Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-07-22

demur, the wave Of my lady's little
hand. Was 1t certain largeness and
reserve about him that had awakened
her curiosity? From her high social
position had she wished merely to test
her own power and amuse herself aft
err light fashion, surely youths and
beautys privilege?
| But, whatever the girls motive, her
conduct In the matter reacted ON my
lord. The fellow was in the way
very much so. How could he himself
pay court to her when she frivolously.
| if only for the moment. preferred this
commoner's company?
What made the situation even more
anomalous to ROnsdale and the less
patiently to be borne was that Sir
| Charles understood and sympathiZed
with his desires and position in the
matter And why not? Ronsdale's
father and Sir Charles had been old
and close friends. There were rea-
sons that pointed to the match as a
suitable one, and Sir Charles by his
general manner and attitude had long
shown he would put no obstacle In the
way Of the noblemans suit for the
hand Of his fair niece AS for Lady
Wray, Lord Ronsdale knew that he
had In that practical and worldly per-
son stanch ally of his wishes. These
had not become less ardent since he
had witnessed the unqualified success
Of the beautiful colonial girl In Lon
don, noted how men ilustrlous In va
rious walks Of life. grave diplomats,
stately ambassadors. were swayed by
her light charm and impulsive frank
ness Of youth And to hnve her who
could have all London ut her feet, III
Guiding his distinguished self. show
prediction. however short lived and
capricious. for
"COnfound the cad! Where did he
come from? Who are his family-if
he has One?"
AS the nObIeman assembled the steps
Of his club he seemed again to be
thinking deeply. Within. his preoccu-
patton did not altogether desert him.
In corner. with the big pages Of the
Times before him. he read with scant
interest the dolngs OF the day. From
behind another paper the face Of n
gray haired. good natured appearing
person. quite different of the bench,
CHANGED to look out at him.
"Eh? That you, Ronsdale?" he said.
reaching for a steaming glass of hot
beverage Mt his elbow How is your
friend Sir Charles Wray? had the
pleasure Of meeting him the other
morning In the courtroom"
,, .'Same as usual. imagine. Judge
! Reeson.'
And his fair niece. she takes kindly
to the town and Its gayeties:"
Every kindly" dryly.
~ beautiful girl our young Austria
Ham," The elder man toyed with his
glass. stirred the contents and slipped.
by the way. didn't see John Stee;a
| In their box n; the opera the Other
! night"
ut Is posi- H." shortly.
, "R!sir" man. that" observed the
other Il ..,i.. C'.'i'iTation Of brains
I'LL i'Etr. t'.u you ever netlcp his
fist? II might belong to prizenghter.
EXCEPT that the hands are perfectly
man accustomed to fighting. who
would sweep aside obstacles. get what
be wanted!
| Think so:" Lord Ronsdale smoked
| steadily. You as a magistrate. I sup
pose, know all about himY
mot much. only that he is IN :lien."
IAN alien?" quickly. "Not a colo
| NAL"
NO. He has lived In the colonies
Tasmania. and SO OH. But by birth
he's an American"
IAN American. eli? And practicinG
at the British barr"
mot the first case of the kind. Ex-
ceptiOns have been made before and
aliens called as we express 1t.
Steele's hobby Of criminology brought
him to London, and his earnestness
and ability In that line procured for
him the privilege he sought. As men,
Der Of the Incorporated society that
passes upon the qualifications Of can
didates 1t was my pleasure to sit in
| judgment ON him. We raked him fore
and aft; but, bless you. he stood
squarely on his feet and refused to be
tripped."
| $50 he came to England to pursue u
certain liney said Lord Ronsdale half
| to himself
"A man with Partially for crimi-
nal work would naturally look to the
! modern Babylon. Steele apparently
works more to crafty that predilec-
ton than for any reward In pounds
have known him to spend u deal Of
time and money on cases there couldn't
have been a sixpence In"
How'd he happen to get down in
Tasmania? Odd place for Yankee"
That's one of the questions he
wasn't asked" laughingly. Perhaps
what our Teutonic friends would call
the wanderlust took him there" Ris-
ing, MY compliments to Sir Charles
| when you see him."
Lord Ronsdale remained long at the
: club and the card table that night.
Finally summoning n cab. he got In.
| but as he found himself rafting home
ward to the chambers he had taken In
a fashionable part Of town he was
aware that any emotions Of annoyance
and discomfort experienced earlier
that night had suffered no abatement.
He went up to his rooms. On the
table In an inner apartment, his study.
something bright. white, met his gaze
"A note in Jocelyn Wray's handwrit-
ing. Quickly he reached for 1t and
tore 1t open.
"a party Of us ride in the park to-
morrow morning. VIII you join u.s."
| Lord Ronsdale frowned.
"A partyr' That would include John
/ Ctoala mariana