Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-05-07

~ tEIs 0buns 2AlJ0inACA AtRAACNf
moving on. 4 can't settle your love af.
fairs for you. l can only say that ]
shall build the lodge and If you Wish
g i've IN |: you wifi be welcome to
do So
: Not long after this Alexander, aided
by John. was stalking out the lines fol
the foundations of the lodge. The
grounds near the gate were covered
with trees. and Anne. approaching
paused in the shadow and watched
them for Il moment and then, advanc.
ing. asked what they were doing.
I'm going to build a lodge here,
said Mr.. Alexander. John will live
in it. have suggested his taking s
wife to keep him company"
John. who was driving a stake, die
not look up and failed to see a glance
that his employer gave the girl. Anne
turned away and walked toward the
house. Alexander Joined her. and
John. having driven the stake. looked
after them. An idea seemed to have
entered his brain or. rather. his heart
for an idea will enter through the
heart that will not gain admittance
through the brain. Suppose Alexander
wanted Anne himself?
The thought brought with 1t Infinite
terrors. Although Alexander was near
" double the girls age, that was no
reason why she should not marry him
He had inherited her with the place
She was indebted to him for her living
As his wife she would live a life OF
luxury. Could there be stronger rea'
sons why she should marry him il he
wanted her?
The foundations for the lodge were
dug and the structure WAS nearly com
pleted when one day Anne met john
making preparations for a little garden
in its rear. Anne. who had been out
gathering wild flowers, came in at the
gate and began to talk to him.
"What's that Sir. Alexander was say
ing to you about being married and liv'
ing in the lodge?'
HE wants some one at the gate
what for | don't know. There has
never been any gatekeeper since the
place was built"
who is it you're thinking Of marry
mgr
John looked up, surprised. Hes
been talking to you,' he said
Anne neither affirmed nor denied the
truth of the statement.
Did he tell you that she was moi
born a lady. but was brought up one?'
asked John.
Still there was no reply.
"She wouldn't live in a lodge" con
tinued John.
How do you known"
perhaps she might do better. She
might be mistress of a country place OF
her own
"She might not wish to be-"
"But you don't deny that she might
be If she chose"
Anne was looking into vacancy
What she was thinking John did moi
know. She knew of what she was
thinking, but it is questionable If she
knew herself just what she thought
At any rate. she was mot controlling
her thoughts. They were controlling
her. There was a step on the grave
walk, and Alexander, approaching, saw
the girl standing near his gardener
John looking w%istfully into her face
A frown denoted that an idea had en-
tered Alexander's brain similar to the
n that had struck John when Anne
and Alexander had walked away from
him on the day the foundation line Of
the lodge was being staked out. II
was succeeded by a smile, and Alex
ander said jocularly:
well, John, the lodge is nearly ready
for you. How about the girl who is tc
occupy it with you? Has she consent
ed to live in so humble a dwellingT'
II fear not replied John. Where
/ had one doubt on the day l gave you
my confidence l have a dozen today"
How is that, John?' +
'@That would be to discuss matters
which have no right to discuss"
Alexander colored slightly under the
implied reproof, then. turning to Anne
asked her If she would walk to the
conservatory with him since he wished
to show her something there. Anne
accepted, but before turning from
John gave him a look. What it meant
he did not know. 1t was merely a
look.
When the lodge was finished its own
er ordered a supper to be served there
and invited every one on the place to
gather in the evening to celebrate the
buildings completion. When all had
come and were standing about the ia.
Bile preparatory to helping themselves
to the yiands Alexander, who stood at
the head of the table, filed a wine
glass. raised it and said:
"Let US drink to John ricketts,, the
occupant Of the lodge. including his
future wife, who will occupy it with
him, for, as the good book says, II
is not good for man to be alone"