Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-04-10
CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued.)

CharleS TO MAKE an lBnomlnlouS exit IKoU
the house. But Charles was not in bur
~ to do It. He wanted to explain, ye'
with whom2 The subdean was 20 hot ant
peppery, especially in the first blush o.
an affair, and that an explanation will
him generally did more harm than good
Apart from that, what explanation hat
Charles to give? None. None that woult
be believed. As he stood thus thinking
the room door was slowly pushed oper
and Regina appeared.
'-She's gone, isn't she, Charley7 Wa
she very DREADFUL"
VERY" returned Charley, shutting tn,
door.
when Aunt Ann has a grievance, NJ
one can come up to her, and it's many 9
year since she had such = grievance al
this one" went on Regina. oh, Char
ley, what fun 1t was how did you plucl
up the courage7 and who was itT'
"Just tell me what you've heard" sale
he.
THAT you were at the Haymarke'
Theater, in its most conspicuous place
beauing lady with painted cheeks. W.
got 1t all out Of Janet, Aunt AIMS maid
You should have heard Aunt Ann In hel
room last night, old Janet says, and al
the names she called you"
Il suppose this has been told t
MaryT
'Trust Aunt Ann for that. Who wal
the lady, Charley"
II wonder, Regina, whether you'll be
lievs me If tell you something's"
"Try me. Perhaps you are going t.
say 1t was Gertrude?"
Gertrude Is at Great Wilton, you
know. I don't know who 1t was, Regina
for I was not at the theater at all
was in chambers all the night. I've heard
Of this already. A friend of Peter Ches
ter's thought he saw me there-just al
you describe. 1t must have been some
fellow who bears a resemblance to me
Can't you get Mary to come down to me-
Do. Regina. And you will please tell hel
from me that there's not word of truth
in the tale. I must see her for minute
or two."'
''She will have to smuggle herself down
the staircase, then! Aunt Ann Is sure to
be on the WATCH" returned Regina. III
60 and see."
Very shortly Mary came stealing In
She was looking pale, but in better health
than before she went to Brighton. Charles
stood before her In agitation.
MARY, before attempt to greet you
let me assure you that the story which
they have got up about me Is utterly
false. You will not believe itr'
"Oh, no, no." she wildly said, a. she
burst into tears and put her head upon
his breast. He was about to clasp her
In his arms when the door was flung bach
and DR.. Dynevor walked In.
To Charles confused establishment, he
found that all was known. The repudi
ated bill for jewelry; the lady with paint.
ed cheeks on his arm at the theater; the
ballet girls on his plotting pad. The lasI
item had been confidently mentioned that
afternoon by the bishop Of Denham.
j., The subdean rang the bell. 1.-THE door
for Mr.. Charles Baumgarten," be said
to the servant.
CHAPTER Xxx.
The trees at Great Wilton grew
bright with the tender green of Spring
and the hedges were budding into leaf
Gertrude Baumgarten was slowly walking
through one of the country lanes toward
Avon House, enjoying the freshness Of
the morning. The sun shone, the skies
were blue and unclouded, the air fell
warm almost as that of summers day
and the birds sung with a rapture that II
10 exhilafating on these days when al
nature l. springing into new life and
beauty.
Leaning over the small wicket which
was placed only few yards from thu
large iron gates at Avon House, stoot
Lord Avon, looking at her - she ad
vanced
"You an back at last, Gertrude7"
AT lastr she repeated. "Whyi Hav,
you wanted me. Uncle Avonf'
"Not at AZ. But I have been watch
ing for you for an age. What are yor
carrying in that small parcel?"
Feminine matters In which you car
scarcely b interested" laughed Gertrude
eve been matching silks In the villag'
for my screen work, and 1t took mo Z
long time, for wanted many shades
Then I went on to see old Mrs. Whit
taker, who grows more deaf and crotchet,
day BY day. Are you watching for some
one else, Uncle Henryr'
'No," replied Lord Avon; 4 was onl,
thinkins. Gertrude. I am going dowI
TO the rsctory presently: your mother
wants me to ask them 10 come In to din
ner."
"Oh, pray do" said Gertrude. TT vii
make It less dull for them, and for US
wish you would tell me something" Oh,
continued, after q pause.
"Well7 What do you want to know?'
he inquired, certain IN his own mind a
70 the nature Of her request.
THE letter you were reading at tn,
breakfast table, CHANGED to ~ tn,
writing, you remember, and said It wa
from Charles; upon which you pot 4
hastily into your pocket, telling me tina
saw too much and too quickly. It wa,
from Charles, was It not1'
"Ysa. You an quito right"
Then why did you rush Il away Il
chat fashion. and pretend that was mis-
taken, Uncle Henryr
Because I wished NOT b draw you
mothers At&ention to It. I did not alto
ssther undeRstand the letter, and wants,
to 80 over Il again alone. Charley ha
been getting into q mess. He WAS seel
at the play one night In strange company
Again, TIE Old bishop Of Denhan, callinl
"