Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-05-28
CHAPTER II.-tcontInued.I

lunch We had a game OF billiards., anu
then went into the stables to look NJ the
horses. And such horses. tool Well. At.
ter we had left the stable and chntted a
bit, he ordered the chcstnuts round, aud
we started TO come over here. How those
horses did fret, aud pranee, and rear!
but he took II ms coolly as possible, aud
soothed and quleted them, until they went
of Hike lambs. They continued very quiet
for about mile, when we came to gate
whore girl was standing, and then they
SHE'D and reared again, until ! thought
they would have upset MS In the ditch.
But Hastings was not bit Disconnected;
he held the reins with one hand, and With
the other took of his hat to the girl as
II she had been an empress. She was so
graceful, and had such lovely eyes! |
was anxious 10 know who she could be,
aud asked him. Guess. Flo. who II was" I"
How should | known answered his
sister, pettlshly. How provoking you
aIe!"
well, then, II was our cousin, Miss
Eyre; and ! can tell you she Is nothing
10 be ashamed Of, either. ! could see
how much he admired her. and WAS just
going 10 tell him of our connection with
her when the chesinuts bolted. and. by
the time he got them In hand again. II
had gone out of my mind. However, the
information will keep till another time" !"
Reginald cried his sister, white to
the lips with rage, ''you will not dare to
tell him that low-born girl Is related to
usf-you win not dareY'
Reginald knows better than TO do any
thing so foolish" interrupted Mrs. Cham
pion. But in case you should be tempt
ed TO do So" she added, turning to her
son, remember that not 1.-THE OF that
FIVE hundred pounds promised you for
your last seasons debts shall pass INTO
your hands"
"Oh! very well. that's enough" re-
sponded Reginald. sulkily. But can
tell you one thing. Flo-I believe he's tre-
mendously cut with that girl, and that
he's gone of after her now"
And having uttered this remark with
the amable intention of annoying his sis
ter, he proceeded to quit the room.
II think Reginald gets more unbeara-
Bile every day" exclaimed Flora, an
grIiy.
"Twenty-one is not generally very
agreeable age ia young man, remarked
her mother.
And so the fates eonspired to keep a
secret from Errol Hastings, which, as 1t
turned out, was very important he should
know.
He called at Hurst Manor the day ar
ter Reginald lunched with him, and ac-
cepted Mrs. Champions invitation to stay
and dine.
Mrs. Champion" he said, as they sat
together in the drawing room, Il am go-
Ing to beg favd of you aud Miss Cham
pion."
Il am sure We shall be but too happy
to grant 1t, II II Is In our power" she re-
turned, smiling.
Il think Of giving ball at the Court, "
Mr., Hastings continued. 'and before
issue my invitations want to secure the
promise OF your presence and co-opera-
ton"
"A ball at the Court; that will be
charuingr' exclaimed Miss Champion.
with unusual animation. Bachelors al,
ways give such charming parties; besides,
which, II viii crafty my long-felt desire
to go over your house."
III you really have any curiosity to see
my domain, | trust you will not wait for
the ball, Why not ride over this after
noon before dlnnerf Your brother, have
no doubt, will accompany u.s."
Miss Champion looked at her mother In
dutiful interrogative manner, and Mrs.
Champion replied Immediately:
Certainly, my love. IL you persuade
Reginald. You look little pale-a ride
will do all the good in the world"
Reginald being agreeable, the horses
were ordered round, and Miss Champion
left the room to equip.
"Apropos Of the ball." said Enrol, II
am expecting an influx of visitors to the
Court, and | shall beg of your charity
to come and help me to entertain them.
Sir Clayton and Lady Grace Farquhar
are coming for fortnight, until their
place at Eadon Vale Is ready, and she
has promised to play hostess for the oc-
casion, Lady st. Ego and her daughters
will come up from Hertfordshire. Mr..
and Mrs. Rivers, Lady Marion Alton and
her niece, and several bachelor friends,
so l shall need some assistance In my
novel part of host"
"When Is the ball to take placeY" in
quired Mrs. Champion.
II hardly think am justified in digni-
flying my gathering by the name of n
ball; but mean to invite every one round
o. v,Nflnos kht, il
very quiet time of the year, do not ap-
prehend many disappointments. Indeed.
/ only intend giving ten days notice"
"That will be quite enough" Mrs
Champion agreed; mo one thinks of Civ.
ing parties In the country at this time
of year, and ball will be quite boon
to the young people. prophesy your
entertainment will be a great success"
II hope So" said Mr.. Hastings. IL as
sure you shall spare no pains to make
everything go off WE'LL"
Flora came in at this juncture, looking
very handsome In her perfectly fitting
habit, and they all walked out of the
window to the horses, which were wait
ing at the door. He placed her In the
saddle, mounted himself, and bidding au
revoir to Mrs. Champion, they started
for their ride.
Reginald usurped the greater part of
the conversation on the way, much to
his sisters annoyance, but she had no
intention of hetraying any ill-humor be-
fore Mr.. Hastings. When they arrived
at Hazell Court they dismounted, sent
the horses to the stables, and proceeded
10 explore the house. Miss Champion not
nnlu nynrnssad hersalf hut was In real