The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-01-24
CHAPTER XII.


seen her commercially tucked away in
one Arst-class carriage with bis own
travelling rug for pillow. sought another.
Mrs. Spry was heavy-eyed when she
Awoke, and yawned behind her little
gloved hand as she stood upon the plat
form watching the assiduous O'Rourke.
who hustled hither and thither in her
behalf In his own brightest and most
cheerful manner.
II suppose your friends expect you at
II forget the name Of the place. ia
nenne7 Is 1t Janenne" He glanced at
her quickly and with so evident a surprise
that she added: "Mr. Maskelyne told
me you were going there. Is that the
name Of the placer"
''There Is little place of that name"
said O'Rourke. "Maskeiyne and were
there together a few days ago. I may
70 on, or I may not. l shall probably
have q day or two in Brussels in any
ase."
When the hotel was reached, O'Rourke
secured rooms for his delightful compan-
ion and ordered for her at her request
a cup of warm milk and biscuit. This
modest rejection was conveyed to her bed
acknowledgement of obligation.
II Mrs. Spry had been charming the
night before, she was still more delight
full next morning. O'Rourke made guess
as to her age, and set her down as being
between three and four and twenty, in
which he fattered her. Bearing in mind
all the while how time was flying and
how it behooved him to make the most of
chances which were likely to be limited,
he turned the conversation to the lady's
probable movements. Did she intend to
stay long in Brussels? he asked
swell, no." she answered. with be-
coming little blush ''There's only one
thing brings me here. There's an old
lady living here-a little hard up, I'm
afraid, Mr.. O'Rourke. She's relative
of my poor dear late husband's-a distant
relative, but the only one he had, and he
left her out in the cold. I'm afraid she's
not very likely to be very good friends
with me, but l want to make it up with
Sher IL she'll let me-" O'Rourke's atten-
tive and sympathetic face was worth a
volume of commonplace answers to this
statement. sand them" said the widow,
I've got friend to see, and then I've
done with Belgium. shall go and see
Paris again, and shall try to persuade
my friend to 60 with me. l haven't seen
her for two years, but she's the dearest
girl In the world"
"That," said O'Rourke, SIS a ffatterins
description. Is your friend in Brussels?"
"No. From what I can learn, she's
gone and buried herself alive in some
dreadful quiet place; miles and miles
away from everywhere. I've looked it
up ON the map, and I make out Namoor
to be the nearest city. It's little place
called Houfoy."
II have been there" returned ORourke,
with admirable naturalness. '"There is
only one English family residing there.
/ Il have the pleasure to know them"
"Oh," said the lady, rapidly and enthu-
siastically, do you know Angela Butler
! oh, now, really! say, what little
place the world is. to be sure Well,
now, do wonder that young George
Maskelyne never told me that you knew
Angela Butler"
II only know them very slightly" said
O'Rourke. II only met them fortnight
ago. No; three weeks since"
"Oh," purred the widow, making her
companion. II adore Angela Butler,
Don't you adore her, Mr.. O'Rourke2 Oh,
I'm sure You do"
II think her a very charming girl.
Frank, clever, English-thoroughly Eng
sish."
-'Oh, SO very English" said Mrs. Spry
"And you are going to Houfoy to see
Miss Butler2" asked ORourke. "That
II delightful news indeed to me. We
shall be neighbors. am going to ia
nenne to see some old friends Of mine,
and Janenne il the nearest village to
Houfoy."
"That will be pleasant" said Mrs.
Spry. When she had said this she low.
cred her head away suddenly, and a Sec
ond or two later shot a most vanQuishins
glance at O'Rourke.
She discharged her one little bit OF
bright afternoon in early June, with the
constant O'Rourke in attendance, for
Houfcy, having previously advised An
gela Of her coming by wire.
let me see, now" said Mrs. Spry,
holding her head on one side and locking
up at O'Rourke thoughtfulfy. "How long
will It take this train to reach Hsufey ~
ut does not 60 on to Houfoy," return
I'd O'Rsurke. ut reaches Janenne In
-four hours and Ave minutes"
II think you know everything, Mr..
O'Rsurke," said the lady, admiringly.
Then, clasping her hands with a soft fer
vor, "Wili you do me . favor, Mr..
O'Reurke"
"Try me-" said o'Rourke, with his
own admirable mixture Of Jest and earn
est.
"Will you 60 to the telegraph bureau
and write a telegram? In French, or
these dreadful foreigners'll bungle it.
From Mrs. Spry, Brussels, to Miss Angela
Butler. the Chateau, Houfoy. To say
that I shall be at-what's the name of
the station2-at-when does the train get
there2-and to ask her to meet me there
Because she might forget"
MAY look at your books?" he said
Certainly" she answered, taking ur
. Loose handful and handing them over
to him. As she did so his eyes met hers
and he drew them away with a sac
reluctance. Mrs. Spry blushed, and
opened one of the paper-bound volumes.
"Ahi" cried O'Rourke, brightly, a mo
urent later, you have bought 'Firefies,
see."