Walter
and to announce your engagement 10 her
/ Fanshawe, go TO her now. She is break
ing her heart over this stupid paragraph. '
Lord Fanshawe started. His face ha1
/ taken on a queer look. A little red blood
ran up into his cheeks and his lips twitch-
ed.
What has she told you2" he asked
hoarsely.
Geoffrey turned his head away LITTLE
so that he did not see Lord FanshaWe'
hardening face.
why that you are secretly engaged q
her" he replied. and have been fOl
some time. Claude. it's cruel 70 her. ana
for goodness sake go and end IL. Bring
her here now and tell the earl, and pu
an end TO ali This gossip about Mis-
Walter"
Lord Fanshawe laughed-a queer
, harsh. unsteady laugh
/ ,arsf cqf7 h.a..r1alEF 4 ~.
not. It's all very .well 10 talk, but
; daUent"
Geofrey stood back. rigid. stiff, hi
eyes on Lord Fanshawes face. For
! moment he seemed unable TO speak. bu
when he did, his voice was curiousl
steady.
"Why?" he asked.
Lord Fanshawe turned and took tw
or three quick steps across the floor be
D fore he replied. He came to a standstt
r IN front of the desk. ana clenched hi
2 hand on the back Of a chair
, Because I'm in a hOle-because II
J helpless-because my father has arrange
4 for me to marry Miss Walter. and I sha
I have to do it. That's all, Godfrey"
''Why?" said Ge0ffrey's S cold and stead
voice again, and again Lord FanshaW
h went packard and forward over the thic
& carpet before he replied.
Heaven knows, Geadrey, you may a
n we'll know" he said, at last. "Rea
. that
4 He took a letter from the desk as i
q spoke and held it out In a shaking han,
! His face looked gray and shaken, an
d | Godfrey gave him quick. curious look g
n he took the letter.
It was short and abrupt-half doze
= lines in all-but It had been enough
! turn Geoffrey's face gray, too. as J
n looked into Lord Fanshawes eyes eigl
s years ago!
v What does it mean?" he cried. hoars
III ly.
10 Lord FanshaWe laughed again.
1T means he said that in a fe
,e minutes I shall be disgraced, ruined