Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-01-11
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
The Countess of Avon, persuaded into
it by her daughter a promise
from her son that he would bestow the
living of Great Whitton upon the Rev.
Ryle Baumgarten.
The Earl did not give an immediate
consent; in fact he demurred to give it
at all and sundry letters passed to and
fro between Avon House and Paris-for
his lordship happened just then to have
taken a run over to the French capital.
Great Whitton was too good a thing to be
thrown away upon young Baumgarten,
who was nobody, he told his mother, and
he should like to give it to Elliotsen but
Lady Avon, for peace's sake at home,
urged her petition strongly, and the Earl
at length granted it and gave the prom
Use.
The morning the letter arrived contain
ing the promise, and also the information
that his lordship was back at his house
in London, Lady Avon was feeling un-
usually i'll. Her head was aching vio-
lently, and she bade her maid put the let
ter aside; she would open it later. This
she did in the afternoon when she was
sitting up in her dressing room and she
then told Grace of the arrival of the un-
expected promise.
"Oh, let me see it" exclaimed Grace.
in her incautious excitement, holding out
her hand for the letter.
She read it hungrily, with flushing
cheeks and trembling fingers. Lady Avon
coulG but note this. 1t somewhat puz-
zled her.
Grace" she said, 81 cannot think why
you should be so eager. What does it sig
nifty to you who gets the living-whether
Mr.. Baumgarten or another?"
In the evening, when Grace was saun-
tering listlessly in the rocky walk. Won
dering whether any one would call that
night or not, she saw him. He was COM
ing along the path from the rectory. The
old rector had been buried some days
now 81 have been sitting with Mrs
Chester, and thought l would just ask, in
passing, how Lady Avon is," he remark
ed, swinging through the gate, as if he
would offer an apology for calling. "The
last time l was here she seemed so very
poorly"
|
say; to-day she has not come downstairs
at ALL" replied Grace, meeting his offered
hand. "What will you give me for some
news 1 can tell you?" she resumed, stand
ing before him in the full blow of her
beauty, her hand not yet withdrawn from
him.
He bent his sweet smile upon her, his
deep, dark eyes speaking the admiration
that he might not utter. Ryle Baum
garten was no more insensible to the
charms of fascinating and beautiful girl
than are other men-despite his love for
Edith Dane. She was awaiting an an
swer.
what may I give?" he said. "Noth-
ing that could give would be of value
to you"
"How do you know that, Mr.. Baumgar-
temp"
With burning blush, for she had spok-
en- unguardedly, Grace laughed merrily,
stepped a few steps backward, and drew
a letter from her pocket.
I'll is one that came to mamma this
morning, and it has secret in it. What
will you give me to read you just one
little sentenceW
Mr.. Baumgarten, but that Edith and
his calling were in the way, would have
said shower of kisses; it is possible that
he might in spite of both, had he dared
Whether his looks betrayed him cannot
be known. Lady Grace, blushing still,
took refuge in the letter. Folding it 80
that only the signature was visible, she
held it out to him. He read the name,
Henry"
"Is it-from-Lord Avon?" he said
with hesitation.
"It is from Lord Avon. He does not
sign himself in any other way to us.
Your affectionate son, Henry it always
runs to mamma; and it is no unmean-
ing phrase; he is very fond of her. But
now for the secret. Listen"
Mr.. Baumgarten, suspecting nothing,
listened with a smile.
81 have been dunned with applications
since I got home," read Grace, aloud
from Lord Avon's letter, ''some of them
from personal friends; but as you and
Grace make so great point of 1t, mother
promise you that Mr.. Baumgarten shall