The Ordway new era., 1911-12-01
tCopyrsh,. 1910. by The Bobbs-A Morrill, Coz
CHAPTER |.
Dan Blair.

The fact that much he said. because
OF his unconscionablc slang, was in
comprehensive did not take from the
charm OF his conversation as far as
the duchess OF Breakwater was con-
cerned. The brightness of his express
sion his quick clear look upon them.
his beautiful young smile. his not too
frequent laugh his new gayness," as
the duchess called his spirits. his SUI
pernal youth. his difference. credited
him with what nine.tenths OF the hui
man race lack-charm.
His tone was not too crudely west
ern; neither did he suggest the ultra
east with which they we're familiar.
American women went down well
enough with them. but American men
were unpopular. and when the visitor
arrived, Lady Galorey did not even an
the first shoot"
The others were In the armory when
the ninth gun. n young chap. six feet
OF him. blond as the wheat. cleanly set
UP and very good to look at. came in
with Lily. Duchess of Breakwater.
Lady Galorey, his hostess. greeted
them.
oh. here you are. are you? Lord
Mersey. Sir John Fairthrope." She
mumbled the rest OF the names of her
companions as though she did not
want them understood. then waved to-
ward the young chap. calling him Mr..
Dan Blair. and he, as she hesitated.
added:
.From Blairtown Montana"
And give him a, gun. will you. Cor.
dom" Lady Galorey spoke to her
husband.
Il discovered Mr.. Blair. Edie." the
duchess announced. land he didn't
even know there was shoot on for
today. Fancy"
Il guess" Dan Blair said pleasant.
ly, III take gun out OF this bunch"
and he chose one ut random from sew
eral indicated to him by the game
keeper. II get my best luck when |
go 1t blind. Right! Thanks. That's
SO, Lady Galorey. didn't know there
was to be any shooting until the duch-
ess let it out
To himself he thought with good-na-
tured amusement. Afraid I'll spoil
their game record. maybe" and went
out along with them. following the in
sular noblemen like ray Of sun.
smiling on the pretty woman who had
discovered him in the grounds where
he had been poking about by himself.
Where, in heavens name. did you
'corrar-word of his own-the dear
boy, Edith? How did he get to Os.
dene Park, or in fact anywhere. Just
h. t.,
Thought I'd let him take you by
surprise. dearest. Where'd you find
DAM"
Down by the garden house. feeding
the rabbits, on his knees like little
boy, his hands full of lettuces. I'd
Just come a cropper myself on the
mare. She fell, I'm sorry to say, Edie
and hacked her knees quite lot. One
of those disguised bitches. you know.
was coming along leading her when
ran on your friend"
The young duchess was slender as
willow. very brunette. with beauti
full. discontented face.
I'm going to show Dan Blair OF, u
Lady Galorey responded. going to
give the debutantes n chance"
Placidly nodding. the duchess lit a
cigarette and began quoting from Dan
Blair's conversation: Il fancy he
won't let them worry him. he's toe
'busy!'"
You mean that you're going tc
keep him occupied
The duchess didn't notice this.
"Is he such a catch?"
Neither of the women had walked
out with the guns. The duchess had
bad foot. and Lady Galorey never
went anywhere she could help witt
her husband She now drew her chail
up to the table In the morning room
to which they had both gone after the
departure of the guns, and regarded
with satisfaction a quantity Of sta
tionery and the red leather desk ap
pointments.
"Slt down and smoke If you like
Lily: I'm going to fill out some lists
mo, thanks, I'm going up to my
rooms and get Parkins to massey thi:
beastly foot Of mine. I must have fall
en- on it. But tell me first, Is Mr.
Blair catch?"
Lady Galorey had opened an ad
dress book and looked up from 1t t.
reply:
"something like ten million
pounds"
& Heavens! Disgusting!"
1.-THE richest young man west o
some river or other At any rate h.
told me last night that 1t was ''cleal