The Washington herald., 1910-11-10
CHAPTER XIV.
DisiIlusion.

Laura Craven was one of those women
who. once they make up their minds
what they want, leave no stone unturned
till they get il. She had fallen in love
with Sir Douglas Mallaby. and she
meant to marry him, and was entirely
Indifferent as to what methods she EN-
ployed Her brothers conversation with
her on the night of their arrival at Luck
House had conveyed an unspoken mes
sage TO her. and she had planned accord
ingly. It was after dinner the same day
that Rosemary received her second let
ter from Sidney French that Laura had
her first opportunity Of caltivating her
host alone Her brother and Stephen
Usher were playing billiards, Rosemary
had gone 10 her own room with head
ache. and Laura for a time sat alone
in the drawing-room. playing a dreamy
waltz. Sir Douglas had been called
away in the middle of dinner and had
not returned nor sent a message 10 his
guests.
From time TO time Laura glanced at
the door, frown on her handsome
brows
L suppose these are country manners"
she sneered. It's about as lively as a
vault here. If l marry him 1 shall shut
the place up for six months, pack the
invalid mother of TO a sanatorium. and
oil the house with people in the summer"
Her plans for the future were disturbed
by the entrance OF Sir Douglas. His
face vas worried and careworn, and she
noticed that his thin shoes we're muddy
Been out?" she said brightly. i've
Just been calling you all sorts OF horrid
names. 1 am deserted by every one"
4 am sorry" he smiled When I
heard you playing / thought Miss Ffrench
was with you"
She gave a little laugh. Unfortunately
for me. Miss Ffrench seems 10 have
something better TO do with her time
than to stay with another woman. I
don't blame her I'm the least" she went
on: she is so pretty. and, with the ex-
ception OF yourself, men must be scarce
in this little village"
Sir Douglas flushed 1T certainly Is
dull for young GIRL he said coldly.
and Miss French is quite right TO take
wherever she can md it."
Somehow" Laura went on. Il don't
think she is so amused She seems 10
have weight on her mind-some secret
worry. Anyway, I don't think she looks
happy
Sir Douglas frowned. II am sorry TO
say that Miss French has a brother who
IS not much OF credit 10 heri" he said
stifiiy. Probably that is the secret wor-
~ which you have noticed, Miss Craven"
"A brother" Laura murmured IT quite
thought Miss French was an orphan.
forget who told me so: perhaps she did
herself Then she went on quickly: 7
am afraid it has Inconvenience YOU our
being here. Sir Douglas. I wish we could
have gone to a hotel: it makes me feel
horribly in the way, especially as Lady
is SO i'll. ! do hope We don't dis
turb her"
rlease don't think that" he said.
quickly. MY mother is not near am of
the rooms you occupy. and as for the in
he went on. 1T is nothing
compared with the pleasure Of your So
ciety. Ny only regret is that l am unable
10 entertain you as / would like to-
Laura smiled. She could see that every
thing he said was the conventional stock
expression OF people when they are really
bored, bur too polite 10 say So
If I could only stir up his sluggish
blood into something warmer" she
thought
He took no more notice Of her than of
one OF the pieces OF furniture in the room, |
and dull anger seized her. If she could
not win him 10 her by feminine wiies, /
then she would do so by some other |
means.
She rose from her chair with weary
gesture.
II feel that stroll would do me good
she laughed. VIII you take me for one? |
could not sleep at all last night"
by all means" he said. Then ne /
paused. II wonder if Miss Ffrench would !
care TO join u.s. he added. awkwardly.
She flashed an amused glance at him.
Il think she is otherwise occupied: but /
perhaps you had better send and ask |
her"
THAT won't be necessary" he said |