The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-12-28
CHAPTER I-CoNr1NuEp

81 am through, said Oliver, uneasily.
at was very nice, indeed; but 1 am
afraid / have made you trouble, will
do Won harm by being here. You must
know where Morris place is. "
s'Down the road here somewhere, but
Idon't know just where. never w as
there: it was not fit place. Don't
YOU think" she went on, feeding his
dog scraps from he waiter while she
spoke. that it is funny of me to talk
of my husband to strangers"
81 don't want to be a stranger" said
oliver. gently. 'and you know one
could not live here without hearing
something of-of-"
1.-The crazy Frenchman."
Oliver put on his coat in silence. The
big shepherd dog leaned his beautiful
head against the girls knee while she
fed him, and little Skye, quite conten5
with a stray bite now and then, looked
on in approval. Oliver thought he
would like to take her in his arms. as
If she were the child she looked. That
pretty little yellow gown, the bright
girls face, with its saddened look,
touched him sorely. He was not wont
to be interested much in women; those
he met were of two classes, and this
child was of neither class-a different
being-a pathetic, haunting one; a
child in years, and yet two years a
wife. and of such man. She glanced
up and saw his grave face. Her lips
quivered.
don't think ne dreadful" she said,
piteously. II am so lonely, so forsaken,
and you brought back the old days.
You look so kind. the words just came;
I could not help it. Suppose you were
me shut up here, my father lost at sea,
nv mother dead two years ago, and
nv only friend, my only relation, say
it was my duty" Ia sob Ito live here
for ever and ever. 1 wish that you
would try to like me, and that 1 could
feel there was somewhere in the world
a good man who would be a friend to
me and pity me-
He took her little hand in his big one
and looked down on her sunny head.
You are like little child he said
softly. 81 know your life must be
hard; cannot bear to think of it.
shall be proud and happy to be your
friend; 1 haven't many. When one
has lived long in the world he has
sorted the wheat from the chaff; and
can count my friends. on my fingers
on one hand, indeed"
''Then let me be the little finger,
she said, shyly.
The sound of horses hoofs outside
made her withdraw her hand suddenly,
and a frightened look came over heI
face. Oliver picked up his riding
whip, bit his lower lip, and waited
Mac, with a growl, skunk up to his
masters heels. The door was flung
rudely open, and man stepped in the
room, so overcome with anger he could
at first form no words-a little man
with a dark evil face, sunken eyes, and
long black beard. His corduroy suit
was dripping, and the hat he flung on
the table soaking wet. He had the air
of one who had ridden fast in an evil
mood.
Are you keeping a hotel, Madame
de Restaud?' he Missed. Truly this
is very pleasant surprise for man.
1.-THE gentleman asked shelter, Hen
ri,' the girl said, trembling. He lost
his way, and Louis would not tell him
how to find Lord Morris place"
''You can of course give me the di
rection," Oliver said, courteously,
though his hand clinched the whip
handle tighter. Lord Morris told me
of your hunting exploits. 1 thought
we should have met before this; but
Doctor John and 1 are unsociable sort
of men and don't go about much"
''The road you came, straight down
two miles, turn to the left" said De