Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-03-03
CHAPTER xv11L-conunu.4.,
By CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME

Jacks feelings at that moment wer,
not enviable. He had always looked
upon Lord Summers commission as a di
rect proof Of his own ability. 1t wa,
decided damper to his good opinion 81
himself to discover that it was due te
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"
Indeed"
Yes; and 1 think you should know
that Miss Mallett took the initiative in
breaking 1t off,"
Il am surprised! 1 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
a discussion upon the drainage OF land,
thus facility dismissing the other subject
but Jack was conscious that he was not
held blameless In the mattsr-nor in
ueed did he feel 80.
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 a. things WERE
no had no right to feel curious.
Later In the evening Mis- Mailing and
her guardians were chatting connden-
TALLY, and the subject Of the mysterious
advertisement was introduced.
Have you any notion what they could
msan~ he asked.
Not the smallest" she answered. at
ID curious Sir Godfrey never saw them"
But he may have, without our know
ing it."
True. But don't you think that the
motive, whatever 1t was, must have a.
fected the whole family, and that II he
had been found, we should have been
mixed up In itY'
Possibly, but not necessarily. III
had known where GsSnrey was l should
certainly have insisted upon his sitting
the matter. Indeed, at one time l
thought OF investigating 1t myself; but
your uncle was always 80 touchy about
any ones interfering In his AFFAIR." that
thought 1t better to let 1t alone"s
For 4 moment there was 4 fixed look
OF fear on Pauline's face; but Lord Sum-
msrs was too much taken up with his
subject to notice 1t.
"Good-lookins fellow. Doruton," he re-
marked, carelsssly, with a glance to
where Jack was carrying on the usual
war Of words with Bertha Collins.
Very" Pauline answered, shortly.
Made quite 4 long stay with you.
Been here since the beginning OF July.
has he not?"
Il forget exactly when he came"
In spike Of this apparent indifference.
Lord Summers felt satisfied that things
were In an unsatisfactory state, and he
wished fervently that, In his anxiety to
beneht tho 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 a quiet
time at Mallingford, and the house was
wrapped In darkness earlier than usual.
But the lamps in Miss Mallns's boudoir
burned on steadily, for Jack and his
nancee were having their last confiden-
tial chat before theiFS marriage. The next
morning 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 shall most likely start before
you are down." Jack said.
"Yes-but not just yeti 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, ~ would get up
TO give you a parting salute il l were
not afraid that Lord Summers would |
hear of It,"
MY dear, there II no need" Jack
said, calmly. AT the same time, don't
understand your dread of Summers.
surely you may do as you choose in 30
small Z matterr
i don't think | understand 1t myself.
JACK; yet l feel It Ny life IL full Of
dread just now"