Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-02-28

grew the more restless ana unhappy
on that account He did not want
crumbs; he craved the whole loaf.
He visited the theaters and the op-
era. but his thoughts we're not with
the painted puppets Of bygone days
was In no mood for comedy-he saw a
more stirring scene: A piebald bron-
cho. quiyering between his knees as It
tore through n bunch Of plunging
steers. weight In his arms and a limp
head hanging backward, a cheek that
had brushed his own. With her a ten
cent show would be a heavenly enter
tainment; without her "Gotterdammer-
ung'' was just a noise. Others not in
love have thought the same.
He spent his time In wandering aim
lessly about, making and rejecting one
idlotic plan after another. He was en-
tirely unknown In the city, lonely. mis-
cradle and as far from meeting the OBJ
ject OF his affection as though he were
back again in the Lone Star State.
On the morning Of the fifth day OF
his suspense while crossing upper
Fifth avenue he was nearly run down
by coffee colored touring car which
recklessly swung around a corner
skldding as It took the turn. He leap
ed for his life to the sidewalk. turned
and was about to express candid
opinion Of the driver when his sulphur
Gus salutation was exchanged for one
OF surprise and pleasure. The offend
ing automobile had come to stop, and
in Its solitary occupant Richard recog-
nized a friend OF former days, one
George Henry Fitz-C Clarence de Courcy
Howard, earl of Croyland.
This gentleman had spent several
months with Richard on the ranch In
Texas. and. while the two men had
few tastes In common, still a friend
ship knit upon the boundless plains is
usually more lasting than one contract
ed In the whirl and rush OF city life
In general appearance the two were
not unlike, both blonds, rather tall and
marked with the branding iron Of Wig
orous manhood. although Richard was
the younger, the fresher and the more
virile. The earl had been In America
for perhaps year, seeking by various
schemes to rehabilitate an impoverisb-
ed estate and in all his undertakings
meeting with Indifferent success. He
had become the sole owner of salt
ed" mine In Colorado; he had recouped
In Birmingham real estate. only to
drop his pile" again In Texas cattle.
At present his bow was strung with
two widely differing cords-one a Sc
cret mission, with lucrative promise.
for an oriental government regarding
the surreptitious purchase OF subma-
rines and other war material In viola
ton OF the neutrality laws: the other a
somewhat hackneyed scheme Of ex-
changing an earl's coronet tor a seven
figured bank account, he figure Of the
necessarily accompanying lady being a
matter Of little moment.
The meeting between the two was
cordial. not to say affectionate. A
friendly face In New York to Richard
was like water hole in the desert.
To the earl he was ss welcome as a
IA pun note when I'm strapped, by
CAD" Lord Croyland suggested a spin
in his motor. and Richard. who had
nothing but leisure on his hands aud
was glad Of any break In the dull md
notony, accepted with alacrity. The
motor was four cylinder Layton,
with a vicious back fire and n hoarse,
wet cough, which would have warned
an expert TO look after his igniter and
relieve the oil vent. The auto car was
rented, and. besides, machinery was a
detail TO be looked after In the garage;
therefore the driver hiccoughed up Rlv-
erside drive with a charming disregard
for signs and omens,
The Engllshman talked, and the Tex
IN listened. though he adroltly kept
the conversation In social vein on
the chase OF finding some opening for
an attack on lrvington. In this he was
not. disappointed, The earl had Sc
cured letters OF introduction to Jacob
Renwyck, but on calling at the Broad
street offices had found the gentleman
absent. He left his letters. together
with note Of regret, and had prompt
ly received cordial invitation TO Join
4 small house party in the home OF
the Renwycks ON the Hudson He
had accepted and intended to 20 there
on the following day. where his valet
would join him, bringing his luggage
from Washington
Richards heart rose and rejoiced
Here was "a possible chance TO NEE,
Miss Renwyck, yet he must proceed
with caution.
"Rehwyck," he said thdushtfuny
"Scems To ne I've heard that uamc.
Well ory'
The earl became 50 eloquent on tHo,
subjcc, that his companions susp'yiu1s
were at once aroused. and more SO a-
the EngllShm0u's attention was ri.
eted upon an income rather than be,
srrerlng gear,
Any daughters in the tamilyY ASA
Ell the Texan carelcssly,