Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-02

Her ladyship raised her glasses. Duncombe and Miss Fielding had strolied outside the barn. He was showing her his house. very pictur- esque old place it looked. down in the valley.
 Its nothing but farmhouse, of course" he said. No pretensions at architecture or anything of that sort, of course, but it's rather a comfortable old place.
 T think it is perfectly charming" 1" the girl said. Do you live there all alone? You have sisters, perhaps? He shook his head.
 "No such luck" he answered. 'NIine Is entirely a bachelor establishment. A great part of the time . am alone. Just now I have pal staying with me awfully decent chap, from Devon shire"
 She was certainly silent for a mo- ment He fancied, too, that there was . change in her face.
 From Devonshire?' she repeated, with carelessness which, if it was not natural, was exceedingly well assumed. sI believe knew some people once who came from there What is your friends name, Sir George?"
 He turned slowly toward her.
 Andrew Pelham" he said quietly. ''He comes from place called Raynes- worth"
 He Is staying here now-with you?"
 "Yes." he answered gravely.
 It was not his fancy this time; of that he felt sure Her face for the mo- ment had been the color of chalk; a little exclamation had been strangled upon her lips. She shot a quick glance at him. He met it steadily.
 You know the nameT' he asked. She shook her head.
 ''The name, yes" she answered, "but not the person. A very old friend of mine was called Andrew Pelham, but he was an American, and he has never been in England. It startled me, though, to hear the exact name again from you"
 She was herself again. Her explana- tion was carelessly given. It sounded even convincing, but Duncombe him. self was not convinced. He knew that she wanted him to be. He felt her eyes seeking his, studying his face. Perhaps she was only anxious that he should not misunderstood.
 George. are you ready?' his host called out. "We're going to take Smiths pastures"
 "Qulter' Duncombe answered. "Un- til this evening" Miss Fielding"
 You are dining at Runton Placer she asked quietly.
 Yes" he answered. "Wlll you tell me all about your Andrew Pelham?"
 She raised her eyes to his and smiled.
 Do you think that you would be in- terested?" she asked.
 You know that I should" he an- swered quietly.
 For time he shot badly; then he felt that his hosts eye was upon him and pulled himself together. But he was hNtNA aA OSot. AlC ANAb t1aN whole world of his sensations had been suddenly disturbed. It was impossible that there could be any connection be- tween this girl and the photograph which had first fired him with the lm- pulse to undertake that most extraor dinary and quixotic mission. Yet the fact remained that the girl herself had had very much the same effect upon him as his first sight of the photo graph. It was coincidence, of course. Miss Fielding was charming. There was no reason why he should not in- dulge to the full his admiration of her. She had affected him in most curious manner. Another man would have de- clared himself in love with her. It was not possible that she could be any one but Miss Fielding. That start which he had fancied that he had mo-