The Washington herald., 1907-10-27

/ now 10 be thought Oh the other
/ hand, il was difficult to insist upon pre-
tsenting himself in her presence against
/ the VIII of her presumed uncle and
/ guardian.
DO You mean then, Monsieur Leblanc.
| tllat you wish me 20 regard your niece as
forbidden 60 look upon me as her 6ance2
1 That You wish 20 be rid Of me once for
+ iall:' he asked presently. looking steadily
into the Frenchmans face, in which, Uu-
/ der the bland and courteous smile he
habituaIly wore, St Quintin was begin
/ ming to detect less pleasing expression.
Monsieur Leblanc hesitated 1t was
( plain that this was by no means his
wish, 20 kin the goose that had already
laid such a valuable golden egg as the
diamond watch and brooch. He shrug-
ged his shoulders.
Indeed, my dear Mr. St Quintin. I had
hoped, until you tried to force your way
in ii few minutes ago, that you were
the man OF all others whom l should
choose for my niece"
But now YOU prefer the man who is
in the drawing room ar this moment?''
asked St QUintin shortly.
Again Monsieur Leblanc looked uneasy.
There is no one I should prefer TO
YOU" he said, his eyes shifting as he
spoke.
Thank you. I am glad to hear you say
that. And now We can come 10 an under
standing Both my friend Ince and I.
Monsieur Leblanc, cannot help consider
ing that your conduct toward me has
been rather strange, that YOU have en-
cOuraged me and discouraged me alter
nately in a very unusual manner. If YOU
insist that YOU decline to let me see Miss
pensley this afternoon. I must with
draw. Of course, and I will 20 straight /
back to town with my friend. who is F.
waiting outside for me. II, on the other /
hand"
Monsieur Leblanc Cut him short.
He is waiting OUtside2-yOUr friend
Mr- InceT' asked he quickly and with
manifest uneasiness.
Yes"
why did you not bring him with you?" |
st. QuiHtin did not answer. The French /
man looked at him askance. and then /
looked away again.
There was a short but uncomfortable /
silence. and then Monsieur Leblanc said /
hUTriedly:
And what are you going 10 do, you 4
and your fHend?" /
The fear which peeped out through /
these words inspired St Quintin with the /
notion of "bluffing" a little. He had not /
the least idea what they intended TO do, /
beyond the fact that they would have
supper together somewhere and discuss
the successful expedition 10 Briar
Lodge. But he decided to answer diplO-
matiCally. and 50 he said:
That Monsieur Leblanc if YOU viii
pardon my saying so. is our affair"
His host looked troubled. He also looked
crafty. Then he turned to his visitor
with a burst of confidence
After all. why should I suspect that
you will behave otherwise than as hon
orable men? 1t is true you do strange
things, You Englishmen. You pry. and
you insist. and you viii not be satisfied
with plain answers. But know YOU
are both good at heart and that YOU.
Mr.. St QUintin, are actuated only by
true love for my niece Well, then. here
IS the truth. She is beset, as YOU know.
by other admirers. There is one here
to-day, one Capt. DarnaIl, a fellow-coun-
,ryman Of yours deeply in love also. and
jealous. I was afraid If you were 10
meet, there might be an unpleasant feel
ng between you, though Of course. I
know better than to think you would
behave other than as gentlemen. You
-tAll StaE ibl 9OulSflA II WOulQ DN aWk- / .
ward for you to meet, would IL nOt?"
st. Quinun's worst fears were reused
Jy this speech.
Indeed. Monsieur Leblanc. I think it ,
would be the most satisfactory thing for !
Is both to meet and understand exactly i
low we are being treated by you" he I
aid dryly.
DO you mean 10 insinUate. sir. that 7 !
I'm treating either Of you except as I ;
hould?"
When I have seen Capt. Darnau I Y
an tell you better" .
Monsieur Leblanc shrugged his shoul- a
ers and waved his hands deptecatingIy. 1
}ut for few moments ne said nothing T
ie was evidently considering what was
he best course 70 pursue with this OBJ f
tinate and presumptuOus young Anglo q
axon- St Quintin. however. was i'm
atient, and liz no mood to oe specially 5