Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER VI.-(Continued,O

0'Rourke walked out to the front OF
toe hotel and awaited the arrivals. When
they came il was plain to his eyes that
Maskelyne's depression of two or three
days ago had not altogether left him, and
Indeed, he had seen, in the visits he had
made to Butler in the interim, signs that
this depression deepened. But since Mas
kelyne's depression obviously meant his
own victory, it was not in human nature
Go be greatly grieved by it. The signs
of the young Americans despondency
were not visible to all the world, but
O>RourSe was a keen observer when he
chose TO watch with extreme closeness
Angela reached out her hand with a
frsIRkness altogether encouraging, ana
C'Rourke accepted it with a finely toned
SILT of Difference and respect. All three
~ tlae newcomers had alighted and en-
sssna& when Farley came downstairs, and
el1z youag American saw his ready rival
Eskp an Immediate place by Angela.
- 1t was l who brought them together,
Be- said To himself. II have wrecked my
own chances. And l never gave him
warning word. O'Rourke isn't the man to
EntTude himself between friend and his
hopes If he had only known"
At this moment his late delicacy seem
ed oyerstrained and extravagant.
Il am not worthy of her." he said.
"O'Rourke is better man than | am.
He's not an objectless, good-for- nothing
fellow like me, with nothing but dollars
60 recommend him. A man with a career
before him. and a good beginning behind
him A handsome fellow, too; bright.
receptive, quick. A man with everything
In his favor. Why shouldn't a girl like
him.
While O'Rourke talked in his gay and
Sympathetic fashion, and Maskelyne look
ing out of window INDUCED these
thoughts, there came tap at the door
and the landlady entered. "
"A telegraphic dispatch for Monsieur
O'Rourke," said she, giving the name a
queer-sounding foreign twist, at which
everybody smiled. O'Rour ke took the dis
patch, asked to be excused for a moment
and opened it. He read it at a glance,
crushed it in his hand and stood with an
expression of displeasure and irresoluton
In his face.
"No i'll news, l hope?" said Farley, ap-
proaching him.
For me-" said O'Rourke. looking round
ut his friend with a sudden bright smile,
"the wretchedest i'll news in the world
A uhip"-he held the crumpled telegram
up before them-''a whip of scorpions"
he added, with a laugh. ut drives me
from your presence" He bowed to Lucy
and Angela as he said this, and went on
with q sudden seriousness. "Yes, | must
80. had an idea of refusing-for a
single instant-but that is a thing
mustn't do. Farley, order a carriage, and
pay my bill for me-" He thrust a purse
into his friends hand Il shall miss the
local train, | know, but | can catch the
mail on the main line. l must go and
pack, and | haven't a minute to lose.
am the unluckiest of men. Back to work
again from this paradise of quiet. And
I'D miss the tour of the world"
He made his excuses and dashed away
to pack with an alacrity and eagerness
which had all the vivacty of hustle, and
somehow missed it's vulgarity and avoided
its noise. He was down again in min
ate or two, portmanteau in hand.
Il leave the heavier things behind"
he said, gayly. This will suffice for
siay or t@o. | am sorry to go, but parlia
U1entary whips dare not be disputed"
Then ne let his face cloud somewhat,
amt walking to a window, began to drum
,u8rs notwithstanding fingers on the sill.
BY and by he turned and met Angela
saxe.
~T am sorry to 60" he said. softly,
~very sorry"
The carriage Farley had ordered drew
UP 10 the door and the departing traveller
shook hands all round. There was no
chance for private word with Angela,
but he threw into his parting glance and
hand-shake all he dared to express at such
q time.
Five francs if you catch the mall"
he cried to the driver as he mounted.
The man cracked his whip and started.
O'Rourke waved his hat to the little
party gathered about the door. and his
last glance was for Angela.
II disappear with an air of some i'm
portance," he said to himself, ''and that
Is something. Poor Maskelyne looks a
bit too cowed to play up with any spirit
for a while, and l shall be back again in
three days. That again is something"