Evening star., 1924-05-13

what looked like it-and there re-
mained them a chance, however slen-
der of acQuittal, as many lived TO
prove thereafter. With FeVersham
there was no such chance. And 1t
was of this circumstance that Sir
Rowland Blake took the fullest and
the cowardliest advantage.
There can be no doubt that Sir
Rowland was villain. 1t might be
urged for him that he was creature
of circumstance. and that had circum-
stances been other 1T is possible he
had been a credit to his name. But
he was weak in character. and out of
that weakness he had developed
Herculean strength in villainy. Fail
ure had dogged him in everything he
undertook. Broken at the gaming
tables, bounded out of town by cred
itors, he was in desperate straits to
repair his fortunes and, as we have
seen, he was not nice in his endeavors
to achieve that end.
Ruth Westmacott's fair inheritance
had seemed an easy thing to con-
quer. and to its conquest he had ap-
piled himself to suffer defeat as he
had suffered it in all. things else. But
Sir Rowland did not yet acknowledge
himself beaten, and the Bridgwater
reign of terror dealt him a fresh
hand-a hand of trumps. With this
he came boldly to renew the game
He was as smooth as oil at first,
very penitent, confesSing himself mad in
what he had done on that Sunday
night-mad with despair and rage at
having been defeated in the noble
task to which he had turned his
hands His penitence might have
had little effect upon the Westma-
colts had he not known how to in
sinuate, that it might be best for
them to lend an ear to it-and a
forgiving one.
YOU will tell Mr.. Westmacott. Jas
per-" he had said, when Jasper told
him they could not receive him, that
he would be unwise not to see me,
and the same to Mistress Wilding."
And old Jasper had carried his
message, and had told Richard of
the wicked smile that had been on
Sir Rowland's lips when he had ut
tered it
Now Richard was in many ways
Weston Zoyland. A Transformation
seemed to have been wrought in him
as odd as it was sudden. and it
dated from the moment when with
tears in his eyes he had wrung Wild
ing's hand in farewell. Where pre-
cept had failed. Richard found him
self converted by example. He con-
trasted himself in that stressful hour
with great-souled Anthony Wilding,
and saw himself as he was, weak
ling strong only in vicious ways.
Repentance claimed him; repentance
and fine ambition to be worthier,
| to resemble as nearly as his nature
would allow him this Anthony Wild
| ing whom he took for pattern He
changed his ways, abandoned drink
| and gaming and gained thereby
healthier countenance. Then in his zeal
| he overshot his mark. He developed
| taste for Scripture-reading, bethought
| him of prayers, and even took to say
| ing grace to his meat. 1ndeed-for
conversion, when it comes, is furi-
Gus thing-the swing Of his souls
pendulum threatened now to carry
him to extremes of virtue and piety.
20 Lordw he would cry score of
times a day, Thou has brought up
my soul from the grave; Thou hast
kept me alive that 1 should not go
down to the pit!'
unfortunately, the inherent weak
| ness of his nature-indeed. it was
that very weakness and malleability
made this sudden and wholesale con-
version possible.
Upon hearing Sir Rowland's mes
sage his heart tainted. despite his
perhaps they had better hear what
| the baronet might have to say.
1t was three days fater Sedgemoor
| fight, and poor Ruth was worn and
exhausted with her grief-believing
Wilding dead, for he had sent no
! message to inform her of his almost
miraculous preservation. The thing
he went to do in. London was fraught
with such peril that he foresaw but
with his life. Therefore, he had
argued, why console her now with
news that he lived. when in a few
days the headsman might prove that
so might be to give her cause to
mourn him twice. Again he was
haunted by the thought that, in spite
of all. it may have been pity that had
so grievously moved her at their last
meeting. Better then to wait; better
for both their sakes. If he came
safely through his ordeal it would be
time enough to bear her news OF his
preservation.
In deepest mourning, very white.
with dark stains beneath her eyes to
tell the tale of anguished vigils. she
received Sir Rowland in the with
drawing room. her brother at her
side. To his expressions OF deep pen
itence he found them cold: so he
passed on to show them what dis
astrous results might ensue upon
a stubborn maintaining of this atti-
tude OF theirs towards him
"I have come" he said, his eyes
downcast, his face long drawn. for he
hypocrite in England, Ito do some
thing more than speak of my grief
and regret. 1 have come to oher
proof of it by service"
I'VE ask no service Of you, sir"
said Ruth, her voice a sword Of
sharpness.
He sighed. and turned to Richard.
This were folly" he assured his
whilom friend. You know the in
fuence I WELD"
implying doubt.
you think that the bungled mat
ter at Newlington's may have shaken
itr' quoth Blake. with Feversham,
perhaps. But Albemarle, remember,
trusts me very fully. There are ugly
happenings in the town here. Men
are being hung like linen on wash
ing day. Be not too sure that your
self are free from all danger" Rich
ard paled under the baronet's bale
too great haste to cast me aside, for
you may find me useful.
do you threaten, sir?" cried Ruth.
Threaten quoth he. He turned
of them. rs it to threaten to prom
ise you my protection; to show you
| how I can serve you?-than which I
ask no sweeter boon of heaven. A
| word from me, and Richard need feer
| nothing"
HE need fear nothing without that
word" said Ruth disdainfully. Such
| service as he did Lord Feversham
| the other night ."
,"Is soon forgotten" Blake cut in
aQrOltIy. 1nQeeQ, Twill pe IHOSt COn-
venient to his lordship to forget it.
Think you he would care to have it
known that twas to such chance he
owes the preservation of his army"
He laughed. and added in voice of
much sly meaning, The times are
full of peril. There's Kirke and his
lambs. And there's no saying how
Kirke might act did he chance to
learn what Richard failed to do that
night when he was left to guard the
rear at Newlington's"
| >"Would you inform him of it," cried
Richard, between anger and alarm.