Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-10-15
CHAPTER IX.-(Continnedl

81 am very glad to hear it, exclaimed
Earle, kindly, 1T seems like a pleasant
spot, and | think this pure, fresh air
will benefit your health and spirits. l
also have settled here, having bought a
practice"
"Shall we go to Sir Reginald now?'
returned she, Mt the end of their ami
mated conversation. 81 presume he is
awake by this time"
YES at once, and | hope | shall find
him more easy than he was this morn
Ing"
Or. Elfenstein made quite long call,
as he had much to do to make the baro-
net comfortable for the night. and as
Ethel saw him handle the injured man
90 gently, and soothe him with kind, en-
couraging words, she felt that he must
possess a heart of almost womanIy feel
Ing, and her interest and admiration
deepened.
After Earle Elfenstein withdrew, a
late dinner was announced, and in the
dining room Lady Constance presented
10 Ethel her nephew, Robert Glenden-
ming, and niece, Belle his sister, the
former greeting her with rather an inso-
lent look of admiration, the latter with
4 bow expressive Of naughty contempt.
From that moment Ethel saw that
neither of these young people would pro-
mote her happiness while she remained
under this roof.
Mr.. Glendenning did converse with
her, but it was with such an evident air
of copudescension that her replies were
brief and cold, while his sister remained
silent during the whole meal, with the
90
lions asked by Lady Constance which
answers were given in a cold, mechanical
way that told Of mind preoccupied and
absent.
The truth was, this young lady was
surprised, and not at all pleased, with
the Introduction of such rarely beauti
full girl into the home over which she
held sway.
She was intensely proud and selfish,
and felt that here might be an influence
fxerted upon her few admirers that
might interfere with her prospects.
The prospects particularly in view at
present were the winning of the heart
and hand of the new physician lately set
tied In the place.
She had been introduced to him at the
home of a friend and had admired his
elegant bearing, handsome face and quiet
manners, and instantly had resolved to
NY siege to his heart.
After leaving the table, the ladies re.
paired to the piazza, followed by Mr.
olendenning AS Belle paused to pluck
fsom one of the vines few flowers fol-
Der neck, Lady Constance turned t.
Ethsl and remarked:
II suppose you have no friends II
shis vicinity, having but just arrived
Ethel hesitated while faint blush
saffused brow and cheek as she replied
II have found one here very unexpect
ealy. DR.. Elfenstein. We crossed the
Atlantic on the same vessel, and as my
aunt was taken very Ill during the voy
aeo he attended her, and consequently
became we'll acquainted"
Instantly Bellies attention was riveteC
b. these remarks, and with sneer sh,
exclaimed:
IL presume, then, you waylaid hin
this afternoon in order to renew the ac
guaintance."
Pardon me!' replied Ethel. with dig
nky. 81 waylaid no one! We met cas-
ually on this piazza as he was abou
entering to see Sir Reginald, and con
versed for a. few moments"
ut seems to me for the future, whel
my uncle's physician visits him. it woul
DO well for you to remember that yo
now occupy the position of a subordinate
and therefore should not put on the air
Of an equal to attract his attention." wa
the rude and unladyike reply
Belle" interposed Lady Constanc,
who, with all her faults, was NATURAL
knd-hearted and just, you forget tha
Miss Nevergail in coming to us does ne
cease to be a gentlewoman."
"Or, a gentlewoman's poor relation!
was the cutting answer.
a remarkably beautiful one, how
ever" said the brother. Say, Belle
be added, teasingly, you must take cal
E she will carry off some of your beaux
The indignant girl gave him n glanC
Of whitening scorn, but merely said, wit
an angry toss of her head:
LET her beware how she interfere
with me in any way! A word to the wi:
Ia sufficient"
Ethel could scarcely control her indi
nant feelings, as she listened to these i
sulting remarks issuing from the love
Aps Of the girlish speaker but after
effort she did control them, and witho
WOTu luTutu away anu hbdlu sOub
the side of the invalid.
But she found him irritable, and ha
to please, and the moments passed in b
room became intolerably long, and s.
sighed for the time to come when s.
could retire to her own apartment ev
though she knew a strange and ammo
ing duty would follow her there.
Finally the baronet told her If S
was weary to so, adding harshly: 81 O
tired already of gazing at your pa
face" then more kindly, as he saw S
was startled by his rough way of spea
Ing: II hope | shall feel better in t
morning; if so, l shall like to have Y
read to me, or, as you understand mus
will listen to a song"
CHAPTER Y.
AS an elegant clock, with old cathedl
chimes, struck the hour of ten, Eth
with a pale face and trembling haI
lighted a candle, possessed herself of t
strange looking knife, then opening t
wardrobe and drawing hacf the hr