The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-05-25
THE TANGLED WEB.


He oGeeted the girl pleasantly, but
, twS had hardly an opportunity
exchange more than a half dozen
brds before her uncle seized upon
IA and drew him to Gne side with
b muttered excuse to Estelle that
wanted to discuss a little matter
business with Mr.. Blair.
A. the two men stepped away to-
lther. the servant who had admit
] Blair appeared to inform him
at Ruth was still dressing. but
ovld be down almost Immediately.
At last. though. all ready, and a
diant Sirlish vision. in her SHIN
cring gauzes and tulles, the came
piping down the stairs and hurried
ward the drawing room to nnd
fleetwood.
But a. she crossed the hall. her
other with apparent unpremedita-
% intercepted her and during the
omentary pause, the sound OF
bices reached her from beyond the
rawins room door. Two men were
beaking.
"You agree then TO accept the
900 and remain unmarried az
hQuire?" II was the curt, business
ke voice OF Batson Kendrick, his
bne raised slightly as IL for EN-.
basis.
IL agree to your terms. Mr.. Ken
rick, and will promise to remain
lngle."
Her lover! Oh. no: II could not
:. Why. this man was no better
han Q Judas.
Kendrick spoke again from behind
be drawn curtains.
"Then I suppose you will have no
bjection TO starting for Alaska this
keek!" he said.
But before Blair could make an
wer. Ruth was startled by hearing
mother voice-the shr.ll, almost de-
pairing cry of a woman.
TO Alaska? Oh no, Surely you
Ire not planning to send him as far
way as that?'
With a quick step forward, Ruth
cached the portieres, and flung
hem back to disclose the sight OF
estelle In Blair's arms.
BY a clever bit OF acting, Estelle
% she uttered her protest against
liz going away. had seemed 10 STUN.
bio and catch her heel in the rug.
md Fleetwood had naturally tried
% have her from falling.
But Ruth could not know this. She
bnly saw him holding Estelle In an
apparently ardent embrace. and Es-
kelIe with her arms wound around
hin.
Her dark eyes wide, incredulous,
bhe stood staring at the spectacle;
khcn with low cry Of pain, she
burned and rushed olindly up the
btairs and to her own room.
Blair In his dismay at the sight OF
her and the evident significance she
placed upon his attitude, was for the
instant nonpiussed, incapable Of ac-
hon: but recovering himself a mo-
mcnt later, flung Estelle almost
Roughly to one side. and dashed mad
~ In pursuit.
In vain, though. were all his en-
treaties and attempts at explana-
HON.
Finally Mrs. Alden with an air OF
motherly sympathy persuaded him
that II was better to defer until
morning his efforts to repair the
Misunderstanding and so induced
him TO leave the house.
Hardly was he out Of the door,
however, before Ruth experienced a
revulsion OF feeling. After all she
told herself, 1t was only fair to hear
what he had to say.
In this frame OF mind. she was
. awaiting his arrival the next morn
ing, when a maid brought her word
that Estelle Abbott desired TO see
her.
Ruth hesitated, moro than half in
clined to refuse; but Estelle, covert
~ abetted by Mrs. Alden, had taken
no chances on being denied, and fol
lowing almost on the heels OF the
maid.
Don't turn away from me. Ruth"
she pleaded Historically. 1T Is bet
ter that you should hear what l have
to say; for tell you frankly that
fleetwood Blair IL not worthy OF
you--not worthy Of either Of US. for
that matter. But as between us"
her voice broke, and she sadly bow
ed her head, mine In tho stronger
claim upon him."
Something In the tone arrested
Ruth's attention, and leaning for
ward, she caught Estelle by the chin
and forced the girls face up to meet
the searching gaze she bent upon It.
Then as she read there the con-
Armation OF what she suspected, she
fell back with a sharp exclamation.
"Oh!" she cried oh" and bury
Ing her own face in her hands, she
turned away, while Estelle satisfied
at what she had accomplished, crept
from the room.
When Blair called q little later on.
he was informed that Miss Alden