The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-07-16
E 1.
:. Half a .
Chance.
q .r ~. 49,
BY FREDERIC S. ISHAM,
Author Of "The Stroller" ''Un.
der the Rose" 1.-The Lady
Of tho Mount" Etc.
Copyrights. 1909, by the Bohhs-
Merrill Company.

hnu dA4 tudL Auluk OIL tue JOY Ol
whipping a stream after having been
mewed up all these months in the
musty metropolis. Besides, made a
wager with Jocelyn you wouldn't re-
fuse second opportunity to bask. In
Arcadia" He laughed. ct really
couldn't presume to ask him again.
Is the way she expressed it, but If
you can draw a sufficiently eloquent
picture Of the rural attractions of
Strathorn to WOO him from his beloved
dusty byways you have my permis-
sion to try"
did she say thatY' John Steele
spoke quickly, then, II am sorry it
Is impossible, but" In a low tone,
chow is Miss Wray?''
'Never better. Enjoying every mo-
ment. jolly party and all that. Lord
Ronsdale and"- Here Sir Charles
enumerated number of people.
Lord Ronsdale Is there?"
Eyes; couldn't keep him away from
Strathorn House now" he laughed
"As matter of fact, he has asked my
permission to- Therev' Sir Charles
stopped, then laughed again with a
little embarrassment. ''I've nearly let
the cat out Of the Bag
John Steele spoke no word. His face
was set, tmmovable.
''You mean he has proposed for her
hand, land she"-Steele seemed to speak
with difhculty-"has consented?'
''Well, not exactly. She appears
complaisant, as it were." he answered
"But, really, shouldn't have mention
ed the matter at all. Quite premature,
you understand? Let's say no more
about it. And-what was it you said
about going back with me?'
Eyes, said John Steele, with a sud-
den strength and energy that Sir
Charles might attribute to the desire
to make himself understood above the
din Of the street. ''I'll go back with
you at'-the latter words, lower spo-
ken, the other did not catch-''no mat
ter what cost!'
Sir Charles and John Steele arrived
at Strathorn. This little hamlet lay
in sleepy looking dell AS the driver
: swung down hill he whipped up his
horses and literally charged upon the
town. swept, through the main thor
oughfare and drew up with a flourish
before the principal tavern. Sir
Charles started and stretched his legs:
John Steele got down.
''Strathorn House," he said to Sir
Charles. lis near. l am in the mood
for exercise after sitting so long and
should like to walk there.'
by all means" returned the other.
''since it's your preference Pretty
apt to overtake you" he went on, after
giving his guest few directions. les
pecially if you linger over any points
of interest"
The trap which had been sent for
drew up and the two men separated.
Sir Charles "a tiled briskly down one
way, Steele turned to go the other.
Soon rose before him the top of a
modest steeple, then a church, within
the sanctuary Of whose yard old stones
mingled with new. He stepped in.
"Straight on across the churchyard"
had been Sir Charles direction. John
Steele moved quickly down the narrow
path.
Strathorn House! A noble dwelling,
massive and gray. And yet one that
lifted itself with charming lightness
from its solid, baronial-like foundation.
1t adorned the spot. merged into the
landscape. Behind, the forest, a dark
line, "penciled itself against the blue
horizon. Before the ancient stone pile
lay noble park.
t. Long the man looked. Through a
faint veil Of mist turret and tower
'quivered, strong lines Of masonry VI
brated. Wavering as In the spell Of
an optical illusion, the structure might
have seemed but fgment Of imagine
tton or one Of those fanciful castles
sung by the Elizabethan brotherhood
OF poets. Did the image occur t. John
Steele? Did he feel for the time, de-
spite other disquieting, extraneods
thoughts, the subtle enchantment of
the scene? The minutes passed: He
did not move.
l. "You ind it to your likingr'
A voice, fresh, gay, interrupted
With a great start he turned.
Jocelyn Wray. for it was she, laugh
cd; SO absorbed had he been, he had
not heard her light footstep on the
grass behind.
His face changing, "Kntirelyv' he
managed to say. And then, Ibid
not know you were near"
mo? But could see that. Con-
fess," with accent little derisory, II
startled you" 49,
She looked at him curiously. "Shall
we walk on toward the housed I
went down into the town thinking to-
meet my uncle" she explained, but
as I had a few errands, on account
Of children's fete we are planning,
reached the tavern after he had gone"
She stepped into the path leading
from the churchyard; it was narrow,
and she walked before him.
The others went hunting" she said
-