The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-05
CHAPTER VIII.
The Legend of Luck House.


That evening Rosemary dined down
stairs with Sir Douglas He had sent up
a message to ask her IL she would do so,
and, delighted at the idea of having some
one 10 talk to over her meal, she had con-
scented gladly. and had put on a simple
little white gown with ruffies OF lace fold
ing round her slim, girlish neck and fall
ing over her delicate wrists. AS she en-
tered the big. gloomy room. lighted only
by candles in old-fashioned silver candle
sticks, the eyes Of the man who went for
ward 10 greet her lighted up with an ap-
probation Of her beauty and youth.
How do you do. Miss French he
said. IT'S awfully kind OF you to take
pity on my loneliness and dine with me 0"
Rosemary blushed. If he only knew
that she had seen him earlier that day.
I am afraid YOU have a horribly dun
time here. Miss Ffrench. I wish | could
do something to make things more cheer
full, but l am practically powerless. You
see, my mothers health IS so uncertain
it is out OF the question TO have friends
here But hope you won't leave us" he
smiled.
Rosemary laughed. IT am far too COM
Portable 10 do that, Sir Douglas" she an
severed. Il quite understand about Lady
Mallabys health and though ] am rather
lonely sometimes. ! soon lose myself in a
book or a walk, in which Chips joins me
sometimes"
His eyes frightened. I'm glad of that
Please go wherever you like-at least, SO
far as the interesting portions of the
house are concerned. I'm afraid the
others are very tame
Il understand" Rosemary said quietly
She heard in his voice the same warning
as to venturing near Lady Mallabys
apartments.
IF you would care for a girl friend to
join you for a couple OF weeks" he went
on, you may invite any one you like
After the next fortnight I am afraid the
quiet OF Luck House may be disturbed"
Disturbed Rosemary said wonder
ingly
Yes. This morning heard from a dis
tant cousin that he would be motoring
with a party Of friends in Cornwall and
would ask me to put him up. I'm afraid
can't refuse" he added. though I'm
not looking forward 10 IT,"
"Will Lady Mallaby be we'll enough 10
entertain" she asked anxiously.
He shook his head I'm afraid not.
French, as there will be a lady in the
motor party, ! believe. They won't he
here more than a day, and there are fam
lily reasons that make 1t impossible for
me to refuse my hospitality"
She looked at him with sympathetic
eyes. How white he looked. and how
worried! She wished she could do some
thing to help him. AS her eyes fingered
on him she noticed that his left hand was
In a glove. and she went pale with the
thought it conjured up
rs your hand very PAINFUL" she said.
Il suppose one of the animals bit it.
Surely you enght TO see a doctor"
As he listened to her soft. sympathetic
voice his face expressed firstly astonish-
ment and fear. and, secondly, perplexity
and wonder.
Animals he replied
Rosemary nodded. YES the animals
Keziah told me you kept in the-the
towers
For a moment he did not reply, and
Rosemary was afraid he was angry with
her. But when he spoke she thought his
voice very gentle and kind
Il don't think the bite is dangerous,
thank you, Miss French; anyway, can
doctor myself" Then he went on quick
ly: Have you any friends who could
come and stay with your
Rosemary shook her head. mo, I am
quite alone in the world. / was educated
abroad and know no one in England"
Poor little girl" he said softly "You
are so young 10 be friendless. hope you
will let me be a friend
Thank you. Sir Douglas" she muir
INJURED shyly
When Sir Douglas had closed the din
ing-room door upon her the smile faded
from his face and he sighed
How sweet she Is. and how I wish to
heaven l had the right to ask her TO
marry me. ROse-the name suits her-a
sweet blush rosebud, with her petals still
unfolded, fragrant and lovely" He bit
the end off cigar and lit it IF she had
come to US earlier I might have obeyed
Ralph Savage's condition. and not only
have won a fortune. but lovely wife as
we'll"
The sound Of music made him leave his
cigar and drew him to the drawing
room, where he found Rosemary sitting
at the grand piano playing a dreamy
waltz. As he entered the room she
stopped and rose from the stool
Please go on he said quickly. "It is
such ages since there was any music
heard In Luck House"
Rosemary hesitated. She longed to stav
and play to him, and yet she had lust
the mysterious appointment
with the unknown s. +. was nearly due,