The Cotton Factory Times. — 1907-09-06 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ESTHER MILLER.  CHAPTER XH.—(Continued.) you were spending the evening at Rivington flail yesterday." " said Arthur. ~Did an interview take place between you and 0, West in the library about ten o'clock?" Pc appOintment?" su pp.° it might be said that it was by ,ppointment." "What do you mean by that?"  The coroner s voice was a little sharp; Arthur sought his answer on the ceiling, which was blackened by gas. "It was by appointment." ~Tben, you were on terms of considerable in.  oi suggest that you were the lover for whom this letter, which we hero all heard read, was intended?" was not," said Arthur, hotly. "Neither Mrs. West's love affairs nor her other affairs hod anything to do with use. I knew her merely as the issv housekeeper at Rivington Hall." "you imply that you were acquaintances—nothing -We wcre nothing more." And yet you admit that you had a rendezvous in the library at ten o'clock! Are not your state„nts Moonsistent, Mr. Kenyon?" Roierick looked up under his lids. Arthur was gettin g irritable; as yet he had not committed himself one way or the other; he had been extraordinarily- cautious for him. What did that caution imply—that he had not yet made up his ziind? If so, the crucial moment was at hand: -I do not think so. I had booklets with :a rvt said Arthur. °Business'," .Yes, private business."  , . "Of what nature?' Did Arthur pause, or was it only the eagerwith which Roderick waited that made him think sn': The reply came, and his heart, which 1,1 hilted, went on again a little faster. "I cannot say." . . . .  epo yoli moan that you refuse to tell the court what took place between Mrs. West and yourself at interview immediately preceding her -I do not see what our conversation has to do with an' body," said Arthur. She wanted me to pu: a firer on a horst, for her, that is all. I had obliged her in the same way once before." "Yeas oh us to believe that a woman would think alont a paltry turf bet wl,n on the verge of commiliing suicide?" -You insisted upon an answer to your question, sir. and I gave you one," said Arthur, sullenly.  Tifodcriek-rose quietly and went out. He had hoard enough; his danger was over. Arthur stood maunitted to a false statement now like himself, and would be obliged, for his own sake, as well as friendship's, to stick to it. As for the verdict, !hat Wilt a foregone conclusion; nobody could doubt its Coralie lad died by her own hand.  ‘1 Hat assured Roderick most in the whole affair Ira; that noimbdy suspected him. He had dreaded that even his stainless reputation would not prover him against those shafts of malice which the average man is always ready to fling around. But his grandfather's tone had net public opinion in the first instance, and the evidence against Arthur was evident enough for everyone at the inquest to see for himself. The scapegoat was cotaionined mercilessly, without a dissentient voice. :kr tlm entrance there was a little crowd which parted to make way for young Tankerville. The iaquest was the one topic, of course, and Arthur Kenyon's name recurred again and again. One to two of them tried to stop Roderick with questions, but he had not left before the proceedings were over to be interrogated by amateurs, and qterely re-Aided to acquaintances and passed on. the inhaled the outer air with relief, and walked quickly till he had left the little town behind him. The country smelt fresh and sweet after the close. no-au of the overcrowded room; the green of meadow and tree soothed his hot eyes, and the light summer breeze fanned his checks pleasantly.  it, had won, after all, and relief was not bis only emotion. It intoxicated him to think that his influence with Arthur had prevailed. his first te.,na of power over the hearts and minds of men was sweet in his mouth; like fiery spirit it coursed through his veins,- and he trod the air with the step of a conqueror. Their interests had been opposed, yet Arthur had sacrificed his own to his friends; knowing what he knew, he had still been unable to resist the spell of the personality which enchained his imagination and his affection. it must not be imagined that Roderick was not grateful; nevertheless, he did not forget, even at this moment. that Arthur's generosity had cost him less tlimi scimitar act mould have cost almost any man he knew. The fact made its acceptance easier, lightened the burden of the obligation immeasurably. It was so fortunate that Arthur was going away!  After all, I have been lucky," thought Roderick,  It was as though a black curtain had dropped, shutting out the past, hiding Coraliev for ever in her coffin, and he was a free man—free to pursue his career unhampered; to snake love, to. work, to fight battles and win them, with no haunting figure at his side to whisper in his ear, "You are Illine."  He saw a sunlit path before him leading up— p; fame, prosperity, the favour of women and the admiration and envy of men strewed flowers for him to tread on. And by his side, ever handin-hand with him, should be the chosen companion, the perfect wife, to make his home beautiful. and cheer him when those bad moments came which every man must have, and crown hi jj sucCeS,ei with the joy of sympathy. . . .  After all, he .was only a boy still, hard as he strove to anticipate experience, and his eyes slione, and his brain swam, and his heart was Uplifted like a golden argosy of youth, and hope and sanguine expectations on the tide of malty swelling emotions. And then, in this hour of his release from purgatory, with every sense inflamed, be saw Angela coming towards him in the sunlight.