Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-06-29
CHAPTER TX.
AruwUata Nfraraxrw

Mr. Quest was prompt in keeping
his appointment the next morning. He
was shown into the library of the Oil
plant mansion, and after few minutes
waiting was joined there by his host.
MY niece has told me the story of
your forfeited engagement, said the
latter. quite at his ease through this
knowledge, "and YOU must allow me
To make good your loss arising from il. -
Il can truthfully say that the money
wouldn't be welcome returned the
other, " but the truth is, Mr.. Oliphant.
/ have it in my mind to ask much
greater return than mere payment for
my time. The lecture business isn't
proving n fruitful field to me- My tai
ents. such as they are, lie in quite Z diff
ferent direction. l have the germ of an
idea in my head which may develop
into something more profitable than ten
cent admittanccs in country village,
and meanwhile. if you will admit me To
the honor Of your acquaintance, I'll feel
hundred times repaid for the small
kindness l was able to render Miss
Bruxton."
The request was made with respect
ful Difference. yet Mr.. Oliphant was Sc
crctly annoyed by it.
"Hang the fellow!'' he thought.
''Wants To- tOady. Id rather give n
hundred dollars and be rid of him"
Fact IS" explained Mr.. Quest. IL
want To utilize the knowledge | could
pick up. That idea / spoke of. is TO
make n venture in the literary line:
something in the way Of sensational
novel, or may be drama. And for a
description of handsome interior. or
an idea Of decorative art 10 be thrown
in, admission To house like this would
be Of incalculable benefit To me-"
Put in that shape, Mr.. Oliphant felt
that he could hardly refuse.
81 must stipulate that YOU don't nut
any Of us in rs characters" he said,
smilingly; and thus Mr.. Quest gained
an entrance To the house of which he
availed himself afterward, yet used the
privilege SO discreetly as never to OBJ
trude himself unpleasantlyupon its mas
ter.
IF / had taken his money, that
would have ended IT," he said To- him
self. ''And If / had told him wanted
TO play the spy on his wife, he would
have kicked me out of doors as / prop
erly deserve. Shouldn't wonder IL the
money and the kicking were to come
together yet"
10 was n week after Alexia's advent.
She was down i'm the parlOr for the first
time, limping somewhat rs she walked.
but none the less sparklingly bright for
her involuntary scclusiOn. She was
seated before one of the windows, with
n book In her hand, but was much more
interested in the well-dressed ladies and
gentlemen passing without.
AleNia had been accepted quite as
one of the family, and she felt at home
already amid the luxurious surround
ings for which she had longed all her
life.
The May sunshine was at its brightest,
and the toilets she regarded with crit
ical eyes were resplendent with the pale
tints of spring.
"And YOU have new dresses to show
OF. too. i suppose, Dana, she said. with
an envious sigh. "It's awfully good
Of you to stay in here with me, when you
might be out with the rest. You seem
to know a good many people for having
been here so short a time. Aunt Rose
exchanged bows with nearly a dozen
while she sat here, aud as many more
have looked in since she went away"
"Admiring you, Alexia."
81 hope 50. I'd rather be admired
from distance than not at ALL Do you
20 anywhere. yet?"
Z" To church. and TO drive in the park.
We were ut one dinner, given By an old
friend Of papa's"
AT which place dii you make your
conquest?n asked Alexia. with n mis-
ehisvous glance. - can't think he Is