The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-27

But he accepted the situation and made no
attempt to approach her.
once they were thrown together alone for
moment. LIN the hall at Darlingham his
father was speaking TO Torosto and Steph-
en-, and she and Ralph stood aside.
Il have not sufficiently thanked you for
all you have done for me, Mr.. Anstable,'
she sald win studied formality but can
assure you ghat both Count Stefano and 1
appreciate most warmly your devoted eff
forts to bring as together. We have spoken
OF IL on the way here
There is no need whatever to speak OF
IT, countess" replied Ralph, stung by her
formal and ceremonious manner what
little I have done has been at my fathers
Instance ana In his stead. Now that you
are both IN safety here, my part Of the
lit is because Of that and because that
part OF your work is finished. I wish you to
feel how grateful are. We are not like
~ TO meet again In our present mutual re-
lations. and the chapter could not be closed
thanks"
You mean you will go very soon to
ltalyF' he asked, not quite understanding
Major rorosto is anxious that we start
practically at once"
Il ofrer you my congratulations, countess
Sir william has already done that for
himself Mr. Ansta6Ie she replied with
and she turned away with him. and left
Ralph staring after her, amazed troubled,
and more than a little wounded by her
studied GOODNESS.
In the evening, while stephen and Rita
n were together In the drawing room, Ralph
told his mother about Heens previous mar
riage, pledglng her to secrecy and leaving
Il to her TO decide what provision should be
made for Helen.
Then he told her that he had decided TO
go abroad for time, but kept the reasons
secret. Somewhat TO his dsmay. he found
her full Of praise of Rita; her beauty, her
charm, and her tenderness, and full also
OF regrets that she should have TO marry
such a man as stephen. Fearing that he
might be led To betray his own feelings he
went away the plea that he had to at
tend last conference on Ritas affairs.
and Ralph told Torosto Of the plan In re-
gard to Blackmore and the hope that II
might lead To the breaking up of the DrasilI
ON the following morning he went TO see
Mr.. Leaf and settle the business matters
Of the estate; and he was closeted with the
lawyer when n telegram came from Dr.
Cotterell, having been sent on by Sir VII
liam:
Come at once Most urgent"
lie had Intended 10 leave Birmingham that
time and not return until she had left for
Italy with Torosto and stephen; but the
terms of the message were 50 peremptory
that he changed the plan, and went straight
to London instead or returning 10 Darling
ham at all
Of all the harassing business, and get away
from England He was intensely miserable.
He had Obeyed the call OF honor with al
most quixouc scruple, and he had fulfilled
the task which his father had entrusted TO
him The Interview with Blackmore was
the last or the work and now that Rita
and stephen were both safe at Darlngham
In Torosto's care, he was free to go where
he would
Rita's conduct on the previous day had
touched him deeply. Her tone Of cold for
mality In thanking him was unintelligible
and uncalled for. The only explanation he
could think Of that in her unwilllngness
to marry stephen she had been angercd by
what he had said at Torosto's insistence.
She had changed from the moment the
words were uttered, and the change had In
Guided not only a complete reversal OF her
manner toward him but also toward
stephen.
He had no right. OF course. to be angry
because she had shown such a readiness TO
theless She might at least have treated
him with less coldness and Indifference,
have spoken TO him a friend, and have
left stephen to speak for himself
Yes, certainly, the he out Of
England and away from ii all the better;
would go. America first New York, Chi
cago and then the west. From there back
through Canada, and rush home to Darl-
ingham for a while TO comply with his
mothers entreaty that he would not remain
away more than three months. After that
South Africa perhaps, and Australia-any-
where until the racking ache Of his sorrow
had been duled by lapse of time, change
of scene, and hard work.
In mood OF almost feverish eagerness
to get away on his travels he reached Lon
don and hurried TO Dr. COtterel. He even
up with him, In order that the italian
might take charge OF the affair at once
He found the doctor quite excited. II am
glad you came at once, Anstable.' he said
they drove to the Home. I'VE worked
that rig on Blackmore-that's Hareheld's ex-
effect was all you could have wished He
was I'm n state Of abiect funk, and this