The Detroit times., 1916-05-24


words before her uncle seized upon
him anu urew him TO one side with
the muttcrcd excuse TO Estelle that
he wanted to discuss a little matter
/ or businegs with Mr.. Blair.
As the two men stepped away to-
/ sether. the servant who had admit
tel Blair appeared TO inform him
that Ruth was still dressing. but
would be down almost Immediately.
AT last. though. all ready. and
radiant girlish vision, in her shin.
marins gauzes and tullcs, che came
tipping down the stairs and hurried
toward the drawing room to find
| Fleetwood.
But as she crossed the hall, her
mother with apparent unpremedita
ton intercepted her and during the
momentary pause, the sound OF
voices reached her from beyond the
drawing room door Two men were
speaking.
you agree then to accept the
$4,000 and remain unmarried as |
requireT II was the curt, business
like voice of Eatson Kendrick, his
tone raised slightly AS il for EN-
phasis.
IL agree TO your terms. Mr.. Ken
drick and will promise to remain
single"
Her lover? oh, no: II could not
be- Why. this man was no better
than a judas
Kendrick spoke again from behind
the drawn curtains
Then suppose You will have no
objection to starting FOR Alaska this
week?" he said.
But before Blair could make an
svor. Ruth was startled by hearing
another voice--the shr!ll. almost de-
spairing cry OF woman.
TO Alaska? oh no. Surely you
are not planning to send him as far
away as that"
With a quick step forward. Ruth
reached the portieres, and flunc
them back TO disclose the sight OF
fsSA''t III iSAHAA 81 ht'fs
BY clever bit of acting, Estelle
as she uttered her protest against
his going away, had seemed to stun
bic and catch her heel in the rug,
and Fleetwood had naturally tried
TO have her from falling.
But Ruth could not know this. She
only saw him holding Estelle in All
apparently ardent embrace, ard Es-
telle with her arms wound around
him.
Her dark eyes wide. incredulous,
she stood staring at the spectacle;
then with low cry Of pain. she
turned and rushed bliudly up the
stairs 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 nonplussed Incapable of ac-
ton; but recovering himself mo-
ment 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-
tion
Finally Mrs. Alden with an air OF
motherly sympathy persuaded him
that Il was better to defer until
morning his efforts 10 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, It 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, more than half In
clined to refuse: but Estelle, covert.
ly 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 DIedQtu HgbttINhhys ~ 10 Wv
ter that you should hear what ] have
to say: for ! tell you frankly that
Fleetwood Blair is not worthy OF
yoL--not worthy Of either OF us, for
that matter. But as between us,
her voice broke, and she sadly bow
ed her head. mine Is the stronger
claim, upon him.
Something in the tone arrested
Ruth's attention, and leaning Tor
ward. she caught Estelle by the chin
and forced the girls face up TO meet
the searching gaze she bent upon IL.
Then as she read there the con-
lrmation of what she suspected. she
fell back with sharp exclamation.
oh" she cried. "Oh!" and bury
ing her own face in her hands, she
turned away. while Estelle satisfied
al what she had accomplished, crept
from the room.
When Blair called a little later on,