Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-05-17

OoHlounu IL, constance, lt'B no g00d
trying to twist round me in this way I"
burst out the old man. would you let
all that splendid property go out of your
hands for a mere fancy? Besides, If you
refuse young Penrhyddyn, 1t will be his
ruin-it is the only hope Sir Launce has
left"
AT that moment, the carriage halted be-
fore the door of Hilborough Hall; the
conversation was not renewed, and soon
afterwards Constance and her uncle sep
arated for the night, each one a prey to
gloomy and uneasy reflections.
With the departure Of the Griersons
the ball lost all its attractions for Ar
thur Penrhydyn, who left almost immedi-
ately afterwards for his hotel. Constance
had most agreeably impressed him; and
for upwards of an hour he lay back in his
easy chair, picturing her face, and recall
ing every word that had passed between
them. With such visions was mingled a
strange idea that he had seen her some
where before-at least, there was some
thing in her features that seemed familiar
to him. He went to bed and dreamed Of
her-a weird, strange dream, which awoke
MIN, ana kept him awake with unpleas-
ant thoughts until daybreak.
Although they did not arrive home un-
til nearly four In the morning, Mr.. and
Mrs. Wylie did not retire to bed, but sat
themselves down to an important discus
sion.
If we are not careful, this girl will
put an end to all our hopes by marrying
that boy" said Mrs. Wylie.
Not yet-not yet," answered her hus-
band, viciously gnawing his nails. II
believe that old idiot Grierson has
brought this about purposely to thwart
me; but he shall not succeed, do what
he will. In three months more Penrhyd-
dyn would have been ours. Ever since
Matilda's death l have been toiling and
scheming to scrape together money for
that purpose. Sir Launce can do nothing
to save 1t, and do you think l will be
thrown over by an old idiot and a spoony
boy and girl?"
He Is struck with her; but do not
believe she reciprocates the sentiment"
remarked his better half. IF we could get
her out of the way, what could he dor"
Get her out of the way. What do you
mean?"
"Supposing we could marry her to some
one else?'
ITO whom?"
you remember Stafford, the drawing
master; firmly believe that she was in
fatuated with him; and, judging from her
behavior tonight, should say is so still I;
for girl Of 18 would scarcely have treat
ed the advances of so handsome a man as
young Penrhyddyn with such marked
coldness II she had not fancy for some
other in her mind. Now, If such be the
case, and we could bring the match about,
not only would Penrhyddyn fall into our
hands, but Constance would forfeit her
fortune, which would be another clear
gain of ten thousand pounds to u.s."
THAT is we'll thought Of" answered
Wylie, meditatively. bah !" he went on
after pause; 'is 1t likely that she'll
forfeit a splendid fortune for the sake of
beggarly portrait painter?"
Women have done as stupid things as
that, for less attractive men than Staf-
ford" answered his wife.
nave lhduc my HUu
this man Stafford and use every means
of bringing him and the girl together
again. Sir Launce is proud, stiff-neck-
ed man, who is only half reconciled to
this match. Could but the slightest shad-
ow of suspicion be cast upon her, he
would break it off, were the act his in
stant destruction"
"Then the old story would suffice for
that, and save the trouble of new ,compli
cations"
1T might suffice as far as Penrhyddyn
Is concerned, but 1t would do nothing to-
wards the forfeiture of Constance's for
tune. We must manage to kill the two
birds with one stone. There are two
things to be done; first, to bring about a
meeting between the girl and this Stat
ford, to compromise her in the eyes of
Arthur Penrhyddyn, and thus render him
averse to the match; and, secondly, to
bring about marriage between her and
the painter"
But it will not do for you or l to be
directly mixed up in such a plot. You
know that old Grierson has long-stand-
ing grudge against us already; that he is
suspicious of us and were he to discover
that we had been the concoctors and ex-
ecutors of such notable Devices he would
proceed against me for conspiracy, and
thus not only thwart all our schemes,
but ruin me In society"
well, if you do not care to act your
self, surely, among your numerous shady
connections in the city, you can find some
tool to serve your purpose" said the
woman.
Wylie thought for moment, biting his
finger nails fiercely. Suddenly his face
lit up with peculiar smile.
"You have thought Of some one?" said
his wife, who had been watching his face.
WHO Is it?"
"A woman, and clever one, too; one
who would wheedle his Satanic Majesty
himself" was the reply.