Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-12-06

III LQ1S way, l. SuOulQ Ue Oub III OuO
cold altogether" and he looked as
grave as a judge. "You are flirts
Miss Bolton"
"And you're another. We can cry
quits. Why are you so interested IN
the new baronet?"
HBecauso he's my namesake, per-
haps-for no other reason. My inter
est, assure you. is of the most Ian
guild order"
"Owen?" sherepeated, ,thoughtfully'
eyes, why don't you say it's' a
pretty name?' ;,
".Because 1 don't think it is"
which was..a fib.
The sound of horses hoofs in the
grassy lane behind them made Gladys
move an inch or two further from him,
with all o woman's natural caution
He did not change his attitude in the
least degree. She had often heard
him declare that he cared for nobody,
and believed it.
Her father, however, was the last
person in the world to whom he would
have chosen to parade his nonchal-
ance Just then. His face was study
when he heard Gladys calling, "Papa,
papa!' and the creaking of the old
soldiers stiff top-boots as he left his
horse for a moment, and came over
the grass towards them.
"You must introduce yourself,
she hurriedly whispered in his ear.
"Not at ALL" he disputed, "you
know my name"
A shadow fell across the sunlight,
and the Colonel's stalwart form tow
cred before them. His voice was deeE
and kindly, and his manner less awe
inspiring than his looks.
Poor Gladys trembled inwardly
then o brilliant thought came to her.
"Papa," she said airily, though
with slight nervous contortion of her
delicate brows; "this is great friend
of Pat's-Mr. Owen" Then she
smiled, thinking she had done the
thing very neatly.
The Colonel extended his hand with
hearty good will. He liked the stran.
gers open, good-humored face, and
felt amused at the free-and-easy init.
macy which seemed to exist between
them NOT surprised in the least. He
never pretended to be with his pretty
audacious daughter, whose freaks
wero manifold. He stay to chat
little time, perhaps partly to crlticlst
this latest victim to the shrine o.
beauty.
"You'll have to get out some of your
6nery again, Gladys" he said, teas
ingly.
"Indeed-why, papa"
81 hear from his steward that Si
Owen Chalmers is expected soon."
"What an event." she cried, mock
ingly. THAT means leaving our cards
or formal call, and there the bust
ness ends.
".Surely. you don't think he will b
so unsociable, Miss Boltonf" Owel
asked, looking quite seriously at her
"Oh, the fault will be ours. We ar
too poor to see much of titled folks.
He laughed airily, but the Colone
frowned, though ever so slightly. Hi
notions of etiquette had been formei
long before the rise of Bohemianism
"I suppose you have heard p.ent
of this lucky Young man since you
stay here, sir?" he said courteously t
Owen? "These estim mable countr
people seem to expect quite a prodigy
But, perhaps, you know him person
allv?"
'I do" he admitted, indifferently
The Colonel LETT them then, for hi
horse was growing impatient. He ha
business to transact, too, with hi
lawyer at home, which promised t
run away with deal of time. Blu
the lawyer had left, and he had take
his place at the table. ravenous fo
luncheon, before Gladys strolled leis
urely in.
"Where did you meet Mr.. Oven?
was his first question.
A rougish smile sparkled in her eye
sin the Manor Lane, one day la'
/ week. It-was frightfulIy windy" SD
explained rapidly. ".My umbrell
blew inside out, and I was tugging t
: get it back again, when he appeare
and offered to manage it for me.
The Colonel's eyes grew rather stern
"And you straightway struck up a
} acquaintance. Beyond saying that b
is a friend of Pats he has, l presume
told You nothing about himself.
can't say this encouragement on you
| part is wise. You know nothing {
the man?"
"I thought of all this at first" ST
said in Che most matter-of-fact mai
ner; "and consequently have alway
been most discreet, merely talking
him when 1 happened to meet hin
which, I know, he has contrived
make an everyday occurrence. Wh'
ever he is, he knows me to be a lad,
and always treats me as such. Aftt
all, it's matter of little moment. L
make myself scarce for little tins
; for fun, you know. This afternoo
I'll drive over to Langham. Jenni
: will be delighted to have me for fe
days. If" she added, with littl
wink, she comes, you can tell him