The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-01-24

met Fierce vaughan.
What might not the consequences
be, if he should tell Clement that he
had seen her coming out of a restau-
rant with Sir Miles Berkeley, and yet
in truth there was not the slightest
harm in what she had been doing.
She had only one spoken to Pierce
Vaughan-on the occasion he had
called as the cottage in Colehill, but
she knew him very well by sight and,
like Lady Gertrude, she was a little
bit afraid of him.
Goodness knows they both had
very good cause for fear, but for a
very different cause to any they
suspected. They thought him sneer-
ing and hard, but failed to see that
he was also crafty and false.
The usual cold smile deepened on
his ace when he found Lisbeth and
Sir Miles so Unexpectedly together.
He was not likely to let such an
opportunity escape of course He
stopped to speak to them though
they would both gladly have avoided
him.
Sir Miles was quite rs much an
noyed as Lisbeth, since he lad
learned t regard Pierce Vaughan as
a rival, and all being fair in love and
wal thought it probable that a highly
colored picture of this meeting would,
ir all probability be painted for the
edification of Miss Elvira Delane,
Stupid and sheepish as Sir Miles
was always considered he had taken
Pierce Vaughan's measure much
more accurately than he had any of
his female acquaintance.
The reason, perhaps, vas that Sir
Miles, acting executor for Sir Louis
Dunraven's will, had been brought
into business relations with Vaughan
and had thus had an opportunity of
seeing the real man unmasked.
There was no time, however, for
character analysis now, they must
face the situation as well as they
could, and since Pierce Vaughan
elected to stop ard speak, they must
seem we'll pleased to see him and be
as much at their ease as possible.
1t was on Lisbeth that he bestowed
the greatest amount of attention.
"Ah, Miss Glendinning, | am SO
glad to have met you. | went to the
cottage one day to enquire after you,
but the bird had flown"
Il left after grandfather died. l
wanted a little change, | am going
back tomorrow or the next day,
however," said Lisbeth coloring.
"And where are you staying in
London? | should like to call and
tell you all thu Coleshill news, though
| have no doubt Sir Miles has fore
stalled me.n
"Oh, far away from here, in a low
Stun, not fit for a gentleman said
Lisbeth, SO anxious to put him off
coming that she oyerdid her part.
''If it is good enough for you it is
surely good enough for mel" an
<wered Vaughan, with intense polite
ness.
Lisbeth was thus driven into a
corner, but she stood at bay.
Greatly, Mr.. Vaughan, | would
you did not call, | an staying
with an old cousin who is very frac-
tious and particular. She dislikes
what she calls followers; besides I
am leaving Tomorrow
"You have had enough of her frac-
said Vaughan, laughing.
"Well | shall look forward to see
ing you at Coleshill; | suppose | may
call there.n
''If you wish, but do not see why
you should care to do So"
IL should be SO much wanting in
good taste did not care. And why
should you credit me with lest anxi-
ETY. to be charmed by you than-my
good friend Berkeley and-some
others | could name were | not dis
Greet"
Lisbeth's handsome face became
crimson as a glorious peony.
She was only lowly-born, but the
exceeding bad taste of Pierce Vau-
ghan's illusions Jared upon her, till
she felt that she positively hated
him.
"Good morning, Mr.. Vaughan, the
less we meet in the future the better
I shall be pleased" she said, drawing
herself up with the dignity of an
injured queen.
1t was his turn to stammer and
redden when he saw that he had
overshot his mark, and that there
was a beaming look of satisfaction
on Sir Miles, honest face which
"riled" him not a little.
Honesty in this instance had tri-
umphed over craft. Yet, was it
wise of either Sir Miles or Lisbeth,
to make a bitter enemy OF or estab-
lish open war with, Pierce Vaughan.
In some respects perhaps they
were right. An open enemy is less
to be dreaded than a false friend;
but Pierce was not a man who would
readily acknowledge himself to be an
enemy. 1t was tar more of his