The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
The next evening just as Enrol Hast
ings and his friends had finished dinner
a servant brought in a note to the mas
ter. 1t was from Winifred Eyre, and
read as. follows:
"You will perhaps guess that only very
urgent need induces me to hold commu-
nication with you after-after what pass
ed last night. Your words were over
heard by Mr.. Fenner, an intentional spy.
whom short time since | refused to mar
ry. He came to me this afternoon, and
threatens that il | still persist In my re-
fusal to become his wife he will publish
the story to the neighborhood. ] ask Of
you to find some means Of action that will
insure the silence of this man, and protect
me from marriage which dread more
than death. Mr.. Fenner insists on my
answer being given in three days. II you
have one impulse Of generosity left, you
will help me-"
As Enrol read the note an imprecation
burst from his lips that made both his
friends look up suddenly.
"Why, Errol!' exclaimed Mr.. lie Mar
chant, what is the matterW
Mr.. Hastings recovered himself ain q
moment.
81 beg your pardon" he said, smiling;
II was rather annoyed at the moment.
A letter from a refractory tenant"
"Ahw said Arthur LIE Marchant with
! smiling glance at the envelope which
lay on the table; "lady tenants are al
ways the most troublesome"
All the evening Mr.. Hastings seemed
absent and unusually silent, and when
the two other men went out for a stroll
on the terrace he did not join them.
Excuse me for half en- hour" he said
81 have some business to transact, and
will follow you"
When they were gone he rang the bell
"Send Letsom to me at once" and a
minute afterward the old servant. came
hurrying.
"Letsome," said Mr.. Hastings, do YOU
know anyone Of the name Of Fennel
hereaboutsT
eyes, sir" answered Letsom. "There'i
farmer Of that name lives two miles
from here, up at Chalk Farm."
"What do you know about him7'
"Well, sir, can't say as know much
but | have heard more lately being IL
conjunction with Miss Eyre. 1t wal
Hawkins as told me; he was that angry
one night because he heard as Fennel
was a-courtin' Miss Eyre. I'll spoil BIZ
sport, II hear any more says he; 'bu
I'm not afraid that a lady like Miss Eyrt
'ud demean herself to such as him.
"What did Hawkins mean when he SAT-
he'd spoil Fenner's sport If he wante'
to marry Miss Eyre2"
81 don't know, I'm sure, sir; but h
seemed quite mad about 1t, and talke'
like as il he knew something bad abou
Fenner. | thought perhaps 1t was onl,
talk, though, because he sets such dea
on Miss Eyre"
"Send Hawkins to my room at tel
o'clock tomorrow" said Mr.. Hastings
"I want to ask him about the partridges;
and Mr.. Hastings rose and went to joi
his friends on the terrace.
The following morning there was loy
tap at the door, and Hawkins, the game
keeper, entered Mr.. Hastings room.
long conversation followed, as a resul
of which Mr.. Hastings sent the follow
ing note to Fenner;
, "Sir-Be good enough to call upon m
this afternoon, at three o'clock. | hav
to speak to you on important business.
"ERR0L HASTINGS.
"Hazell Court"
At half-past three Mr. Fenner rang q
; the door Of HAZEL Court II was opene
Immediately, and be was escorted throug
, the grand hall, along corridor, and u
some steps into Mr.. Hastings privat
room. Enrol was sitting at his writin
table when Fenner entered. He merel
looked up and continued his letter. ToI
Fenner felt very savage; he would hav
liked to throw himself with a swaggG
, into one of the chairs, but he did nc
! dare. There was something in Enrol
look, and something In his own servi
! fear Of rank, that made him afraid
take a liberty.
Presently Mr.. Hastings looked up an
! said:
, II have sent for you to tell you tbs
, | object to the way in which you haV
I annoyed Miss Eyre lately, and to reQue'
, that you will discontinue It."
Tom Fenner felt be was getting ver
\ savage.
+ "Ahd suppose" he remarked, insOien
- ly, that say shan't, what thenT
d VERY WE'LL" said Mr. Hastings. quie
g ly, "then will order my horse, and {
| round to Mr.. LennOx, and tell him 70
y are the seoundrel who shot Tom Whit
t the gamekeeper. three years ago in Il
, HoftOn woods"
e Fenner started convulsively. he turn'
II ashen white and trembled In every LIN
It ''0h. sir!' he cried, 10 agony Of fea
h as soon as he could speak. don't
:. thatw
:. And then all Of a sudden he recover,
himself. and looked at the man who hl
h confronted him with an air Of dOgged d
I. 6ance.
l. Il didn't know what you meant at Il
} minute" be said. pale to the lips;
thought, Il was something else. don
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