Marion Arleigh's Penance / Everyday Life Library No. 5

she felt that she deserved it-but she was one of those who are most scrupulous in keeping a promise once given. Of one thing she was quite resolved-she would write to Al

rt that she did not love him, and

fection; but as for love, all notion of it must be considered at an end. And, she wrote still further, she could not blame herself for this, because she felt that her youth a

of this letter; he had anticipated some such blow. He wen

hat there is an end of the wh

he value of my advice over documentary evidence; t

it," he repl

de Lyster. "Let us consider. She has pledged her word

one so," h

r promise being carried out, it would be useless; not only would she refuse, but Lord and Lady Ridsdal

nothing save evil from su

, what is it that you hope to make out of this

nswer; "but I must confess I care

er to her promise of being your wife. The chances are that she will not answer that letter, and that for a time there will be silence between you. Then," she continued, "my

way?" h

at such an action cannot stand; or if that does not do, threaten to show them to her husband. Rather

ne-half moment shr

so very ba

t. Of course, you will never really tell, but why not make what you can out of it? She

was driven to shame and almost death. He wrote the letter. Marion received it with

re fell silence between them. Adelaide wr

d herself, in all honesty, free. She did not forget her promise; she interested herself greatly in procuring commissions for Allan Lyster; she persuaded Lord Rids

errible burden was removed. She asked herself how she ever could have been so b

d for him, no news came to Marion of the man who had been her lover. How was she to know that the

fell in love, and this time it was real, genuine and true.

h, the heiress of Hanton, was presented at c

n there; Heiress of Hanton, one of the prettiest estates in England, she had plenty of lovers;

ble name. He had been abroad for some years, but returned to London, and was considered one of the most eligible and accomp

ll in love with her at once. Not for her money-he was rich enough to dispense with wea

dor, the purity, the brightness

one day to Lady Ridsdale, "because they have no

aded into insignificance before him. He was so generous, so noble, so loyal, so truthful in every way, such a per

ter dyed her beautiful faca crimson. Ah, how she thanked Heaven that she was free, how utterl

re did him full homage. She appreciated his noble qualities, s

here came over her a great longing to tell hi

all is at end now; he ought to know it,

ention it, but the reason above all others was she knew his fastidious sense of honor so well tha

m of her acquaintance with the young artist. Then she was so happy for a time that she forgot the whole mat

g visit. He told them quite frankly that it was perfectly useless to delay the wedding, that he co

Preparations were begun for the trousseau. Lord Atherton ordered that his mansion, Leigh Hall, should be entirely refurnished. Every luxury, every splen

ys. When she remembered Allan, it was only with an earnest desire to help him. To Adelaide Lyster she sent some very super

ief; but she was not married with any presentiment of the sorrow that was to fall so heavily upon her a