Evening star., 1924-05-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
Betrayal.

CHAPTER XVIII.
/ Betrayal
| Still smarting under the cavaIte~
treatment he had received, Mr.. VII
ding came forth from the castle I,
find Trenchard awaiting him amons
the crowd of officers and men that
thronged the yard.
Nick linked his arm through his
friends and led him away. They
| quilted the place in silence, and in
silence took their way south toward
the High street, Nick waiting for Mr
Wilding to speak, Mr.. Wilding's mind
still i'll turmoil at the things he had
endured. At last Nick halted sud
denly and looked keenly at his fricna
| in the failing light
What 4 plague ails you. Tony"
said he sharply. You are as siIen.
as l am impatient for your news"
Wilding told him in brief. disdar
full terms of the reception they had
given him at the castle, and of how
they had blamed him for the circuu.-
stance that London had failed to pro-
claim itself for Monmouth.
Trenchard Snarled viciousiy. "'Eis
that mongrel Grey" said lie. "Oh.
set our hands? Naught can prospcr
with that fellow in it" He laid his
hand on Wildings arm and lowered
his voice. As / have hintCd before.
| 'tWould not surprise me if time proved
him traitor. Failure attends hin
everywhere, and so unfailingly that
one wonders is not failure invited b.
him. And that fool Monmouth.
Pshaw. See what il is to serve
weakling. With another in his place
and the country disaffected as it is,
We had been masters of England b.
now
Two ladies passed them at that mo
ment, cloaked and hooded walking
briSkly. One of them turned to look
at Trenchard. who, waving his arms
in wild gesticulation, was a conspicu-
Gus object. She checked in her walk,
arresting her companion.
Mr.. Wilding:" she exclaimed. It
was Lady Horton.
MIR. Wilding." cried Diana, her
companion.
Wilding doffed his hat and bowed
Trenchard following his example.
We had scarce looked to see you
i'll BridgWater gain" said the moth
er. her mild, pleasant countenance
rejecting the satisfaction it gave her
TO behold him safe and sound.
There have been moments" an
swered Wilding, when myself I
scarce expected to return. Your lady
ships greeting shows me what I had
lost had | not done So"
You are hut newly arrived? quoth
Diana, scanning him in the gloaminE.
From London, an hour since"
AN hour" she echoed, and OBJ
served that he was still booted and
dust-stained. You will have been 10
Lupton House?"
a shadow crossed his face. his
glance seemed to grow clouded, all OF
fail to observe Not yet" said he.
You are a laggard," she laughed al
him, and he. felt the blood driver
back upon his heart. What did shc
mean? Was il possible she suggested
that he should be welcome, that his
wife's feelings toward him had under
gone change? His last parting from
her on the road near Walford had
been ever in his mind.
II have had weighty business to
transact" he replied, and Trenchard
snorted, his mind flying back to the
his friend had told him.
But now that you have disposed
OF that you will sup with US" said
Lady Horton, who was convinced that
since Ruth had gone to the altar with
the odd things she had heard. Ap-
pearances with Lady Horton counted
for everything, and all that glittered
was gold to her.
II would he answered. but that
am to sup at Mr.. Newlington's with
his majesty. My visit must wait IN
til tomorrow"
! Let us hope" said Trenchard. "that
1t waits no longer" He was alread,
instructed touching the night attaci
on FeVerShamS s camp on Sedgemoor.
and thought it likely Wilding would
accompany them.
You are going to Mr.. NewiinE-
ton's?" said Diana, and Trenchard
thought she had turned singulariy
pale. Her hand was over her heart
her eyes wide. She seemed about to
M G. q h IN h. -
She took her mothers arm. I'VE arc
detaininG Mr.. Wilding. mother" said
she, and her voice quivered as IL her
whole being were shaken by some
gusty agitation. They spoke their
second later Diana was back at their
side again.
Where are you lodged, Mr.. viii
ding?" she inquired
with my friend Trenchard-at the
sign of the ship, by the cross"
She briefly acknowledged the infor-
ma ation,. rejoined her mother and hur-
ried away with her.
Trenchard stood staring after then.
a moment. odd said he, did you
mark that girls discomposure?"
But Wilding's thoughts were else
where. Come, Nick! If 1 am to ren-
der myself fit to sit at table will
Monmouth, we'll need to hasten"
They went their way, but not So
fast as went Diana, urging with her
her protesting and Short-winded
mother.
where is your mistress% the girl
asked excitedly of the first servant
she met at Lupton House.
I'm her room, madam" the man re
piled, and to Ruth's room went DIAM
breathlessly, leaving Lady Horton
gaping after her and understanding
nothing.
Ruth, who was seated pensiye by
her window, rose on Diana's impetu-
Gus entrance, and in the deepening
twilight she looked almost EhostIy
In her gown of shimmering Whit
satin, sewn with pearls about the
neck of the loW-cut bodice.
Diana" She cried. You startled
me-"
Not so much as / am yet to do.
answered Diana, breathing excite
ment. She threw back the winplr
from her head, and pulling away her
cloak, tossed it on to the bed. MI
Wilding is in Bridgwater," she an
nounced.
There was a faint rustic from the
stiff satin of Ruth's gown. Then"
her voice shook slightly. +aThen-he
is not dead" she said, moro because
she felt that she must say something
hoo otroa