Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-03-27
CHAPTER Xl.

ard, the first to recover 1roln
astonishment 'Do you
know. almost fancied 1t
was some one with designs on the
poultry"
Mr.. Van der Awe flushed, drew him
self up and folded his arms in strik-
ingly dramatic pose.
mo" be answered without the first
yestige Of humor; II was not after the
poultry. To be perfectly frank, was
after you"
This was another one! Was every
body lying In wait for him this morn
ingl Could he have speech with all
the world but her?
81 admire candor," coolly remarked
Richard in return, "and rejoice In
the fact that your desire Is gratified.
How may | serve your
Lord Croyland," said the dramatic
young gentleman, there is a matter
which must be settled between us here
and now. Upon 1t depends my future
happiness"
"All right" responded the Texan
cheerily. Shall 1t be rifles, pistols. lari-
ats, bowie knives or arbitration"
Once more Mr.. Van der Awe flushed.
He had a faint idea that the English
nobleman was laughing at him, point
on which extreme youth is sometimes
oversensitive.
81 think It can be settled by arbitra-
ton" he answered coldly. "Will you
kindly follow me to some less public
placer
The two young gentlemen walked up
the road for short distance. stopping
at the brow OF hill which overlooked
the river. 1t struck Richard that this
being continually led away from the
house OF his ladylove for secret con-
ferences was growing rather monot-
onous. This was the fourth time in
two days. and each excursion seemed
to involve him more deeply In some
quagmire OF trouble. They sat down
under tree and for q time remained
silent
Smoker asked Richard. holding
out ulS cigar case.
Thank you. no." said the young
man sadly. II have no heart for pleas
ure Just at present. II you don't mind
well get down TO business"
The Texan lit his cigar and express
ed willingness TO open negotiations
with the enemy. while the enemy col
lected his thoughts and dug holes IN
the ground with short sharp stick.
Lord Croyland." he began at last,
'in this country openness and square
ness are the first principles. I've
heard that gentlemen have the same
ideas in England. Is this trueT
Richard bowed.
Very well. I'm going to ask you a
plain. blunt question. without any In
tention OF odense, and | want you to
give me straight, plain answer.
Which one are you afterT
Richards cigar nearly dropped from
between his teeth. while he gazed at
his Questioner In extreme a,,onish.
uent.
" hANh bhN VI " hdl ut dShti
when he recovered himself
THE girls" said Mr. Van der Awe
e Perhaps | didn't put it clearly"
The Texan tried hard 10 conceal hi
. amusement ana succeeded imperfectly
All, i see" he returned. "Whicl
one are you after?"
- Miss lmogeuc." confessed the youn,
mun without reserve, "and IL YOU don
object To my confidence. Lord Croy
: land, love her as NO man ever love,
p p girl before It's well. hang il
.ts painful" He fell into a thought
tui pause. then looked mp again. Nov
2 I think I've been perfectly candid wiz
You, and | want you to be quite franl
3 with me. lf it's Miss ChIttendon W
T. can decide what TO do later"
@ My dear fellow" said Richard
:. you can't Imagine how appreciat
: your opeuness and sQuareness. |
ID throws new light upon your gloriou
e American people. Allow me to Civ
b You a cigar and be equally uureserved
n While | admit without hesitation tha
o Miss lmogeue Chiuendon is mos
- charming and utterly desirable youn
e lady, ! beg TO assure you. sir. tha
[ never for a single fraction Of seconp
Z have ] entertained the least idea Of
. ot-n Your own phrase, Of going afte
{ her Is that satisfactory"
e Entirely So" said Mr Van der Aw,
I holding ont his hand with tho peores