Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-12-17
CHAPTER vI.-(Continued.) J

Miss Desmond had been little more
than a week at Inklefield, when, re
turning home from the neighboring
vicarage, whence she had been dis
patched with a message respecting
some of the local charities to which
Mrs. Savllle contributed, she entered
the drawing-room through one of the
French windows which opened on a
veranda and thence on to the grounds
The lady of the house was not there
but lounging comfortably In her espe-
cial chair sat a gentleman, who, dl.
rectly Miss Desmond entered, rose and
made her a bow-a bow which proved
that bowling was not yet quite lost
ert. He was tall, elderly man Of un
certain age, slight and elegant. with
fine aquiline features and lght-blue
laughing eyes that looked as II boy
hood still fingered there In spite Of the
wavy hair that curled round rather
low but well-shaped forehead. He was
carefully, admirably dressed, and inde
OIL anu SOOi, lliOu6h ~ w Is
q burning August day
ALLOW me to explain my appearance
here" he said, In pleasant, youthful
voice. Il have taken the exceedingly
uninteresting journey from London to
this place, and l now await its amia
bic mistress's pleasure as to whether
she will see me or not"
HAS she been told you are here?'
asked Miss Desmond, taking off a large
garden-hat, which she continued to
hold in her hand, wondering who this
could be. Mrs Savllles visitors had
hitherto been few and far between, her
acquaintances at that season being
scattered in remote regions.
Yes, I believe her major-domo has
conveyed my pasteboard to the august
presence. And the stranger, with the
air of being very much at home, drew
forward a chair, which Miss Desmond
did not accept.
pray, has Mrs. Saville been Ions
here?"
About fortnight"
"And you-have you been here al
chat timer"
Not quite"
"Ah. what wonderful resisting pow
er! should have imagined you would
both by this time be extinct from men
tai hamilton" Miss Desmond laughed
"a sweet, well-amused laugh.
And you can laugh like that!" ht
continued. Then your vitality has ci
course kept my revered sister-in-law
alive. 1t must, however. exhaust youl
own vital powers to give out ozone
no, what do they call H?-electricity-
to such a degree. There is nothing t
me so soul-destroying, so deadening. q:
suburban rusticity. Won't you ST
down? l can't stand any longer my
self"
"Then pray do not. l do not si
down because am not going to stay
I thought Mrs. Saville would come II
Immediately" said Miss Desmond, wht
began to perceive In some way tina
This pleasant, talkative parsonage wa!
q good deal older than he seemed.
"Since you permit 1t, them And HI
sank into his chair with sigh of re
lief You see, he went on, this sor
of place is just far enough from Lon
don to cut you off from all the con
veniences of town life, and too neal
for any of the legitimate amusement'
and occupations of the country"
Here the butler appeared, an5 said
"Mrs. Saville will see you, my lord, /
you will come this way" The gentle
man rose and made another elegan
bow as he passed Miss Desmond.
What an amusing person! | won
der who he is. Some relation, sup
pose, or he would not speak so freely,
thought Miss Desmond. 81 must no
go to Mrs. Saville at present. Sh,
too left the room by a different exit
and ascended to her own pleasan
apartment, which looked out to tn,
front; dressing-close opened from
A., ANU ChNSPb lOi thU DCup IL Wdo lul
nished like sitting-room After lean
ing from the window for some min
utes, apparently in deep thought, sh
went to her writing table, and, un
locking desk with key which hun,
to her chain, she began to add SOM
lines to closely-written letter whicl
lay therein.
She had written for considerab!
time when the sound Of wheels an,
horses feet drew her to the window
from whence she saw the gentleman
with whom she had spoken in tn
drawing-room descend the hall doc
steps to enter very rusty fly or sta
tion cab. He had comically ruefu
expression of countenance, and, look