The Havre herald., 1908-03-13
CHApTNR XIX

If Fraser had been given to the analy-
sis of his own spiritual symptoms, he
might have been a 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
ser's bit of news was like stab to him,
but he was not the sort of man to make
a show of his pain. ii
He's engaged to a friend Of yours, :"
said Fraser. "It was you that introduced
him TO her"
Il think not,' returned Maskelyne.
"Ye did though" cried Fraser. II got
the news from Mrs. Farley, and she got
1t from the lady herself"
can lady here" said Maskelyne, rising
from his seat involantarily-"a Mrs.
Spry."
THAT'S what Tn telling ye," said Fra
ser. They're going to be married" Mas
kelyne sat down again without a 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 1t, for it's
a fact"
II can hardly believee it." returned
Maskelyne.
''Ye don't seem to be woildly delight
ed" said Fraser, latter all. thought
ye'd skip like young he goat upon
the mountains"
II am very much obliged to you, in
deed" Maskelyne answered. II will go
and see O'Rourke," he added, with an
air Of sudden decision and awakening.
"Well," said Fraser, rubbing his hands
and beaming, ''the interview ought to be
pleasant one. I'll not keep ye from it
a 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 his mind that there was no
way out Of 1t, or through it. hut 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,
a day Ior two later, he carried them to
Janenne, they seemed to bind him in ike
strands of steel. But being actually at
Janenne he found that he had added a
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
1t was impossible not to So
The day was inelining 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 up and
down in spirit as he was. The fields
were more 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 a troop of half dozen dogs,
who all leaped and bayed about him.
with demonstrations Of welcome. Follow
Ing them, gun under his arm, appeared
the major, and behind the major an at
sendant, who bore the. dead bodies OF a
pair OF well-grown foxes.
'Hillo!" cried the major cheerily, while
yet hundred yards away. How are
you, old fellow? Upon my word, I'm glad
to see you. How's O'Rourke ?''
HE was in health when T saw him
last said Maskelyne. on whose nerves
the ment1on Of his wicked rival grated