Evening star., 1924-04-17
CHAPTER VIII.
Bride and Groom.

And so the bridegroom, in all his
| Trenchard to the Bell Inn, in the
High street, whilst his bride, escorted
| by Lord Gervase, was being driven to
Zoyland Chase, of which she was now
! the mistress.
But she was not destined just yet
to cross its threshold. For scarcely
| were they over the river when a
horseman barred their way and
called upon the driver to pull up.
Lady Horton, in a panic, huddled her
| self in the great coach and spoke of
| his head from the window to discover
that the rider who stayed their prog
! ress was Richard Westmacott. His
lordship hailed the boy, who there
upon walked his horse to the carriage
| door.
Lord Gervase," said he, will you
bid the coachman put about and drive
to Lupton House?"
Lord Gervase stared at him in hope
less bewilderment. Drive to Lupton
House?" he echoed. The more he saw
of this odd wedding the less he under
stood of it 1t seemed to the placid
old gentleman that he was fallen
%.
Surely, sir. 1t is for Mistress Wiiding
to say whittier she will be driven"
and he drew in his head and turned
to Ruth for her commands. But, be-
give him. 1t was her turn to lean
from the carriage window to ask her
brother what he meant.
II mean you are to drive home
1 must tell you. When you have hear d
me it shall be yours to decide wheth-
er you will proceed or not to Zoyland
Chase"
Hers to decide? How was that pos
sible? What could he mean? She
tons
"It means, in short" he answered
impatiently, that / hold your saliva
ton in my hands. For the rest, this Is
more. Bid the fellow put about"
Ruth sat back and looked once
more at her companions. But from
none did she receive the least helpful
suggestion Lady Horton made great
vase followed her example, whilst
Diana, whose alert IL trivial mind was
the one that might have offered as
She bethought her of Trenchard's
sudden arrival at St Marys, his
dust-stained person and excited man
ner, and of how he had drawn Mr.
Wilding aside with news that seemed
spoke of saving. her; it was a little
late for that, she thought. Outside
the coach his voice still urged her,
and 1t grew peevish and angry, as
was usual when he was crossed In
If she were to fathom this mystery
that was thickening about her, there
seemed to be no other course. She
turned to Lord Gervase.
begged him.
His lordship blew out his chubby
cheeks in his astonishment; he hest
tated for a moment, thinking Of his
he leaned from the window and gave
the order she desired. The carriage
turned about, and with Richard fol-
lowing numbered back across the
ton House. At the door Lord Gervase
| took his leave OF them. He had acted
as Ruth had bidden him. but he had
| no wish to be further involved In this
affair, whatever 1t might portend.
acGuaint Mr.. Wilding-if he could
| find him--with what was taking
| place, and leave 1T to Mr.. Wilding to
take what measures might seem best
to him He told them SO, and having
| told them, left them.
Richard begged to be alone with
his sister, and alone they passed to-
gether into the library. His manner
was restless; he trembled with ex-
citement and his eyes glittered al
/ most feverishly.
!. You. may have thought, Ruth, that
| was resigned to your marriage with
this fellow Wilding," he began, "or
that for other reasons I thought 1t
wiser not to interfere. If you thought
that. you wronged me. BLAKE and
rhave been at work for you during
these last days, and I rejoice to say
/ our labors have, not been idle" His
manner grew assertive, boastfuL as
he proceeded.
! you know, of course" said she,
that am married"
He made gesture of disdain. mo
natter" said he exultantly.
ut matters something, / think"
she answered. 20, Richard, Richard,
| why did you not come to me sooner
il you possessed the means of sparing
me this thingf"
-. (Continued in TouorroW's Starr 2