Evening star., 1924-04-15
Mistress Wnding
By Rafael Sabdfini
Author of "Scaramouche" Captain Blood"
Copyright. Company
By Rafael Sabafini

Salo that ne "ouid give the matter
thought, limiting that perhaps some
other way might present itself of
canceling the bargain she had made
They had week before them, and in
any case he promised readily in an
swer to her entreaties-for her faith
in him was thing unquencha BILE
that he would do nothing without
taking counsel with her.
Meanwhile Diana had escorted Sir
Rowland to the main gates of Lupton
House. in front Of which Miss West
horse. awaiting him.
Sir Rowland" said she at parting.
your chivlry makes you take this
matter too deeply to heart You
overlook the possibility that my
cousin may have good reason for not
desiring your interf erence."
He looked keenly at this little lady
to whom a month ago he had been
on the point of offering marriage.
His coxcombry might readily have
sugg ested to him that she was in
and inclinations urged him to assure
himself that this was not the case.
What shall that mean, madam"
he asked her
is plain" she answered, and it was
clear that she held something back
Sir Rowland f1attered himself upon
the shrewdness with which he read
her. never dreaming that he had but
read just what she intended he
should.
He. stood squarely before her,
shaking his great head. Not plain
enough for me- he said Then his
Teil @ me he besoueht SO Gne ber Of prayer
Il can't! I can't" she cried, in
loyal"
He frowned. He caught her arm
jealous alarm. What do you mean?
Diana lowered her eyes. you'll
not betray me- she stipulated.
why, no. Tell me-"
She flushed delicateiy. 81 am dis
loyal to Ruth" she said. "and yet I
am loath to see you cozened."
"CoZenedT quoth he, hoarsely, his
egregious vanity in arms. "Cozened! -
Diana explained. Ruth was at
alone with him for an hour or more. :
'Impossible!" he cried.
where else was the bargain
nader she asked, and shattered his
last doubt. You know that Mr.. Will
ding has not been here"
Yet Blake struggled heroically
against conviction.
She went to intercede for Rich
ard" he protested.
Miss Horton looked up at him. and
that he was a man of unfathomable
ignorance. Then she turned aside her
eyes and shrugged her shoulders very
eloquently. You are man Of the
world, Sir Rowland. You cannot seri-
ously suppose that any maid would
50 lmperiI her good name in any
cause?"
Darker grew his fiorid countenance;
his bulging eyes looked troubled and
perplexed.
You mean that she loves him." he
said, between question and assertion.
Diana pursed her lips. You shall
draw your own inference quoth she.
He breathed heavily and squared
his broad shoulders as one who braces
| himself for battle against an ele-
ment stronger than himself
But her talk of sacrifice?' he cried.
Diana laughed, and again he was
stung by her contempt of his per-
ceptions. Her brother is set against
her marrying him. said she. Here
was her chance. Is it not very
| plainT'
Doubt stared from his eyes. why
do you tell me this?"
Because I esteem you, Sir Row
land" she answered very gently. II
ter you cannot mend"
Which l am not desired to mend,
| say rather" he replied with heavy
| sarcasm. "She would not have my
interference. ne lauRneQ anSIliys
IT think you are right. Mistress Di-
ana" he said, "and / think that more
than ever is there the need to kill
this Mr.. Wilding"
He took his departure abruptly,
leaving her scared at the mischief
| she had made for him in seeking to
save him from it. and that very night
he sought out Wilding.
But Wilding was from home again.
Under it's placid surface the West
Country was in a ferment- And IL
hitherto Mr.. Wilding had disdained
the insistent rumors of Monmouth's
coming, his assurance was shaken
now by proof that the government
itself was stirring: for four COM
panies of foot and troop of horse
had been that day ordered to Taun-
! ton by the deputy lieutenant. Wild
| ing was gone with Trenchard to
White Lackington in a vain hope that
| there he might find news to confirm
| his persisting unbelief in any such
| rashness as was alleged on Mon
mouths part.