Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-03-02
CHAPTER xvIII.-tContinu.d.,
By CHARLOTTE M. BRAEMR

Jacks feelings at that moment were
not enviable. He had always looked
upon Lord Summers commission as a d.
rect proof Of his own ability. 1t was
decided damper to his good opinion of
himself to discover that It was due to
his patrons interest In Ethel Mallett
As you do not seem to have been
very glad to hear Of the engagement,
perhaps you will be better pleased to
hear that 1t is at an end"
''IndeedP'
Yes; and l think you should know
that Miss Mallett took the initiative in
breaking 1t off,"
= am surprised / 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
discussion upon the drainage Of land,
thus tacitly Diminishing the other subject;
but Jack was conscious that he was not
held blameless In the matter-nor in
iced did he feel 90.
One point In the conversation had
reused his curiosity-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
hsF guardians were chatting conhden-
tally, and the subject Of the mysteriouS
advertisement was introduced.
Have you any notion what they could
msanT he asked.
mot the smallest" she answered. ''It
u curious Sir Geohtrey never saw them. /"
hA koO
ing IT,"
True. But don't you think that the
motive, Whatever It was, must have af-
iected the whole family, and that, If he
had been found, we should have been
mixed up In itT'
Possibly, but not necessarily. II /
had known where GeoffrSy was should
certainly have insisted upon his sitting
me matter Indeed, at one time
thought Of investigating it myself; but
your uncle was always 80 touchy about
any ones interfering in his Affairs that
thought Il better to let Il alone"
For q moment there was q hxed look
OF fear on Pauline's face; but Lord sum
mers was too much taken up with his
subject TO notice it.
GOOd-loOklng fellow. Dornton," he re- |
marked, carolesaly, with a glance 70 |
where Jack was carrying on the usual
war OF words with Bertha Collins.
Very" Pauline answered, shortly.
Made quite u long stay with you.
Been here since. the beginning Of July,
has he notY"
forget exactly when he came"
In spite Of this apparent, indifference.
Lord Summers felt satisfied that thinas
were In an unsatisfactory state, and he
wished fervently that, in his anxiety to
beneht 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 q quiet
time at Malljngford, and the house was
wrapped In darkness earlier than usual.
But the lamps In Miss MallinE's boudoir
burned on steadily, for Jack and his
nancee were having their last conHden-
tial chat before their marriage. The next
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 l shall most likely start before
You are down." Jack said.
"Yes-but not just yet! Don't be in
hurry to leave me, Jack" Pauline an
swered, with a touch Of pleading In her
voice. She knelt on the thick white rug
at his feet, and added, II would get up
to give you 4 parting salute IL / were
not afraid that Lord Summers would
hear Of H."
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 80
small q matterT'
Il don't think understand II myself.
Jack; yet l feel It. Ny life IL full of
tread just now"