The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-03-31

his wife was and what might be her
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 villa and staff of servants;
that she might be seen driving per-
fectly appointed Cossack sleigh any
day with a groom on the rumble and
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 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
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 lle-her
pretense Of mental prostration, her dis
appearance and his last interview
with Selwyn in the card room. He
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, bade him have no
fear of his life, requested him to make
several affidavits 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 very busy, very
sanguine, very impetuous young man.
and when he met Ruthveu 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,
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 a stretch of snow. And
across this open space of snow a
erirl MOVING fnllnxUoH Inv a
white wolfhound. Once she paused,
hesitated, looked cautiously around
her. Ruthven, hiding behind a bush,
saw her thrust her arm into a low
evergreen shrub and draw out a 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.
Sinking forward among the ever
green's. But the youthful, fur clad
! figure kept straight on to the veranda
Of the house, and Ruthven, curious
, and determined to find out whether II
was Alike or not, left the semi-shelter
, Of the evergreens and crossed the open
space just as the woman's figure dis
,, 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
door opening, and he hurried for
ward, impatient and absolutely un
afraid, anxious to get one good look al
his wife and be off.
But when he turned the angle of the
porch there was no one there. Only al
J open door confronted him, with 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
J no offensive movement he craned hi
heshy neck striving to see inside thu
J house.
He did see-nothing very much, only
the same young girl, still in her furs
, emerging from an inner room, he
arms full Of dolls.
In his eagerness to see more Ruthvel
pushed past the great white dog, wh'
, withdrew his head disdainfully from
, the unceremonious contact, but quietl!
followed Ruthven into the house
/ standing beside him, watching him OIL
, of great, limpid, deerlike eyes.
But Ruthven no longer needed tn,
dog. His amused and slightly sneer
ing gaze was fastened on the girl Il
furs who had entered what appeared
to be a living room to the right ant
} now, down on her knees beside
t couch, smiling and talking confiden
TALLY and quite happily to herself, wa
placing her dolls against the wall.
| Then the great white dog growle'
very low, and the girl in the fur Jack
! ct looked around and up quickly.
Alike! He realized 1t as she caugh
} his pale eyes hxed on her, and sh
stared, sprang to her feet, stil staring
l Then into her eyes leaped terror. tn
/ living horror Of recognition distortin,
) her face. And as she saw he mean
l to speak she recoiled, shrinking away
, turning in her fright lika n hunte,