Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-18
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.

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SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER Leslie Malincourt, a
coquette, is invited to visit her aunt,
Lady Appuldurcombe, that she NAV
be satisfied on her return to marry
Bob Heatherley. She is welcomed
by her cousin, Ronald Kilmurray.
II-Lesley meets Miss Cynthia de
Sails. III-And is interviewed by
her aunt. IV-Mr. Yelverton tells
Lesley that Ronny is the best gentle
man horseman in England. V-Les-
ley rides out with Mr.. Yelverton and
is criticised for SO doing. VI
Ronny buys Yelverton's mare for
Lesley. Wellesley desires to see
Ronny brought to sue for Cynthia de
Sails, who is in love with him. VIII
But Lesley's aunt suspects her Of
wishing Miss de Sails out Of the way
thst she may have Ronny herself.
IX-Lesley walks with Ronny in
Leicester square early in the morn
ing and is seen by Graham Dash
wood. whom she had snubbed. Y
Cynthia faiuts at the races ON &C.
count Of Ronny's attentions to Lesley.
XI-Ropny overhears Eastwood ac-
cusing Lesley Of having been in the
park with improper persons. He
slaps his face, and challenge passes.
XIf-Ronny tells Lesley he loves her.
XIII-Cynthia upbraids Lesley. who
resolves to 60 home and leave her
rival free to win Ronny. XlV-She
leaves without announcing her de-
parturc. XV-Ronny and his moth
or discover that she has gone.
CHAPTER XVI.
Malincourt sat velvet slippered in the
midst Of a deer park thorugh which a
glorious stream ran, and the park itself
melted almost imperceptibly into those
we'll stocked coverts almost as dear to
their owners heart as his stables and
kennels, though dearer than all these
things was his daughter Lesley, just
now making her way under the trees
toward him.
She had a curious sense Of out1awry,
as if she might be discovered and driven
away, as bareheaded she looked up to
the green overarches that were differ
ent, surely, from when, but four short
weeks ago, she had looked up at them in
company with Bob.
Suddenly she stopped-it was precise
" here that she had told Bob she meant
to love him as "a brother. and he had
not seen it, and her father had not seen
it, and SO she had been packed OF to
town, where she had herself been burn
ed with the fire that she had hitherto so
recklessly scattered broadcast among
others.
And now she would have to meet Bob
perhaps he was up at the house that
very minute-and o glimpse Of the long
facade, that had begun by being very
stately, but by the aid Of creepers and
ivy was now merely comfortable, made
her feel inclined to ascertain first who
was within before bursting on her faith
er's vision in the we'll worn character
Of n runaway.
But, no-she would face out whatever
had to be faced, and SO it was that Lord
Malincourt, sitting in the library wait
ing for the luncheon gong to sound,
heard light step behind him, felt two
warm little hands pressed over his eyes,
and with a sigh Of satisfaction said:
"Ah, lassie, is that you?"
She felt the smile of welcome spread
ing all over his face, then went around,
and when she saw the beaming. tender
welcome that awaited her vowed as she
kissed him that her own dear old dad
was worth all the lovers in the world.
1--WE been expecting you for-let me
sec-exactly 10 days." he said as she
perched herself on his knee. "No lug.
gage, Of course?" he added, with q
twinkle in the blue eyes, set SO cheerily
in his rudy, weather beaten face.
"No luggage" said Lesley, making
him a polite little bow and pinchine
his chin. Everything done in the good
old style-position untenable, prompt
evacuation-here we are! Nadege i.
coming on with the frocks presently.
They've been awfully useful, those
frocks."
Lord Malincourt chuckled and pinch
ed her cheek, a good deal less blooming
than it had been three weeks ago.
II knew you'd never stand it," hi
said. "All cackle and spite and wicked
l ueSss uuu lily A<duy AppuNhufSoiioci
with no idea Of the ways Of young file!
like you. But Idon t see much improve
ment," he added, with a humorou:
glance at Lesley, who certainly looked
no repentant sinner as she sat laughing
and looking at her father.
Dad" she said suddenly. "you new
er served me but one mean trick in you
ife-and-and-I'll forgive You fol
that, +" she added, with fine air Of mag
nanimity.
| "Thank You, lassie," he said, ant
looked at her SO keenly that her colo
rose. "You haven't replaced Bob. hav'
you:"
''No one has . real place in my esti
nation but you, dad. Bob's was-wal
only slippery one. How is that young
man? Does he eat, drink and sleep a
soundly as ever?"
81 don't know his sleeping capaci
ties. said Lord Malincourt dryly, "ani
he doesn't live on gruel-st least wheI
he is here. And you won't have founi
his equal in that Sodom and Gomorrah
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