Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-05-13

Rather a simple way of getting rid
of desirables-transportation-i has
always seemed to me-" dissented Lord
Ronsdale.
Don't they sometimes escape and
come back to England?" asked the
girl.
mot apt to when death for return
ing stares them In the face.'' remarked
the nobleman.
"Deathw The girl shivered slightly.
John Steele smiled. 1.-The penalty
should certainly prove efficacious," he
observed lightly.
sis not such a p~enalty-for returning,
l mean-very severe. Mr.. Steele?'
asked Jocelyn Wray.
THAT" he laughed, depends some
what on the point of view. the crimi-
nal's or society's." His gaze returned
to her. The bright bit of color In her
hair again seemed to catch and hold
his glance.
Lord Ronsdale regarded both quick
ly. A frown crossed his face. and he
looked away to conceal the singularly
CUid LII flhdlCblsG SlCanl lhaL opIdhS
to his eyes.
One evening about a fortnight later
Lord Ronsdale In a dissatisfied frame
of mind strolled along Piccadilly. He
had begun to latter himself hat the
howery way to all he desired lay be
fore him and that he had but to tread
1t when another. as the so~othsayers
put it, had crossed his path.
A plain man, a nan without title.
Lord Ronsdale told himself Miss Joce-
Ign Wray was no better than an ar
ran coquette, but the next moment
questioned this conclusion. Had she
not really been a little taken by the
fellow? Certainly she seemed not
averse to his company. When she
willed, and she willed often, she sum-
moned him to her side. Nor did he
now appear reluctant to come at her
bidding. Self assertive though he had
shown himself to be. he obeyed. sans
demur. the wave of my lady's little
hand. Was 1t a certain largeness and
reserve about him that had awakened
her curiosity? From her high social
position had she wished merely to test
her W power and amuse herself aft
err a light fashion. surely youths and
beauty's privilege?
But. whatever the girls motive, her
conduct In the matter reacted on my
lord. The fellow was In the way
very much so. How could he himself
pay court to her when she frivolously.
If only for the moment, preferred this
commoner's company?
What made the situation ever more
anomalous to Ronsdale and the less
patiently to be borne was that Sir
Charles understood and sympathized
with his desires and position in the
matter. And why not? Ronsdale's
father and Sir Charles had been old
and close friends. There were rea-
sons that pointed to the matcls as a
suitable one, and Sir CHARLIE his
general manner d-attinldaAoegepg
shown he would put no obstacle in the
way of the nobleman's suit for the
hand of his fair niece. AS for Lady
Wray, Lord Ronsdale knew that he
had In that practical and worldly per-
son a stanch ally of his wishes. These
had not become less ardent since he
had witnessed the unqualified success
of the beautiful colonial girl in Lon
don, noted how men illustrious In va
rious walks of life, grave diplomats,
stately ambassadors. were swayed by
her light charm and impulsive frank
ness of youth. And to have her who
could have all London at her feet. In
Guiding his distinguished self. show a
prediction, however short lived and
capricious. for
"Confound the cad! Where did he
come from? Who are his family--if
he has oneT'
As the nobleman assembled the steps
of his club he seemed again to be
thinking deeply. Within. his preoccu-
patton did not altogether desert him.
In q corner, with the big pages of the
Times before him, be read with scant
interest the doings of the day. From
behind another paper the face of a
gray haired. good natured appearing
person, quite different off the bench,
CHANGED to look out at him.
"Eh? That you. Ronsdale|' he said
reaching for a steaming glass of hot
beverage at his elbow. How is your
friend Sir Charles Wray? l had the
pleasure of meeting him the other
morning In the courtroom"
'Same as usual. ! imagine. Judge
Beeson."
"And his fair niece. she takes kindly
to the town and its gayeties?'
"yery kindly" dryly.
"a beautiful girl our young Austria
lianr' The elder man toyed with his
glass, stirred the contents and slipped.
by the way. didn't l see John Steele
n their box at the opera the other
night?"
at is possible" shortly.
sRisinQ man. that" observed the