Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-01-31

had known him for years and had regard
ed him with an almost sisterly affection,
began to think i'll Of him, and found it a
painful and grievous thing to do.
Before Maskelyne's departure Angela's
manner to O'Rourke had been that of
open friendship, and now 1t was marked
by a disdain SO ill-concealed that, so far
as Lucy was concerned, 1t might as well
not have been concealed at all. The girls
mingled sadness and anger had been so
evident one afternoon, when Lucy and
O'Rourke had visited the chateau to-
gether, that her new friends heart grew
hot with sympathy for her and with in
dignation at the patriot, and on reaching
home she marched straight to her hus-
bands room.
"Ah, little woman" he said, brightly,
looking up at her, you are back again.
Wait half minute, and shall be done
for to-day"
Austin" returned his wife, seriously,
IT want to speak to you"
us there anything the matter? You
look quite grave"
Austin" she began, 1T don't like the
patriot, as you call him."
"Don't like O'Rourke7" cried Austin,
In surprise.
IT do not like him, Austin. He Is play
ing a mean part here. I am sure of 1t.
And he makes me help him play it. He
has done SO, until now, but l am so
ashamed and unhappy about 1t that he
shall never do 1t any more"
TELL me everything" said Austin,
standing over her with a troubled face.
LET me understand"
you remember young Mr.. Maskelyne,
the Americana Did you ever notice him
and Angela together? There was a ~sri-
GUS attachment between them. Then came
Mr.. O'Rourke, and made love to his
friends sweetheart, and l am certain he
knew that Mr.. Maskelyne cared for her"
"Well, well, my dear" said Austin,
laughing. LET the best man win.
should have thought you would have
been pleased to see O'Rourke settled.
Why, I've heard you advise him to mar
ry."
EYES," she answered, somewhat hotly ;
but I never advised him to be treacher-
Gus to his friend. And that isn't all,
Austin. Listen. 1t is no laughing mat
ter. He made love to Angela watch
ed him, and l saw it all. Young Mr..
Maskelyne is no sooner driven OF the
field and the girl made miserable than
Mr.. O'Rourke comes here with this veal
thy American widow; and, under the very
nose of he poor girl whose sweetheart
he chased away, he Is making love to
Mrs. Spry. He ls a fortune hunter, Aus
tin. He Is using me to get near this
poor little widow. She's dreadful sim-
pleton, but she's a dear little creature
all the same own that Mr.. O'Rourke
has delightful manners. He is very clev-
er, and he can be very charming. Austin,
a fortune hunter is a creature l despise.
Look here, my dear, I'll go and have
talk about this with O'Rourks himself
Austin !" cried his wife in genuine
feminine horror. 81 wouldn't have you
speak of it for the world"
YOU'D have me suspect an old friend
and not tell him of 1t? An odd pro.
posal, isn't it?"
Austin you make me angrier than
was. 1 will never speak to that base
man again"
Now, come" said Austin. This is
growing serious"
1t had grown so serious that Mrs
|
table that evening and declined Austin's
entreaties to join O'Rourke and himself
in the little garden afterward.
"You can tell him that | have a head
ache" said Lucy. Austin nodded anG
walked straight into his study, where
he solemnly set down this memorandum
'"To be observed. Candor and verac
ity. Feminine"
Then he descended to the garden anC
sat with O'Rourke over a cup of coffee
"O'Rourke," he blurted out, whats
the matter between you and my wife?
"Ah ~ said O'Rourke, as we'll and a.
readily as if he had seen the bludgeor
falling, and had waited to parry it
you've noticed it, have you? What il
it? She's annoyed with me. She gave
me a real snub this afternoon on the way
back from Houfoy. And you know, ole
man." he went on, with an air of hall
comic, half earnest regret, 'she and
have always been such friends. Do me
good turn, Farley. Find out for me what,
the matter and let me make my peace"
you've no idea what it is?" said Aus
tin. O'Rourke noticed a sound of relic
in the tone.
| mol Tue ICluOlCol III IHO WVIlu.
meant to ask you about it," salt
O'Rourke, genially. 'but didn't Xix
to do so for fear of seeming to exagger
ate the thing"
He felt the situation to be awkward
but he faced it with his usual courage
At the worst he could feign a recall. H
must take time to think. and must thin
clearly. IF Mrs. Farley hasn't forgiVe
me by tomorrow morning." he said, ris
ing and setting both hands on his friend
shoulders, I'm ask her where I'm wron
, and beg her pardon. You and can
: afford to quarrel after all these year,
anyhow"
He rocked Farley to and fro for
little as he spoke, and looked at hiI
with q smile 30 frank and kindly this
the novelist rose and shook hands wit
. him in a little heat Of renewed FRIEND
ship.
"No. no." he said, with . laugh, 20
: and won't quarrel"
n CHAPTER XIV.
q Mr.. Zeno rose somewhat lAter tina
e the lark, but gay and blithe as he, an
IS during the progress Of his toilet chante