The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-10-08
The Island of the Stairs
Continued from page p

"By gad," laughed Luftdon. 81 like
your spirit, lad! Who are you and
what are your"
'"The late gardeners son."
DO they breed such as you down
here in these gardens"
"As to that l know not. my lord.
l am a sailor. l have commanded my
own ship and made my own fortune.
] come back here between cruises be-
cause am devoted to-
THE womanr' sneered the duke.
And | marveled at the temerity of the
,an. seeing that could have choked
him IL death with one hand.
Mention her name again." ! cried,
land yon will lie beside your victim
yonder.''
Right" said Luftdon approvingly.
81 come back here because am fond
of the old place; 1t is my home. My
people have served the Wilberforces
for generations. Their forbears and
mine lie together in the churchyard
around the hill yOnder. You can't I'M
derstand devotion like that" said l.,
turning to the duke. land 1t is not nee
essary that you should"
"And indeed what is necessary for
me. pray?" he sneered.
THAT you leave the place at once"
"Without speech with my ladyT
"WithOut speech with any one. There
il a good inn at the village. l will
take 1t upon myself to see that your
servants pack your mails and follow
you there at once"
81 will not be ordered about like
thisw protested the duke.
"Oh, yes. you WILL" said Luftdon.
1.-THE advice he gives is good. We
have nothing more to do here Don't
be fool. Arcester. You have got
everything you wanted in this game,
and 1t is only just that you should pay
a little for it. What's your name. my
manY'
"Never mind what 1t is"
Are you ashamed Of itT"
"Hampdonw
champion. you may not be a gentle
man." said Luftdon. hut by CAD yOn
are man. and here is my hand on it,"
He had played mans part so !
clasped 1t.
And SO they went down the path.
leaving me not greatly reIishing my
triumph. for had to tell Mistress
Lucy all that had happened.
The scarlet OF my lady's riding coat
as she galloped up the tree covered
road attracted my attention. quick
ened my pace. and we arrived at the
steps of the hall at the same instant.
She was alone. for she had evidently
chosen to ride unaccompanied.
] stood silent before her with that
curious dumbness l generally expert
ence when first entering her presence.
while she drew rein sharply. She was
a little thing compared to me-indeed.
small compared even to the average
woman. but In one sense she was the
biggest thing | had ever confronted. l
was almost afraid of her! I who fear
ed nothing else. What she thought Of
me was OF little moment to her.
1t was Mistress Lucy's regular habit
to take a morning gallop every day. 1t
was that usual custom that caused her
to look so fresh and young and beau
tiful. that put the color In her cheek
and the sparkle In her eye.
She nodded carelessly. yet kindly. to
me. 1t was her habit. that careless
kindness. When she was a little girl
and | had been great boy we had
played together Familiarity. but that
was long since over. Then she looked
about for Il groom. The steps that led
to the terrace were deserted Sir GeOf
frey of late had grown slack in the
administration of affairs on account of
his troubles. and no one was present
Mistress Lucy stared at me. frowning