Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-04-12
CHAPTER XIV.


In one of the pleasant rooms at Avon
House there stood a group of fair people.
We know most of them. Cyras and
Charles had travelled down that morning
to Great Wilton; Charles had whis-
pered to his mother all about Cyras pros
poets of the partnership and of Anna Jan
sen, and of how he meant to help him.
1t did not please Lady Grace. Cyras had
stepped outside.
Don't tell me, Charles. | know Cyras.
If you help him to-day, he'll need help
again tomorrow"
THAT is rather unjust, mother mine.
Oyras has needed no help from us up to
this very day. He did not ask for it
now. l think you have always misjudged
him little. You never loved him as you
loved me and Gertrude"
How could II" somewhat sharply re-
Joined Lady Grace. Another loved him
more than all if l did not-his father"
We'll, l feel that we ought to help him
to this chance, mother" said Charles. II
will do my part to it, and perhaps Uncle
Henry will do the rest
Gertrude Baumgarten came forward, a
tenderness in her blue eyes. She spoke
in low, sweet tone.
Il have been listening, as Charles says,
mamma. | am sure he considers it right
that this help should be given to Cyras."-
"And what is your opinion, Gertrude 2"
demanded Lady Grace.
my opinion is that 1T would be sin
not to help Cyras. If Charles is willing
to do so, why oppose it, mamma? | only
wish," she earnestly added, that it was
in my power to do it."
"Are you doing penance, Gertrude?"
suddenly exclaimed rich, mellow voice
from the door of the room and Gertrude
rose laughingly to face Sir Everard Will
mot.
II am not convinced" exclaimed Lady
Grace. "You are both of you misled by
your affection for Cyras. l wonder what
you would say, Sir Edward?" And she
put the case before him in few words.
Sir Everard listened, and laughed lit
tie. THAT must have been Cyras l saw
flying over the grass just now," he re-
marked. Undoubtedly Cyras must be
helped. Four thousand pounds Why,
it's nothing; mere bagatelle."
ITO you it may be, Sir Everard," re-
torted Lady Grace, compressing her lips;
"but not to Others"
"Then suppose take it upon myself"
he laughed, in a tone which might be
meant for jest or earnest. Charley can
keep his two thousand pounds in his own
pocket"
Charley is in debt himself, I'm afraid"
severely remarked Lady Grace.
"No, l am not, mother" he answered
quickly. 1T was all a mistake, and has
been set right"
~ said it must be so," cried Gertrude.
Lord Avon and Cyras entered together;
Cyras full of merriment He had been
enlightening the earl upon the whole past
mystery, winding up his account with a
humorous description of his interview
with Miss Dynevor in Eaton place. Lady
Grace spoke few words freely, which
served to check the young mans laugh
ter.
"What" he exclaimed "Charles is to
hand over his savings to me and defer
his marriage with Mary? No, that he
shall not. Why, you can't think would
let him do it l used to put upon Char
ley as boy, but will never do so as a
man. l loved him then and l love him
still"
mot even to help you to the partner
ship, and to Miss Anna JansenY laughed
Sir Everard.
"Not even for that. Not IL 1t would
help me to every good in the world. How
on earth could it have entered any ones
headW
DO you remember me, Cyras"
Cyras did not answer in words; only
smiled as he looked at Sir Everard. Their
hands met in a warm clasp.