Evening star., 1924-04-11
Continued from Yesterdays star3
IL. ~,

It is in this, that come to seek your
aid or offer mine. Allied we might ac-
complish what singly neither of as
could"
He had at once. the reward of his
cunning speech. Ruth. held out her
Rowland, -, she said, with a pale
smile; and pale, too, was the. smile
with which Diana watched them. No
more than Ruth did She suspect the
sincerity of B1ake'S protestations,
II am proud you should account me
that" said the baronet, taking Ruth s
hands and holding them a moment;
land l would that /. could Prove. my
purpose. Believe me, il -wiIding would
brothers place, would gladly do So"
1t was safe boast, knowing as he
did that Wilding would coRsent TO no
such thing; but it earned him. =
glance of. greater kindliHess from
Ruth-who began to think that hfthi
erto perhaps shs had done him some
injustice-+aTid % look OF greater ad-
niration from Diana, who saw In him
IT would not have you : endanger
yourself So" said Ruth.
1T might said Blake, his blue
after alI."S And then disrnissing that
part of the subject as RI, like a brave
man, the notion Of being thought
boastful were unpleasant, he passed
on to the discussion Of ways and
might be averted. But when they
came to grips with facts it, seemed
that Sir Rowland had MS little idea
of what might DE done as had the
ladies'. True. he began by making
should tender Wiiding a fun apology:
That, indeed, was the only door of
escape, and Blake shrewdty suspected
that what the boy had been un-
willing To do last Rfght-partfy
fear of looking fearful in the eYes
of Lord Geryase Scoresby's guests
he might be willing enough TO do
today, sober and upon rehection. For
the rest Blake was as far from sus-
pecting Mr.. Wildings peculiar frame
night This his words showed.
"I am satisfied" said he that II
Richard were, to go today. TO WIlding
and express his regret FOR a thing
done in the heat of wine Wiiding
would be forced to accept 1t as sat-
isfaction and none ould think that
It did other than reflect credit upon
Richard" 80.
Are you very sure of that?" asked
Ruth: her tone Dubious. her glance
what else is to be, thought?''
But put in Diana shrewdiy, 'it
were an admission of Richards that
he had done wrong"
caught her breath in fresh dismay.
And yet you have said that, he did
as you would have a son OF yours
do" Diana reminded him.
Blake: his wits workedssiowiy ever.
1T was for Ruth TO reveal the flaw
DO, you not Iiadsrstand, them" she
asked him sadly, sthat such an adj
mission on Richards part would
himself from an encounter, the worst
form of lie, q lie Of cowardice1 Sure
1y, Sir Rowland. your kindly anxiety
sor s his life feutruns your anxiety for
Diana, having Accomplished her
task. hung her head in silence pop
Sir Rowland. was routed utterly. He
glanced from one to the other Of his
Ste town aaa tase snea e
look foolish fn the eyes OF thsse
his love for Richard and .inar easea
Ruth,s terror by his mention Of
all was said he saw that he had best
retreat ere he spoiled the. good effect
which he hoped his solicItude had
created. And so. he spok G OF seeking
ceunsei WIN LORD GefF&aey bGOreeby
and took his leave, promising to- re-
turn by noon :' - +-''..:>t
a"as - - Z; -
CHAPTER III. )
yr i. 20
- Diana Schemes. T. 49,,
Notwithstanding. the bravo, face
Ruth Westmacott had kept during
his preserve, when, he Departed Sir
Rowland left. behind him q, distress
amounting almost TO anguish in her
mind. Yet though che might suffer.
there was no weakness in Ruth,s ma
sure. She knew how to, endure. pi-
ana, bearing Richard not a,tenth Of
Che affection his sister eonsecrsted 10
him. was alarmsde feE. hifa. BESIDES,
her own interests urged the ayertins
of this encounter. And so she held