The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-03
CHAPTER XII.

~ICHARD, much to his chagrin
and disgust, did not see Miss
Harriet until the four ladies
- and the two gentlemen sat
down to luncheon. To one thing he
had made up his mind defnitely-he
would follow Mr.. Corrigan's advice
and brazen it out, putting his faith
In luck, but helping luck along with
assurance. From the opposite side Of
the table the fair Imogene cast Ian
gushing glances in his direction, while
on his left the ancient Miss Schermer-
ly grew positively sprightly and Gov
cred him with Calling gun of per-
picking questions. She wanted au-
thentic information regarding barons.
earls and noble dukes, to all of which
Richard gave ready but quaint an
swers-answers that might have caused
the English aristocracy to rise in one
vast, furious mass and lynch him
without formalities of trial or benefit
Of clergy.
"How different it is from what we
read in novels" said Mrs. Renwyck.
I'm afraid our American authors are
i'll informed. Really, they ought to
travel more"
"They travel enough, but / fancy
they do not get into the best society
abroad" suggested Miss Schermerly.
II shall prepare a paper upon that
very subject for the Woman's Liter
airy league. Would you have any OBJ
lection, Lord Croyland, if 1 quoted
you as an authority?"
mot in the least" said Richard gal
lantly. "In fact. my dear Miss Scher-
merly, l should be honored-vastly So"
He smiled on himself at the thought
Of the real Lord Croyland should that
gentleman ever chance to read the pa
per in question, but that was Croy-
lands affair, not his.
81 will bring my notebook into the
library this afternoon" the ancient
one stated, and, with smile to Rich
ard, could you help me then, do you
think?"
II should be most pleased" said
Richard, with an answering smile,
but / fear I'm engaged to Miss Rem
wyck this afternoon for quite long
horseback ride. At another time 1
shall be charmed, assure you"
Miss Harriet started. She was I'M
aware of any such engagement, but
somehow the idea did not displease
her. She smiled and offered to release
Lord Croyland, but that gentleman
would not hear of it,
"By the way" said Miss Harriet in
order to change the subject, "Imogene
tells me that you have agreed to take
part in our little play 1t is awfully
good of you to help us out"
mot at ALL" answered Richard. with
pronounced sadness. ct is a pleas
ure to serve you in any way"
Mr.. Van der Awe in thunderstruck
amaZement stared blankly across the
table, while his half raised fork fell
gathering upon his plate.
ooh, 1 say he began, but Rich
ard arrested further speech by swift
glance. There was silence for mo-
ment; then Miss Renwyck spoke:
"You don't seem to be overenthu-
siastic at the prospect, Lord Croyland.
Don't you think the part would suit
you?'
The Texan considered her words
thoughtfully. fumbled for his monocle.
got it into position after another gym
sighed deliberately.
1.-THE part" he stated. with a slow
drawl, "is delightful as l understand
it-but-shall l be perfectly candid.
Miss Renwyck"
The ladies in q breath assured him
that that was just what they wished.
so he continued, struggling with en-
barrassment:
1--WE never gone in for that sort of
thing-er-but once and confess with
regret that caused fiasco. Pm very
stupid at such things really. you
know, abominable. 1t is rather the
duty of guest to comply with the
wishes of his hostess, and. feel 1t in
cumbent upon me to make a trial Of
the role. even IL the outcome holds me
up to open ridicule. We Englishmen
appear bit eccentric to Americans, l
am fully aware, but nevertheless 1t
hurts at times when
He paused and looked at his plate in
deep confusion. Miss Harriet blushed
furiously. She had wounded her guest
unwittingly and was sincerely sorry
Lord Croylend. she thought. was act
ing very nobly in thus sacrificing him
self for the sake of her foolish whims
and she ought to have consulted him
first Of all. She made up her mind at
once and turned to him impusively.
Lord Croyland.' she said. II beg
you to believe me when l say that |
never thought for an instant of hold
ing you up to ridicule. Won't you for
give me? 1t was splendid Of you to
agree. and-there-we won't have the
play at air.
But. my dear Miss Renwyck," Rich
ard protested, IL should feel frightful-
ly cut up II you abandoned 1t on my
account. Do so on with II. Perhaps
shan't be so jolly bad nfter all. IT,