The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-08-20

he made long detours in various u''e'
tions vet he always arrived at the
same SPOT at the same hour-n'e
o'clock.
The place where he halted vas on
the edge of a dark wood on the Dro"
Of a hill about three miles from hah-
noch. Leithcourt never went there u''
rect, but always so timed ms "a'ho
that he arrived just at five, ana ie,
manned there smoking cigarettes uhli'
halfpast, as though awaiting the ar
rival Of some person he expected.
In my youth | had sat many quiet
hour there in the darkenlns elooln
and knew the wood we'll. and was apie
to watch the tenant Of Rannoch from
points where he least suspected the
presence Of another. Once, when
was alone with Muriel, mentohea
her fathers capacity for walking alone
whereupon she said:
ooh, yes, he was always fono oi
walking. He used to take me WIFI
him when we first came here, Dul he
always went so far that | refused TO
60 any more
She never once mentioned Wood
roffe. | allowed her plenty OF oppof-
tunity for doing so, chatting her about
her forthcoming marriage in order that
she might again refer to him. But
| never did his name pass her lips. l
understood that he had gone abroad
that was all
Often when alone | reflected upon
my curious adventure on that night
when | met Olinto, and of my narrow
escape from the hands of my unknown
enemies. | wondered if that ingenious
and dastardly attempt upon my life
had really any connection with that
strange incident at Leghorn. As day
succeeded day, my mind became filled
by increasing suspicion. Mystery sur
rounded me on every hand. Indeed,
by one curious fact alone it vas in
creased hundredfold.
Late one afternoon, when had been
out shooting all day with the Rannoch
party. | drove back to the castle in
the Perth cart with three other men,
and found the ladies assembled in the
great hall with tea ready. A welcome
log fire was blazing in the huge old
CRATE, for in October it is chilly and
damp in Scotland and fire is pleasant
at evening.
Muriel was seated upon the high
padded fender-like those one has at
clubs-Which always formed a coy
spot for the ladies, especially after
dinner, When entered, she rose quick,
ly and handed me my cup, exclaiming
as she looked at me:
"Oh, Mr.. Gregg! What state you
are in"
YES, l was after snipe, and slipped
into a bog" | laughed. But it was
early this morning, and the mud has
dried"
Come with me, and I'll get you
brush,9 she urged. And I followed her
through the long corridors and up-
stairs to a small sitting-room which
was her own little sanctum, where she
worked and read-a coy little place
with two queer old windows in the
colossal wall and floor Of polished
oak, and great black beams above. AS
my eyes wandered around the room
they suddenly fell upon an object
which caused me to start with pro-
found wonder-a cabinet photograph
in frame of crimson leather.
The picture was that of young girl
"a duplicate of the portrait | had
found torn across and flung aside on
board the Lola!
The merry eyes laughed out at me
as | stood staring at it in sheer be.
widerment.
What pretty girl" exclaimed
quickly, concealing my surprise. who
is She"
My companion was silent a moment
her dark eyes meeting mine with a
strange look of inquiry.
YES" she laughed, everyone ad-
mires her. She was a schoolfellow of
mine-Elma Heath"
Health" l echoed. Where was
she at school with you?"
AT Chichester"
Long ago."
"A little over two years ago"
Shes very beautiful" l declared.
taking up the photograph and discoy.
ering that it bore the name of the same
well.known photographer in New Bond
street as that had found on the car
pet of the Lola in the Mediterranean.
Yes. She's really prettier than her
photograph. It hardly does her JUS
tice."
And where is she now?"
why are you so very inquisitiye,
Mr.. Gregg" laughed the handsome
girl. Have you actually fallen in love
with her from her picture?"
I'm hardly given to that kind of
thing, Miss Leithcourt," I answered
with mock severity. q don't think even
my worst enemy could call me a flirt,
could she?"