The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-08-03
02%670O
.S THE GIRL WITH 8
W A MILLION W
N&-ByD D. c. Murray
CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)

He carried the little Secretalre up
stairs and there, locked in his own ROOM
he wrote a letter which was destined Tor
St. Petersburg, but travelled in the first
instance to the care of one Dr. brun'
of Hollington place, London. In the soil
tude of his own chamber Mr.. Zeno per-
mitted himself an accurate and intimate
acquaintance with the French language
little of it as he allowed himself for his
present purposes to know outside.
Meanwhile things were going more
pleasantly in the garden. Angela, with a
little twinge of conscience, had informed
Austin that Major Butler would be de-
lighted to meet him and had expressed
his great regret that he had been unable
to make the call he had contemplated that
day. The fact that the major had charg-
ed her with this message did not help her
much, for she knew it's hoIlowness. The
major rather dreaded the advent of
man who wrote books and regarded Aus
tin as a fellow who would be likely to
know a lot of things and expect other
people to know them also.
'Oi'd meek wun of the porty meself,"
said Fraser, with his own invaluable sang
froid, ''but olive need up me moind to
go back tomorrow"
Tomorrow? said O'Rourke. that's
a little sudden, isn't it?"
Il wish you'd come, O'Rourke," said
Maskelyne. But Major Butler is a
dreadful Tory, and l am not sure that
you'd care to meet each other"
Major Butler might convert me, per-
haps," said O'Rourke. mo, no. Clearly
l am impossible" He spoke with so per-
feet a gayety and good humor that he
hurt nobody. But little later he con-
trived to get Maskelyne apart, and to
question him about a matter which had
puzzled him good deal. How does your
dreadful Tory's niece contrive to be ia
miliar with Dobroski, when mere Home
Ruler like myself is quite too terrible for
the old gentleman? 1 call him the old
gentleman with no dishrespect," he added,
with his delightful smile. "And, of
course, he may be a young gentleman,
and still be the lady's uncle, though,
again. he is her guardian, and probably
elderly"
''Dobroski and Miss Buffers father
were dear friends" said Maskelyne, re-
peating what he had heard from Angela.
when Dobroski escaped from Siberia
he landed in England without funds or
friends. Miss Buffers father found him
out, maintained him, SO far as | can
learn, for years, and was a stanch friend
to him. She has known him from child
hood. and has a great affection and ven
GRAFTON for him. 1t is a difficult posi-
ton. for he and her uncle are at daggers
now. But Dobroski seems to worship
her"
Eyes, I can see that" O'Rourke an
swered. "A charming girl" he added,
softly, and in so natural way that Mas
kelyne supposed him to be ignorant Of
his own interest in her. There's ro-
malice in the situation, too" he continued,
In lighter tone. Maskelyne, with mere
nod in answer, made a move in Angela 8
direction. NO" said O'Rourke putting
an arm through one of his. You don't
escape me in that way. l have something
to say to you, and l know that you will
be shifty and evasive and underhanded
In your ways until have said it. Let me
speak, old fellow. We shall both be
easier. l can't tell you what 1 think and
feel about that splendid loan of yours.
I was really desperate. 1 don't know
what l should have done without it."
very WE'LL" said Maskelyne, pressing
his companions arm with gesture of
affection. but speaking very dryly; lit is
over now?'
mo. my friend of outward marble and
inward tenderness, it is not over And it
never will be-"
"Once for all. O'Rourke, bury that con-
founded thing and have done with it.
well, there, the thing is buried. I'll
say no more till can pay you back again.
But l suppose you don't forbid me to
think of it in the meantime? 1t was the
only kindness in that way l ever had or
ever wanted. 1 sha'n't forget it; that's
all. And now it's buried"
On the following day O'Rourke took a
quiet walk by unknown ways across the
helds. He was born townsman, and had
but little love for rural tranquillities 'by
nature, but he was already weary of the
work Of the session, and was glad to es-
cape to fresh air and silence for awhile.
One gentle little hill after another drew
him on. He would see what lay beyond
this gentle eminence, and then he would
see what lay beyond the next, and in this
fashion he sauntered on until he came in
SASne VI q AiSSS OAoSSCIdlculy CdSC0lldCoO
house of gray stone standing in the midst
of dark pine woods. The building was
of moderate size, but its peaks and fur
rets dwarfed it, and from a little dis
lance made it look at least as much like q
child's toy as a dwelling house for real
people. This was the chateau of Roufov.
and the present residence of Major Rut-
Ter.
The wanderer. who had fairly good
taste in most things, stood for a moment
to smile at this preposterous edifice. and
then walked on again. 1t was a dav Of
cloudy soft light, and the air was won.
derfully sweet. The woods were in tbo
freshness of their greenery, and the dark
hues of the contrasting pines set off the
lighter foliage. A few hundred Yards he.
fore him lay the first link of a rive,
which went winding in a rounded z;pzao
until it lost itself to view behind tbe
shoulder of wood-clad hill.
He strolled down to the river side ond
there cast himself upon the grass. and
stared up at the soft motionless clouds