Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-06-16
CHAPTER VII.

The next evening just as Enrol Hast
ings and his friends had finished dinner
servant brought in 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 l refused to mar
~. He came to me this afternoon, and
threatens that if 1 still persist in my re-
fusal to become his wife he will publish
the story to the neighborhood I ask of
you to find some means of action that will
insure the silence of this man, and protect
me from marriage which 1 dread more
than death. Mr.. Fenner insists on my
answer being given in three days. If 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 sudd8aAy.
"Why, Errolr' exclaimed Mr.. LIE Mar
chant, what is the matter?".
Mr. Hastings recovered himself ain a
moment.
81 beg your PARDON" he said, smiling;
81 was rather annoyed at the moment
A letter from a refractory tenant"
''Ahr' said Arthur LIE Marchant, with
a smiling glance at the envelope which
lay on the table; LADY tenants are al
ways the most troublesome"
Ali 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 an 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 Fenner
hereabouts ~
Eyes, SIR" answered Letsom. There's
a 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 l 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 Fenner
was a-courtin' Miss Eyre. I'll spoil his
sport, if l hear any more says he; but
I'm not afraid that lady like Miss Eyre
'ud demean herself to such as him.
''What did Hawkins mean when he said
he'd spoil Fenner's sport if he wanted
to marry Miss Eyre?'
81 don't know, I'm sure, sir; but he
seemed quite mad about it, and talked
like as if he knew something bad about
Fenner. I thought perhaps it 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;
81 want to ask him about the partridges;"
and Mr.. Hastings rose and 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 a 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. l have
to speak to you on important business.
"ERROL HASTINGS.
'Hazell Court"
At half-past three Mr.. Fenner rang at
the door of HazelI Court. 1t was opened
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, Tom