The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-12

have told you so much. / may as
well-it is only fair TO you that
should-tell you more. If l am
doing wrongly Ronald will forgive
me. He is the son of a baronet, Sir
Reginald Desborough, of Thorden
Hall"
Il know said Cara quietly. 81
know Miss Desborough. She was
kind to me when | lived in n mill
near the Hall. / did not know that
Robert-Ronald-it is hard to change
the name in ones mind so quickly
was her brother"
The Princess now was overwhelm-
ed with surprise for moment or
two.
Il don't know what to say" she
said at last. Ronald may not have
wanted you to know"
said Cara, in a low voice.
You shall not tell me any more"
Very WELL" assented the Princess.
but l must say this, for--for both
our sakes. We have been old friends.
he and mo more than that. Oh,
no more! l am married, Cara.
have been very unhappy"
! Not for one moment had Cara
been suspicious, and she stretched
out her hand, and laid it, with all
the sympathy of her strong nature,
on the elder woman's arm. 1t was
at that instant. perhaps, that the
Princess surrendered gave up her
love for Ronald, and took this beau
tiful gentle girl to her heart.
They reached London, and The
Princess took Cara to the house
in Eaton Square which the Prin-
cess owned, and treated her as a
sister.
There is nothing to be done un-
til Ronald comes, dear" she said.
I'VE can only wait
They had not long to wait, for
in less than week a telegram
came from Ronald. He and Smith
ers had started, and would reach
them in a few hours. They arrived
in the evening, and the Princess
met Ronald in the hall, with both
hands outstretched and a brave loo6
of friendliness in her eyes, which
answered the question in his with
smile.
Yes: she is all might. You will
see. She is waiting for you u2-
stairs. We are both glad you have
come"
He pressed her hands in ,rd
less gratitude, and went ~ tho
stairs two steps at a time, and
caught Cara in his arms.
Let me look at you, dearest
he said, after a moment or two
All, it's the old Cara come back
TO me, How well you are looking!
Tell me about the voyage. The Prin.
cess has been"
More than good to me-" Cara has.
tened to assure him No one could
have been kinder. She is a true
friend, Robert-Ronald- see
know"
He nodded.
Yes, dearest? She has told you?
There was no time at Nome Carlo
to tell you, to explain. l was coming
from the Hall, my fathers place
that night l lost my way across
the moor and-found you! had
quarrel with the Princess husband
and was afraid that had hurt him
seriously, perhaps killed him-no,
no! he is all rightl-so / took an
other name. l will tell you every
thing"
And my father?' she asked in
low voice, her face averted.
Ronald shook his head.
Il don't know what has become
of him, dearest; he has disappeared,
and | could not trace him. You
are not-grieving, Cara?"
NO" she said, looking al bln
with troubled expression. 81 cant
1t is wrong, unnatural; but-but--
ah, you don't know how unkind, how
cruel he was TO me at last.-I think
that-that he was not sane, Ronald"
I'm inclined to agree with you"
he said gravely. But we will not
think of him"
There is one thing | must speak
of" she said. The treasure; he
he stole that, Ronald?"
Il don't know Not unlikely" he
said reluctantly. But that's past and
done with. My partner, Mr. Vane,
and I gave it up as a bad job long