The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-07
CHAPTER x


feet with a vivid blush On her pale
cheeks.
You're better now?" Sir Douglass said
gently You tainted few moments
ago. I am afraid the conduct OF your
rascal OF brother upset you
His words brought back the scene
through which she had just passed, For
moment she hal forgotten everything,
but now il was all real: the hideous bond
that existed between herself and Sidney
Ffrench seemed more loathsome as she
listened 70 Sir Douglas quiet voice
Don't-don't speak OF him." she said
quickly. "oh. Sir Douglas, think I had
better go away from Luck House" she
went on; L am no real use, and now
That he will keep coming here. my life
viii be unbearable."
Go away from Luck House?" he an
swered, why let that young BLACKBOARD
rob you Of your peace of mind to that
extent Let me-" he went on In a low
voice, let NE stand between you and
trouble. dear; give me the right TO fight
your battles, Rose; promise TO be my
wife one day. will you?"
She looked at him with shining. startled
eyes. You don't know what YOU are
saying she murmured II am a little
nobody-if you knew me really, you would
nate me. perhaps; you said that only
out of charity"
He caught her to him and held her
tightly Il said It because I love Won"
he answered, Il think / must have loved
you from The beginning. Don't say YOU
can't care about me- dear" he went on.
i know I have no right to ask you to
he my wife; ! am as poor as a church
mouse. and see no chance of ever being
anything else, but | love YOU. darling.
since you came. life at Luck House has
been changed for me"
Rosemary held his hands in her own
trembling ones. Now was the chance 10
tell him that Sidney French was not her
brother. and that she was living az Luck
House under a name that did not belong
TO her. But Sir Douglas. taking her 81
lence Tor consent and reading the urk-
ing response in her eyes. was himself the
means OF checking her tardy confession
and drawing it back into her heart He
put his hand under her chin and rasied
her face TO his
DO you love me, dear?''
Yes, she whispered shyly but, Sir
Douglas, l ought not t0-I-"
lie silenced her with a kiss, and as her
lips responded 10 her first lovers kiss,
Rosemary knew that, let come what may,
she had known one moments perfect Joy.
What did anything matter now that she
had some one upon whom to lean. and
even the ugly. sinister hgure of Sidney
Ffrench was robbed OF some of its power.
Darling, Sir Douglas said presently,
when they had recovered from the frst
ecstasy OF mutual discovery Of each
others feelings. You must call me
Douglas now and ! will call you Rose
there is no future need of formality.'
-
said quietly. But what will Lady Nal
LADY say?" she went on anxiously: II
am afraid when she is better she might
think I have betrayed her confidence"
A shadow crossed the happiness in her
lovers eyes. Whenever she is better,
darling" he said grayely, we viii tell
her together-only, she must be quite we'll
and strong. Until then, shall we keep
our secret TO ourselves?" he went on.
My cousin and his party will be here
soon. ana you might prefer not to have
our engagement announced till they have
gone. Personally, 1 should love to intro
duce you as the future mistress OF Luck
House." he smiled proudly; there is
nothing, left OF its glory, but you would
bring back 70 It the departed beauty Of
its d-gORe-ehatelalnes"
Rosemary turned TO him with shining
eyes.
You remember the second verse OF the
legend" she said softly:
But if he stay and hold his own
In face Of hardship and Of hate.
The love Of maiden shaiI atone
And SCI his Luck for straight.
Perhaps I shall do that for you Doug
las, she went on shyly. ''Who knows ?"
lie laughted at her words. Beloved,
you VII put my happiness straight,
but the luck Of our house VIII
never be revealed now. am afraid.
You see." he went on. some time ago. an
eccentric old uncle died, and left his
money in such a way that on certain
conditions il was divided between my
cousin and myself If he only obeyed
the conditions. then ne got the money:
and he did so while / failed 10; so you
see. sweetheart, Luck House has lost its
only chance OF ever having It's secret
found and made use Of"
What were the eonditions?p Rosemary
asked.
That one OF us-or both-shouid. be-
fore the end OF the year from the read
ing OF tho will have married. My cousin
has married, and I-well, I thank God,
II have lost the money; I have won
love he went on tenderly: "a far great
er possession after ali. I don't regret It
~ INC tCdati bAt my poor OLD HlOLucT
has been very much upset by my failure
10 get the money for Luck House. She
had set her heart upon my making an
other search for the hidden luck -
Rosemary listened attentively. a Gu
rious feeling stealing over her that she
had once before heard a story that re-
sembled her lovers. She could not think
where, but for a moment was lost in
a dream, until Sir Douglas voice made
her look up quickly While they had
been talking. they had strolled through
the wood and come round 10 the front
entrance CT the gates of Luck House. and
Sir Douglas exclamation had been reused
by the sight of great white motor car
going up the drive.
That must be my cousins car" Sir
Douglas said. 7 didn't expect him till
tomorrow. I must hurry I'D and well
come him. I suppose" Then he turned
TO Rosemary and taking her hand in his.
said tenderly:
This Is goOd-by for only a short time.
darling. I shall be impatient till I can
have you to myself again. You viii come
and meet my cousins friends at tea.
won't you?"
1 Yes she said snlilingiy; ''only
III be very nervous; am so fright
81 Of grand Indies
are more beautiful than any