The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-12-20

ciate his unwillingness to do anything
to hasten Lady Brettingham's depart
ure from the Hall. He would there.
fore remain abroad for time, and
then return to England and take pos
session.
Should there be any documents re-
qufring his signature, the solicitors
could send them to the Grand hotel,
Paris, which would remain his adj
dress.
He should be glad if, in the mean
time, they would forward him sum
Of 91,OOO.
He wrote by the same post to Mr..
Bertram Hank, inviting him to run
over to Paris for day or two. as. the
anticipated event having happened,
there were certain matters which it
was advisable they should talk over.
Having written his letters, he post
ed them himself in the box in the
courtyard of the hotel, and bought the
London papers of the previous even
ing at the kiosk opposite the Restaur-
ant de la Paix, and then strolled along
the boulevards as far as the Madeleine
and turned into Durand's to lunch.
1t was o'clock and the well-known
restaurant was crowded, many of the
tables being occupied by English and
American parties.
1t looked at first as if there was no
room, and Sir Mark was about to
leave and go to Larues, opposite,
when the head waiter came bustling
up to him and explained that the party
at his own table was just going.
The party was English-two young
ladies and an elderly man.
AS they rose to leave, Sir Mark,
who was waiting for the table, noticed
that an illustrated English paper, The
Ladies' Field, was lying on the red
velvet seat.
"You are leaving your paper,
think" he said, politely.
Thanks" replied the old gentle
man, smiling;;' I'VE have been carrying
it about all the morning, and we have
finished with it,
The waiter swiftly removed the
cloth and relaid the table, the head
waiter handing Sir Mark the menu
The French language had not form
ed part of his education, so the guest
returned the menu at once.
"I'll leave it to you,'' he said to the
cellent. "Order me little fish and
some outlets a la anything you like,
and cheese omelet.
"And for wine, MONSIEUR"
Give me small bottle of good
Burgundy"
The walters put the hors d'oeuvres
on the table, and Sir Mark picked up
The Ladies' Field and turned over the
pages.
He was not particularly interested
in some of the pictures, because he
was not yet in touch with society func-
lions or theatrical entertainments.
But when he came to a full-page
portrait of handsome girl in musical
comedy costume he looked at it admir-
ingly.
That's fine looking GIRL" he said
to himself. "By Jove, don't think l
ever saw prettier face than that
He looked at the letterpress below
the picture and read it: miss Claire
Barton, who will sustain an important
part in the forthcoming musical COM
edy at the Pandora"
Then he looked at the picture again.
There was something about it that
fascinated him. He made mental
note that when he got to London he
would spend an evening at the Pan.
dora and see Miss Claire Barton.
It was thus that his mind was occu.
pied on the day that he received the
news of his fathers death.
In the evening he went to a place
of amusement. He was not yet off
cially Gin mourning" and he had not
the slightest feeling of regret for the
loss of his father.
He considered that Sir Mark Bret
tingham, by dying, had merely made
his elder son some slight PREPARATION
for the injury he had wantonly in
fiicted on him.
CHAPTER XVIII.