Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1908-01-04
CHAPTER v.-fContinued.)


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 a
little twinge of conscience, had informed
Austin that Major Butler would be de-
lighted to meet him and had expressed
his great regret that be 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 its 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
go 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 q
dreadful Tory, and l am not sure that
you'd care to meet each other"
Major Butler might convert me, per-
haps," said O'Rourke mo, no. Clearly
am impossible" He spoke with SO per-
feet gayety and good humor that he
hurt nobody. But little later he con-
trived to get Maskelyne apart, and to
question him about a matter which had
puzzled him good deal. How does your
dreadful Tory's niece contriye to be ia
miliar with Dobroski, when mere Home
Ruler like myself is quite too terrible for
the old gentleman? / call him the old
gentleman with no dishrespect," he added,
with his delightful smile. And, of
course, he may be a young gentleman,
and still be the lady's uncle, though,
again, he is her guardian, and probably
elderly"
'Dobroski and Miss Buffers father
were dear friends" said Maskelyne, re-
peating what be 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, 30 far as I can
learn, for years, and was a stanch friend
to him. She has known him from child
hood, and has a great affection and ven
Grafton for him. 1t is difficult posi-
ton, for he and her uncle are at daggers
now. But Dobroski seems to worship
her."
Eyes, 1 can see that" O'Rourke an
swered. "A charming girl" he added,
softly, and in SO natural 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 a lighter tone. Maskelyne, with mere
nod in answer, made a move in Angela's
direction. NO" said O'Rourke, putting
an arm through one of his. you don't
escape me In that way. 1 have something
to say to you, and know that you will
be shifty and evasive and undetermined
in your ways until have said it. Let me
speak, old fellow. We shall both be
easier. l can't tell you what think and
feel about that splendid loan of yours
/ was really desperate. don't know
what / should have done without it,
VERY WELL" said Maskelyne, pressing
his companions arm with a gesture of
affection, but speaking very dryly 1T is
over now?"
mo, my friend Of outward marble and
inward tenderness, 1t is not over. And it
never will be-
"Once for all, O'Rourke, bury that con-
founded thing, and have done with 1t.
well, there, the thing is buried I'll
say no more till can pay you back again.
But l suppose you don't forbid me to
think Of 1t In the meantime7 1t was the
only kindness In that way l ever had or
ever wanted. sha'n't forget it.; that's
all. And now it's buried"
On the following day O'Rourke took a
quiet walk by unknown ways across the
fields. He was born townsman, and had
but little love for rural tranqullities by
nature, but he was already weary of the
work of the session, and 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 beyond
this gentle eminence, and then he would
see what lay beyond the next, and in this
fashion he sauntered on until he came in
sight of most exaggeratedly castellated
house of gray stone standing in the midst
Of dark pine woods. The building was
of Z moderate size, but its peaks and tur-
rets dwarfed it, and from little dis
lance made it look at least as much like a
child's toy as dwelling house for real
people. This was the chateau of Roufoy.
and the present residence of Major But
Ter.
The wanderer, who had fairly good
taste in most things, stood for a moment
to smile at this preposterous edifce, and
then walked on again 1t was a day of
cloudy soft light, and the air was won
derfully sweet. The woods were in the
freshness of their greenery. and the darb