The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-21
CHAPTER XV.-Continued

Such q stranger as you are, Mr..
Ducaine." she exclaimed. Fancy,
it's getting on for month since we
any of us saw a sign of you, and
I'm sure never a week used to pass,
but father'd be looking for you to
drop in. We heard that you were
living here all by yourself, and this
morning mother said, perhaps he's
i'll. So thought I'd come and find
uOt." M
Il am quite well. thanks, Miss
Moyat," answered, s'but very busy.
| should have looked you up the
first time | came to Braster, but as
a matter. Of fact l have not been
there since the night of my lee
ture "
IT'S a mile and q half to our
house from here" she said, mot q
step farther. don't see why you
shouldn't have made a purpose
journey"
If l had had an evening to my.
self" | said, II should certainly
have paid your father visit. But
as 1t happens, the duke has requir-
ed me at the house every night
while he was here, and he has left
me enough work to do to keep me
busy night and day till he comes
back"
She looked down upon the floor.
Il had to come and see you," she
said in low tone. Sometimes l
can't sleep for thinking of it. I feel
that l haven't done right"
| knew, of course, what she
meant.
Il thought we had talked all that
out long ago" answered. a little
YEARLY. "You would have been
very foolish If you had acted differ
emily. don't see how else you
could have acted"
"Oh, l don't know. l haven't said
what l ought to say" she declared.
1T seems all right when you are
with me and talk about It," she con-
tinued slowly, raising her eyes to
mine. Its when l don't see you
for weeks and weeks that 1t seems
to get on my mind, and I get
afraid. l don't understand 1T,
don't understand it even now"
Don't understand what" l re-
peated.
How that man died!" she whis-
pered.
II can assure 20 uthat did not
kill him, If that is what you mean,'
| told her coolly.
She shuddered.
men can forget those things
easier" she said. Perhaps he had
a wife and children. Perhaps they
are wondering all this time what
has become of him."
l heard GroOton return with a
sigh of relief.
You will have some tea" 1 sug-
gested.
She shook her head and stood
up. mo, | won't" she said, 81 am
sorry l came. l don't understand
you, Mr.. Ducaine. You seem to
have changed altogether, just these
last few weeks. can see that
you are dying to get rid of me
now, but you were glad enough
to see me. or at any rate you pre-
tended to be. once"
l looked at her in surprise. Her
cheeks were flushed, her voice had
shaken with something more like
anger than any form of pathos. l
was at a loss how to answer her,
and while l hesitated the Interrupt
ton which l had been praying for
came, though from strange quar-
ter. My door was pushed a few
inches open and I heard Lady An
gela's voice. g,
Are you there, Mr. Ducaine
May I come in?"
Before l could answer she stood
upon the threshold. l saw the de-
lightful little smile fade from her
lips as she looked in. She hesitat-
ed and seem for moment about
to retreat.
please come in, Lady Angela" |
begged, eagerly.
She came slowly forward.
Il must apologize for my abom-
Unable country manners" she said,
resting the tips of her fingers for
a moment in mine. 81 saw your
door was not latched and 1t never
occurred to me to knock"
1T was not necessary" assured
her. "A front door which does not
boast a knocker or a bell must ex.
pect to be taken liberties with. But
1t is great surprise to see you
here. l had no idea that anyone
was at Rowchester, or expected