The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-09
The House of In-Luck
BY BLANCHE EARDLEY.


solutey that OF the man who wants to
lay himself out TO please a girl that 1t
proved, without a doubt, that he had no
idea of the real state of affairs. She
walked along beside him in silence. until
sudden remark made her glance at him
involuntarily.
do you know the grounds OF Luck
House well. Miss Ffrench?'
She shook her head. 81 can't say
do They are 80 woody and rambling"
II suppose you've heard about the story
OF buried treasure somewhere in the
grounds?" he went on. 1T seems impos-
sible that such things can be believed in,
doesn't it?"
I suppose So" she answered, guard
eddy. though the legend gives the theory
color
"Ah." he smiled. you know the ia
nous legend, them? Did Sir Douglas tell
your
Rosemary nodded Eyes. wish for
! his sake he could find it,"
Usher flashed an amused glance at her.
why do you wish that?'
Because he would be able 10 do so
many things that are impossible now"
she answered. You see. the money that
ought to have been his ancestors is use
less as long as ii is buried.
quite So" he answered. ''Will you
| help him TO find il. Miss Ffrench?
| Rosemary flushed. Nothing would give
me greater pleasure" she replied 'only
unfortunately, Sir Douglas tells me that
the one sure clew to the treasure has
been stolen, so he has given up the idea. Z"
Perhaps It is as WE'LL" Stephen Usher
said slowly. The whole thing seems
| TO be Ike a fairy tale. This poor old
[ ne oh
it."
Rosemary did not reply. A sudden
| thought had flashed into her brain. max
/ ing her almost dizzy with excitement.
The miniature that had been stolen from
Luck House, and which was now in her
! possession, must have been stolen by
| Stephen Usher or one OF his accomplises,
| for how else could she have found II in
| that house whore the marriage had taken
place? The discovery gave her clew 20
| the reason OF Stephen Usher's self-in-
vited visit 10 Luck House-Ae wanted
10 steal the supposed treasure" that be-
| longed 10 Sir Douglasl That explained
| the strange adventure" he and Fn,lip
! Craven had had the night before; they
had been accommodating the land On.
| how glad she was that she had the min
iature!
|
man who. though he was quite IN ig-
norance OF the fact. was her husband, %
and said coldy:
| If you will excuse me now. Mr.. Usher,
7 VIII go; have a great deal 10 do. Per-
haps Lady Mallaby viii be wanting me.
He took his dismissal gracefully. but
| when she had disappeared he bit his lips
"Humph What q little spitfire she is!
I've good mind 10 see II l can't win
her over; I'd Ike 70 teach her 20 smile
| upon me-"
He str0lled into the village and bought
a paper. then went back by a different
path. As he reached the gate he saw a
small boy walking up the drive; IN his
hand was a dirty envelope, which he was
squeezing very tightly.
We'll. my boy" said Usher ARE YOU
| taking a message 20 any one?"
Yes. SIR the boy replied. Il was "a
give it TO the lady erself"
"Oh. which lady? There are several al
Luck House at present"
Miss French, sir, the gentleman said
liz was very particular"
II See" Usher said slowly. Well as
] am going up 20 the house you can take
this shilling. and I VIII take the letter
which will be the same thing. I vii
give it TO the lady for whom il Is intend
ed"
The boy hesitated. The instructions M
had received had been so peremptory. and
he had promised so faithfully to give il
20 the lady herself that he felt a thrill
OF apprehension until he glanced at The
shilling that the gentleman was hOldinl
out TO him,
He gave the letter up. and. pocketinl
the shilling. he was soon scamperinl
a na fG unFa -
the additional income he had derived
Usher waited till the boy had disap
peared then taking his penknife he slid
IL under the flap Of the envelope, which
was a cheap one. and had not been fast
ened firmly. 1t opened after a little pres
sure, and ne drew the letter out curious
~. II was not addressed from any
where. and began:
Ny Dear Girl: Don't forget the money You ar
70 pay me for keeping your little secret. II don
get il tomorrow By the first post in the moTninY
shall come up TO Luck House. and you knOy
what that means. You might meet me tonight il
the same place, or nearer the house. where We cal
have chat I shall be hanging about the hous
till II In the direction Of the rose garden, aud
you have the money then bring il with you-auy
way. advise you 90 meet me, as don't intend &
be played with. Yours. 5.
''Humph! a charming letter." Ushe
muttered. 80 our demure little compan
ion has a secret too, has she? l mus
study her She may be worth it." TheI
he closed the letter again, and went oil
toward the house.
In the hall he saw Rosemary talkinl
to Sir Douglas, and Ire went up to he
with the letter in his hand.
Miss Ffrench, ] met small boz
bringing this note 10 you. so l relieved
him Of the TOuble"' he said.
Rosemary flushed as she took the let
ter. She knew who had sent il, and a
her eyes met Sir Douglas she saw tha
he was surprised.
AS they We're going in TO lunch he drew
her aside, unconscious of the fact tina
Laura Craven was watching them.
Dearest, let me deal with that letter.
he said. Il know it has worried you
and 1 can guess who sent it
"Oh, II does not matter she mur
INJURED. Il don't suppose there is muel
in it, anyway whatever il is I viii IT!
to deal with ii myself"
He drew back with a hurt expression il
his eyes.
Then won't trespass." he said. cold
. ~. Il only wanted 10 save you annoy
ance."
Rosemary stole away by herself afte
lunch and read the letter with sinkin,
heart. She could not let the man hsv
the e25. She had meant TO ask Sir Doug
las 10 advance 1t on her salary, but nov
that exposure of a worse kind threaten
ed her she could not do so But sh
would meet him and see what he had 4
say.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.
Copyright 1903. by The North American Company.
/
sUNLIGHTED CLOUDS OF OCTOBER
Often October skies a mild charm wear
otscured b. nothing save haze that wells