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


his quick eye caught sight OF Miss Des-
mond. To her annoyance, he lifted his
hat and gave slight expressive shrug
before stepping into his cab. which
drove off Immediately.
II wish l had not looked out" she
thought; then, smiling at the idea. 1t
struck her very like an expulsion
mo doubt Mrs Saville could be very
severe-even cruel; but she is good to
me. l had better give her the wears
message; yet feel half afraid. This
will not do. My best, my only chance
Is fearlessness."
She paused a moment, then locked
away her writing again. and proceeded
, down long passage and short stair
to the wing in which was Mrs Sa-
ville's boudoir
She knocked at the door, and was
| imperatively told to come in Mrs.
Saville was walking up and down, evil
| IDENTIFY much disturbed
II beg your pardon" hesitatingly.
"Oh, come in, come In! l have been
worried by an importunate fool; but
am not so overset that cannot attend
to anything else. Did you see the
vicar?"
Il did; and he is very sorry, but he
has already returned the plans of the
cottages to the builder"
Then he must get them back" very
sharply. II will walk over myself to
the vicarage. l want movement. Did
you happen to see Lord Everton?"
The gentleman who has just left?
Yes; he was in the drawingroom
when l came In"
He Is one Of the most contemplate
men in England" continued Mrs. Sa-
ville-"a mere butterfly at sixty-three
He has only existed for pleasure his
whole life. and even now pleasure still
pleases. His sense of enjoyment has
been his ruin. A trifer of the most
trif1ing description, without an ambi.
tion or an aim; worst of all. reckless
OF how he may throw others into temp.
tation or difficulty. He has injured
me past forgiveness, and yet he comes
meandering here to try and talk me
over to Induce me to pardon the cruel.
lest injury that could be inflicted. l
told him my opinion fully; but to be
seriously angry with such a creature
Is like taking howitzer to- shoot a
humming-bird. Come, Miss Desmond
let US go out into the open air. What
| fo n
walk round the grounds until 1t is
time to find the vicar"
They paced somewhat slowly across
the grounds to wooded rising ground
on the left of the house, from which a
view Of 1t and its surroundings could
be obtained, and when they had ac
complished the ascent Mrs. Saville sat
down, as II tired, on a seat placed at
the best point of outlook. Her com
panion had observed that the keen.
active woman was stronger in spirit
than in flesh, and felt sort of pity
for this rich, prosperous, resolute lady.
What sweet, beautiful place this
Isl" she exclaimed, after gazing at
the scene before her for a few min
utes. Il think 1t Is the most charming
l have ever seem"
Then you have not seen much" re-
turned Mrs. Saville, testify.
THAT Is true. l have not seen any
fine places in England, and the palaces
and chateaux abroad are SO melan.
choly; but who could desire anything
beyond the exquisite. graceful, home
like beauty of Inglefield?"
1t was, In truth, delightful abode,
sheltered on the east by the upland
from which they now looked down;
the ground sloped steeply from the
opposite side, giving wide view over
a richly-wooded country; while the
house, gardens and grounds occupied
the level space between. Fine trees
stood about for Inglefield was an old
country-house dating tolerably far
back, built In the half-timbered style.
the first story of fine bricks, the upper
part beams and plaster, with high
chimneys and manygabled roofs. The
large additions made by Mrs. Saville's
father had been carried out In strict
accordance with the original plan, and
the garden designed to suit 1t also. A
circular lawn, surrounded with flower
ing shrubs and dotted with several
large spreading trees, separated the
house from wide avenue which open
ed exactly opposite the entrance, over.
arched by double row of great old
elms at either side. Beyond, on the
left. from a wooded hollow, through
which trout-stream had been widen.