The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-04-08
~ Chapter 2s

no immediate incentive for securing
his freedom
But Ruthyen Instantly began TO real
lze that what be had lost he might
not have lost had he been free TO
shoulder aside the young fellow who
had furestalIed him. The chance had
passed-ihat particular chance. But
he'd never again allow himself to be
caught In position where such
chance could pass him by because he
was not legally free 10 at least make
the effort TO seize IT,
Fear IN his soul had kept him from
blazoning his wlfe's innrmity 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 a 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.
Ruthyen needed money. He needed
II 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. lie required capital on which to
live abroad during the proceedings II
that could be legally arranged. And
meanwhile. preliminary TO any plan OF
| campalgn. he desired to know where
his wife was and what might be her
actual physical and mental condition.
But Ruthyen was totally unprepared
for the report brought him by a prt-
yate agency TO the effect that Mrs.
Ruthven was apparently In perfect
health, living In the country, main
tanning a villa and staif OF servants;
that she might be seen driving per-
fectly appointed Cossack sleigh any
day with a groom on the rumble and q
companion beside her; that she seem
ed to be perfectly sane, healthy In
body aud mind. comfortable, happy
and enjoying life under the protection
OF certain Captain Selwyn, who paid
all her bills and at certain times was
seen entering or leaving her house at
\ Edgewater
Excited lncredulous, but hoping for
the worst Ruthven had posted of to
/ his attorneys To them he naively
confessed his desire to be rid OF Alike
He reported her misconduct with Neer-
gard which he knew was lie-her
pretense OF mental prostratlon, her dis
appearance and his last interview
with Selwyn In the card room. He
also gave vivid description Of that
gentleman's disgusting behavior and
his threats Of violence during that In
tervlew.
To all of which his attorneys listen
ed very attentlvely, bade him have no
fear of his life. requested him to make
several afiidavits and leave the rest
10 them for the present
Which he did. without hearing from
them until MT. Hallam telegraphed
him to come to Edgewater II he had
nothing better 10 do.
Mr.. Hallam was very busy, very
sanguIne. very impetuous young man,
and when he met Ruthyen at the Edge
water station he told him promptly
that he had the best case on earth,
that he, Hallam, was going to New
York on the next train, now 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,
aud 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 eyergreens
about, tall cedars, a 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,
hesitated. looked cautiously around
her. Ruthyen. hiding behind a bush.
saw her thrust her arm into low
evergreen shrub and draw out shin
ing object that glIttered Ike glass.
Then she started toward the house
again.
At first Ruthyen thought she was his
wife. Then he was not sure. and be
east his cigar away and followed.
sinking forward among the ever
greens But the youthful, fur clad
ngure kept straight on to the yeranda
OF the house, and Rutbven, curious
and determined to fnd out whether II
was Alike or not, left the semi-shelter
Of the eyergreens and crossed the open
space Just as the woman's figure dis
appeared around an angle Of the We.
runda
vexed, determined DOT TO return
without some definite discovery. Ruth
ven stepped upon the yeranda. Jus,
around the angle OF the porch be heard
door opening. and be hurried for
ward. impatient aud absolutely un
afraid. anxious TO get one good look al
bis wife and be on.
nut Auth ne A1furu Tue abese VI tbs
porch there was 10 one there. Only an
ol,en door confronted him. with big
mild eyed wolfhound standing In The
doorway looking steadily UP al bin.
RuthTen glanced somewhat dubious
~ a, the dog, then ne the animal nads
DO offensive movement be craned BIZ
feshy neck striving to see inside ths
house
He dbd see nothing very much. onl,
the same young gir. siiii 10 her furs
emerging from an inner room. h@i
arms faii Of dolls
In bis eagerness 10 see more Ruihsei
Il pushed PAS, the great white dog. whs
| withdrew bis bead dlsdainfuliy from