Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-18
CHAPTER XXIV.-Continued.

in the loch. and she walked back as far
as the castle with Carthew. The reap
pearance of that ill-omened craft had
alarmed her more than a little. and she
could see that Carthew was becoming al
ways more sorely puzzled. But he had
promised. her to await events without
question for three short months; and he
was keeping his promise Loyalty. She
could have told him nothing. in any case.
She met Slyne in the hall. on her way
indoors, and he treasured her as to her
perfect safety from any further risk of
evildoing by Capt Dove He pointed out.
too, that the steamers crew was too
scanty now to cope with the force he
could call to her aid from the village In
case the old man should attempt to make
any mischief. which was most unlikely.
And she went on to her own coy quar-
ters, quite content again.
She was changing her outdoor dress Tor
one OF her pretty Partisan tea gowns,
when word was brought her that the
Duchess of Dawn and Lord 1ngoldsby
her a call.
She remembered Lord Ingoldsby. and
wondered what could have brought him
to Loquhariot. The idea OF entertaining
a duchess dismayed her a little: she MAD
no notion at all what the conventions
usual in her own experience = although
Slyne had been at some pains to explain
a number Of other conventions to her
But she went along to the blue drawing
room at once. where she found Slyne I'M
concernedly chatting with very beauti-
full young woman in a sadly spiashed
habit, her back to the fire, booted feet
a little apart, hunting crop IN clasp
ed hands. laughter in her clear eyes:
while Lord Ingoldsby, looking much less
imbecile and more of a man in his travel
soiled riding kit, stood listening gloomily.
His face cleared at sight OF Sallie, how
ever Here's Lady Josceline, Aunt
Jane" he cried. and the duchess. after
came forward with outstretched hands
and kissed her without any more ado.
"Oh, my dear.'' said the duchess, Inn
pulsively. you can't imagine what a re-
lief you are. Ingoldsby has been simply
raving about you, and-I was SO anxious.
don't you know. But l don't blame him
now.
Eve seen you before, too-one night at
the Savoy. II L had only known then
who YOU we're But some one said you
were a Miss Harris. You've kept it all
such a close secret! We wouldn't have
known even now IL We hadn't heard, quite
by chance. that the beacon had been
lighted one night. And we've been won.
me all about everything now. if you WILL
And she drew Sallie down beside her on a
low couch at one side of the white marble
fireplace. leaving the two men to their
own devices while she went on to explain
herself no less volubly.
cit was madness, of course, to cross
the pass in weather like this. but-ln-
goldsby would give me no peace; ana
I've been SO curious myself to IND out
who could be here. I'm your nearest
neighbor, you know. although Castle
Dawn is ten miles away; those are worse
than twenty anywhere else. SO. When
the rain stopped this forenoon We set out
and here we are, covered with mud.
The roads in dreadful state, but you
must come over and stay with me as
soon as the bridges are mended. We're
going to be great friends. l knew your
father-although I'm not quite so old as
you might imagine from that. for wash
out Of short petticoats the last time ne
spoke to me. And, as for being the aunt
of that scapegrace there, he's five years
older than am in years-and fifty in
Don't be too rough on a fellah, Aunt
Jane.' interrupted her noble nephew.
who had been regarding Sallie with fixed
vacuity through his eyeglass. AN don
you believe all you hear about me, Lady
Josceline; I'm not SO black as I'm paint
ed, at any rate"
He's been simply raving about You.
the duchess declared again. in laughing
whisper. IT couldn't imagine what had
brought him down to Dawn in midwinter.
until he confided in me that he had been
searching the wide world for you ever
since he met you first; and he imagined
that you might, after all. be here, at
home
She had a great many questions to ask
Sallie then, questions which Sallie, In
such a situation, might have found 1t very
difficult to answer, but for Jasper Slyne's
sharp ears and tactful tongue And the
duchess was not slow to understand
"Of course, you can't confide in me
vet she declared, laughingly But
some day you must tell me all your ad-
ventures. Your homecoming after all
these years will make a nine-day wonder
once the papers get to hear of it..
A servant came to light the lamps. and
Slyne sauntered to a window before the
curtainS were drawn.
Its showing again. Ingoldsby." said
he. You won't get back to Dawn to-
night
The duchess looked little alarmed, but
was soon laughing again.
"All right" she agreed, in response to
Sallie's prompt proffer Of hospitality.
and SO will Ingoldsby, I'm sure.
..I'n go and let Mrs. Mkissock know
SLIME volunteered. Will you look into
the gunroom when you pass, Lady Josce-
line?"
rs old Janet still here?' the duchess
asked as he left the room. II must have
a chat with her. She and l used to be
great friends before-when Torquil st.
Just was still alive and my mother would
bring me over to Loquhariot when she
came to call on yours. l was Jane Galr-
loch in those days.
Lord Hngoldsby sat listening very pa
tiently for time while they talked TO
each other. and then he became possess
ed by a strangled cough-to which the
duchess paid no attention.
You might give fellah chance. Aunt
Jane" he at length suggested. desper-
ately, and she rose from the couch with
a most penitent expression.
BLESS my heart, child!' she said
had almost Forgotten But-rll go and
talk to old Janet now" And she disap-
peared without other apology.
Sally looked surprised. But Lord In
goldsby, having cleared his throat again,
claimed her attention.
you've no idea. Lady Josceline." he
said, hurriedIy, what deuce OF a bat
I've been in for nearly a fortnight.
was afraid I'd never find you again. And
now that I've found you, don't y'know.
what 1 want to say to you is It's
very difficult to express But mean
What I'm trying to tell you is that ]
thought we might, maybe. make match
of it. Will you marry me, Lady Josce-
liner
SaIlie looked still more surprised. But
she was not slow in answering such
preposterous question.
IT can't" she said. concisely.
But why not?" he cried. For heavens
sake don't go 50 fast. Give me time
To- .
.Time couldn't make any difference"
she said, seeing that he was very much
in earnest 81 can't"
'But-why not?" he insisted. Isis
that fellah I met in Monte Carlo with
yo,, I'm sure. he's such a rank outsider