The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-06
The Betrayal
BY z. PHILLIPS oPPENHEIM
Copyright, 1905, by Dodd, Mead & Co.

uiiuOSI Duty L udu not lCI hCi
speak.
You've had swell callers again.
she remarked, as we sat side by
side at supper time. "a carriage
from Rowchester was outside your
door when ] passed"
"Ah, he's a good sort is the
duke" Mr.. Moyat declared appre.
ciatively. "A clever chap, too.
He's AL in politics, and a first class
business man, chairman of the great
Southern Railway Co., and on the
board of several other city com
panies."
II can't see what the gentry want
to NEEDLE with such things at all
for Mrs. Moyat said. There's
some as says the dukes lost more
than he can afford by specula.
tions."
"The dukes a shrewd man." Mr.
Moyat declared. ITS easy to talk
IF he hasn't lost money" Mrs
Moyat demanded, why is Rowches-
ter castle let to that American mil.
lionaire? Why doesn't he live there
HIMSELF"
Prefers the east coast" Mr..
.Moyat declared cheerfully. More
bracing, and suits his constitution
better. I've heard him say so my
self"
That is all very WE'LL" Mrs.
Moyat said, but l can't see that
Rowchester is a fit country home
for nobleman. What do you think,
Mr.. Ducaine?"
returned an evasive reply. Mrs.
Moyat nodded alphabetically.
"Of course" she said, you
haven't seen the house except from
the road, but I've been over it many
a time when Mrs. FELTON, was
housekeeper and the duke didn't
come down so often, and say that
it's poor place for a duke"
well, mother, we won't quarrel
about it," Mr.. Moyat declared. ris-
ing from the table. 81 must just
have look at the mare. Do you
look after Mr.. Ducaine, Blanche"
To my annoyance, the retreat of
Mr.. and Mrs. Moyat was evidently
planned, and accelerated by a
frown from their daughter. Blanche
and | were left Acknowledgment
|. too, rose to my feet.
Il must be going" l said, look
ing at the clock.
Blanche only laughed and babe
me sit down by her side.
I'm so glad dad brought you in
tonight" she said. did he say any.
thingto your
what about?'
Never mind" she answered,
archly. did he say anything at
all?"
HE did make me a very kind Of
fer" l admitted.
She looked at me eagerly.
"Well?"
II told him am expecting an
offer of work of some sort from the
duke. OF course it may not come.
In any case, 1t was very kind of Mr..
Moyat."
She drew a little closer to me.
1T was my idea," she whispered.
Il put 1t into his head
Then 1t was very kind of you,
too" l answered.
She was apparently disappointed.
We sat for several moments in ST.
lence. Then she looked around
with an air of mystery and whisper.
ed still more softly into my ear:
Il haven't said word about that
Ito anybody"
THANK you very much" an
swered. II was quite sure that you
wouldn't. as you had promised"
Again there was silence. She
looked at me with some return of
that half fearsome curiosity which
had first come into her eyes when
| made my request.
Wasn't the inquest horrid?" she
said. Father says they were five
hours decididng-and there's old
Joe Hassell; even now he won't
believe that-that--he came from
the sea-"
1T isn't pleasant subject"
said quietly. Let us talk of some
thing else"
She was swinging a very much
beaded slipper backwards and for.
wards and gazing at 1t Thoughtful.
ly.
81 don't know" she said, 81 can
help think Of 1t sometimes.
suppose 1t Is terribly wicked to
keep anything back like that, isn't
it,"
IF you feel that" said, "you
had better go and tell your father
everything"
She looked at me quickly.
Now you're cross" she exclaim.
ed. I'm sure / don't know why"
Il am not cross" said, but do
not wish you to feel unhappy about
It,"
II don't mind that" she answer.
ed. lifting her eyes to mine, If 1t is
better for YOU"
The door opened and Mr.. Moyat
appeared. Blanche was obviously
annoyed. l was correspondingly re.
lieved. I rose at once and took my
leave.
blanche got you to change your
mind?" he said. looking at me
closely.
Miss Moyat hasn't tried" an.
swered, shaking him by the hand
I'VE were talking about something
else"
ITO he cOntinuedN