Evening star., 1924-04-11

nad come al }2St, ana MS coming
was connected with the impending
duel. The thought was paralyzing to
young westmacott The flush Of an
ger faded from his face; it's 1eaden
ue returned and he shivered as with
cold. At last he mastered himself
suficfent1y to ask:
Where is he, Jasper?
I'm the library. sir replied the
-Yes-no," he answered. 81 will
come TO him" He turned his back
upon the ladies, paused a moment.
still ifresolute. Then. as by an effort.
he followed the servant across the
lawn and vanished through The ivied
porch
AS he went Diana few TO her cot
sin. Her shallow nature was touched
with transient pity. My poor Ruth
- she murnlured soothingly, and
set her arm about the others waist.
There was a CLEAN OF tears in the
eyes Ruth turned upon her. Togeth-
er they came to the granite seat and
sank to it side by side, fronting the
placid river. There Ruth, her ell
bows on her knees. Graded her chin
cry stared straight before her.
'It was untrue-, she said at last.
What Richard said to me was un-
true"
temptuous. The only truth is that
Richard is afraid
pleaded, though she knew how true
vas the impeachment Don't say It,
-. matters little that say it,"
snorted Diana impatiently. 1T is
truth proclaimed by the Iirst glance
We is in poor health. perhaps"
a. f1lf< K
AYE" said Diana. Hes suffering
from an ague, the result OF a lack OF
courage. That he should so have
spoken to you! Give me patience
Ruth crinasoned again at the mem
ory of his words. A wave of indig-
nation swept through. her gentle soul,
bat was gone at once, fearins ar an
effable sadness in. its roopl, WHAT
for counsel. But Diana was still
whipping mp her scorn.
''If he goes out to meet Mr.. Wild
ing, he'll shame himself and every
of westmacotf," said she, and struck
. new fear with that into the heart
'' he is must not go- she answered
passionateiy. ~He must not meet
Diana flashed her sideicrg glance.
.And II he doesn't, will things be
she inquired viii it save
his honor TO have Mr.. widing come
He'd not do that. said Ruth.
mot IL you asked hin--no," was
Diana's sharp retort, and she caught
her breath on the last word OF it, for
just then the devil dropped the seed
of a suggestion into the fertile soil
rDianafS Ruth exclaimed. in re-.
proof, turning to confront her cousin.
But Dtana's mind, started upon ats
schemfng journey, was now travelling
fast 'Out of that devils seed there
sprang with amazing rapidity a tree
like growth throwing out branches,
putting forth leaves. bearing already
lin her fancy--bloon ard fruit
WHY notT auoth sne after
gentle, her tone innocent ceyond com
par e. t1why should you. not ask him.
Ruth frowned, perplexed and thought
full, and now Diana turned to- Fer
with the lively eye Of one into whose
RUTH" she exclaimed why, in
deed, should you not ask him TO
IHow-how could r. faltered Ruth.
He'd not deny YOU You know he'd
az do not know it," answered Rsth.
"But IL / did, how could ask .t?''
"Were I Richard's sister, and had I
his life and honor At heart as You
have, I'd not Ask how. II Richard
goes to that encounter he loses both.
remenber-unless between this and
then he undergoes some changA
Were in your place, I'd go straight
-To himy" unused Ruth. sitting up.
How could / 60 to hfm7"
Go to him, yes" Diana insisted.
"Ge to him at orice--whiie there is
yet time" =.
Ruth rose and moved away a step
or two toward the water. deep In
thought Diana watched her fur
lively and slyly, the rapid rise and
faIi of her maiden breas. be.rayfng
the agitation that filled her. az abe
turn of the card that would show her
whether she had won or lost. FOR
she saw clearly how Ruth might be
so compromised that there was some
thing more than q chance that Diana
would no longer have cause to- ne-
count her cousin barrier between
herself and Blake.
Il could not go aione." said Ruth,
ana he- tone was that. Of one still
battling with notion that is repHg-
napt.> b
why, IL that 10 an" said Diars,
then I'll go with you.'
VI can't! I cant! Conside- the
hupailiat on"
tContinued IN Tomorrow's StAr0