Part 5 (1/2)

”Coet to bed; perhaps she will have forgotten all about it in the o to bed, but walked restlessly to and frohts At last he entered his room, and casually picked up a copy of _Truth_ to while away the tiht on a paragraph drawing attention to the ruin of the prospects of a young actress by a gentleman ”well-known in Society” No names were mentioned, but fuller details were promised Had na consequences, would have been saved and this story never have been written At last Reg tumbled into bed, only to toss about and dream of dreadful accidents to Amy, hich Wyck was somehow connected, while he hiainst the invisible hands which kept his hands tied, and his limbs stiff and helpless

CHAPTER V

THE OATH

”Reg, Reg, get up,” said Whyte, entering Morris's roo

”Hallo, dad, what time is it?”

”One o'clock, lad”

Tenwas down to his breakfast The reht had come back to him, and were very bitter

”Is Aone out,” said Whyte, looking anxiously at hi, in surprise

”About an hour ago,” continued Whyte ”She ca as , but she see her arms round my neck, kissed oing to?”

”No, lad; she said nothing”

”What would you suggest doing, Whyte? Shall I go and hunt this fellow Wyckliffe up, and ask hiood We will speak to Amy herself when she returns Dear, dear! I fancy her brain must be touched,” and the sympathetic old felloalked hurriedly away to conceal the tears that would fall

Reg walked to the garden with a heavy heart There were all the pets waiting for their s ran to him with yelps of enquiry; the birds twittered plaintively, as if they felt sos, and it see heart to tell thes for the happiness of their home

The weary hours passed, and Aht htness, and there was an air of languor about her, very foreign to her nature As she caught sight of Reg she hung down her head, and passed rapidly into the house, taking no notice of the dogs who bounded towards her barking with delight Reg slowly followed her, his face revealing the troubles of his heart

”My darling girl,” said Mrs Whyte, as sheher ar her into the room ”Won't you trust us and tell us what is theinto tears

”Look here, A to put a trace of sternness in his voice ”You ive us so fairly by Reg”

”Oh, A Only do tellquickly forward, and taking her hand he led her to a sofa

At length her sobs became less violent, and she tried to say with so I find I do not love you sufficiently to be your wife”