The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-09

rather silent: and presently, when
they heard the sound of the car
riage which was bringing the two
visitors. muttering that he would
get out of the way, begged permis.
sion TO accompany Evelyn to the
drawing-room.
The permission was readily grant
ed: for it may be whispered that
Evelyn was only too glad to have
his company; but after a few min
utes. spent by Vane in staring rath'
er moodily at the fire, she aban'
doned her efforts at conversation,
and said gently:
is anything the matter?"
Yes" he said in his brusque way,
and turning to her with flush on
his face ard something in his eyes
whicn swiftly brought the colour
to her cheeks; I'm feeling like a
bear with a sore head. I'm jealous.
I've had you all to myself these
last few weeks; and, like a spoilt
child ! hate the thought of another
fellow coming on the scene. and
his being agreeable and pleasant
makes II all the worse for me. You
know what is the matter with me-
| suppose? | love you It's news
to YOU, | dare say; but I've known
it for long time--eyer since | met
you in the spinney that first day
love you, and | wish you'd put
me out of my misery at Cnce. I'm
rough sort of beast and a poor
hand at wOoing; but as | say.
love YOU, and | shall go on loving
YOU ill the end of the chapter
Now, what do you say? I've startled
you-"
ed as he imagined; at any rate. she
did not look so very shocked, as
HhN iuIS'u h'i 'N'S " MS anu
there was something in them which
caused him to catch her TO him
with an ejaculation of wonder and
of Joy. and he held her while they
exchanged those condolences, those
loving queries which persons in
their condition appear to find it
absolutely necessary to express; and
he only released her when the
fOotman appeared with the tea-tray.
Immediately he had gone they sat
very close to each other on the
sofa. while Evelyn accomplished the
difficult task of pouring out tea
with her left hand.
Meanwhile, as interesting and mo-
mentous a scene was being enacted
in the library, in which Sir Regi-
nald. Lexham. and Reece were
closeted. Sir Reginald leant back
in his chair, his chin held in his
nand. his sombre eyes fixed on the
face of Mr. LeXham, who was speai;
ing with intense gravity and SUP
pressed excitement.
Mr.. Reece has cone to you Will
an extraordinary story, statement
and proposal, Sir Reginald" he said
giancing ut Dexter Reece. who leant
back in his chair, his eyes down
cast, his hands clasped round his
knee. His face was as grave as
Mr.. LeXham's, and he appeared per-
fectly self-possessed. as if he were
rot aware of the thinness and fra
sility of the ice on which he was
skating. ct concerns the ruby ami
the murder of Sir Mortimer. 1t is
an astounding story But think
it would be better if left Mr..
Reece TO tell it."
DEXTER Reece looked up, and made
slight INCLINATION of his head; in
quiet, business-like way he said:
THE story is not easily told; IN
deed, | am not at liberty-it is i'm
possible for me to tell you the
whole of it; for I have pledged my
self to reserve certain portions.
Briefly. Sir Reginald. on my tiist
visit here, Mr. LeXham related the
tragic incident surrounding the
death of Sir Mortimer. the abduc.
tion of the child, and the theft OF
the ruby. The story made a great
impression upon me, naturally
enough. 1t seemed to me that there
was not sufficient reason for re.
garding the crime as one to be
ciassed with the many undiscOver-
ed ones. | mean. that | thought
ii was quite possible to track the
criminal | have no desire to pose
as an amateur detective: indeed, |
strove for some time to put the
thing out of my mind. but | could
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