The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-06
THE FARMER: MARCH 6, 1911

younger man went to the window and
looked out, his eyes resting thought
fully on the belt of trees through
which Miss Desborough had disap-
denly an exclamation from Mr.. Lex
ham reused Reeece from his reverie.
Dear mel" exclaimed Mr.. Lexham.
whats this!' He read from the pa
per before him: Lord Lydstone rs
lying dangerously ill at his residence
in Eaton Square. The cause of his
illness is attributed to an accident he
met with on Wednesday night; though
no details are forthcoming, it is ru-
INQUIRED that his Lordship was injur-
ed in a fracas which took place at
a card-party at which he was pres
emit; indeed, the name of his assau-
ant is freely mentioned in the circle
to which Lord Lydstone belongs. His
Lordship is the second baron of that
name, has considerable estates in
Wealdshire, and is prominent mem
Der of the fashionable world"
Mr.. Lexham shook his head grave
ly. fashionable world means the
Smart Set, 1 suppose. I'm not sur
prised at anything happening to a
person belonging to that crew:
knew this Lydstone's father very well
in fact, I acted for him once or
twice; but this young man gave me
the go-by. 1 suppose I wasn't up-to-
date enough for him; and I can't say
that I'm sorry, for 1 don't like doing
business with men Of this kind. Judg-
ing by what this paragraph says,< I
imagine he got into some sort Of row
or other and got the worst of it. Yes!
I am glad am. not his solicitor
"You are fortunate in being able
to choose your clients" remarked
Dexter suavely.
Mr.. Lexham shrugged his should
ers; and Dexter Reece watched him,
without appearing to do so; and
when, presently, the old lawyer toss
ed the newspaper aside and took up
his letters, Dexter Reece sauntered
to the table, and, in an aimless way,
picked up the paper. He sauntere ed
back to the window and out to the
terrace; a large deerhound was
sire ched there in the sun, and Dex-
ter Reece' began playing with it, at
first, cautiously; and presently ex-
claimed, you bad dog, you've torn
the paper" he went to the window
and held up the fragments. 1.-THE
dog and I between us have wrecked
the Western Morning, News! Does it
NATTER"
Mr.. Lexham looked up absently.
ooh, no! there is another copy; it is
always taken up to Sir Reginald's
room" 1;'s~af a'@rt
ooh, that's all right!" said Reece,
with an air of relief, as he folded up
the remains of the paper and placed
them on side table. The page con-
tanning the paragraph he had thrust
in his pocket.
A mail-phaeton came round, and a
moment or two afterwards Evelyn ap-
peared in light coat and skirt, and
simple but charming hat. Dexter
Reece was by no means susceptible
man, and the blood in his veins ran
coldly enough; but even he could not
be insensible to the beauty and grace
of the young girl as she stood before
him, pulling on her gauntlet driving
gloves.
1--WE can't take the groom" she
said; my father wants the carriage
You don't mind trusting yourself with
me?"
Anywhere, and in any circum-
stances" he replied promptly.
miss Evelyn is a splendid whip
remarked Mr.. Lexham, with his court
ly little bow.
The horses were young and fresh
and Dexter Reece, who was not tor
richly endowed with physical courage
could not help glancing at Miss
| Evelyn's slender wrists, and wonder
ing what would happen if the pair 81
high-fettled cobs were to make boil,
of it; but, though they were dancing
about in a particularly high-spirite6
and restless fashion, Evelyn appeared
quite at her ease, and held them
| firmly enough as they pranced and
curvetted over the sfnoth gravel drive
| 1--WE will go down to Port Dale
| first. It is such quaint place; and
am always eager to show it to every
| one who comes to Thorden. It is
qt lite a strange little world of its own
and. you see"-she pointed with hel
whip to the cluster of houses beside
| the estuary which formed the little
| port-''it is quite apart by itself
there is no place near it; the neares
is a small watering place, three mile,
round the bend, which Mr.. Lexhan
is. 1 fear vainly, trying to make fash
! ionable and therefore prosperous. I
has been the ambition of his life; bu
my father says it is too far from
railway station, and its immediat,
| surroundings would strike most per