Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-07-01
CHAPTER IX.-(Coatinued.y

CHAPTER IX.-(COatinHedJ
II am very glad to hear it." exclaimed
Earle, kindly, st seems like a pleasant
spot, and I think this pure, fresh air
will benefit your health and spirits. I
also have settled here, having bought a
practice"
"Shall ws go to Sir Reginald now"
returned she. at 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"
DIR. 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 womanly 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
to 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
a 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 conudescension that her replies were
brief and cold, while his sister remained
silent during the whole meal, with the
exception Of answering one or two ques-
tions asked by Lady Constance, which
answers were given in cold, mechanical
way, that told of a 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
exerted 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
lay siege to his heart.
After leaving the table, the ladies' re-
paired to the piazza, followed by Mr..
Glendenning. As Belle paused to pluck
from one Of the vines few flowers for
her neck, Lady Constance turned to
Ethel and remarked:
81 suppose you have no friends in
this vicinity, having but just arrived" !"
hnl fod OH
suffused brow and cheek as she replied:
81 have found one here very unexpect-
edly. DR.. Elfenstein. We crossed the
Atlantic on the same vessel, and as my
aunt was taken very Ill during the voy-
age he attended her, and consequently,
became well acquainted"
Instantly Bellies attention was riveted
by these remarks, and with sneer she
exclaimed:
II presume, then. you waylaid him
this afternoon in order to renew the ac-
quaintance."
Pardon mev' replied Ethel. with dig
nifty. II waylaid no one! We met cas-
ually on this piazza as he was about
entering to see Sir Reginald, and con-
versed for a few moments"
''It seems to me for the future, when
my uncle's physician visits him, it would
be well for you to remember that you
now occupy the position of a subordinate,
and therefore should not put ON the airs
. of an equal to attract his attention. was
the rude and unladylike reply.
Belle" interposed Lady Constance,
who, with all her faults, was naturally
kind-hearted and just, you forget that
Miss Nevergail in coming to us does not
cease to be gentlewoman."
"Or, a gentlewoman's poor relation"
was the cutting answer. ..--..
"a remarkably beautiful one, how
ever" said the brother. Say, Belle" !"
he added. teasingly, ''yOu must take care
or she will carry off some of your beaux"
The indignant girl gave him a glance
Of whitening scorn, but merely said, with
an angry toss of her head:
"Let her beware how she interferes
with me in any way! A word to the wise
ls sufficient"
Ethel could scarcely control her indig-
nant feelings. as she listened to these in
sulting remarks issuing from the lovely
lips Of the girlish speaker, but after an
effort she did control them, and without
q word turned away and again sought
the side Of the invalid.
But she found him irritable, and hard
to please, and the moments passed in his
room became intolerably long, and she
sighed for the time to come when she
could retire to her own apartment, even
though she knew a strange and annoy
ing duty would follow her there.
Finally the baronet told her if she
was weary to go, adding harshly: 81 am
tired already of gazing at your pale
face" then more kindly, as he saw she
was startled by his rough way of speak
ing: 81 hope 1 shall feel better in the
morning; if SO, shall like to have you
read to me, or. as you understand music,
will listen to a song"
CHAPTER x.
Al an elegant clock. with old cathedral
chimes, struck the hour of ten, Ethel,
with q pale face and trembling hand,
lighted q candle, possessed herself of the
strange looking knife, then opening the
wardrobe, and drawing back the bolt,
stepped into the passage and from thence
threugh the small door in the opposite
wall.
She found herself In a long. straight
Ia -