Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-06-29
CHAPTER VI.
Tides VARYING.

arriving at the house of Sir
Ay Charles Wray in Piccadilly the
following Thursday. But near
ly every one else was late, and, per-
haps knowing the fashionable foible
he had purpose,y held back to avoid
making himself conspicuous by being
prompt.
The program on the present occasion
included Il poet and a woman novelist.
The former preluphaeiite, led his
hearers through din maze3. uyrcanian
wilds The novelist, on the other
hand, was direct In following her
there seemed no danger Of losing the
way. At the conclusion of the pro
gram proper an admirer of the poet
asked if their young hostess would
not play a certain musical something
the theme Of one Of the bard's effu-
sions, and at once Jocelyn Wray com
piled. Lord Ronsdale stood sedulously
near. turning the leaves. Steele watch
VI the deft hand It was slim. aris-
tocratic and suggested possibilities in
legerdemain.
AN attractive looking pair.' whis-
pered woman near John Steele to
another Of her sex during a louder
passage in the number. Are they
81 don't know, my dear. Perhaps.
Snes extremely well Off in this worlds
goods. and he has large properties, but
"A diminishing income" She lowered
hcr voice rather abruptly as the ca
n aVonfa fn mn GTfs
went on again to its appointed and
spirited climax.
WAS formerly in the diplomatic
service, believe" the voice also went
on; has strong political aspirations.
and, with wealthy and lever wife
"a girl might do worse. He is both
cold and capable-an ideal combination
for a political careeP-n.ight become
prime minister-with the prestige Of
his family and hers to-
John Steele stirred The whispering
ceased. My lord turned the last page
The girl rose and bent for an instant
her fair head. And as Steele looked at
her again there came over him-this
time, it may be, not without certain
bitterness-an impression of life and
it's joys-springtide and sunshine.
bright, remote-so remote-for him.
A babel of voices replaced melody.
The people got up. A number fingered
Many went after speaking to their
hostesses and Sir Charles. John Steele,
at the rear, looked at the door leading
into the main hall toward the young
girl, then stepped across the soft rugs
and spoke to her She answered in the
customary manner, and others ap-
preached. He was about to draw back
to leave when
"Oh, Mr.. Steele" she said my un-
ce wishes to see you before you go
He was saying he had some
"Quite right my dear!' And Sir
Charles, who had approached, took
John Steele's arm. "Some curious old
law books picked up today at bar
gain and want your opinion Of" he
went on, leading the other into a lofty
and restful apartment adjoining the
library. Steele looked around him.
His gaze frightened as it rested on
the imposing and finely bound vol
umes.
you have superb collection of
books" he observed. with a sudden
quick look al his host.
Eyes. ! rather pride myself on my
library" said Sir Charles complacent-
~. Lost good many of the choicest.
though" he went on in regretful
tones. "some years ago as | was re-
turning to Australia. A rare lot Of
law books, library in themselves, as
well as a large collection OF the cias-
sizes. the worlds poets and historians
went down with the III fated Lord
Nelson"
"AhY John Steele looked away "a
great mart. London. for ine editions"
he said absently after pause.
''It Is. But here are those l spoke
Of" And Sir Charles indicated a num-
Der Of volumes on a large center table
John Steele handled them thoughtful
ly. aud for some time his host ran on
about them. A choice copy Of one Of
the Elizabethau poets, intruding itself
in that august company, then attracted
steele's attention. He picked it up,
weighed and caressed IL with gentle
fingers.