Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-10

being rising 1t boased a level sea
front of soft turf, fanked by a carriage drive and
of villas aggressvey and of architec-
ure. Its great pride lay in mileong stretch of firm
yellow sands, where the long waves broke in rhythmic
music, and where the children from big smoky towns
played and had donkey rides, and the grown-ups like
wise from the regions of CRIME and bustle bathed and
lounged through July and August and part of Septem-
ber and then went away, leaving the place drear-
and desolation until the holiday season came
round again. All the land of the entire district was
owned by Mrs. Renchester, and her decease would
go to her only son, Lonel-only child in fact-whose
ambitions certainly did center in the role of
model lord of the manor, and who far prouder of
the tact that a little play he had written had
cessfuy curtainraser at West End theatre than
of all the goody heritage by and by be his in that
western county of historic renown.
A wing of Renchester House portioned off as
othces and there Mr. Duncan, the agent mild anemc
looking young man. with tow-colored hair blue spec
tacles and facial expression bordering the clerical
attended to the matters of the estate, and with him
Miss Carlyle to have considerable dealings for
Mrs Renchester, like elderly ladies' had only the
vagues ideas of business, and obliged obtain the
help of this evel-headed, clever girl, who soon CON
rived effect several minor improvements in the man.
agement of the property.
IF only Leo took the interest in the place that you
do my DEAR" sighed the old lady one day when May
had been with her some six weeks, what comfort it
would be to mel But he is wrapped up in his writing
and when this book that he is seeing published
in London now, and he down here again. he will
begin another novel and be lost to everything else
Dut now proud you must be OF him ! urged the girl,
with sparkling eyes. g" should feel like having band
at the station to meet him, and fireworks and all
of grand dongs afterward. Do you know I am get
ting quite excited it is at the thought of his coming
home, for have real live author 70
You are certain to like him. said his mother smil-
ing HE is the dearest fellow when he can be brought
to realize that actual heshand-bood people exist out
side the covers of books and off the stage of theatres
often wish he would notice his fellow creatures for
something than copy purposes and take fancy
to nice girl and marry her.
For one wild moment the memory of her own ten
thousand pounds waiting be claimed by way of the
altar flashed through Mays mind and she felt the hot
blood mount into her cheeks although she answered
carelessly:
Il daresay that is exactly what he will be doing one
of these days He must constantly be meeting the most
charming of in town.
Hardly think, dear. He is by no means fond of
the capital S Society, he calls it, and he is always
busy when he is away from home"
Then his fancee will come as all the greater sur
prise to you, laughed May; and Lionel Renchesters
matrimonial possibilities did not again enter her
thoughts until the evening of his arrival home his book
fairly launched and its praises flowing from the pens
of its critics