The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-12-27
CHAPTER v.-tContinued.) J

=
st. Petersburg, but travelled in the first
instance to the care Of one DR.. Brun,
Of Hollingtou place, London. In the soli'
tude Of his own chamber Mr.. Zene per-
mitted himself an accurate and intimate
acquaintance with the French language
little of it as he allowed himself fer 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 its hollowness. The
major rather dreaded the advent of
man who wrote books and regarded Aus
tin as fellow who would be likely to
know 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
60 back Tomorrow"
Tomorrow said O'Rourke. That's
. little sudden, isn't itT"
Il wish you'd come, O'Rourke," said
Maskelyne. But Major Butler is a
dreadful Tory, and am not sure that
you'd care to meet each other"
Major Butler might convert me, per-
haps," said O'Rourke. mo, no. Clearly
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 a mere Home
Ruler-1ike myself is quite too terrible for
the old gentleman? l call him the old
gentleman with no dishrespect," he added,
with his delightful smile. "And, of
course, he may be 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 I can
learn, for years, and was stanch friend
to him. She has known him from child
hood, and has great affection and ven
Grafton for him. 1t is a difficult posi-
ton, for be and her uncle are at daggers
now. But Dobroski seems to worship
her."
yes, can see that" O'Rourke an
swered. "A charming girl" he added,
softly, and in SO natural a way that Mas
kelyne supposed him to be ignorant of
his own interest in her. There's ro-
nance In the situation. too" he continued.
In lighter tone. Maskelyne. with mere
nod in answer. made move in Angela 8
direction. mo" said O'Rourke, putting
an arm through one of his. you don't
escape me in that way. 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. can't tell yon what I think and
feel about that splendid loan of yours.
! was really desperate. ! don't know
what should have done without it,"
"Very WE'LL" said Maskelyne, pressing
his cOihpanion's arm with a gesture OF
affection, but speaking very dryly; ut is
over now2"
mo, my friend of outward marble and
inward tenderness, it is not over. And il
never will be-"
"Once for all, O'Rourke, bury that con
founded thing, and have done with it.
"well there, the thing is buried. II
say no more till can pay you back again
But I suppose you don't forbid me t.
think of 1t in the meantime? 1t was tn
only kindness in that way ever had O
ever wanted. sha'n't forget it; that
all. And now it's buried"
On the following day O'Rourke took
quiet walk by unknown ways across tn
fields. He was a born townsman, and ha
but little love for rural tranquillities b.
nature, but he was already weary of tn
work Of the session, and was glad to e.
cape to fresh air and silence for awhile
One gentle little hill after another DIRE,
him on. He would see what lay beyon
this gentle eminence, and then he woul
see what lay beyond the next, and in thi
fashion he sauntered on until he came i
sight of most exaggeratedly castellate
house of gray stone standing in the mids
of a dark pine woods. The building wa
of a moderate size. but its peaks and tu
rets dwarfed 1t, and from a little di
lance made it look at least as much like
child's toy as dwelling house for re,
people. This was the chateau of Roufo,
and the present residence of Major Blu
Ter.
The wanderer, who had fairly goo
taste in most things, stood for momer
to smile at this preposterous edifice. an
then walked on again. 1t was day
cloudy soft light, and the air was VOL
derfully sweet. The woods were in Il
freshness of their greenery, and the dai
hues of the contrasting pines set off IL
lighter foliage. A few hundred yards b
fore him lay the first link of riv,
which went winding in a rounded zigza
until it lost itself to view behind Il
shoulder of a wood-clad hill.
He strolled down to the river side, ar
there cast himself upon the grass, ar
stared up at the soft motionless cloud
The stream ran through narrower banl
than common near where he lay, and ke
up pleasant drowsy gurgle. Listenir
to this, he lay there enjoying all the d
lights of leisure after labor in eve
fiber of his body, until he fell into Zig