Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-07-08
CHAPTER XII,


After Robert Glendenning had been
so justly repulsed by Ethel in the
grounds of the hall, he felt exceedingly
ill used, and the more he pondered over
the coldness of this beautiful girl to-
wards himself, the more he felt inclin-
ed to punish her want of appreciation
of his merits as a handsome, wealthy
and popular young man.
Immediately after his last adventure
with Ethel, while yet chafed and sore on
account of it, his sister gave him a
graphic account of the presentation of
the flowers by DR.. Elfenstein, and her
own bold destruction of them, then con-
cluded by saying:
'She is a proud, stuck-up thing, and 1
do delight in humiliating her lofty feel
ings. l intend to do all 1 can to bring
her from the high pedestal on which she
has perched, and if 1 can only incense
Sir Reginald against her, so that he
will send her away, l shall be delighted.
Bob, wish you would help me-"
Il will do all l can to reduce her
abominable pride, l assure you, though
do not care to have her sent away. She
shall, however, repent snubbing me as
she did yesterday"
Stumbling you! What do you mean :?
Did she really dare to do that?''
Robert then related his experience
with the subject of their discussion.
'The idiot! She does not deserve your
further notice! However, if 1 see a
chance to lower her in Sir Reginald's
esteem l shall do it. If needful, 1 shall
also call on you for assistance"
That afternoon the wished for oppor-
tunity arrived.
fn ho in hor
room few moments, when she heard the
following conversation take place, which
gave her a plan upon which to work.
Sir Reginald had received a note from
a neighbor in reference to some very inn
portant private business, which he found
necessary to attend to immediately
Wishing some intelligent person to see
and converse with Mr.. Perkins in regard
to the matter. he had explained his views
to Ethel before Belle had entered. and
was just saying:
do you think you could find Perkins
for me, and attend to this important
work, Miss Nevergail?"
Il do. l understand your wishes per-
fectly now; so if you can direct me there,
l will go at once"
You had better not go around the
road, as the walk would be full mile
and half, but go from the rear of the
hall and take a short cut through the
fields. There will only be a couple of
bars to lower, and the path is direct and
plain
Then 1 will start at once"
sit will only take you until five O'Clock
to go and return. Please be as quick as
possible in getting back, as l shall need
you by that time. You understand, I
wish you to hurry. 1 never like a per
son to loiter when I send them upon an
errand."
Seeking Robert at once, Belle Informed
him of the errand Ethel had to transact
for Sir Reginald, and his strict injunt,-
ton that she should hasten back to his
side.
He told her the whole work could
be accomplished by five o'clock. Now,
Robert, 1 think it would provoke him
greatly if she were detained until seven.
Can you not intercept her on her return
and manage to keep her away?'
Yes, indeed. It will be splendid fun.
I will do it. If I cannot keep her in
any other way I will force her into
phaeeon and take her off upon q ride"
do; then will inform his lordship
that she was seen riding with some
strange young man."
''Ha, ha! good; and If she says it was
this chap, I will deny it In full"
''And will come in to prove an aibi.
Whsre viii you meet her?