The Washington herald., 1907-10-13
CHAPTER VIII-COntinued.


suggested Ince.
Dubious! No, I never said that. I'm
not engaged-that is-not regularly en-
gaged"' stammered the younger man.
Not engaged! And does she let you
give her diamonds before you're engaged
to her? By iove! What will you have to
give afterwasd?'
"Oh, it's nothing at all to do with
her," said St Quintin, irritably. It's her
uncle who thinks so much of presents
and all that sort of thing. You know
what Frenchmen are! You know it's al
ways money. money they think of in a
suitor, and so I have TO make a show,
not to satisfy her. but him.
James Ince looked hard at him.
"And you're expected, by him, to show
er. presents upon the girl before you're
engaged 10 her?"
No, no. of course not! There's no talk
Of showering anything. But there's ans
other man has given her uncle a dia-
mond bracelt for her. and-and-"
He stammered and stopped, for the ex-
preston Of his friends face had grown
eloquent
Il say. St. Quintin," said he, when the
other paused, I really must see this re-
markable uncle. Do. there's "a good chap,
take me down there with you next time
you go"
"An right" said St Quintin, nervous
ly, trying TO affect an alacrity ne did
not feel. I'll write TO Marie and ask if
I may"
He seized a pen and began to write.
hoping by this to impress his friend with
the notion that he was already practi-
caIly an accepted suitor. But James Ince
only waited till he had finished the let
ter. which was brief and awkward and
constrained, before he asked:
And who is the other man who is
showering presents against your
Nobody is showering anything against
anybody growled St. Quintin. irritably.
'Its-its only French custom. you know,
10 make sure as early as possible of the
financial standing Of a suitor.'
Then I should advise you, also in the
French fashion. to employ a friend TO
make sure Of the financial standing OF the
lady"
But don't care hang whether she
has a penny" protested St. Quintin, hot
ly.
L do though. At least, care to know
whether there is money somewhere on
the other side"
why should you mind if I don't?'
James Ince. who was on his feet tow
cred over his friend. who had again
thrown himself back in his chair.
Because I don't want 10 see you
neeced, said he, shortly.
The younger man started up, pro-
tested, fumed. James Ince paid no more
heed to his CALCULATIONS than If he had
been a fly. He went on, with his hands
stuck deep in mis- pockets and his feet
wide apart, TO lay down his own plan
of conduct, in defiance Of his friend
I intend to go down with you" he
said, and to see these people the girl
and her relations and their friends, too.
If I can For nothing will convince me
that you're not, like the hot-headed
young fool you are, running your head
into a moose which will tighten until
you-are done for"
What do you mean? How dare you
presume
Il mean that it looks to me as if made
moiselle and her people were schemers,
whOye got hold Of a young idiot with
money, and who mean TO relieve him Of
as much of it as they can. Depend upon
It, this girl doesn't mean to marry you.
She'll take ali she can get from you, just
as she appears to be doing from the other
fellow-Or fellows, added James Ince,
shrewdly.
St Quintin, who was in a state Of great
excitement, quelled his impulse to fly
into a rage. Instead he laughed loudly,
and said he was longing for the time
when James Ince would see, without any
sort OF doubt, that he was making about
the biggest blunder that ever was made
by a fellow who fancied himself cleverer
than anybody else. for the simple reason
that he took everybody whose antece-
dents he didn't know for rogue.
Ince made no reply to this, for the rest
of the short time he stayed conversation |
was slack and constrained. Two DAYS
after. Ince got this note from his friend
Dear Ince: Miss Densley and her un-
Gle and aunt will be delighted to see
you. II you Will go down with me on
Monday. Yours, NJ. st. O."
When Monday evening came the two |
men started together, going, not by train, |
but by new motor car which ST. Qin-
Tin had just bought
Ince was wise enough to say nothing |
which could give his friend cause for /
offense, and, the evening being fine they |
enjoyed the trip. in spite Of misgivings /
in the minds Of each. For while Ince felt !
sure he should detect the cloven hoof |
beneath the exterior, however attractive, /
Of ha Tala
ing whether their hosts. and even Marie /
herself, might not be shrewd enough to /
guess that Ince was coming in the char
acter of a spy.
At BTiar Lodge, however. a surprise /
was awaiting both the visitors, who had |
been growing more and more silent as
they neared their journeys end
Sitting in the drawing groom, into which /
they were ushered. were not only Marie
and her uncle and aunt and governess.
but two people new to st. Quintin. whose /
appearance could not fail to inspire that
confidence which the Leblancs had not /
altogether succeeded in imparting
Mrs. Mortimer" said Nine. Leblanc. /
as she introduced an elderly lady, with
hair almost white. and with a face as
sweet and good as ever woman had.
THE Rev Mr.. AIverthorper' said Mon
sleur Leblanc, as he introduced a we'll
known London vicar, whose record was
as well attested as his face was frank
and noble
And even James Ince. primed with sus-
picions and curiosity as he was concern
ing the people who, he felt sure, were
mai king victim of his friend. was fam
TO be ashamed Of his evil thoughts of |