Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-04-10
IcoNTINUED.I
CHAPTER XI.

know. almost fanced 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.
NO" he answered without the first
vestige 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
ing? Could he have speech with all
the world but her?
II admire candor," coolly remarked
Richard in return. land | rejoice in
the fact that your desire is gratified
How may ! serve you?'
Lord Croyand." said the dramatic
young gentleman. '"there is a matter
which must be settled between us here
and now. Upon it depends my future
happiness"
"All right" responded the Texan
cheerily. shall it be rifles. pistols. lari-
ats. bowie knives or arbtra tion?'
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 1t can be settled by arbitra-
ton" he answered coldly. Twill you
kindly follow me to some less public
placer"
The two young gentlemen walked up
the road for a 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
1uagmire of trouble. They sat down
under tree and for a time remained
silent.
Smoker" asked Richard. holding
out his cigar case.
"Thank you. no." said the young
man sadly. 81 have no heart for pleas.
ure just at present. If you don't mind,
Wen 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 Il short sharp stick.
Lord Croyland." he began at last.
Gin this country openness and square
ness are the first principles. I've
heard that gentlemen have the same
ideas in England. Is this true?"
Richard bowed.
Every well. I'm going to ask you
plain. blunt question. without any in
tention OF offense. and | want you to
give me a straight. plain answer
Which one are you afterT
Richards cigar nearly dropped from
between his teeth. while he gazed at
his questioner in extreme astonish-
ment
(Which one OF what?" he asked
when he recovered himself.
"The girls" said Mr. Van der Awe.
perhaps didn't put it clearly"
| The Texan tried hard to conceal his
amusement and succeeded imperfecty.
"Ah. l see." he returned. (which
one are you after?"
"M.Ss Imogene," confessed the young
man without reserve. land If you don't
object to my confidence Lord Croy.
land, | love her as no man ever loved
girl before. It's ,t's--weli. hang it.
it's painful" He fell into a thought
full pause. then looked up again. Now.
think I've been perfectly candid with
you and | want you to be quite frank
with me. If it's Miss Chttendon we
can decide what to do later"
my dear fellow" said Richard.
you can't imagine how | appreciate
your openness and squareness. 1t
throws new light upon your glorious
American people. Allow me to give
you cigar and be equally unreserved.
While admit without hesitation that
Miss lmogene Chittendon is Il most
charming and utterly desirable young
lady, | beg to assure you. sir that
never for a single fraction of a second
have | entertained the least idea Of
of-in your own phrase. of going after
her. Is that satisfactory?
Entirely So" said Mr. Van der Awe.
holding out his hand with the nearest
approach to happiness he had yet
shown. I'm glad to know you in your
true. real light. You are not a bit like
other EnglishInen have met. Fact is.
you don't even talk like one"
Thanks bowed Richard. prudeptly
screwng in his monoc!e. The eyeglass
always made him feel like an idiot;
but. on the other hand. 1t gave a dash
Of local color to his appearance with
out which he would have been lost
rs there anything else in which / can
serve you. old ehap%
Eyes. Lord Croyland, there is. You
have very kindly stated to me that
Won have no Unfamiliar az ,,aai.inx N Lid