The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-08-30


upon me as your banker" she said, gent
ly.
"Dear Aunt Agatha =" Beverley muir
INJURED, pressing her hand His gratitude
was entirely. assumed, since he had set
tied this arrangement in his mind before
he left Port Elizabeth; but Mrs. Thorn
gat' never doubted it for moment.
You will be a rich man some day,
Beverley, you are SO clever. Brains like
yours always succeed"
They certainly, have served me very
well so far" agreed Mr.. Rochfort. There
was a curious smile on his face as he
recalled how often his brains had carried
him through disagreeabls aud awkward
crises. II must tell you LII about my
plans tomorrow, Aunt Agatha. Are those
the Lights of Dinglewood? had an idea
IL was much further away. What
fine property it is! Miss Fraser is
lucky young woman. Is she appropriated
yet?''
There Is no. definite engagement; but
don't think am far wrong il 1 say
Sheila's fancy leans toward Lord John
Glendurwood. l think you met him
whel you were here before"
A grim look settled on Beverley Roch-
forts handsome face his lips compressed
themselves into tight, ugly line.
Eyes, know Glendurwooi," was all
he ssid; but keen listener might have
detected something hard and strange in
his voice. He is very decided prig,
Aunt Agatha"
Mrs. Thorngate made no reply to this,
Tor, truth to tell, she had a weak spot
in her heart for Lord John, and was one
Of his warmest admirers.
II hate prigs! l knew one out there"
with comprehensive nod backward at
some unnamed bourne-''to whom took
fancy" Beverley laughed softly. HE
was the surliest chap ever came across,
but what plucky onel We knocked
against each other pretty often. l felt
sorry for him, somehow; hs seemed al
ways so glum. He gave me packet to
bring home to some lawyers here, and
made me swear would honestly deliver
It. He called himself John Marsh. but
am quite sure that was net his name
He must have been a good-locking fellow
wnen he was younger, with eyes as blue
well. as your large sapphire ring, Aunt
Agatha, and coal-black hair A strange
coordination! never saw it before"
why, that's just what that child is
like" cried the rector's wife.
What child?"
Miss Fraser's maid, and a protege Of
Gus! Such lovely little creature.
wish you could see her, Beverley"
Il never waste my admiration on ser
wants" he said as they reached the low,
wide porch-like entrance of Dingfewood
House.
Miss Fraser was dispensing tea to her
grace the Duchess of Marlborough and
one OF two other people. She received
Mrs. Thorngate in the wsrm, pretty
fashion she always assumed before Jacks
mother.
How good of you to come! Dear
mamma will be SO pleased to see you
Thanks, she is really better this afternoon
at least hope SO. Oh! she frightened
me terribly when she fell down in that
fairting fit! did not wait her to 60,
but she would do it. Mr.. Rochfort,
will you come and sit mere? Dear god
Rochtort to you? He has just come back
from foreign parts, and will entertain
you. ! am sure!"
The duchess moved her arrle skirts
50 that Beverley might SIT down. Lord
John was speaking very plainly and earn
estly.
"sheila," he said, as he drew the girl
apart from the rest for a moment, "how
comes that man here"
what man? Oh, Mr.. Rochfort?
Why, he is dear Mrs. Thorngats's nephew.
Stupid Jack, as if you did not know
that"
II did not know it, or I should not
have asked the question. have never
seen him down here before, and l have
never heard Mrs. Thorngats speak of
him."
"Oh, he is her joy and her beloved. 1
cali him handsome, don't you? But, of
course, no man ever aomires another;
forgot"
whoever he may be, 8now him as
one of the greatest blackguards 1t has
ever been my lot to meet"
Good gracious, Jack, how awful; and
MIR. Thorngate a clergyman, tool"
"Mr. Thorngate has nothing to do
with him. l doubt if he would ever let
HIM Inside his house if be knew as much
ABOUT MIN as i 90.
Beverley was In the best of spirits.
He lad carefully noted chat whispered
conference at the fire. just as he had
noted that Lord John Glendurwood did
not vouchsafe him any greeting. He was
much relieved as Sheila came UT to them
and treated him to smile. He did not
quite understand her expression, but he
studied 1t well and determined to think
it over. He was most amusing man
he could tell an anecdote with just enough
disregard for the truth as to rcint it well
and make it more palatable. His voice
was 30 pleasant, his bearing SO grace
full, and his face so hands ,me, that he
won everybody's heart.
"Eou must come to Craigiands," cried
the duchess, with decision.
Meanwhile Jack Glendurwood was
striaing through the chill February af.
slight frost and tall of snow
had prevented the meet that morning,
and he felt trif1e bored.
By this time he was at The stables,
and, going in, he examined Sheila's mare
Diane and gave a word of praise to the
head groom. As he was sauntering
across the court yard he Fan against a
man hurrying in from side avenue.