Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-01-31


that which existed between the little
American lady and either Of them. The
married woman had her own experiences
to guide her, and she saw that the girl
was sad at Maskelyne's prolonged alb
sence. She more than guessed, too, that
the young American had retired before
O'Rourke's advances, which had been suf-
hciently apparent to the observant wom-
an. And now that O'Rourke was so
plainly paying court to a richer woman
than Angela, his old friends wife, who
had known him for years and had regard
ed him with an almost sisterly affection,
began to think i'll of him. and found it a
painful and grievous thing to do.
Before Maskelyne's departure Angela's
manner to ORourke had been that of
open friendship, and now it was marked
by disdain so ill-concealed that, so far
as Lucy was concerned, it might as well
not have been concealed at all. The girls
mingled sadness and anger had been so
evident one afternoon, when Lucy and
O'Rourke had visited the chateau to-
gether, that her new friends heart grew
hot with sympathy for her and with in
dignation at the patriot, and on reaching
home she marched straight to her hus-
bands room.
"Ah, little woman" he said, brightly,
looking up at her, you are back again.
Wait half minute, and l shall be done
for to-day"
Austin" returned his wife, seriously,
Il want to speak to you"
us there anything the matterf You
look quite grave"
Austin" she began, st don't like the
patriot, as you call him."
Don't like O'Rourke?" cried Austin,
in surprise.
II do not like him, Austin. He is play
ing a mean part here. 1 am sure of it,
And he makes me help him play it. He
has done so. until now, but / am so
ashamed and unhappy about it that he
shall never do it any more"
Tell me everything" said Austin,
standing over her with troubled face
Let me understand"
"You remember young Mr.. Maskelyne,
the American? Did you ever notice him
and Angela together? There was seri-
GUS attachment between them. Then came
Mr.. O'Rourke, and made love to his
friends sweetheart, and l am certain he
knew that Mr.. Maskelyne cared for her."
well, well, my DEAR" said Austin,
laughing. Let the best man win. I
should have thought you would have
been pleased to see O'Rourke settled.
Why, I've heard you advise him to mar
ry"
Yes" she answered somewhat hotly
but I never advised him to be trencher-
Gus to his friend. And that isn't all,
Austin Listen. 1t is no laughing mat
ter. He made love to Angela watch
ed him, and l saw it all. Young Mr..
Maskelyne Is no sooner driven off the
field and the girl made miserable than
Mr.. O'Rourke comes here with this veal
thy American widow, and, under the very
nose Of he poor girl whose sweetheart
he chased away, he is making love to
Mrs. Spry. He is fortune hunter, Aus
tin. Hs Is using me to get near this
poor little widow. She's a dreadful sim
pleton, but she's a dear little creature.
all the same. I own that Mr.. O'Rourks
has delightful manners. He is very clev-
or, and he can be very charming. Austin.
a fortune hunter is creature despise.S
Look here, my dear. I'll 60 and have
a talk about this with O'Rourke himself"
Austin !" cried his wife in genuine
feminine horror. 81 wouldn't have you
speak of ii for the world"
You'd have me suspect an old friend
and not tell him of it? An odd pro-
posal, isn't it2"
Austin you make me angrier than |
was. will never speak to that base
man again"
Nov, come" said Austin. "rhis is
growing serious"
1t had grown so serious that Mrs.
Farley aN~Nated herself from the supper
table tina. evening and declined Austin's
entreaties to join O'Rourke and himself
in the little garden afterward.
You can tell him that | have a head
ache" said Lucy. Austin nodded and
walked straight into his study. where
he solemnly set down this memorandum
ITO be observed. Candor and yerac-
ity. Feminine"
Then he descended to the garden and
sat with O'Rourke over a cup of coffee.
"O'Rourke." he blurted out. whats
the matter between you and nv wife?v
"Ahl" said O'Rourke, as well and as
readily as if he had seen the bludgeon
heliins' anu hdu waited 10 parry IL.
You've noticed it, have your What is
lit She's annoyed with me. She gave
me real snub this afternoon on the way
back from Houfoy. And you know, old
man." he went on, with an air of half
comic, half earnest regret, 'she and
have always been such friends. Do me a
good turn. Farley. Find out for me what's
the matter and let me make my peace"
You've no idea what it is?" said Aus
tin. O'Rourke noticed a sound of relief