The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-09-01
CHAPTER VI.

Mare Wilberforce did not arrive az
Drayton Court until late in the day.
The place presented a cheerless as.
pect, for a heavy downpour OF rain had
added to the gloom of the autumn twi-
light, and he felt chill and depressed
as he aScended the broad. marble steps
leading to the entrance.
"Sir Felix is well, l hope?" he said
to the builder. when he had removed his
hat and greatcoat. Does he expect
me?'
Hes been asking for you, sir, over
and over. j He seemed to think as how,
somehow, you was dead"
"What made him form such an
ideal? Mare enquired, looking to the
butler for an explanation.
The man touched his forehead mean
fngly.
s'T shouldn't like to say it to any
body but you, sir, but | think you
ought to know how matters stand. He
seems a bit wrong there at times
though Mistress Gretchen 'u'd rather
die than own up to the truth.
sfAffstreSs Gretchen? Have | heard
Of her before"
s.She hadn't come when You was here
last. Sir Felix thinks she's SO neces-
sary to his welfare that he won't have
her out of his sight a minute. Would
yUt5Nike to rest, sir, or shall take you
straight to his room?"
-ssH will see him at once" Mare re-
piled, thinking it would be better to
get the ordeal over. rs the nurse with
him now?''
The butler made sign in the affirm
ative.
Evidently, he had not a favorable
impression of Mistress Gretchen. and
Marc wondered whether he himself
should share the same prejudice
against her.
Sir Felix was in room that seemed
fitted up for an invalid
He was reclining in q lounge chair
in trout of the fire, with a table, on
which were some books, placed near
him.
The room was half in darkness, the
freight sending feeble glow over the
wasted form in the chair.
Further back, in the shadow, Mare
could distinguish the White apron and
head-dress of the nurse.
He could not see whether she was
young or old. dark or fair; that she
was tall, and moved gracefully, he
found out, as she rose, and left the
room.
So far Nurse Gretchen has moi made
an unfavorable impression upon him.
Sir Felix did not hold out his hand
to Marc; he mOtioned the young artist
to be seated, and. in weak, querulous
tones, told him why he had desired his
presence.
Il hear you still cling TO the paint
ing" the baronet said, not looking very
amicably at him.
Il have made art my profession.
Sir Felix gave a sneering laugh.
"a beggarly profession, it seems to
me. Can you stick at it2"
Il intend to do So" Mare answered,
with fash of pride. Il beg you to
understand have not been altogether
unsuccessful in my efforts"
Then you entertain hopes of one
day becoming a Il. A."
II have not anticipated so far. If
can sell my pictures | shall be salts
fed
''Well, are you prepared to take an
order from me-"
THAT depends on the subject you
choose
Il want you to paint a portrait of
myself, and one of my nurse,
Gretchen
Marc looked moodily into the fire,
debating whether to refuse or accept
the order.
He did not want TO offend Sir Felix
for he was his next-of-kin, and might
one day inherit some of his splendid
property.
On the other hand, he rebelled
against the Insult conveyed in the bar.
onet's words, and longed to fling back
the offer in his face
''Of course you will be my guest un-
til the pictures are completed" Sir Fe-
lix observed. misinterpreting Mares
silence. "You will find plenty of good
shooting, and although | am an inva-
lid, and do not care to move outside
these rooms, you need not let my in
trinity Interfere with your pleasure"
Mare slightly inclined his head.
Il hope / shall execute the pictures
to your liking he said. May ! ask
when you will be able to give me slt-
tingg
I'm in no hurry-there's plenty OF
time; do Gretchens tirst-and make 1t
as like her as possible
Mare tiushed-only by an effort keep
ing down the feeling of rebellion that
would not be crushed.
you said portrait think" he OBJ
served "a careful portrait must
necessarily resemble the original"
Sir Felix did not seem to hear him.
He had taken his cheque-book from
a drawer of the table near, and was
slowly filling in one Of the blanks
With a smile. he laid aside the pen,
and tearing out eheque for a hun
dred pounds, handed it to Mare.
Il daresay you have not more money
than you know what to do with" he
said, grimly. "Oblige me by accepting
this on account of what intend pay
ing you for the pictures hundred
pounds each"
Marc took the eheque, and folded 1t
inside his pocket book.
Cnnpared with what he was in the
habit If receiving for his pictures. the
price seemed a very generous one; but,
in his idea, it was not too much for so
unpIeaSant a task