Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-07-18
CHAPTER v.-(Con ntinued.)

st. Petersburg but travelled In the frs
instance to the care of one DR.. Brun
oi iollington place. London. In the soil
tude of his own chamber Mr.. Zeno per
united himself an accurate and intimate
acquaintance with the French language
uttle of it as he allowed himself for hi
present purposes to know outside.
Meanwhile things were going NOR
pleasantly in the garden. Angela. with
little twinge of conscience, had informe,
Austin that Major Butler would be de
lighted to meet him and had expressed
hIs great regret that he had been unabl,
es make the call he had contemplated tina
tsy. The fact that the major had charg
esa her with this message did not help hel
rz1uch, for she knew its holowness. TIL,
u,aJor rather dreaded the advent of
man who wrote books and regarded Aus
ctn as fellow who would be likely tt
Know lot of things and expect other
E--opie to know them also.
Old meek wun of the porty meself,
eaid Fraser, with his own invaluable sans
froid, but olive need up me moind te
So back tomorrow"
EO-morrow?" said O'Rourke. That's
q little sudden, isn't it?"
Il wish you'd come. O'Rourke," sale
Maskelyne. But Major Butler is q
dreadful Tory, and l am not sure that
you'd care to meet each other"
Major Butler might convert me. per-
eaps," said O'Rourke. "No no. Clearly
am impossible" He spoke with so per-
feet a gayety and good humor that he
hurt nobody. But a little later he con-
erived to get Maskelyne apart, and to
question him about 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 like myself is quite too terrible for
the old gentleman? | call him the old
gentleman with no dishrespect." he added.
with his delightful smile. And, of
course he may be a young gentleman.
and still be the lady's uncle, though
sgain, 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 | can
Gearn- for years, and was stanch friend
10 him. She has known him from child
hona. and has a great affection and ven
GRAFTON for him. 1t is a difficult posi-
ton for he and her uncle are at daggers
now. But Dobrosk seems to worship
her"
Yes, I can see that" O'Rourke an
nho ipp pir RI ha oI
,ssffly, and in so natural way that Mas
sAelyne supposed him to be ignorant of
his own interest in her "There's ro-
nance in the situation, too" he continued,
IN a lighter tone. Maskelyne, with mere
nod in answer, made move in Angelas
direction. NO" 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 | know that you will
b. %;hifty and evasive and underhanded
IN yeur ways until have said it. Let me
speak, old fellow. We shall both be
easier ] can't tell you what I think and
feel about that splendid loan of yours.
I was really desperate. | don't know
what | should have done without it,"
VERY WE'LL" said Maskelyne. pressing
dts companions arm with gesture of
affection, but speaking very dryly; sit is
aser now"
NO, my friend of outward marble and
Inward tenderness, it is not over. And it
never will be-"
"Once for all. O'Rourke, bury that con-
founded thing, and have done with it.
"Weil, there. the thing is buried. I'll
say no more till can pay you back again.
But / suppose you don't forbid me to
ehink Of it in the meantime? 1t was the
only kindness in that way / ever had or
ever wanted. l shan't forget it, that's
all And now it's buried"
On the following day O'Rourke took a
quiet walk by unknown ways across the
fields. He was q born townsman, and had
but little love for rural tranquillities by
z,a ture, but he was already weary of the
work of the session, and was glad to es-
cape to fresh air and silence for awhile.
One gentle little hill after another drew
nim on. He would see what lay beyond
this gentle eminence, and then he would
gee what lay beyond the next, and in this
Fashion he sauntered on until he came in
sight of most exaggeratedly castellated
f1suse of gray stone standing in the midst
3 Udrh pine WOOus WAS
as 4. moderate size, but its peaks and tur-
re1x dwarfed it, and from a little dis
tance made it look at least as much like
chiYd's toy as a dwelling house for real
people. This was the chateau of Roufoy,
and the present residence of Major But
Ter.
The wanderer. who had fairly good
taste in most things, stood for a moment
to smile at this preposterous edifce, and
then walked on again. 1t was day of
cloudy soft light, and the air was won
derfully sweet The woods were in the
freshness of their greenery, and the dark
hues of the contrasting pines set off the
Iixi,ter foliage. few hundred yards be-
sore him lay the first link of a river
which went winding in a rounded zigzag
until it lost itself to view behind the
shoulder of a wood-clad hill.
He strolled down to the river side, and
there cast himself upon the grass, and
stared up at the soft motionless clouds |
The stream ran through narrower banks |
fi,sn common near where he lay, and kept |
up a pleasant drowsy gurgle. Listening
20 this, be lay there enjoying all the de-
lights of leisure after labor In every |
fiber of his body, until he fell into light |
done. From this he was awakened by a |
rustic and the sound of an execration |
.,xntiy breathed. Sitting up he was aware |
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