The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-07-07
CHAPTER XII.

80 justly repulsed by Ethel In the
grounds Of the hall, he felt exceedingly
III used and the more he pondered over
the coldness Of this beautiful girl TO-
wards himself. the more he felt incln-
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 ii, his sister cgave him
graphic account Of the presentation Of
the flowers by Dr. Elfenstein, and her
own bold destruction of them, then con-
cluded by saying:
"She IL a proud, stuckup thing, and
do delight In humlliating her lofty feel
ings. | Intend to do all | can to bring
her from the high pedestal ON which she
has perched and II can only incense
Sir Reginald against her, NO that he
will send her away, shall be delighted.
Bob, | wish you would help me-"
II will do all can to reduce her
abominable pride, assure you, though
! do not care to have her sent away. She
shall, however, repent snubbing me as
she did yesterday"
Stumbling you'll What do you mean?
Did she really dare to do thatT
Robert then related his experience
with the subject Of their discussion.
"The ldlotl She does not deserve your
further noticeI However, II | see
chance to lower her In Sir Reginalds
esteem | shall do 1t. II needful, shall
alan call an Won for oaefataoaa
That afternoon the wished for Oppors
tunlty arrived.
Belle happened to be In her uncle's
room few moments, when she heard the
following conversation take place, which
gave her plan upon which to work.
Sir Reginald had received a note from
q neighbor In reference to some very I'm
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 NeyergallT
II do. | understand your wishes per
fectly now; 80 II you can direct me there,
| will go at once"
"You had better not go around the
road, as the walk would be full a mile
and half, but go from the rear Of the
hall and take a short cut through the
fields, There will only be couple Of
bars to lower, and the path is direct and
plain"
"Fhen | will start at once"
"It will only take you until Ave o'clock
to go and return. Please be as quick as
possible In getting back as | shall need
you by that time. You understand,
wish you to hurry. ! never Ike per-
son to loiter when | send them upon an
Crrand."
Seeking Robert at once, Belle Informed
him of the errand Ethel had to transact
for Sir Reginald, and his strict injunc-
tlon that she should hasten back to his
side.
"He told her the whole work could
be accomplished by five o'clock. Now,
Robert, | think II would provoke him
greatly II she were detained until seven
1Ni YOU Htl luNtINNHN htA Nh utI TttuTH
aud manage to keep her away"
"Yes, indeed IL will be splendid fun.
| will do II. IL cannot keep her in
any other way l win force her into
phaeton and take her of upon a ride"
"Do, then will inform his lor,iship
that she was seen riding with some
strange young man."
"Ha, hal good; and II she says 1t was
this chap, | will deny II In full"
And will come In to prove an alibi.
Where will you meet her2"
Just the other side Of the Perkins
wood will have a horse and phaeton
waiting on this side. There Is wood
mans road there that leads to the main
road; we can take that, and have a jolly
long ride, But | shall have fuss to
get her into the vehicle, expect; how
ever. | shall manage It some way, never
fear"
Laughing gayly over the fun In pros
pect the two separated to put in force the
mischief they had brewed.
Poor Ethel left the house without a
suspicion of what awaited her; glad, In
fact, that she could thus enjoy a stroll
after the confinement of that close, hard
day
She found Mr.. Perkins at home, and
soon explained the cause of her visit,
and transacted the business With which
she had been intrus;ed.
This completed, she turned her face
homeward, All went well with her until
she approached the woods. At their en-
trance she found, on consulting her
watch that II was quarter past four.
II shall reach the hall just about Ave-"
she thought, "and so please Sir Reginald.
l would not have liked being late, after
what he said"
Suddenly she was startled by a sound
et her side, then, to her surprise and cha
grin. Robert Glendennins stepped direct
ly In her path.
my dear Miss NsverSall, this s a de-
liShtful meeting in q delightful place.