Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-04-12

lowing to an unfortunate dlIier-
ence of opinion with my son we nave
not been very communicative lateis'
he said, with that deliberation which
he knew how to assume when he 0e'
sired to be heard without interruptioI'
81 am therefore almost entirely l5no-
rant of your African AFFAIRS Du' /
imagine Jack owes more to your pluck
and promptness than has yet trans
pired. / gathered as much from one VI
two conversations l had with MISS
Gordon when she was in England l
am one of Miss Gordon's many ao-
mirerS."
"And l am another" said Oscard
frankly.
"Ah! Then you are happy enough
to be the object of reciprocal 1eel-
ing which for myself l could scarcely
expect She spoke of you in no meas
ured language. gathered from her
that if you had not acted with great
promptitude the-er-happy event Oh
tomorrow could not have taken place.
The old man paused, and Guy Oscaru,
who looked somewhat distressed anu
distinctly uncomfortable, could hnd no
graceful way of changing the CONVEX
sation.
"In a word" went on Sir John in
very severe tone, 81 owe you great
debt. You saved my boys life"
"Yes, but you see," argued Oscard'
finding his tongue at last tout there
things like that don't count for so
much"
ooh. don't they?' There was the
suggestion Of smile beneath Sir johns
grim eyebrows.
"No" returned DISCARD, rather la:nely.
at is a sort of thing that happens every
day out there"
Sir John turned suddenly, and with
the courtliness that was ever MS lie III
dulged in rare exhibition OF teellng
He laid his hand on Guy Oscard's stat
wart knee.
my dear Oscard," he said, and when
he chose he could render his voice very
soft and affectionate. none OF those
arguments apply to me because am
not out there. | like you for trying to
make little of your exploit Such con-
duct is worthy of you, worthy OF
gentleman; but you cannot disguise the
fact that Jack owes his life to you aud
owe YOU the same, which. between
YOU and me | may mention, IS more
valuable to me than my own. want
YOU to remember always that ! am
your debtor and if-if circumstances
should ever seem to indicate that the
feeling | have for you is anything but
friendly and kind, do me the honor or
Lisbelieying those indications. You un-
terstand?"
YES" replied Discard untruthfully.
"Here we are at Lady CantOurne's,'
continued Sir John, "where, as it hap
pens, expect to meet Jack. Her lady
ship is naturally interested in the affail
of tomorrow. and has kindly under
taken to keep us up to date i'll our be
havior. You will come i'll with me?'
Oscard remembered afterward thai
he was rather puzzled, that there was
perhaps in his simple mind the faintes1
tinge of suspicion. At the moment
however there was no time to do amy
thing but follow. The man had already
rung the bell and Lady .CantOurne's
butler was holding the door open. There
was something in his attitude vaguely
suggestive of expectation. He never
took his eyes from Sir John Meredith's
face, as if on the alert for an unspoken
order.
Guy Oscard followed his companion
into the hall, and the very scent OF
the house-for each house speaks to
more senses than one-made his heart
leap in his broad breast. 1t seemed
as if Iillicents presence was in the
very air. This was more than he
could have hoped. He had not in
tended to call this afternoon, although
the visit was only to have been post
poned for twenty-four hours.
Sir John Meredith's face was mar
vel to see, 1t was quite steady. He
was upright and alert, with all the in
trepidity of his mind up in arms. There
was a light in his eyes, CLEAN OF
light from other days not yet burned
out.
He laid aside his gold headed cane
and threw back his shoulders.
as Mr.. Meredith upstairs" he sai0
to the butler.
Eyes, sir"
The man moved toward the stairs.
You need not Gomez said Sir John
holding up his hand.
The butler stood aside and Sir JONI
led the way up to the drawing room.
At the door be paused for moment
Guy Oscard was at his heels. Then he
opened the door rather slowly and mo.
toned gracefully with his left hand to
Oscard to pass in before him.
Oscard stepped forward. When ne
had crossed the threshold Sir John
closed the doom sharply behind him and
turned to 60 downstairs.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ivy DISCARD stood for a mo-
4 ment on the threshold. He