Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-05-28

man at the gate who appeared TO be o,
guard to prevent any one from coming on
or in. On our way to Bedworth we me
no less person than the great Mr.. Cir
dlestone himself, and we actually drov,
so clumsily that we spashed him all ove
with mud. Wasn't that very sad an,
unaccountablc thing? | fancy see Tob,
smiling over that, Ever yours.
"LAVINIA SCULLY."
The major called cab and rattlet
away to Phillimore Gardens and thence
to the office, without being able TO fine
the man of whom he was in search. He
then rushed down the Strand as quickly
as he could, intending to catch the next
train and go alone, but on his way to
| Waterloo station he fell in with Tom
Dimsdale, as recorded in a preceding
chapter.
The letter was thunderbolt to Tom.
In his worst dreams he had never imag-
ined anything so dark rs this. He hur-
ried back to the station at such pace
that the poor major was reduced to a
most asthmatical and wheezy condition.
He trotted along pluckily, however, and
as he went heard the account of Toms
adventures in the morning, and of the de-
parture of Ezra Girdlestone and of his
red bearded companion. The majors face
grew more anxious still when he heard
OF it. Pray heaven we may not be too
late.' he painted.
CHAPTER NIN.
When Kate had made a clean breast
pe nj hDr tn hn llv
and had secured that good womaus coop
Grafton. great weight seemed to have
been lifted from her heart, and she sprang
from the shed different woman. 1t
would soon be like a dream all these
dreary weeks in the grim old house. With
in day she was sure that either Tom
OF the major would find means of com
municating with her. The thought made
her so happy that the color stole back
into her cheeks. and she sang for very
lightness of heart as she made her way
back to the prory.
Mrs. Jorrocks and Rebecca observed the
,hange which had come over her, and mar
veled at it. Kate attempted to aid the
former in her household work. but the old
crone refused her assistance. and repulsed
her harshly. Her maid, too answered her
,urtly when she addressed her. and eyed
her in anything but a friendly manner.
She amused herself that morning b!
'eckoning up in her mind what the Sc
luence of events would be in London, and
how long it would be before she heard
from her friends. If Mrs. Scully had
elegraphed. news would have reached
Il hem last night. Probably she would
write as well. giving all the particulars
about her. The post came in about nine
o'clock, she thought. Then some time
would elapse before the major could find
Iom. After that, no doubt they would
nave to consider what had best be done,
and perhaps would go and consult with
DR.. Dimsdale. That would occupy the
morning and part of the afternoon. They
could hardly reach the Priory before
lightfall.
Ezra would be down by that time. On !
he Saturday before he had arrived be- |
tween five and six. A great dread filled |
ner soul at the thought of meeting the |
Young merchant again. 1t vas merely the |
natural instinct of a lady shrinking from |
whatever is rough and coarse and antag-
)nistic. She had no conception OF the !
danger, or of what his coming
might mean to her.
Mr. Girdlestone was more gracious to
Ter than usual that morning at breakfast. /
lie seemed anxious to efface the remem-
1rance of his fierce and threatening words
he day before. Rebecca, who waited
lpon them, was astonshed to hear the
way in which he spoke. His whole man.
Ter was less heavy and ungainly than
Usual. for now that the time of action
vas at hand he felt braced and invig-
rated, as energetic men do.
You should study botany while yoh
ire down here" he said, blandly. DE
,end upon it, one cannot learn too many
hings in ones youth. Besides a knowl-
.dee of natural science teaches us the
marvellous harmony which prevails
throughout the universe, and so enlarges
,ur mind
Il should very much like to know some
hing of it," answered Kate. My only
ear is that | should not be clever enough
o learn it
',rhe wood here is full of wonders. The
iniest mushroom is as extraordinary and
IS worthy of study as the largest oak. {
our father was fond of plants and ami
nails" ,
Yes, | can remember that" said Kate,
ler face growing sad as her mind trav-
led back to years gone by. What would
hat same father have thought, she Won
cred, had he known how this man oppo- {
ite to her had treated her? What did it |
natter now though. when she would SO 1
oon be out of his power? +
ITO he continued