The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-09-14
CHAPTER XII.


travelling rug for a pillow, sought another.
Mrs. Spry was heavy-eyed when she
awoke, and yawned behind her little
gloved hand as she stood upon the plat
form watching the assiduous ORourke,
who hustled hither and thither in her
behalf in his own brightest and most
cheerful manner.
II suppose your friends expect you at
II forget the name of the place. ia
nenne? Is it Janenne" He glanced at
her quickly and with so evident a surprise
that she added: "Mr. Maskelyne told
me you were going there. Is that the
name of the placer"
There is little place of that name"
said O'Rourke. "Maskelyne and l were
there together a few days ago. l may
70 on, or I may not. l shall probably
have a day or two in Brussels in any
case"
When the hotel was reached, O'Rourke
secured rooms for his delightful compan-
lon and ordered for her at her request
a cup of warm milk and a biscuit. This
modest rejection was conveyed to her bed
chamber, and she retired, purring an &C
knowledgment of obligation.
night before, she was still more delight
full next morning O'Rourke made guess
as to her age, and set her down as being
between three and four and twenty, in
which he fattered her. Bearing in mind
all the while how time was flying, and
how 1t behooved him to make the most of
chances which were likely to be limited,
he turned the conversation to the lady's
probable movements. Did she intend to
stay long In Brussels? he asked.
"Well, no." she answered, with be-
coming little blush There's only one
thing brings me here. There's an old
lady living here-a little hard up, I'm
afraid, Mr.. O'Rourke. She's a relative
Of my poor dear late husband's-a distant
relative but the only one he had, and he
left her out in the cold. I'm afraid she's
not very likely to be very good friends
with me, but I want to make it up with
her II she'll let me-" O'Rourke's atten-
tive and sympathetic face was worth
volume of commonplace answers to this
statement. "And them" said the widow,
eve got a friend to see, and then I've
done with Belgium. l shall 60 and see
Paris again, and l shall try to persuade
my friend to 60 with me. ! haven't seen
her for two years, but she's the dearest
girl in the world"
THAT" said O'Rourke, SIS 1attering
description. Is your friend IN Brussels p
"No. From what can learn, she's
gone and buried herself alive in some
dreadful quiet place; miles and miles
away from everywhere. I've looked 1t
ND on the map, and make out Namoor
to be the nearest city. It's little place
called Houfoy."
81 have been there" returned O'Rourke
with admirable naturalness. There IL
only one English family residing there
I have the pleasure to know them"
"Oh," said the lady, rapidly and enthu
siastically, do you know Angela Butler
Oh, now, really! say what littl'
place the world IL, to be sure Well
now. I do wonder that young Georg
Alaskelyne never told me that you knew
Angela Butler"
"I only know them very slightly" sal
O'Rourke. II only met them fortnigh
ago. No; three weeks since"
"Oh," purred the widow, making he
hast and most expressive eyes at he
companion. 81 adore Angela Butler
Don't you ADORE ner, Mr' " AeouA nv ~
I'm sure you do"
"I think her very charming CIR
Frank, clever, English-thoroughly Ems
iish."
"Oh. so very English" said Mrs. Spr!
"And you are going to Houfoy to sc
Miss Butler?" asked O'Rourke. "Tha
n delightful news indeed to me. W
shall be neighbors. / am going to il
nenne to see some old friends OF min
and Janenne Ia the nearest village
Houfoy."
'That viii be pleasant" said Mr.
spry. When she had said this she lov
cred her head away suddenly, and Sc
ond or two later shot most vanquishir
glance at O'Rourke.
Shs discharged her one little bit
actual business, and she set out on
bright afternoon In early June, with Il
constant O'Rourke In attendance, 4
Houfoy, having previously ADVISED A
gela Of her coming by wire.
"Let me see, now" said Mrs. Spr
holding her head on one side and lookil
mn at O'Rourke thoughtfuliy. How lol
will Il take this train to reach Houfoy
eft does not 20 ON to Houfoy," retur
al O'Rourke. III reaches Jdnenne
four hours and Ave minutes"
at think you know everything, N
o'Rourke," said the lady, admlring
Then, clasping her hands with soft Il
vor, "will you do me favor, n
O'Rourksf"
"Try me-" said O'Rourke. with
own admirable mixtprs of Jest and eai
ast.
"will you 20 to the telegraph bure
and. write a telegram? In French,
these dreadful foreigners'll bungle
From Mrs. Spry. Brussels, to Miss Ang
Butler, the Chateau, Houfoy. To q
that l shall be at-what's the name
tina station 7-at-when does the train
there?-and to ask her to meet me the
Because she might forget"
MAY I look at your books" he 80
Certainly" she answered, taking
q loose handful and handing them o
to him. As she did so his eyes met h,
and he drew them away with a
reluctance. Mrs. Spry blushed, I
opened one Of the paper-bound volumes
"Ah |" cried o'Rourke. brightly,
meut later, ''you have bought 'Firefi