The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-10

ed Dexter Reece, wi h a grateful in
clination Of his head and a deferential
lowering Of his eyes. 81 shall be de
lighted to accompany you. 1t has been
the dream of my life to make acquaint
ance with glorious Devon"
Very WELL tnen, she SAID, I'VE VIII
have the phaeton directly agter break
fast, and | will take you 10 some OF
my favofige spots; and please re-
member that | shall expect you to
be enthusiastic
There was a pause, during which
/ Mr LeXham made some casual re-
mark 10 Sir Reginald, receiving curt
nod by way of response, then Reece
g.ancing round the oak-plnelled room,
said:
The Hall is very old, is it not?'
"Oh, very" assented Evelyn Some
of the old part dates back to the fit-
teenth century; but there is only a
tower and bit of a wing remaining;
and they are held up by the IVY only,
think. You must see them. And the
Desboroughs have been here all the
time: that long line OF portraits VIII ch
stretches right round the hall and
up the staircase represents an un-
broken succession they are all there
She stopped suddenly a faint col
or rose to her face, her eyes dropped
and she seemed troubled by some
memory The butler, with his two
noiseless satellites. had placed some
decanters of claret and port on rne
table, and was standing at the side
with folded hands as if his task We're
done. Evelyn glanced az her father,
and, with the smile with which the
hostess mutely preludes her departure
from the table, rose and left the room
Dexter Reece opened the door for
her. his head bent, his whole attitude
one of de.erence, then returned to MS
seat.
Sir Reginald, as if aroused from
his gloomy reverie by his daughters
departure. waved his hand towards
the wine but he did not fill his own
glass; and presently he said, in cold
ly courteous tones
..I ,,i.I b,o ,,o,,r. no,,tni c cin, =, 1aava
you. But pray do not rise; stay aud
finish your wine. You will like a ci-
gar afterwards. Lexham, you know
your way to the smoking room. |
hope you will pardon me; to sit long
is somewhat painful to me-
He rose, the butler advanced ant
extended his arm, and Sr Reginald,
LAYING his hand On it, went out Of
the room, limpng slightly. The two .
men drank ther wine in silence for
some minutes, hten Reece said.
Sir Reg nald is in bad heal h, l
fear?'
Reece had made the remark an
masking his curiosity
" tn an expression OF polite, casual
interest: he was really burning with
curiosity concerning everybody and
everything connected with Thorden .
Hall, which he had entered that even
dpg for the first time, though he
had heard of it and thought of it
many times.
"Gout-I think said Mr.. Lexham
I'm not sure. Sir Reg
inald rarely talks of himself, and
never of his ailments
He appears to be rather a moody
man. remarked Reece, stiil with the
air of casual interest.
Yes" assented Mr. LeXham alb
stractedly. He has reason to be-" 1t
was characteristic of Dexter -eece
that he did not ask why, as he might
reasonably have done. Some more
wine? No? Shall We 90 into the smok-
ing room?"
They let the room and crossed the
hall. a door leading to the terrace
was open and Reece said;
What a lovely evening! Shall we
90 outside?"
They went out on tne terrace ana,
lighting their cigarettes, looked at
the magnificent view.
Dexter Reece turned to his COM
panion.
A fine old place" he said; "but
grim
Mr.. Lexham cast glance at the
mousse and nodded
1T has seen some tragedies he
said There is tradition that 10
master Of Thorden can be happy
Certainly Sir Reginald's appear
ance and manner support the tradi-
ton, remarked Reece. "He looks like
, man borne down by some trouble.