The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-02-21
CHAPTER XIX.

If Fraser had been given to the analy-
sis of his own spiritual symptoms, he
might have been little surprised to dis
cover how aromatic and tonic draught
he had imbibed in learning to hate
O'Rourke.
"I've bit of news" he said one day
to Maskelyne. maybe yell be able to
guess why l bring it. O'Rourke's going
to be married"
"Yes?" said Maskelyne, quietly. Fra
but he was not the sort of man to make
show of his pain.
"Hes engaged to friend Of yours, "
said Fraser. 1T was you that introduced
him to her."
II think not" returned Maskelyne.
"Ye did, though" cried Fraser. II got
the news from Mrs. Farley, and she got
It from the lady herself"
II introduced O'Rourke to an Ameri-
can lady here" said Maskelyne, rising
from his seat involuntarily-"a Mrs.
Spry."
THAT'S what I'm telling ye," said Fra
ser. They're going to be married" Mas
kelyne sat down again without word.
"Hector O'Rourke is going to be married
to the Mrs. Spry to whom you introduced
him month or two ago. There's no sort
of humbug or nonsense about it, for it's
a fact"
II can hardly believe It," returned
Maskelyne.
I'VE don't seem to be woildly delight
ed" said Fraser, after all. I thought
ye'd skip like young he goat upon
the mountains"
II am very much obliged to you, in
deed" Maskelyne answered. II will 60
and see O'Rourke," he added, with an
air of sudden decision and awakening.
"Well," said Fraser, rubbing his hands
and beaming, 1.-THE interview ought to be
q pleasant one. I'll not keep ye from it
moment. I'll say good-morning."
The two shook hands on the pavement
In front of the hotel, and Fraser stood
there to watch Maskelyne as he stepped
into a cab and drove away.
"Now," said Fraser, nodding and smil-
dng to himself, "that's not moy oydoyal of
an ardent lover. But there's spoke num-
Der nine in your wheel, Hector, me boy /;
and there's another or two in the course
Of manufacture"
Maskelyne wandered about In his own
homemade labyrinth until he had quite
made up bis mind that there was no
way out Of 1t, or through it. But finally
he packed up a portmanteau, took the
tidal train and carried his cobwebs to
Brussels. There they were just as strong
and unbreakable as ever, and even when,
q day or two later, he carried them to
Janenne, they seemed to bind him in like
strands of steel. But being actually at
Janenne, he found that he had added n
new perplexity to the old ones. He was
still as far as ever from seeing his way
to Houfoy, but he saw quite clearly that
It was impossible not to 20.
The day was inclining toward it's close
and there was a sense of ease In the
wide fields to which he was not alto
gether insensible, foolishly broken I'D and
down In spirit as he was. The fields
were moro inviting than the road in MANY
ways, not least perhaps, because they
offered fewer chances of encounter.
Sauntering In this downcast and irres-
olute mood, he found himself suddenly
charged by troop of half dozen dogs,
who all leaped and bayed about him,
with demonstrations of welcome. Follow.
Ing them, a gun under his arm, appeared
the major, and behind the major an at.
tendant, who bore the dead bodies of a
pair of weIl-grown foxes.
"Hillo!" cried the major cheerily, while
yet a hundred yards away. How are
you, old fellow2 Upon my word, I'm glad
to see you. How's O'RourkeT"
HE was in health when I saw him
last" said Maskelyne, on whose nerves
the mention Of his wicked rival grated.