The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-03-24

luk ION g W va w N~~sAe6
really worth WHILE
There was the glimmer OF a smile on
Iauth's lips as she answered meekly.
.'Then yo,l don't think that-sitting
around.nntl making love to me-ts-
worth while?"
For a moment John stood and stared
ut her. The blood rushed into his face.
Then the full meaning OF her light
evasion Of his real meaning struck him
like a blow between the eyes.
His heart was filled with love for
her, love that had grown and increas-
ed since the hour when he had first
seen her 1T old Tom Gallons door;
He had Thought that his devoted serv-
ice to her interests, his constant atten-
ton to the slightest detail that could
insure her future happiness. would
have published that love to TIER.
/ He was minded to tell her now. to
forego all else in order to WOO her for
himself.
Ruth he began. Bnt some sub
tie change in her manner frOze the not
words OH his lips.
"Well,' he went on. controlling him.
self by 4 tremendous effort mid trying
to speak lightly. I'm be Od. Thank
heaven yon'll be safe here
There was Struggle in Ruth's breast
too. Yet the memory Of her promise
to Fnvorshum stiiled her.
In that long and terrible moment-she
realized that John Dorr was all IN all
to her. Yet she was bonnd to another
who had risked his life an the strength
Of her promise to marry him. and she
could not speak What was II. her lieart
She tried to look John bravcly in the
eyes, and the tears would come IN
spite OF her.
y She bowed her head. and SO he left
-
her. with bitterness in his soul, but
tile firm resolve to carry out hts self
appointed task 10 matter what the out.
come.
Faversham was as good ~ his woivl.
aud the old nntive agreed once more to
risk the bills and guard this stranger
who. he was convinced. had lost Ills
mind.
But his duty was plain and Sir Don.
aids lnjunctions not to he trihed With.
Tllht evening the two Of them set forth.
following In the track Of WllkersOn
and his party.
That John should have departed
without further farewell hurt Rntfl
soreiy.
1t seemed to mark q definite break
in their frank relations. and She felt
that when he returned with the plans
she would have to receive him on an
entirely new footing the footing ut
business man With his employer.
And while the hurt was fresh she
turned to Sir Donald gratefully. He
had acted most delicately In all their
experiences together. He had proved
his devotion by coming with them to
lndiu and during the horrible night.
mare when their hotel had been the
center OF assault by fanatical natives
He had accepted her promise without
undue exactions. He had seemed to be
waiting till he and she could speak
more definitely.
FavershaM was by no mems dill.
and he played the part OF IL kind friend
during the first days Of Johns alb
sence.
He knew that Dorr was In love with
Ruth. and lie strongly suspected that
her feeling for him had once bordered
Oh love.
He wonld tear open no old wounds.
He was devoted. cheerful. always ut
her call. hut never insistent on his
privileges.
The american consul liked him from
the first and told his wife that Ruth
would be Il fool II she preferred IL hare
Drained idiot to a solid gentleman with
no nonsense. about him aud assured pO-
sition in society.
Mrs. Reynolds. having been rcbuffsil
when she sought Ruth's condolences.
merely stated it as her opinion that
all girls We're alike. II dogma the coli.
sui was too wise to argue.
Hut he gave Sir Donall-the freedom
OF the consulate and saw to It tint hp
had every chance to visit with Ruth.
Now. the baronet was not only no
dullard. but he had been bred In Il
school that forbade him to linger too
long before claiming Ruth openly a.
his fiMncee
At exactly the right moment heNOf-
feret her gorgeous ring and pressed
his suit ardentty. He said uothIn: OF
the promise he had exactcd. and Ruth
for very shame's sake accepted the
ring and tine ensuing congratulations Of
Mr.. ReynoldA his wife and their
friends.
Deep in her heart she felt herself
q traitor 70 John Dorr. alone on his
perilous errand. gone into the hills
without even n stray word OF his safe
ty coming bnck.
1t was not long before Dotr. through
his servants ready tongue. learned OF
the flight Of the priests With the Idol.
their subsequent defeat by Wllkersoii
and that mans escape. toeethef with
Drake. There vas but one thing to do
follow Wilkerson,
The nutive guide received the news
OF their change Of objective with u,l'
disguised contentment.
Sir Donalti's commands alone had
forced rim to disobey his own In
stincts. But IN q matter that lny who'll
IL between white men he saw nothing
alarming to bis own safety Or personal