Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-09-01
CHAPTER XII.-tContinued.)

aic beneath the smooth, messy trunk OF
a giant beech tree, upon the breezy slopes
of the hill behind the gardens. Here
ahe nurse unpacked the luncheon basket
1hey had brought and Master Roland
1albots mouth was shut by large help
Eng of veal pie while the poodle lay
with his nose upon his mistress's lap and
was RECALLED with titbits from her plate.
Felicia leaned her back against the tree
and did the honors of the repast. The
nurse having discreetly retreated out OF
4sarshot with her own portion of the
yiands, the ladies proceeded to discuss
what they had seen and heard.
''You may depend upon it that picture
Is somehow connected with Brian Des-
nond's life,' said Mrs Talbot decidedly.
Ibid you notice how mysterious the old
woman was about her? 1 wonder if she
was some governess in the family, and
what has become of her."
''Since Mr.. Desmond has married some
enc else l don't see that it matters
much" said Felicia indifferently.
81 shall never forget that face, it was
q peculiar type Of beauty. Has Brian
Desmond been wearing the willow for
Asr ever since, [ WonderT
Felicia stifed a yawn; she was at
Boss TO understand the keenness with
which her friend pursued the subject of
Mr.. Desmond's antecedents.
''Lookn' she exclaimed, glad to find
something TO change the conversation,
did | not tell you there had been a
man in that room. Behold, without a
doubt, the late occupier of Mr.. Des-
mond's study. Good gracious, he is TAX
eng off his hat and coming straight to
asr'
A gentleman was in fact walking slow
~ up the slope among the beech trees
seward them. He was young and de-
cidedly good looking; he had pleasant
grey eyes and an agreeable smile, and
ais manner, when he took off his hat
and addressed them, was perfectly self
possessed and devoid of awkwardness.
Il must really apologize that you
8hould have been driven out into the
woods for your luncheon, ladies. I can
not think what Mrs. Succurden was
about not to ask you to remain in the
aouse."
"Oh, We are quite comfortable here,
thanks" answered Gertrude smilingly
her whole face frightened at once. She
did not know who was addressing her,
but she saw that he was well-looking
and a gentleman. He had sufficient as
surance to address himself to her with
out knowing her and his very audacity
pleased her. I'VE must introduce our
selves. l am Mrs. Talbot, a grass
widow, if you choose to call me So This
rs my son and heir, this my angel of a
poodle, and this is my friend, Miss
Grantley."
Felicia bowed coldly, she looked grace
3ul and summer-like in her white dress
and wide shady hat, leaning against the
smooth, messy beech trunk. The stran-
ger looked at her curiously, but she
dropped her eyes upon her plate and
would take no notice of him. He did not
venture to speak to her.
1--WE are nothing but common vulgar
tourists continued Gertrude laughing
BY, come over from Smackton in an
open fly for an outing, but | am great
friend of Mr. Desmond's, and now sit
down here and share our lunch if you
will. but please introduce yourself first;
tell lis who you are and where you live"
My name is Edgar Raikes, at your
service. !, too, am a great friend of Mr.
DesmOnd's, and l live here" answered
2he stranger laughingly. But he did not
accept Mrs. Talbot's invitation to sit
down and partake of her lunch; he stood
leaning upon his stick and looking down
upon her. but glancing sometimes covert
ly at the young lady, who was eating
her luncheon in cold silence.
"Do you live here at Keppington
HALF" inquired Mrs. Talbot, with some
surprise.
"Yes, certainly"
"Oh, then it was his paper upon the
aoor," she exclaimed, turning to Felicia
land his pen that was wet!"
And his smell of smoke" interpolated
Miss Grantley quietly. 1t was the first
thing she had said.
"Ah, you are obseryant, Mrs. Talbot"
replied Mr.. Raikes. Il certainly did
beat a most hasty retreat out of the
study when 1 heard the approach of
ladies skirts"
HAS Mr.. Desmond lent you the
houseY
Exactly. he has given me the use of
st for a time he answered with q slight
aush. He might have told her that he
was paid a hundred and fifty pounds a
year for doing so, but he was not mind,
cd to make such condolences to her
wv hat on earth do you do here! said
Mrs. Talbot. Are you all alone; what
do you do with yourself?'
II shoot little, and l fish a little, -
said the young man. He might have
added that he got himself generally into
mischief, but this he also wisely re-
trained from saying.
1T must be very dull: you had better
come over and see us at Smackton, we
are at the hotel" And then she got up
80 go The open fly appeared on the
acene on the road below them. Roland s
nurse packed up the luncheon basket.
and Mr.. RalHes walked down with the
swo ladies TO the road, and assisted them
most politely into their vehicle, lifting
Sn the child and the poodle, and shutting
ahe rickety door of the fly with as fine
an air as if it had been a spring ba-
rouche. Then he stood aside and took