Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-09-10
E.Szzszaz -. EzzHrrzxza

should rather think she could" he said
with sincerity that was almost pathetic
THE man who loved Gussie would bt
thankful for anything she could give
HIM"
contraction that followed such unaccus
toned expansion, he shook hands formal
ly with his small hostess.
Got all my boxes to pack, you see
have to be off by the ten-thirty train sc
as to take to-morrow's steamer from New
York. Good-by."
Annette followed him to the door
Don't you think"-she made up her
mind quckly-"wouldn' it be possible
for You to stop in and see Gussie if only
for a moment this afternoon? l think
she'll be hurt if she finds you've been
here without looking her up"
I'm afraid | can't fatter myself
! Buist's tone was determnedly brisk. BE
sides, why should she know? You'll have
to keep my secret, Miss Bancroft" He
| backed into the hall. There's a great
deal to be done and it's getting beastly
| late"
Indeed, the little hall outside was un-
deniably dim.
Feeling for his hat with some haste in
the shade, Buist diSlodged a sheaf of
cards. stuck in the rack that came pelting
him with light touches, and, even as he
opened the door, one fell t1uttering out
on to the step outside, where the faint
Italian script stared up at him impudent-
ly, revealed by the fading light: prince
Rodcrigo del Pino," and a curious crest.
The mark of the beast Again the
track of those alien footsteps that had
invaded his hunting ground.
Buist stared at the little strip of paste
board with a puzzled frown. When had
he been here? He closed the door with
an exasperated slam and stalked down
the steps.
Certainly Annette had had very little to
say about Del Pine, yet, on the other
hand, what was there to be said? Why
should not one fellow passenger of the
Majestic hunt up another? and what pos
sible concern was it of his-Gerald Buist?
His mind reverting to nearer, more
personal. more painful matters, the Eng
lishman made his way thoughtfully to
the street corner. But at the lamp
post he came to a sudden halt.
Standing quite still. he looked ahead
of him. a very keen look in his eyes, for
there, coming up the avenue toward him
with familiarly jaunty gait, was slim,
supple. unnistakable figure.
"Ah :" CALCULATED Buist.
His face set in uncompromsng creases.
he went forward again. looking stiffiy
ahead of him.
Not my friend VI. Buist?" Del Pine
stopped short. This Washington, in
deed. supplies the unexpected" He scru-
tinized the Englishman with smiling eyes
that told nothing. What in the world
are you doing here?'
Buist ignored the cordially outstretched
hand.
Very much what you are, l fancy
he returned with such conspicuous lack
of cordiality on his part that the others
smile broadened and deepened.
Then you must be amusing yourself
very successfully" he commented airily.
For me-my kind friends here provide
continually some agreeable advertisement.
Mais propos-you come perchance from
5 street," The smile died out of the
slanting eyes, which acquired a sudden
metallic CLINT. How is the charming
Miss BancrOft?'
For an instant Buist contemplated the
Italian somberly, and then, turning on his
heel You will probably have an oppor-
tunity soon of judging for yourself" he
reioined curtly. Good afternoon" And
he strobe on with a somewhat unneces-
sarily martial tread.
Why in the world was Del Pine hang
ing around here? That was a question
that was agitatng him as he tramped
down the avenue.
Annette was an uncommon good sort
with unwonted enthusiasm the English
man admitted that, even though his 10y
atty. his irrepressble pride in the wom-
an he had loved for so long, told him
that the girls modest attractions could
not be considered in the running with
Gussies.
Gerald thought be understood what for
eigners of Del Pno's stamp admired in
women. which made it seem all the more
mysterious to him that this man-in fact
that any man, whom Mrs. Warng de-
lighted to honor. should have the oppor-
tunity. let alone the inclination, to appre-
ciate Annette Bancroft.
What ak did the Italian expect to grind
in S street? Was he playing a double
game with two women, ora very alert
look came into Gerald's eyes-was he
out of it entirely as far as one of them
was concerned? Could it be possible that,
even at this the eleventh hour, with ev-
erything in his favor, the Prince del Pine
had been turned down?
BUST reached this overwhelming ques-
ton point and Dupont Circle simutane-
ously, and stood moment considering
she situation then, half mechanically, he
turned into Massachusetts avenue. He
walked rapidly, with an absorbed look on
his grave face. his rather slow mind grap-
pling with a problem that was bewider-
ing enough Why should Mrs. Warnings
accepted lover have called on Annette
Bancroft twice within three days-unlesS
he was not Mrs. Warnings accepted
lover?
Geralds steps uncOnsciously slackened
Half a dozen doors away from him loom
ed up a white exterior of ornate lines,
an exterior with which, though Gerald
bad never crossed its threshold, he seem
ed oddly familiar.
Il suppose" he muttered, consulting
his watch interestedly. that it would be
4 &. in, e.. e..