The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-06-30


cousin, AS 10 that unpleasant affair in
! Ameriea~well, Il all happened fifteen
years ago, and New York is long way
from London, even II london is tolerably
near New York, Only one man In England
knew anything about the sorry OF those
bonds, and that man be WAS & tain not to
meet IN small country house And then
Mrs, Rashleigh had said No. hing In her
note OF invitation as to the length OF his
stay; indeed, it had been word or two
only. Dockrell took the note out OF his
pocket and read it with curiously salts
fed smile.
Cant you come and see me In the coun.
tryY" it ran, and the fact Of there being no
beginning was an important one in the
eyes OF such student Of femininity as
Willoughby Dockrell II shall have some
nice people staying with me at the begin
ming OF the month, Could you come on the
Sdl We shall be able to discuss Bourget
and lots OF thingsl Ever sincerely yours,
LEFTY RAsHLEIGH."
Well, he had come on the 3d, and here
ne meant TO stay--to stay until be had
made himself masler OF the situation.
But the day dragged on, aud be had
never found himself alone with his hostess.
The young sister--a girl OF sixteen, with
red hands and stolid stare-was present
Of lunch, went out with them in the wag.
0nette and faced him at the dinner table,
and not long after dinner Mrs. Rashleigh
retired TO bed. The next day it was not
much better, but early in the afternoon
be did lind her alone. Willoughby Dock
rell was too much Of diplomatist to show
his hand before be saw what his adversary
was likely to play, but still the time was
short, his opportunities few, while the ad-
vent OF fresh batch Of visitors might
spoil the game completely. At the end of
quarter OF an hours talk Mrs. Rashleigh
began TO feel uncomfortable, and more
than ever was she resolved To tell Major
Champion the whole story directly be ar
rived. She got away and shut herself up
in her room until the first batch Of new
guests were announced.
What in heavens name is that fellow
doing down here" was Champions first
question, when be found himself at last
alone with his hostess before dressing. She
was silent for moment. but she did not
pretend not to know what he meant
well, you see, be goes everywhere; he's
very clever and n sort Of celebrity In his
way, and-l wish hadn't asked himI
$50 do ,"said Champion, fervently.
But it's not only his coming that's the
matter said Lefty. incohereutly; but
I'm sure be means to stay He will never
never 60"
"oh, yes he will He'll 20 tomorrow
morning"
"oh, Jack, can't have'it won't have
. row in this house Why the newspapers
will get hold Of 1t, and-l shall never for
give you If you do anything horrid."
I'm not going to do anything horrid.
shall just mention in the smoking room to.
night that Jobson, the editor Of The Even.
ing Telephone, is coming down here tomor
row for day or two"
"But. my dear Jack, Jobson isn't com.
ing ! don't even know him. How op
earth will that help usf"
"Wait and see. II the thing works, I'll
tell you all about it You're ridiculous
little person, you know, and utterly unfit
TO take care Of yourself You'd much
better lett
There's the dressing bell, Jack You're
getting impossible shall send you away
tomorrow too"
And when the same evening, as the ladies'
were going to their rooms. Mrs. Rashleigh
saw Jack Champion walking off with Dock
rell in the direction ftbe smoking room,
she felt pang Of compuEction at the inno-
cent plot she had asseuted to in order To get
rid Of her brilliant guest.
There were lots Of letters by the morning
post, which came In while they were at
breakfast, but only one for Willoughby
Dockrell. He let ii lie by his plate for
some minutes, and then, asking permission
OF his hostess with his rather over elabo
rate manner, be slowly broke the seal
What a bore" he said presently, when
be had laid down the note and deliberately
resumed his breakfast "a shall have to
go to town this morning by an early train.
Some bothering business which can t get
out Of"
Miss Rashleigh dares not look at Cham.
pion, whose triumph now was complete.
Doln natu sttn luat 4uf. lllOuknDy DOCK
rell's letter was wallet shaped, adorned
with a silver monogram. and addressed in
a bold feminine hand. The business"
then, was myth. And yet. womanlike,
she felt almost guilty when the dogcart
was at the door and the last goodbys
were being said Dockrell, who for once
looked red aud flustered. seemed to avoid
speaking to her alone. She murmured
something about having the pleasure OF
seeing him down there on some future oc-
casion. And yet, as they looked straight
at each other with, the final band shake,
Lefty knew that in all probability she
would never see him again.
What does II all mean2" said Mrs.
Rashleigh sternly, a few minutes later II
was in the sanetum aud there was no one
there but Jack. II was mere trifie, but
itstruck her that Major Champion did not
lounge in her fayorite chair, but stood ten.
tatvely at the fireplace, playing nervously
with some tin bronze cats clashng Gym.
balls, which she had brought from Vienna.
"rhe magic name Of Jobson worked the
miracle" said Champion, smiling Job.
son knows something about your poet