The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-30
CHAPTER I.
Lord Cecil Intervenes

given to put aside the veil of
formally courteous but wearily
cynical indifference with which Lord
Cecil hid his true self from a world
that would not have understood or
would have scoffed. wherefore be-
tween them was an awkward but sin
cere friendship, and each hid his affec-
ton for the other. 1t was only when
Lord Weston ran down to Croftlaigh
for an idle day that their reserve was
to some extent melted. To Cecil, who
despite the coaXing of calculating
mothers of no less shrewd young ladies'
iof wealth and station, had completely
Withdrawn from fashionable society,
tWeston's gossip was refreshing re-
lief from the somberness of his own
was as vast as it was catholic. ranging
al the way from the highest dignita-
ries of the church to the latest hopeful
bruisers from the collieries and from
Iprincesses of the blood to princesses Of
lthe Gayety chorus. Anything occur
knowledge, must have happened with
in the last two minutes, If one might
Judge by his careless revelations How
he maintained his position on practi
cally nothing year passed compre
hension.
The two men were strofling along
the stream which marked the boundary
of Croftlaigh. and Lord Weston nod
lded toward the roof of a handsome
villa which rose above the tree tops on
the opposite bank
Know your new neighborsT he
asked
mo. didn't know the place had been
let" Cecil yawned.
WAS taken month ago" Weston
informed him. "Quite amaZin' that you
haven't been added to the countess
collection. Suppose it must be mat
ter Of business before pleasure with
her just now, or she may be holdiu
you in reserve for something big.
"She is the Countess Lurovich." Wes.
ton explained. Polish or Serb. Hus
band about now and then-met him
In Vienna once, just before he snuffed
out three officers, one after the other
for lookin' too hard at the countess
Sort of a diplomatic free lance, I've
heard. but has a nasty habit of calm
out man on the least provocation-
an he never misses. The countess is
quite as deadly in another way. Her
present specially is marryin' orphan
lhelresses TO smooth blackguards she
keeps handy. Rotten business
Lord Weston suddenly stopped and
looked at Cecil earnestly.
by Jove." he exclaimed. "I was
near forgettin' old Jimmy Middlehurst
l-BengaI government-was a particu-
lar friend Of yours, Well. I was Just
hearin' yesterday that the countess had
taken Rose Middlehurst under her
wing. with the usual Intentions. The
girl will be of age in week or so
understand. and come into cool mil
lion. She's down here for visit now"
Cecils face grew troubled. Middle
hurst had indeed been his friend, and
under conditions that proved that
friendship to be no little thing. Rose
he remembered as dainty. coaxing
child. her fathers hope and pride. and
even then giving promise OF blossom
ing into a wonderfully fair flower of
womankind. Decidedly she must be
saved from the adventures.
Lord Weston noted with understand
ing the expression which had come
into Cecil's eyes.
( Cecil SOON discovered that the coun-
tess d intend that any outside
tnfue1 should interfere with her
planE When he called at Ashley
grIge. the place which the countess
p6de her country home. he was In
Formed that the countess was not at
home. Nor could he obtain an inter
view with Rose.
Looks rather bad. y'know." Cecil
reflected when he had pondered the
matter for some hours "It's likely
the servants halls have been in com
munication." he continued aloud and
rang.
What do you know about the es-
Enlistment at Ashley grange. JamesT
Lord Cecil queried.
1T isn't place where a gentleman's
man would care to take service, my
iord-leastwise. so / understand"
James replied
None Of the local servants-some
'ad been servants at the grange in the
places of their fathers before them
mas been kept, my lord. which is un-
usual when place is took for a sen
son only. Tim Meadows was the
only one as was kept. him being the
chauffeur where his father was coach
man. and he quit his situation yester-
day. not liking their foreign ways"
"And why had Tim been kept after
the othersT' Cecil asked.
Because they wanted a local man
what knew all the roads hereabout--
leastwise, that is what is supposed to
have been the reason, my lord" James
explained. There is an advertise
ment in today's paper for new local
chauffeur"
Very good. James"
.If they knew OF my scheme" Lord
Cecil thought, half the cart tail speak.