The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-02-03

inquiry there found he had left more than year
before and none of his ellow-waters knew his where
abOuts.
Thus being defeated in every inquiry, and my bust
ness at last concluded in London, went up to Dunn
fries on a duty visit which | paid annually to my
uncle, Sir George Little. Having known Dumfries
since my earliest boyhood and having spent some
years of my youth there, had many friends in the
vicinity for Sir George and my aunt were very pop
ular in the county and moved in the best set.
Each time | returned from abroad | was always
a welcome guest at Greenaw their place outside
the city of Burns called and this occasion proved
exception, for the country houses of Dumfres are
always gay in August in prospect of the shooting.
'SOme new people have taken Rannoch Castle.
Rather nice they SEEM" remarked my aunt as we
were sitting together at luncheon the day after my
arrival. "Their name is LeithcOurt, and they've
asked me to drive you over there to tennis this after
noon"
"I'm not much of player, you know, aunt. In
Italy don't believe in athletics. But if it's out of
politeness, of course, I'll GO"
Every WELL" she said "Then I'll order the vic
toria for three"
'There are several nice girls there, Gordon" re.
marked my uncle mischievously. "You have good
time, don't think you are going to be bored"
"No fear of that" my answer. And at three
o'clock Sir George, his wife, and myself set out for
that fine old historic castle that stands high the
Bognie, overlooking the Cairn waters beyond Dun
score one of the stronghOlds of the Black Douglas
in those turbulent days of long ago. and now spen-
did old residence with big shoot which some
times let for the at very high rent by its
aristocratc if somewhat impecunious owner
We could see its great round towers, standing
grim and gray on the hillside commanding the whole
of the valley long before we approached it, and when
we drove into the grounds we found gay party in
toilets assembled the ancient bowling
green, transformed into modern tennis lawn
Mrs. LethcOurt and her husband, tall, thin,
gray-headed weldresse0 man, both came forward to
greet us, and after few introducions joined set
ut tennis. They were merry crowd The Leith-
courts were entertaining large house party, and
their hospitality scale quite in keeping with
the fine old place they rented.
Tea was served on the lawn by the footmen and
afterward, being tired of the game, | found myself
stroling with Muriel LethcOurt, bright dark-eyed
girl with tghtly.bound hair, and wearing a cotton
blouse and flannel tennis skirt.
| was apologizng for my terribly bad play ex-
planning that | had no practice out in Italy, where
upon she said
81 know Italy slightly l was in Florence and
Naples with mother last season."
And then we began to discuss pictures and scup.
lures and the sights of Italy generally discerned
from her remarks that she had Travelled widely; in
deed, she told me that both her father and mother
were never happier than when moving from place to
place in search of variety and distraction We had
entered the huge paneed hall of the castle, and had
passed up the quaint old stone staircase to the long
Mnqueting hall with its paneled oak ceiling which in
these modern days had been transformed into a
which was presented marvellous view over the lovely
Nihsdale and to the heathercad hills beyond
1t was pleasant loungng there in the cool old
room after the hot sunshine outside, and as gazed
around the place | noted how much more luxurious
and tasteful it now to what it had been in the
days when had visited its owner several years be.
FORE
1--WE are awfuly glad to be up here my com
panion was saying. 1--WE had such a busy season in
London" And then she went on to describe the
Court ball. and two three of the most notable func
tions about which | had read in my English pnpcr
beside the Mediterranean
She attracted me on account of her BRIGHT vi.
vacity quick wit and keen of humor therefore
sat listening to her pleasant chatter. Exiled as
was in foreign land, | seldom spoke English save
with Hutcheson the Consul, and even then we rem
orally spoke Italian if there were others present in
order that our companions should understand There
fore her gossip interested me- and as the golden SIM
set Hooded the handsome old room sat listenng to
her inwardly admring her innate grace and hand
some countenance
| had no idea who or what her father vos-
whether wealthy manufacturer, like so many who
take expensive shoots and give big entertainments in
order to edge their way into Society by its back door