Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER VII.

The next evening Just as Enrol Hast
ings and his friends had finished dinner
servant brought In note TO the mas
ter. II was from Winlfred Eyre, and
read as follows:
'You will perhaps guess that only very
urgent need induces me to hold cOmmu-
nication with you sfter-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 II still persist In my re-
fusal to become his wife he will publish
the story to the neighborhood. ask OF
you to hnd some means OF action that will
insuresthe silence of this man, and protect
me from a 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
vii! help me-"
As Enrol read the note an imprecation
burst from his lips that made both his
friends look up suddenly.
"Why, Errolw exclaimed Mr.. LIE Mar
chant, what Is the matterY"
Mr.. Hastings recovered himself ain
moment.
II beg your pardon" he said, smiling;
81 was rather annoyed at the moment.
A letter from refractory tenant" II
"Ah" said Arthur Le Marchant, with
a 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 q stroll
on the terrace he did not join them.
Excuse me for half an hour" he said.
II have some business to transact, and
will follow you."
When they were gone he rang the bell
..Send Letsom to me at once" aud a
minute afterward the old servant came
hgrrying.
'Letsome," said Mr.. Hastings, ''do ypp
know anyone Of the name OF Fennef
hsreabUAts2'' &,
-"Yes, sir" answered Letsom. There's
4 farmer Of that name lives two miles
from here, up at Chalk Farm"
what do you know about. him?"
"Well sir, can't say as know much,
| but / have heard more lately being in
conjunction with Miss Eyre. 1t was
Hawkins as told me; he was that angry
one night because, he heard as FeRner
was a-courtin' Miss Eyre. IN spoil his
sport, IL hear any more says hei but
I'm not afraid that lady like Miss Eyre
nd demean herself to such as him."
"What did Hawkins mean when he said
he'd spoil Fennev's sport IL he wanted
to marry Miss Eyrer
II don't know, I'm sure, sir: but he
seemed quite mad about II, and talked
Hike as II he knew something bad about
Fenner. thought perhaps 1t was only
talk, though, because he sets such deal
on Miss Eyre"
"Send Hawkins to my room at ten
o'clock tomorrow" said Mr., Hastings;
II want to ask him about the partridges;"
and Mr.. Hastings rose aud went to Join
his friends ON the terrace.
The following morning there was low
tap at the door, and Hawkins, the game-
keeper, entered Mr.. Hastings room. A
long conversation followed, as 9 result
of which Mr.. Hastings sent the follow
ing note to Fenner:
"Sir-Be good enough to call, upon me
this afternoon, at three o'clock. have
to speak to you on important business.
"ERR0L HASTINGS.
"Haxell Court"
AT half-past three Mr.. Fenner rang at
the door Of HAZEL Court. 1t was opened
Immediately, and he was escorted through
the grand hall, along a corridor. and up
some steps into Mr.. Hastings private
room. Enrol was sitting at his writing
table when Fenner entered. He merely
looked up and continued his letter Torn