Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-04-23

The Firm Of
Cird|eStOne|
A. CONAN DOYLE
SS-@S~
CHAPTER NJ.


and was duly retaled to him by his faith
er.
You need not be discouraged by that,
h. said. Il can always keep them apart
and if he is absent and you are present
especially as she has no idea of the cause
OF his absence-she Will end by feeling
sighted and preferring you"
Il cannot understand how you ever
came to let the matter go so far" his son
answered Sulenly. The girl belongs tc
us She was given to you to look after
and nice job you seem to have made
OF it,"
Never mind, my boy" replied the mer-
chant. IN answer for keeping them
apart if you will only push the matter
on your own account
I've said that | would do so, and
will" Ezra returned, and events soon
showed that he was as good as his word.
Before his African excursion the rela-
tions between young Grdlestone and his
fathers ward had never been cordial.
Hates nature, however, was so sweet and
forgiving that it was impossible for her
20 harbor any animoSity, and she greeted
Ezra kindly on his return from his trav-
els Within a few days she became con-
sc:ous that a remarkable change had come
over him-a change, as it seemed to her,
very much for the better. In the past
weeks had frequently elapsed without his
addressing her, but now he went out of
his way to make himself agreeable. Some
times he would sit for a whole evening
describing to her all that he had seen in
Africa, and really interesting her by his
account of men and things. She, poor
lass, hailed this new departure with de-
light, and did all in her power to encour-
age his better nature, and to show that
she appreciated the altera tion in his bear
ing. At the same time. she was rather
puzzled in her mind for an occasional
fash of coarseneSs or ferocity showed her
that the real nature of the man was un-
altered and that he was putting an un-
natural restraint upon himself.
AS the days went on and no word or
sign came from Tom, a great fear and
pcrplexity arose within the girls mind.
She had heard nothing of the interview
at Fenchurch street nor had she any clue
at all which could explain the mystery.
Could it be that Tom had informed her
ceived such a rebuff that he had aban-
doned her in despair? That was surely
impossible; yet why was it that he had
ceased to walk through the square? She
knew that ne was not i'll. because she
heard her two companions talking of him
Ia connection with business. What could
be the matter then? Her little heart was
torn by a thousand conflicting doubts and
fears.
In the Meantime Ezra gave fresh man
ifestations of the improvement which
travel had wrought upon him. She had
remarked one day that she was fond of
moss roses. On coming down to breakfast
next morning she found a beautiful moss
rose upon her plate, and every morning
afterwards a fresh flower appeared in the
same place. This pretty little piece of
courtesy, which she knew could only come
from Ezra, surprised and pleased her, for
delicacy was the last quality which she
would have given him credit for.
On another occasion she had expressed
a desire to read Thackeray's works, the
books in the library being for the most
purt somewhat ancient. On entering her
room that same evening she found to her
astonishment, a handsomely bound edition
of the novels in question standing on the
center of her table For a moment a wild,
unreasoning hope awoke in her that per
haps this was Toms doing-that he had
taken this means of showing that she was
still dear to him. She soon saw, however,
that the books could only have come from
the same source as the flowers, and she
marveed more than ever at this fresh
proof Of the good will of her companion.
One day her guardian took the girl
aside. Your life must be rather dull"
he said. Il have taken box for you to-
night at the opera | do not care about
such spectacles myself, but | have made
arrangements for your escort. A change
will do you good"
Poor Kate was too sad at heart to be
inclined for amusement. She endeavored,
however. to look pleased and grateful.
My good friend. Mrs. Wilkinson. is
coming for you" the merchant said, 'and
Ezra is going too. lie has great liking
for music"
Kate could not help smiling at this last
remark, as she thought how very success
fully the young man had concealed his
taSJe uuTlDS the years Iudl she ndu huO"u
him.
She was ready, however, at the ap-
pointed hour, and Mrs. Wilkinson, prim
old gentlewoman, who had chaperoned
Kate on the rare occasions when she went
out, having arrived, the three drove off
together.
The opera happened to be Faust" and
the magnificent scenery and dresses aston
ished Kate, who had hardly ever before
been within the walls Of a theater. She
sat as if entranced. with a bright tinge
of color upon her cheeks. which, with her
sparkling eyes, made her look surprisingly
beautiful. So thought Ezra Girdlestone
as be sat in the recesses of the box and
watched the varied expressions which fit
ted across her mobile features. "She is
well worth having. money or no." he NUT
tered to himself, and redoubled his atten
tions to her during the evening.
An incident occurred between the acts
that night which would have pleased the
old merchant had be witnessed it. Kate
had been looking down from the box,
which was upon the third tier, at the sea
Of heads beneath them. Suddenly she