Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-01-03
CHAPTER vI.-(ContInued. J


O'Rourke walked out to the front OF
che hotel and awaited the arrivals. When
they came it was plain to his eyes that
MAskeiyne,s depression of two or three
days ago had not altogether left him, and,
indeed. he mad seen, in the visits he had
made to Butler in the interim, signs that
this depression deepened. But since Mas
kelyne's depression obviously meant his
own victory, it was not in human nature
to be greatly grieved by it. The signs
Of the young Americans dependency
were not visible to all the world, but
O'Rourke was keen observer when he
chose to watch with extreme closeness.
! Angela reached out her hand with a
frankness altogether encouraging, and
O'Rourke accepted it with finely toned
air Of Difference and respect. All three
Of the newcomers had alighted and en-
tered when Farley came downstairs, and
the young American saw his ready rival
take an immediate place by Angela.
1T was | who brought them together"
he said to himself. II have wrecked my
own chances. And never gave him
warning word. O'Rourke isn't the man to
intrude himself between friend and his
hopes IL be had only known"
At this moment his late delicacy seem
ed overstrained and extravagant
II am not worthy of her." he said.
"O'Rourke IL a better man than l am.
He's not an objectless, collaborating
fellow like me. with nothing but dollars
to recommend him. man with career
before him. and a good beginning behind
him. A handsome fellow, too; bright,
receptive, quick. A man with everything
in his favor. Why shouldn't girl like
himp'
While O'Rourke talked in his gay and
sympathetic fashion, and Maskelyne look
ing out of window INDUCED these
thoughts, there came a tap at the door
and the landlady entered. -
"A Geographic dispatch for Monsieur
O'Rourke," said she, giving the name a
Queer-sounding foreign twist, at which
everybody smiled. O'Rourke took the dis
and opened it. He read 1t at glance,
crushed it in his hand and stood with an
expression Of displeasure and irresolution
In his face.
'No i'll news. hoper said Farley, ap-
preaching him.
''For me-" said O'Rourke, looking round
at bis friend with sudden bright smile
''the wretchedest III news in the world
A whip"--he held the crumpled telegram
up before them-"a whip of scorpions, "
he added. with laugh. "It drives me
from your presence" He bowed to Lucy
a and Angela as he said this, and weItIDl
ith sudden seriasdsness. Eyes. l mus
-. | had saei idea of refusing-for
single instant-but that Is thing
austnt do. Farley, order carriage, an
NAy my bill for me-" He thrust a purs
A into his friends hand. 81 shall miss tn
j local train, know, but l can catch tn
mail on the main line / must go an
pack, and | haven't minute to lose.
am the unluckiest of men. Back to wor
again from this paradise Of quiet. An
to miss the tour Of the world"
He made his excuses and dashed ava
to pack with an alacrity and eagernes
which had all the vivacity of hustle, an
somehow missed its vulgarity and avoide
it's noise. He was down again in a mil
ute or two, portmanteau in hand.
II leave the heavier things behind,
he said, gayly. This will suffice for
day or two am sorry to CO. but parliI
mentary whips dare not be disputed"
and. walking to a window, began to druI
with notwithstanding fingers on the sill
BY and by he turned and met Angela
gaze.
81 am sorry to go" he said, softl
''very sorry"
The carriage Farley had ordered DIRE
up to the door and the departing travel,
shook hands all round. There was I
chance for a private word with Angel
but he threw into his parting glance al
hand-shake all he dared to express at sue
q time.
"Five francs If you catch the mail
ne cried to the driver as he mounte
The man cracked his whip and starte
O'Rourke waved his hat to the lit
party gathered about the door, and b
last glance was for Angela.
81 disappear with an air of some il
portance." he said to himself, ''and tn
Is something. Poor Maskeyne looks
bit too cowed to play up with any spiI
for while. and l shall be back again
three days. That again is something"