Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-01-18

way, which papa will explain. the whole
of the Mallingford property comes to
him in the event Of Pauline's marrying
under twenty-five without her guardians
consent; so, you see, we are going to be
very great people believe my mother
was not 80 well born as papa, and the
late baronet was so angry when he
heard Of the marriage that he disinherit-
ed papa. who at once changed his name
and worked hard to keep his wife.
hope you are not angry with us because
we are going to take away your wife's
wealth. OF course that is only non
sense. | know you are not angry; I've
heard you say often how glad you would
have been to share what you have with
her"
Ethel paused. Polling did not speak.
and she fet little anxious. She had
unintentionally stumbled upon the sub
ject; but she knew it could not be
avoided between them, so she screwed
up her courage and went on:
Perhaps | should not say what l am
going to say; but no real harm can come
from straightforwardnes. We have been
such good friends in the past that we
need not stay to pick and choose our
words to each other, need We! l want
to congratulate you on the recovery Of
your wife; but there is something in your
face that checks me. VIII you tell me
all about it?"
II can't tell you all about It," he sadi.
Il only know that my wife refused to
have anything to do with me, and that
she is now in Paris"
If were you l should 50 to Paris,
too"
Il suppose l ought-in fact, l know
l ought-and l have tried to make up
my mind to go: but l cannot"
For an instant he dropped his head
upon his hand, and a great rush of pity
set Ethel's heart beating oddly. He
pulled himself together with an impa-
tient exclamation.
hat a bore you must think mel"
he said, quickly. Let US drop the sub
| ject II | ever find you can help me in
any way, | will come 40 you at once AS
things are now, the less said the better.
And so you are to possess the wealth
which Pauline has forfeited? l am very
glad-very, very glad-on all accounts
| but one"
And that is!'
"lt will make Dornton's task harder"
The blood rushed over Ethel's face in
quick flush, and it left again as quick.
| ly.
II don't know what you mean," she
said.
Il mean that Dornton was beguiled by
my unhappy wife into doing as he did.
that he was not master of his own ac-
| tons, and that he would give very
| great deal to be assured of your entire
forgiveness. He has loved you all through
his mad folly. He told me so himself
on the very day of the wedding before
lie could have known anything Of the
change in your worldly affairs; SO, when
you think of him in the future, you must
not believe he was governed by merce-
nary considerations"
Thank you for your kind defense Of
him." she responded. rising as her faith
er entered the room. ''I will remember
to do as you say and she turned gayly
to the door. And now let me intro
duce you to Sir Geoffrey Mailing Of
Mallngford Park"
A few weeks later Ethel and her
father were settled Mt Mallingford. All
the necessary legal formalities had been
gone through. and the county families
had called upon Sir Geoffrey and his
daughter. Lord Summers had suggest
ed that the baronet should have a public
reception; but Sir Geoffrey had sternly
and emphatcally opposed any such dem
onstration. So father and daughter had
come down and been met at the railway
station by the family carriage, and had
gone quietly to their respective rooms.
after shaking hands with few OF the old
servants whom Sir Geoffrey remembered
in his brothers time, and had eaten their
first dinner at Mallingford as If they
had but just returned from short visit.
CTo 30 continued)