Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-15
| I 1
IE@EI

he, Il thought you were in America
so / am; so don't call me Commission at the
pitch of your voice, old boy. His lordship OF
that name is camping on California slopes for
big game shoot. The warrior who stands before
you is Dick West, of the Lancers And what
you doing as an Imperial Yeoman, Gore?
mot that name," said the other, with an anx-
ious glance around. Like yourself, [ don't want
to be known. l am Corporal Bernard
f'Huml'' said Lord Conniston, with an approv-
ing nod. you have kept your Christian name,
/ see."
'It is all that remains of my old life" replied
Gore, bitterly. "But your title, Commission"
Has disappeared until [ make enough
money to gd it,"
Commission and Gore-they used the old names
IN preference to the new-walked across the
grass to an isolated seat under leafess elm
The two old friends had met in Hyde Park, on
the borders of the Serpentine.
Both the young men were handsome in their
several WAYS. The yeoman was tall slender dark
and quiet in his manner. In his khaki uniform
he looked fine specimen of man In his twen-
ty-fifth year. But his expression stern, even
bitter, and there were thoughtful burrows on his
forehead which should not have been there at his
age.
Conniston himself formed contrast to his
companion. He was not tall, but slightly built
and wiry, alert in his manner and quick in his
movements. In his smart, tght-htting uniform
he looked a natty imp soldier, and his reduced
position did not to affect his spirits.
When they seated, the lancer produced
an ornate silver case, far too eXtravagant for a
private, and offered Gore particularly excellent
cigarette.
"Oh, my aunt" chattered Conniston. What
would my noble relatives say if they me in
this kt?'
''You are supposed to be in California;"
"That's so-shootin But I'm quartered at
Canterbury and only come up to town every
now and again. OF course | take care to keep
out of the fashionable world, so no ones spotted
me yet"
"Your offcers!"
There's no one in the regiment know The
Tommies take me for gentleman who has gone
wrong, and l keep to their society"
'I'll tell you my story later. Out with yours,
old boy.'
"Its not much of story. I came in for the
title three years ago, when was rising twenty
But I inherited nothing else. My respected
grandfather made away with nearly all the fam
ilv estates and my poor father parted with the
rest Upon my word, said the young lord
laughing, with two such rascals as progenitors
it's wonderful I should be good as am. They
drank and gambled and"
Don't, Conniston. After all, your father is
your father"
''Was my father you mean He's dead and
buried in the family vault. I own that much
property-all I have" AT Cove Castle in the
Essex Marshes. Cove Castle is ten miles from
Hurseton."
''And Hurseton is where your uncle, Sir Simon
lives"
Gore looked black. eyes," he said shortly
"Go onl"
Commission drew his own conclusions from the
frown. and ratified on in his usual cheerful man
ner ''I came into the title | said, but scarce
" an acre is there attached to it, those o.
mud and water round Cove Castle. [ took what
was left and went to America. Things got worse
there, so, on hearing the war was on, I came
back and enlisted Dick West. I'm off to the
Cane in a month, and then if Fortune favors me
with a commission and V. G. I'll take up the
title again"
''You still hold the castle. then|'
eyes. It's the last of the old property Ole
Mother Moon looks after it for me. She's hor
rid old squaw, but devoted to me. So she ough
to be- ] got that brat of grandson of hers
situation as messenger boy to old Taberley He.
out of his place now, and from all accounts, is {
regular young brute
'Does he know you have enlisted?'
"What, young Judas-I call him Judas" sale
Commission. ''because he's such criminal kid
No, he doesn't Taberley had to turn him away
for robbing the till something
Gore pitched away the stump of his cigarette
and laughed somewhat sadly. IT have cause t.
frown," said he. wrinkling his forehead. my
grandfather has cut me off with shilling
'rTbe duece he has" said Commission cooly
and | notice it hasn't made you Respondent"
"And it never WILL" said Connston, emphat
ically. "until ] meet with the who re
fuses to marry me- Then I'll howl"
''You haven't met the woman yet?"
mo. But you have. can see it in the tell
tale blush. Bless me, old Gore. how boyish vol
are. I haven't blushed for years"
"You hardened sinner, Yes! There IS wo
man, and she is the cause of my trouble
who is she?"
"Her name is Alice" said Gore slowly, his eye
on the damp grass.
"What's her other name"
"Maleson-Alce Maeson!'
Great Scott" said Commission, his jaw falling
"The niece of Miss Berengara Plantagenet"
Yes! Do you know" Here Gore brok'
of, annoyed with himself. "Of course. Hov
could | forget? Miss Plantagenet is your surt.
''My rich aunt, who could leave me five thou
sand year if she'd only die. But / daresal
she'll leave it to Alice with the light-brown hair
and you'll marry her"
"Conniston, don't be an ass. If you know th
story Of Miss Malleson's life, you must know
that there isn't the slightest chance of her inner
iting the money"
"Ah, but you see, Bernard, don't know tn
story Who is she? l know she's Miss Plantage
nets niece But who is she%
"'She is not the niece-only adopted one
She has been with Miss Plantagenet for the las
nine years, and came from a French convent
Miss Plantagenet treats her like niece but !
is an understood thing that Alice is to receiv
no money"
"That looks promising for me-" said Commission
nvI1;no his nustache ''but my old aunt is S