The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-02-10

all could regarding the new people at the CASTLE
'They are taken up everywhere" declared my
aunt when questioned heI III course %nd w sSoo Snvw n
near Fort William two years ago, and that they have
a town house in Green Street They are evidently
rather smart folks. Don't you think soT
Judging from their house-party YES" / re,
sponded "They are about gay crowd as one
could find north of Carlisle just at present"
Exactly There are some wel-known people
among them, too" said my aunt "Tve asked them
over tomorrow afternoon, and they've accepted"
Excellent" exclaimed, for | wanted an oppor
tuntv for another chat with the darkeyed girl who
was engaged to the man whose alias was Hornby.
particularly desired to ascertain the reason for her
fear when had mentioned the Lola and whether she
possessed any knowledge of Hylton Chatter
The opportunity came to me in due course, for
next afternoon the Rannoch party drove over in two
large brakes, and with other people from the neigh
borhood and band from Dumfres, my aunts
grounds presented gay and animated scene. There
was the usual tennis and croquet while some OF the
men enjoyed little putting on the excellent course
my uncle, a golf enthusiast had recently land down.
As expected, WOodrofTe did not accompany the
party. Mrs. Leithcourt, slightly fussy little wo'
man, apologzed for his absence, explaining that he
had been recalled to London suddenly few days
before but was returning to Rannoch again at the
end of the week.
1--WE couldn't afford to lose him." she declared to
my aunt. "l1e is so awfuly humorous-his droll
sayings and antics keep in perfect roar each
night at dinner. He's such perfect mimic"
/ turned away and stroed with Muricl, pleading
an excuse to show her my unces beautiful grounds,
not whit less picturesque than those of the castle,
and perhaps rather better kept.
81 only heard yesterday of your engagement, Miss
Leithcourt," | remarked presently when we were
alone. "Allow me to offer my best congratulations
When you introduced me to Mr. Woodrohe the other
day had no idea that he to be your husband"
She glanced at me quickly and saw in her dark
eyes look of suspicion. Then she flushed slightly
and laughing uncasily said, in a blank hard voice
"Its very good of you, Mr.. Gregg, to wish me all
sorts of such pleasant things"
"And when is the happy event to take placer"
"The date is not exactly fXed-early next year,
believe" and thought she sighed.
"And you will probably spend good deal OF time
yachting~ suggested, my eyes fixed upon her in
order to watch the result of my pointed remark But
she controlled herself perfectly.
81 love the sea-" she responded briefly, and her
eyes were set straight before her.
"Mr. Woodrolfe has gone up to town, your mother
says.
eyes. He received wire, and had to leave i'm.
mediately. 1t was an awful bore, for we had ar
ranged to 60 for picnic to Dundrennan Abbey yes
terday."
"But he'll he back here again, won't he?"
81 really don't know. 1t seems quite uncertain
had letter this morning which said he might have
to go over to Hamburg on business, instead OF COM
ing up to us again"
There was disappointment in her voice, and yet
Mt the same time I could not fail to recognize how
Scotland because of my presence
How I longed to ask her point-blank what she
really knew of the yachtsman who was shrouded in
so much mystery. Yet by betrayng any undue
anxiety should certainly negative all my efforts to
solve the puzzling enigma, therefore was compelled
to remain content with asking ngeniousy disguised
questions, and drawing my own conclusions from her
answers.
As we passed along those graveled walks it some
how became wildly impressed upon me that her
rage was being forced upon her by her parents Her
manner was that of one who concealing some
strange and terrible secret which she feared might be
revealed. There was distant look of unutterabe
terror in those dark eyes though she existed in
some constant and everpresent dread. Of she
told me nothing of her feelings or affections yet
] recognized in both her words and her bearing a
curious apathy-a want of the real enthusiasm of
affection Woodrofe, much her senior, was her
fathers friend, and it therefore seemed to me more
than likely that Leithcourt was pressing matri.
monial alliance upon his daughter for some Interior
motive. In the mad hurry for place, power and
wealth, men reentlessly sell their daughters in the
matrimonial market and ambitious mothers scheme