Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-05-04
Merely an Episode.

ideally happy couple than the
Charterises. After ten years mar
ried life they are still in love with each
other. Constance Is wont to boast that
Dick never has, or has had, secret
which she has not shared. And In the
main This is true. But there is one lit
tie episode-merely an episode-in his
his one secret. And it nearly concerns
Constance, too. The wind was blowing
wildly against the smoking room win
dows, bringing snowstorm in its
train.
Hang it ALL" remarked Dick Char
teris, going to the window and gazing
out lscOnsolately over a world grow
ing rapidly white, mo hunting to-day
And Con won't be back till tonight"
He lit ii pipe, drew up comfortable
chair in front of the fire, and prepared
to make the best of the inevitable The
morning paper lay on table at his
elbow. He took it up. glanced careless
ly through it, and soon put it down
again. Judging from the expression of
his face. his own thoughts were sup
plying sufficient entertainment.
Beg pardon, SIR" The butler stood
before him with somewhat perpleX-
ed cOuntenance.
Captain Charters reused himself
"Well, HiltOn?'
"There is a gentleman wishing to see
Sir Godfrey, sir I've told him Sir
Godfrey is out, and he wants to wait
But don't know eXactly-the dining
room and drawing-room is all upset,
and her ladyship's in the morning
room, Would you mind, sir"
"Show him in here, of course" Dick
Charteris was perhaps, growing a
trife tired of his own company.
"Probably some begging chap,
though, coming at this hour" he
thought stretching his long legs and
glanclng lazily at the clock. 1t was
barely r.
The first glance, at the stranger,
however. dispelled this idea. Dick look
ed at him critically a tail, dark man.
on the wrong side Of 10, with a clever
clean-shaven face. His eyes burned
with ii curiously eager light. THE
mans ill.," was Dicks first thought.
lie went forward with easy courtesy
Sorry, Sir Godfrey is out just now"
he remarked, pushing a chair toward
the other. He had to go to a magis-
trattS' meeting. However, he can't be
long now, and perhaps | can do duty
as host in his absence. | can't say I'm
exactly Il son Of the house. still. by this
time next week hope to be Sir Geoff-
rey's sol-in-law."
The stranger had been listening al
most mechanically to Chartcris' easy
flow of conversation, but at the last
wotds he became suddenly alert and
eager.
Indeed" he said, with scarcely re-
pressed anxiety. May l ask your
name:"
"Charteris. Won't you sit down,
Mr. -?'
But though he to k the chair, he paid
no attention to the question in Dick S
tone. The latter began to feel at a dis
advantage. carrying on conversation
with stranger, name unknown.
Il should be sorry to miss seeing
Sir Godfrey" remarked his visitor. his
dull, even tones contrasting so oddly
with the fire in his eyes. IL am an old
friend of his. but have not seen him for
some time"
Charters glanced at him again. He
concluded the man had just come from
abroad, which would account for the
somewhat odd cut of his clothes and
the general look of a certain absence
of up-tO-dateness about him.
NO doubt Sir Godfrey will be In d.
rectly.' he remarked, passing the ci-
rarettes. You'll find the house in
rather IA confusion to-day There's to
be little dance tomorrow in honor
of the approaching wedding"
The other slowly lit a cigarette. II
understand you are going to marry one
of Sir Geoffry's daughters" he OBJ
served. slowly
Yes, Constance" He blew a ring