Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-05-31


tourney, and I expect a letter from my |
SON by the first mail tomorrow, which |
may materially affect the position of the
case. Moreover, l desire, after what |
have heard, some little time for reflection. |
f.you will accept the hospitality of Penr-
hyddyn during your stay, / shall be most |
happy to afford it to you"
Mr.. Wylie expressed his thanks for the
offer; and Sir Launce summoning Daniel, |
told him to conduct the guest to certain
apartments, and to see that he was prop
erly cared for. Then by distant bow,
and a wave of the hand, he indicated that
the interview was over.
Perhaps, before another six months,
shall be seated in that chair, Sir Launce,"
muttered Wylie, inaudibly, as he followed
the old servant; then 1t will be my turn
to condescend and to smile. But l won
der where Stafford is. l suppose he has
not left. BY the bye" he said aloud,
turning to his conductor, "have you not
a gentleman, an artist from London, stay
ing here?"
''There be such a one staying here" ma
swered Daniel, shortly. "He was In the
picture gallery few minutes back"
"Have the kindness to show me the
way to the picture gallery2"
With a grunt Of dissatisfaction-for the
servant was no more agreeably impressed
with Mr.. Wylie than was the master
Daniel led him through the long corri-
dors that conducted to the gallery.
Stafford was rapidly sketchi1g the por-
trait of Eleonore de Scissors; water
color drawing Of the head of Circe lay
beside him.
"Mr. Stafford" said Wylie, approach
ing him, with his softest smile, II am
delighted to renew your acquaintance
you will doubtless remember meeting me
at Harley street"
Stafford did remember him, perfectly
we'll but like everybody else who came In
contact with the gentleman, IT was not a
cherished memory.
"He has come down here to settle the
preliminaries for Constance's marriage"
was his first thought; perhaps, even
now, shall arrive in London too late"
This thought did not conduce to a cor
dial acceptance of Mr.. Wyle's advances +;
but before he could make any answer to
his greeting, an exclamation Of astonish-
ment suspended the words, and carried his
thoughts into another channel.
The exclamation came from Mr.. Wylie,
who was gazing upon the picture of Circe
with such an expression Of unaffected
amazement as had never before been be-
held upon that crafty and usually emo
tionless face.
"How could that picture have come
here" he involuntarily calculated.
"Do you know anything Of it?" eagerly
inquired Stafford.
"Do you not recognize the wonderful
likeness to Constance Grierson?" cried
Wylie.
A chill struck to the young mans heart
at this confirmation Of his own thought
Wylie could not for a time remove his
eyes from the picture, and while he gazed
busy thoughts were teeming in his brain
new schemes, new combinations, new ad
vantages to be gained by this discovery
From Circe his eyes wandered to that 9th
er strange face beside it. That, also
seemed to excite his curious attention.
Whose portrait is that?" he asked
turning to Daniel.
"One that's got no business to ham
there !" growled the old man; but willfu
people will have their own way, and g
: on a tempting of Providence, until it,
too late. And that be your learned peo
pie. too, who fancies they knows every
thing. Thank heaven, l amt learned
Yes, Madame de Scissors, after nigh upol
; two hundred years, you've got among tn
; family at last. And who on earth shal
| IL L. IL Ix,II
will pass away, as surely as this day
passing now."
Tears dropped from the old mans eye
: as he spoke those words; they were tn
outpouring of thoughts which haunte
him night and day.
; "What name was that you said" erie
Mr.. Wylie, eagerly. ibid you say d
!, Scissors? You called that portrait Eleo
more de Scissors. What do you know
of it?"
what know of it l shall keep to my
i self. / don't tell family secrets to stran
gers. If you want any information, you
better ask Sir Launce," replied Daniel
surlily, for he was vexed with himsel
for having said so much.
"Look here. Tell me the story Of tha
picture, and 1 will give you sovereign,
; said Mr.. Wylie, taking out his purse.
Daniel stood looking at him for a me
ment, and at the sovereign held tempt
ingly between his finger and thumb, wit
an air of supreme disdain. And you ca
: yourself gentleman, suppose?' he sale
|, ,, at last. "A pretty sort o gentleman tina
would tempt a servant to tell his master
, secrets! You've made mistake thi
time, sir; we don't do them things q
Penrhyddyn."
a A servant refuse bribe! In all hi
. London experience Mr.. Wylie had neve
encountered such an extraordinary phe
q nomenon! With shrug of the shoulder,
q and malicious grin, he put back tn
q sovereign irto his purse without a reply
"Mr. Stafford" he said, turning to tn