The Elbert County tribune., 1903-07-02
CHAPTER XIV.

was a becoming blush on her checks
as she turned to nod farewell over her
shoulder
Struthers had closed the front door
and they we're descending the steps.
as stylish dog-cart. drawn by mag
nificent looking pair of bays. clattered
slowly up the street. The flush on
Eleanor's cheeks became a deep red.
With a glance she had realized that
the young man who held the reins was
owen Page. He was looking inquir-'
ingly at the numbers. and now. as he
drew up before the house. he recog
nized her and sprang down from the
box.
Il hope am in time to catch you
he said. as they shook hands. will
YOU do me the honor of driving with
me? | had come to ask you
For an instant. Eleanor hesitated;
then she said:
Il am very sorry. Mr.. Page. but l
have promised to walk with Mr..
Struthers this afternoon. We were
just starting in fact as you drove up
The two men exchanged looks. and
there was an awkward pause, which
WAS broken Dy ner auulnE-
MIR. Struthers. this is Mr.. Page,
friend of my aunt's and mine"
They bowed.
Il regret exceedingly that l should
be so unlucky," said owen Page. with
evident chagrin. II shall hope to be
more fortunate another time"
Il beg that you will not allow me to
interfere with your pleasure. Miss
Baldwin. We can walk another day
exclaimed Struthers. in tone that
was gentle. but almost sad
! Eleanor looked from one to the
other, and, uncomfortable as the situa-
tion was. could not help being struck
I by the contrast in their appearance.
owen Page wore a perfectly fitting.
dark drab coat, adorned by big but
tonhole bouquet. The standing collar
that encased his neck. his closely
cropped whiskers. and short. pointed.
auburn beard and his tan-colored driv-
| ing gloves were equally trim, and in
keeping with his well-appointed equip
age. the horses of which were now
held by an irreproachable groom. Be
side him Mr.. Struthers. In nondescript
pepperandsalt looked commonplace
and sober.
Again she seemed to hesitate.
Il cannot go with you both" she
said. with a smile. and l think an
engagement is an engagement. Mr.
Page. | must ask you to excuse me
this afternoon"
A moment later. owen Page had
mounted TO his seat. and raising his
hat rather gravely, he drove his pair
down the street. CHANGING at Struth-
ers, Eleanor observed that he was
standing gazing after him with an
absorbed ais that seemed far from
happy.
Are you ready?" she asked. gayly.
opening her parasol.
She was conscious. somehow of Ella
ton.
why did you not go with him?Y he
asked quietly.
Did you wish me to go with him?''
Il did not wish you to feel bound TO
go with me-
"You will have to put up with me
now" she said with a smile.
Il am afraid you think am un-
grateful" Then he said with marked
directness: "lt would have been a
grievous disappointment to me-"
She made little curtsey.
who is that gentleman, Miss Bald
win?"
"Mr owen Page" Then she added
II have seen him quite frequently at
my aunt's and elsewhere. He is very
rich. believe, and he owns a yacht
and a great many horses, and-er--is
much interested in farming"
"Oh!"
The melancholy in Struthers' tone
spoken half ironically. without exact
ly meaning to do so. 1t had suited
her mood. which had become buoyant
And now her companions mournful
ejaculation seemed to her very funny.
Why should he be mournful? What
was owen Page to him or he'to Owen
Page? II she had forsaken him for
Mr.. Page. there might have been
ground for gloom, but here ne was
walking with her as he desired. and
yet his humor had changed in a mo
ment from cheerfulness to detection.
What was the reason?
She was conscious herself of being
in the best OF spirits. What lovely
day it was. and how agreeable the air
with its bracing suggestion OF au-
tumn. She felt like flying. or, since
that was denied her, like talking vol
ubly.
"Oh. Mr.. Strnthers Uncle Phin
approves entirely. and he thinks that
he Knows of a position. In another
month hope to be hard at work. We
had just finished talking about 1t when
you came in
AT her words. Struthers seemed to