Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-01-05
CHAPTER XII.-,Continued.,

nic beneath the smooth, mossy trunk Of
giant beech tree upon the breezy Slopes
OF the hill behind the gardens. Here
the nurse unpacked the luncheon basket
they had brought and Master Roland
Ialbots mouth was shut by a large help
ing OF veal pie, while the poodle lay
with his nose upon his mistress's lap and
was regaled 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
earshot with her own portion of the
viands, the ladies proceeded to discuss
what they had seen and heard.
You may depend upon it that picture
is somehow connected with Brian Des-
mond's life, said Mrs. Talbot decidedly.
Did you notice how mysterious the old
woman was about her? | wonder if she
was some governess in the family, and
what has become of her."
Since Mr.. Desmond has married some
one else, don't see that it matters
much said Felicia indifferently.
L shall never forget that face, it was
a peculiar type of beauty. Has Brian
desmond been wearing the willow for
her ever since, | wonder?
fellcla stliied yawn; she was at a
loss to understand the keenness with
winch her friend pursued the subject OF
MIR. Desmonds anteceients.
Look" 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-
Ivi
ing OH his hat and coming straight to
us!'
gentleman was in fact walking slow
ly up the slope among the beech trees
toward them. He was young and de-
cidedly good looking; he had pleasant
grey eyes and an agreeable smile, and
his manner, when he took off his hat
and addressed them, was perfectly self
possessed and devoid of awKwardness.
Il must really apologize that you
should have been driven out into the
woods for your luncheon, ladies'. | can
not think what Mrs. Succurden was
about not to ask you to remain in the
house"
'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 grass
widow, If you choose to call me So This
is my son and heir, this my angel of a
poodle, and this is my friend, Miss
Grantley."
Felicia bowed coldly, she looked grace
full 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.
I'VE are nothing but common vulgar
tourists" continued Gertrude laughing
ly, come over from Smackton in an
open fly for an outing, but | am a great
friend of Mr.. Desmond's, and now sit
down here and share our lunch if you
will, but please introduce yourself first
tell us 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 |
the 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
Ian
surprise.
'Yes, certainly"
"Oh, then it was his paper upon the
floor" she exclaimed, turning to Felicia,
"and his pen that was wetr'
And his smell of smoke" interpolated
Miss Grantley quietly. 1t was the first
thing she had said.
"Ah, you are observant, Mrs. Talbotw
replied Mr.. Raikes. 81 certainly did
beat a most hasty retreat out of the
study when l heard the approach of
ladies' skirts"
HAS Mr.. Desmond lent you the
house?"
Exactly, he has given me the use of
1t for time" he answered with slight
flush. He might have told her that he
was paid hundred and fifty pounds a
year for doing so, but he was not mind.
ed to make such condolences to her.
What on earth do you do here?" said
Mrs. Talbot. Are you all alone; what
do you do with yourselfT
81 shoot a 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.
"It must be very dull; you had better
come over and see rs at Smackton, we
are at the hotel" And then she got up
to go. The open fly appeared on the
scene on the road below them. Roland's
nurse packed up the luncheon basket
and Mr.. RaIkes walked down with the