The independent-reporter., 1909-09-30


that Deppy could sputter
At that moment the American party
caught sight of the pair In the corner
For brief space of time the two par
ties stared at each other, very much
as the hunter and the hunted look
previous warning. Then friendly,
half abashed smile lighted Brownies
face
II beg your pardon" said Browne.
''rhis is Lord DeppinghamT
"Ya-ns." drawled Deppy, with look
which was meant to convey the i'm
preston that he did not know who
the deuce he was addressing.
Permit me to introduce myself. I
am Robert Browne"
"Oh," said Deppy, as II that did not
convey anything to him. Then. as al
afterthought, Glad to know you, I'm
sure" Still he did not rise, nor did be
extend his hand. For a moment young
Browne waited, a dull red growing In
his temples.
Don't you intend to present me to
Lady DeppinghamT he demanded
bluntly without taking his eyes from
Deppy's face.
"Oh-er-is that necess@
Lady Deppingham," interrupted
Browne, II am Robert Browne, the
man you are expected to marry. We
are here for the same purpose. l sus-
pect. We can't be married to each
other. That's out Of the question. But
we can live together as II wes-
Good Lordw roared Deppy. coming
to his feet In a towering rage. Browne
smiled apologetically and lifted his
hand.
-''as If we were serving out the pre-.
scribed period Of courtship set down
In the will. Believe me, / am very
happily married. as I hope you are.
The courtship, YOU will perceive. is
sue is identical, Lady Depplngham.
Doesn't 1t strike you that we will be
very foolish If we stand alone and
against each otherT'
my SOLICITOR began Lady Dep
bingham and then stopped. She was
smiling In spite of herself.
"Your solicitor and mine can get to-
gether and talk 1t over" said Browne
blandly. "WeIl leave 1t to them. l am
quite ready to be friendly ally. not Il
foe."
Let me understand YOU" began
Deppingham, cooling off suddenly.
"Do you mean to sny that you are not
going to fight us in this matter7"
mot at all, your lordship," said
Browne cooliy. "I am here to fight
Taswell skaggs and John Wyckholme,
deceased. think both Of us will run
no risk II we smash the will. If we
don't smash 1t the islanders will cheer
fully take the legacy of our hands"
"By Jovep' muttered Deppy. looking
at his wife.
"Thank you, Mr.. Browne, for being
80 frank with u.s." she said coolly. IF
you don't mind, l will consult my So
licitor" She bowed ever 80 slightly,
indicating that the interview was at
an end and, moreover, that it had not
been Of her choosing
"Any time, your ladyship." said
Browne, also bowling. II think Mrs.
Browne wants to speak to you about
the rooms"
1--WE are quite settled, Mr.. Browne,
and very well satisfied" she said
pointedly, turning red with a fresh
touch Of anger.
II trust you have not taken the
rooms at this end"
1--WE have. We are occupying them"
"I'm sorry" said Browne. 1--WE were
warned not to take them. They are
said to be unbearable when the hot
winds come In October"
whats thatT demanded Depping-
ham.
"The book Of instructions and de-
scription which we have secured sets
all that out" said the other. TITS
strange that the servants didn't warn
you"
"The-the confeunded servants left
us yesterday before we came. every
mothers son of 'em. There isn't a
servant on the place.
"What7 You don't mean til say,
Britt, come here a moment, will you
Lord Deppingham says the servants
have struck"
The American lawyer, a chubby. red
faced man Of forty, with clear gray
eyes and a stubby mustache, whistled
souifully.
It'll see what I can do, Mr.. Browne.
Got to have cooks. eh, Lord Depping-
hamr without waiting for an an
swer he dashed OF. The native car
riers were leaving the grounds when
Britts shrill whistle brought them to
a standstill. The lawyer waved a tri-
umphant hand to his friends and then
climbed into one Of the litters to be
borne of In the direction Of the town.
Hell have the servants back at
work before o'clock" said Browne