Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-09

said. But, then, l am quite used to
your climate. you know. 1 have lived
in Europe almost as much as in Amer
lea"
She certainly had no trace of any ac-
cent. She spoke little more slowly
perhaps than most young Englishwo-
men, but there was nothing whatever
in her words or in her pronunciation
of them to suggest transatlantic Or
igin. She stood by his side, looking
about her with an air of interest, and
Duncombe began to wonder whether,
after all. she was not more beautiful
than the photograph which he had
treasured so jealousy. He became con-
scious of a desire to keep her by his
side
'.Is your father shooting, Miss Field
ing?"
She laughed softly.
"You don't know my father, Sir
George" she answered. He hates ex-
ercise. detests being out of doors, and
his idea of paradise when he is away
F, from business is to be in large hotel
where every one speaks English, where
there are tapes and special editions
| and an American bar"
Duncornbe laughed
Then l am afraid Mr.. Fielding will
| find it rather hard to amuSe himself
down here" he remarked.
well. he's discovered the telephone"
she said. Hes spending the morning
| ringing up people all over the country.
| 10 tliI in 10 hnn
we came out oh, here come the rest
of them. How tired they look. poor
things-especially the baron! Nature
never meant him to tramp over plowed
| fields. l am sure. Baron. l was just
saying how warm you look"
The baron took off his cap, gave up
| his gun to a keeper and turned glow
| ing face toward them.
| MY dear young lady" he declared,
81 am warm. l admit it, but it is good
for me-very good, indeed. l tried to
make your father walk with us. He
| will be sure to suffer some day If he
| takes no exercise"
| 'Oh, fathers never ill.," the girl an
swered. But, then, he eats nothing.
Sir George, l hope you're going to de-
vote yourself to me at luncheon. I'm
terribly hungry
$50 we all are" Lady Runton de-
clared. "Come along. every one"
! Luncheon was served in large open
barn pleasantly fragrant of dried hay
and with q delightful view of the sea
far away in the distance. Miss Field
ing chartered TO every one, was anus
ing and amused. The baron gave her
rs much of his attention as he was
ever disposed to bestow upon any one
at meal times, and Duncombe almost
forgot that he had breakfasted at 8
o'clock.
Charming young person, that" said
Lady Runton's neighbor to her Zone
of our future duchesses, l suppose?"
Lady Runton smiled
Lots of money. Teddy" she an
svered. What a pity you haven't q
title"
The young mamie was in the for
| tign office-sighed and shook his head
"Such things are not for me-" he de
clared sententiously. my affections
are engaged"
4
shouldn't marry money" her ladyshir
declared. lighting a cigarette. go and
talk to herr
"Can't spoil sportv he answered
shaking his head. by Jove! Dun
connie Is making the running, though
isn't hep
. Her ladyship raised her glasses
1 ho.
strolled outside the barn. He wa
showing her his house, a very pictur
esque old place 1t looked, down in tn
valley.
"It's nothing but a farmhouse, o
!, course" he said. "No pretensions a
: architecture or anything of that sort
t of course, but it's rather comfortabl
old place"
! 81 think it is perfectly charming,
the girl said. do you live there a
alone? You have sisters, perhaps?
I'll He shook his head.
!. mo such luck" he answered. min
is entirely bachelor establishment. 1
FL great part of the time am alone. Jus
now l have, pal staying with me-
! awfully decent chap, from Devon
! shire
/ She was certainly silent for a me
, ment. He fancied, too, that there wa
/, a change in her face.
3 "From Devonshirew she repeated
with carelessness which, If It was no
natural, was exceedingly well assumed
> ~ believe l knew some people ono
who came from there. What Is you
friends name, Sir Georgew
He turned slowly toward her.
ANDREW Pelham" he said quiet,
HE comes from place called Rayne.
worth"
"He is staying here now-with youi
"Yes," he answered gravely.
1t was not his fancy this time; {
that he felt sure. Her face for the MT
| ment had been the color Of chalk;
little exclamation had been strange
upon her lips. She shot quic
glance at him. He met it steadily.
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