Evening star., 1924-04-11
Mistress Wilding
By Rafael Sabatini
Author of "Scar,meuche" captain Blood" esc
Copyright Isc4, by Houghton Mlmfn ccmpeny

thing must be done to save him.
This, too, appeared to: be Richard s
own view, when presently-within a
few minutes of Blake's departure
he came to join them They watched
his approach in silence, and both
noted-theugh with different eyes and
different feelings--the pallor of his
fair face. the dark. lines under his
colorless eyes. His condition was
abject, and his manners. never of the
best-for there was much Of the
spoiled child about Rfchard-were
clearly suffering from it..
! He stood before his slater and his
cosfsin, moving his eyes shiftify from
one TO the other. rubbing his hands
nervously together
has been here" he said. and IL was
not clear from his manner which of
them he addressed Not a doubt
but he will have brought you the
news" He seemed to sneer.
plying concern. She placed a hand
upon his sleeve MY poor Richard
!. - she began, but he shook off
her kindly touch. laughing angrily-a
mere cackie of irritabtlity:
a thought late for this mock kind
Diana, in the background, arched
her brows, then with shrug turned
aside and seated herself On the stone
seat by which they had been stand
ing Ruth shrank back as if her
brother had struck her.
Richard" she cried. and search ed
his livid face with her eyes. Rich
ard"
He read a question in the inter
lection, and he answered it, Had
you known any real care, any true
concern for me, you had not given
cause for this affair" he child her peev-
ishiy.
and it occurred to her at last that
Richard was afraid, He was cow
ard! She felt as she would faint
II am saying" said he, hunching
his shoulders. and shivering5 as he
spoke. yet his glance unable to meet
like TO get my throat cut before sun
set"
MY fauItg she murmured. The
slope of lawn seemed to wave and
swim about her. my fauitT
-The fault of your wanton ways"
he accused her harshly. You have
so played fast and loose with this
fellow wilding that he makes free of
your name ia my presence. and puts
upon me the need to get myself
honor"
He would have said more in this
strain, but something in her glance
gave him pause. There fell a silence.
From the distance came the melo-
dious pea.ling of church bells. High
overhead a lark was pouring out its
song; in the lane at the. orchard end
rang the beat Of trotting hoofs. 1t
was Diana who spoke presently. Just
indignation stirred her. and. when
stirred, she knew no pity, set no lin
1T think, indeed said She. her voice
crisp and fnerciless, that the family
honor will best be saved IL Mr.. Wild
ing kills you. 1t is in danger while
you live. You are coward, Rich
"Dianar. he thundersd--he could be
mighty brave with 'women-whilst
Ruth .eiutched her arm to restrain
But. she. continued, undeterred:
.'Yod are a coward pitifui coward" )"
she told him. Consult your mirror.
1t viii tell .yeu what = pafssed thing
you are. That you should dare so
spesa oa:,n to Ruth rt..., s...,s her turning
@ays.s grexisd Richard. "she had
Diana rose to batt,s. her cheeks
crimson. 'It asks q drawer man than
youl TO- eompsi. my obedisnse," she
that had Mr.. Wiiding overhead what
yod have said TO your sister, You
would have little to fear from his
sword A cane would be the weapon
he'd use en- you"
:. Richards pale eyes Named na1ev-
oiently; violent rage possessed him
and Hooded out his fear. for nothing
car 30 road q man as an. offensive
truth Ruth approached him again;
again, she took him by the arm,
seeking to sooth his oyertroubied
spirit; but, again he shook her OF.
And then to save the situation came a
servant from, the house SO lost In
anker-Mas all ,Richatd'g eense OF. de.
cency. that the mere superyentton OF
the man would not have been enough
to have silencod him could he have
found adequate words In which to
answer Mistress Horton. But eyen
as he yaoked his mind. the footman's
voice broke the silence, and the
words the fellow uttered did what
HIS presence aions might not have
aMr. ,vxiIanccy is asking for you.
Ssy," he auuottMced
. Riehsa sfartak xa5oAnc1 "a