Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-01-15
CHAPTER XvIII.-(Continued.)

Jacks feelings at that moment were
not enviable. He had always looked
| upon Lord Summers commission as a di-
| rect proof of his own ability. 1t was
a decided damper to his good opinion of
himself to discover that it was due to
his patrons interest in Ethel Malett.
las you do not seem to have been
very glad to hear of tho engagement.
| perhaps you will be better pleased to
hear that it is at an end"
Indeed"
"1es; and l think you should know
that Miss Mallctt took the initiative in
breaking it off"
Il am surprised! I thought she was
very fond of you. But there is no ac-
counting for women's actions
And then Lord Summers turned to his
other neighbor and threw himself into
a discussion upon the drainage of land,
thus tacitly d;smissing the other subject;
but Jack was conscious that he was not
held blameless in the matter--nOr in
ueed did he feel so.
One point in the conversation had
reused his curosity--Lord Summers re-
mark as to the name of "Mallett" be-
ing assumed. He would have liked to
pursue the subject, but as things were,
he had no right to feel curious.
Later in the evening Mis- Mailing and
her guardians were chatting contiden-
italy. and the subject of the mysterious
1 advertisement was introduced.
Have you any notion what they could
mean!" he asked.
| mot the smallest" she answered. at
/ is curious Sir Geoffrey never saw them"
but he may have, without our know
, ing it,"
True. But don't you think that the
motive. whatever it was, must have af-
fected the whole family, and that, if he
had been found. we should have been
, mixed up in it?"
"Possibly. but not necessarily. If l
had known where Godfrey was should
certainly have insisted upon his sitting
the matter. Indeed. at one time
thought of investigating it myself: but
your uncle was always so touchy about
any ones interfering in his affairs that
l thought it better to let it alone"
For a moment there was fixed look
of fear on Paulne's face; hut Lord Sum
mers was too much taken up with his
subject to notice it.
"Good-looking fellow. Dornton." he re-
marked. careleSsly, with glance to
where Jack was carrying on the usual
war of words with Bertha Collins.
| Very" Pauline answered, shortly.
Made quite a long stay with you.
Been here since the beginning of July,
has he not:"
IL forget exactly when he came"
| In spite of this apparent Indifference,
Lord Summers felt tisfed that things
were in an unsatisfactory state. and lie
wished fervently that, in his anxiety to
benefit the future husband of his old
friends daughter, he had been prompted
to do anything rather than send him
down to this particular neighborhood.
| Sunday evening was rather a quiet
time at Mallingford, and the house was
wrapped in darkness earlier than usual.
But the lamps in Miss AIalling's boudor
burned on steadily. for Jack and his
fancee were having their last confden-
tia chat before their marriage. The next
morning Jack was to leave for London
to obtain the special license and see
after sundry small matters. and he would
not return until late on Tuesday after
noon.
| IL suppose we must say good-by to.
night. as | shall most likely start before
you are down." Jack said
| "Yes-but not just yet. Don't he in
a hurry to leave me. Jack" Pauline an
swered. with Il touch of pleading in her
voice. She knet on the thick white rug
at his feet. and added. II would get up
to give you parting salute if l were
not afraid that Lord Summers would
hear of it,
MY dear, there is no need" Jack
said. calmly. AT the same time. don't
understand your dread of Summers
Surely you may do as you choose in SO
small Il natter"
Il don't think l understand it myself
, Jack: yet l feel it. My life is full of
dread just now