Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-04-02
} Chapter 2s

no immediate incentive ioT ec"i'"s
his freedom
But Ruthven instantly began TO real
iZe that what lie had lost he might
not have lost had he been free to
shoulder aside the young fellow who
had forestalled him. The chance had
passed-that particular chance. But
he'd never again allow himself TO be
caught in q position where such a
chance could pass him by because he
was not legally free to at least make
the effort to seize 1T.
Fear In his soul had kept him from
blazoning his wife's infirmity to the
world as cause for an action against
her, but he remembered Neergard's
impudent cruise with her on the Mo
brara, and he had temporarily settled
on that as means to eXtort revenue
not intending such an action should
ever come to trial. And then he
learned that Neergard had gone to
pieces. That was the second check
Ruthven needed money. He neeIed
it because he meant to put the ocean
between himself and Selwyn before
commencing any suit, whatever ground
he might choose for entering such a
suit He required capital on which TO
live abroad during the proceedings II
that could be legally arranged. And
meanwhile, preliminary to any plan or
campaign, he desired to know where
his wife was and what might be hel
actual physical and mental condition
But Ruthven was totally unprepared
for the report brought him by pri
vate agency to the effect that Mrs.
Ruthven was apparently in perfect
health, living in the country, main
tanning a villa and staff of servants;
that she might be seen driving per
fectly appointed Cossack sleigh any
day with a groom on the rumble ana
companion beside her; that she seem
ed to be perfectly sane, healthy IN
body and mind, comfortable, happy
and enjoying life under the protection
of a certain Captain Selwyn. who paid
all her bills and at certain times was
seen entering or leaving her house at
Edgewater.
Excited, incredulOus. but hoping for
the worst. Ruthven had posted Off to-
bis attorneys. To them he naivcly
confessed his desire to be rid of Alike
He reported her misconduct with Neer-
gard-which he knew was a ie-her
pretense of mental prostration, her dis
appearance and his last interview
with Selwyn in the card room lie
also gave a vivid description of that
gentleman's disgusting behavior and
his threats of violence during that in
terview.
To all of which his attorneys listen
ed very attentively, babe him have no
fear of his life, requested him to make
several af1idavits and leave the rest
to them for the present.
Which he did, without hearing from
them until Mr.. Hallam telegraphed
him to come to Edgewater If he had
nothing better to do.
Mr. Hallam was q very busy. very
sanguine. very impetuous young man.
and when he met Ruthveu at the Edge
water station he told him promptly
that be had the best case on earth:
that he Hallam, was going to New
York on the next train cow almost
due. and that Ruthven had better
drive over and see for himself how
gayly his wife maintained her house
hold. for the Cossack sleigh. with its
gray crimson tchug, had but just re-
turned from the usual afternoon spin,
and the young chatelaine of Willow
Villa was now on the snow covered
lawn. romping with the coachman's
huge white wolfhound. Ruthven drove
to the villa
There were clumpS of evergreens
about, tall cedars, bit Of bushy fore. !
land and stretch of snow. And
across this open space of snow
young girl was moving, followed by a
white wolfhOund Once she paused, F,
hesitated, looked cautiously around
her. Ruthven, hiding behind bush,
saw her thrust her arm into low
evergreen shrub and draw out shin
ing object that glittered, like glass
Then she started toward the house
again.
At first Ruthven thought she was his
wife. Then he was not sure, and he
cast his cigar away and followed.
forward among the ever
greens. But the youthful. fur clad
figure kept straight on to the veranda
of the house, and Ruthven, curious
and determined to find out whether it !
was Alike or not, left the semi-shelter
Of the evergreens and crossed the open |
space Just as the woman's figure dis |
around an angle Of the We
randa.
VeXed, determined not to return |
without some definite discovery. Ruth
ven stepped upon the veranda. Just
around the angle of the porch he heard ,
a door opening, and he hurried for
ward, impatient and absolutely IN
afraid, anxious to get one good look at
his wife and be off.
But when he turned the angie of the
porch there was no one there. Only an
open door confronted him, with a big,
mild eyed wolfhound standing in the
doorway looking steadily up at him.
Ruthven glanced somewhat dubious
ly at the dog; then as the animal made
no offensive movement he craned his
feshy neck striving TO see inside the
house.
He did see-nOthing very much, only
the same young girl still in her furs.
emerging from an inner room, Der
--s-~-r-~---~ So .----.'