Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-05-24
CHAPTER V

Irevnnion became aware OF a certain
railing OF Eddie's about which she had
hithefto been ignorant. II came to her
knowledge In this wise: One hunting
morning during the chilly early break
last. Mt which she always presided. her
father having II prejudice In favor OF
the coffee administered by her fair
hands. II so happened that the post ar
rived rather more than twenty min
utes before the usual hour. and conse-
qu"ntlS the various letters We're hand
ell TO the assembled men to peruse at
thelr pleasure. while getting through
the agreeable task OF d.yourinS cold
samc-plc.
Two for you" said Sir George. and
he nung Eddie brace OF mlssives that
fell little short OF his cotYee-cup. and
lay with the black sides turned uper-
most. One had large square cnvel-
opc. and crimson splashIng crcs, and
eorone,. singuiariy unfcmIninc. which
attracted general attention for n mo-
mcnt-
Mildred. Idly toyin. with teaspoon.
looked up n minute later and noticed
;ha; the lads face had grown wonder
fully duh and pale for him. and that
he was staring at the now open letter
with palned gravity unusual In his
case.
Has she bowlcd you out. Trcvan-
ion!" asked young Cairns. with say.
thoughiless laugh. from the far end OF
Nrh h.. eas.
other men Of his regiment staying At
Kings Abbott for n few days hunting.
Regularly knocked over. ch! You
look like IT."
Not quite so bad ns that" Eddie
answered. the detected expression dis
appearing altogether from his counte-
nance with such rapidity that Miss
TrcvanIon. still watching. concluded
her fears had been .roundless and dis
missed the incident. as meaning moth
Ing. from her mind.
Later on, toward the evening. how
ever. wandering lcisurcly upstairs to
dress for dinner. and having occasion
TO pass through the picture gallery.
beyond which lay many OF the bed
rooms. her own amongst the number.
she bchcld Eddie nj a distant window.
his head pressed against the painted
glass. his entire attitude suggestive OF
despair. Even ms she looked there
arose before her vision of broken
bread and half-cut pastics. with much
plate and china. and n gaudily-crcstsd
envelope lying In their midst.
She went up to him and laid her
head upon his shoulder.
Anything the natter" she asked.
lightly enough. not anticipating any
real trouble.
He turned and faced her. thereby
displaying a countcnancc bctokening
anything but that inward pcacefulncss
commonly supposed to come from the
possession OF a quiet conscience.
why. Eddie" Miss Trevanion cx-
claimed. what is It? What has hap
pencd? Why are you standing here
alonc7"
Nothing has happened" returned
Eddie. in voice that perfectly suited
his face. and so was lugubrious In the
extreme: after which he most un-
gratefully turned his back to her.
Surely you will tell me-" she ex-
nostulated, ut can be nothing so
dreadful as your manner seems to i'm
ply. Come. Eddie. speak to me: per-
haps-who knows?-I shall be able to
help you
Nobody can help me-" said Eddie.
"Nonsense. 1t isn't like you to be
so down-hearted-is It? and l can
generally assist everybody. you know:
so let me try with you. You will con-
fide in me, dearest. will you not! In
deed I cannot be happy while you look
so miserable.
Just So" broke out Eddie at last.
with the reckless scorn people gener-
olly indulge in when conversing with
their best friends-that Is when their
hest friends have succeeded in driving
them into corner-"and or course
vou will have no difficulty In putting
YOUR hand in your pocket now TINS
moment and giving me three hundred
pounds on the spot
"Oh, Eddie, what is 1t you mean?
Miss Trevanion asked. now Thoroughly
frirbt,ned. ready money being an
article very scarce and difficult OF at
,oinment in the Trevanion household.
and Sir Georges private affairs and
general "hard-uppishness" being well
known to the elder members Of the
family.
81 mean that have been gambling
,,d have lost three hundred pounds
Eddie said.
And then Miss Trevanion teit tnat
the trouble was very real troupie'
indeed, She could not speak 10 MN
for n moment, and so kept silence
presently he spoke again.
There is nothing to be DONE NIL
arod that I can see" he went on
nothinr. I have no means of paying
this money, and so suppose the soon,
or proclaim myself blackguard anu