The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-08-05

"A Horace was still holding the
hand Of the fair countess, they
encountered Almeric, who was stroll.
ing in aimlessly from the direction Of
the village. Hawcastle beckoned to
him.
Anything unusual down thereT he
asked, pointing TO the village.
"Rawther! Carabinieri still hunting
that bandit chap" said his hopeful son
languidly.
Don't humble your wordsw snapped
the old lady. and Horace and madame
turned sharply and confusedly. Al
meric made a gesture Of impatience
and. putting his head close to his re-
spected aunt's ear shouted:
Hunting a bally bandit" at which
the old woman screamed sharply.
Hawcastle took him by the shoulder.
what do they say about himT he
demanded.
"That he is still in the neighbor-
hood" replied his heir, with languid
sigh.
"What did tell you" asked Lady
Creech triumphantly. And the earl
made gesture Of impatience.
"Almeric. find your betrothed and
bring her here" he said. And the
young man trotted OF slowly. Horace
came slowly forward
"Whnt's the row, sirY' he asked, and
the earl smiled.
"My dear young man." he said, "I
congratulate you that you and your
sister need no longer submit to en-
odious dictation."
He was about to say more. but at
that moment Daniel came down the
steps and walked across the grass to
the motor. AS lie passed the group he
smiled genially and observed:
Looks to me as II 1t was going TO
clear up cold"
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Pike" answer
ed the earl and motioned the others TO
leave.
Pike merely nodded his head. and
Hawcastle came up to him.
ut is pity that there should have
been any misunderstanding In the mat
ter of your wards betrothal," he said,
and Pike smiled grimly
"Oh, l wouldn't call II a misunder-
standing" he said. and the earl went
on.
"It would Ill become father to press
upon the subject Of his sons merits"-
he began, but Pike cut him short.
81 won't talk with you about him."
he said. IL don't want to hurt your
feelings"
Hawcastle glared at him and was
about to reply when Mariana entered
with letter on a tray, which he hand
ed to the lawyer, who regarded 1t curl
DUSTY. There was growing menace in
the earps attitude, and as his anger
grew his suavity grew with 1t. r
"There is another matter to which
want to call your attention." he went
on, and Pike answered him at once.
"Pn talk about anything else with
you" he replied and looked up to see
Ethel coming down the steps. She
came forward to the earl and said:
"You wished me to come herep
~ wish to tell you that | see light
breaking through the clouds. Have an
other talk with our friend here, and.
believe me, all Will be well"
With bow he left the garden, and
Ethel stood staring after him. Pike
looked up quickly from the letter he
was reading and crossed over to her
"Pm glad you've come" he said
'Tve got something here l want to
read to you. When got your letter at
home ! wrote to Jim Cooley, our vice
consul in London, to look up those
Hawcastle folks and write me here
how they stand"
"You did thatr' she cried In anger
"You had the audacity to pry into the
affairs Of the Earl Of Hawcastlep
''Why, I'd "a done that II it'd been
the governor OF Indiana himself" he
replied. with surprise. Besides, jim
Cooley's home folks His office used
to be right next door to mine In KO-
komo haven't opened the letter yet,
but haven't much doubt but Jim II