The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-01-24
CHAPTER y.--(Continusa.)

st. Petersburg, but Travelled in the first
instance to the care of one DR.. Brun,
of Hollington place, London. In the soil
tude of his own chamber Mr.. Zeno per-
mitted himself an accurate and intimate
acquaintance with the French language.
little of it as he allowed himself for his
present purposes to know outside.
Meanwhile things were going more
pleasantly in the garden. Angela, with
little twnge of conscience, had informed
Austin that Major Butler would be de-
lighted to meet him and had expressed
his great regret that he had been unable
to make the call he had contemplated that
day. The fact that the major had charg-
ed her with this message did not help her
much, for she knew it's hollowness. The
major rather dreaded the advent of
man who wrote books and regarded Aus
tin as fellow who would be likely to
know lot Of things and expect other
people to know them also.
ord meek wun of the porty meself,'
said Fraser, with his own invaluable sang
froid, but olive need up me moind to
60 back tomorrow"
Tomorrow said O'Rourke. That's
little sudden, isn't it?"
Il wish you'd come, O'Rourke," said
Maskelyne. But Major Butler is a
dreadful Tory, and I am rot sure that
you'd care to meet each other"
Major Butler might convert me, per-
haps," said O'Rourke. mo, no. Clearly
I am impossible" He spoke with. 80 per-
feet gayety and good humor that he
hurt nobody. But little later he con-
trived to get Maskclyne apart, and to
question him about matter which had
puzzled him a good deal. How does ysur
dreadful Tory,s niece contrive to be "a
miliar with Dobroski, when a mere Home
Ruler like myself L. quite too terrible for
the old gentleman? cali him the old
gentleman with no dishrespect," he added.
with his delightful smile. "And, Of
course he may be young gentleman,
and still be the lady's uncle, though.
again. he ia her guardian. and probably
elderly"
"Dobroski and Miss Buffers father
were dear friends" said Maskelyne, re-
peating what he had heard from Angela.
when Dobroski escaped from Siberia
he landed in England without funds or
friends. Miss Buffers father found him
out, maintained him, 80 far as can
learn, for years, and was a stanch friend
to him. She has known him from child
hood, and has great affection and ven
Grafton for him. 1t is a difficult posi-
ton, for he and her uncle are at daggers
now. But Dobroski seems to worship
her"
Yes I can see that" O'Rourke an
swered. "a charming girl" he added
| softly, and in SO natural a way that Mas
kelyne supposed him to be ignorant OF
| his own interest in her. There's ro-
nance In the situation, too" he continued
in lighter tone. Maskelyne, with mere
nod in answer made move in Angela
direction. mo-" said ORourke. putting
an arm through one of his. you don't
| escape me in that way. | have something
| to say to you, and l know that you will
| be shfty and evasive and undetermined
in your ways until have said it. Let me
speak, old fellow, We shall both be
easier. I can't tell you what I think and
feel about that splendid loan of yours
l was really desperate. I don't know
what l should have done without it.
VERY WE'LL" said Maskelyne. pressing
| HIS Cblu pdulOl dilu Will Il SESluit VI
affection, but speaking very dryly;."it is
over now?"
mo, my friend of outward marble anc
inward tenderness, it is not over. And il
never will be-
"Once for ALL O'Rourke. bury that con
founded thing, and have done with it.
"Well, there, the thing is buried. II
say no more till | can pay you back again
But I suppose you don't forbid me Il
think of it in the meantime? 1t was thu
only kindness in that way 1 ever had O.
ever wanted l shan't forget it; that
all. And now it's buried" -
On the following day O'Rourke took
quiet walk by unknown ways across tn
fields. He was a born townsman. and hat
but little love for rural tranquilities b.
nature but he was already weary of tn
work of the session, apd was glad to es
cape to fresh air and silence for awhile
One gentle little hill after another drew
him on, He would see what lay beyon
this gentle eminence and then he woul
see what iav beyond the next. and in thi
fashion he sauntered on until he came i
sight of a most exaggeratedly castellate
house of gray stone standing in the mds
of dark pine woods. The building wa
of moderate size, but its peaks and tut
, rets dwarfed it, and from little dis
lance made it look at least as much like
| child's toy as a dwelling house for res
| people. This was the chateau Of Roufo!
and the present residence of Major Blu
1 Ter.
/ The wanderer, who had fairly goo
| taste in most things, stood for momel
| Ito smile at this preposterous edihce. an
! then walked on again. 1t was a day
cloudy soft light, and the air was VOL
derfully sweet. The woods were in Il
4 freshness of their greenery, and the dar
\ hues of the contrasting pines set off Il
LIGHTER foliage. a few hundred yards b
= fore him lay the first link of a riv
which went winding in rounded zigZs
! until it lost itself to view behind tt
shoulder of a wood-clad hill.
He stroiled down to the river side, al
there cast himself upon the grass, al
stared up at the soft motionless cloud