The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1915-12-24


o'clock.
The place where he halted was on
the edge OF dark wood on the brow
OF hill about three miles from Ran
noch. Leithcourt never went there di-
rect. but always SO timed his walks
that he arrived just at five. and re-
manned there smoking cigarettes until
half-past. as though awaiting the ar
rival of some person he expected.
In my youth had sat many a quiet
hour there in the darkening gloom
and knew the wood we'll. and was able
to watch the tenant OF Rannoch from
points where he least suspected the
presence OF another. Once. when I
was alone with Muriel. l mentioned
her fathers capacity for walking alone.
whereupon she said:
oh. yes. he was always fond of
walking. He used to take me with
him when we first came here. but he
always went SO far that l refused to
go any more"
She never once mentioned Wood
roffe. | allowed her plenty of oppor-
tu1ity 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. |
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 II that ingenious
and dastardly attempt uIon 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 was in
creased a 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 a 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 I'M"
Yes. 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 q
brush,' she urged And 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 a 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-
wilderment.
What a pretty girl" | exclaimed
quickly, concealing my surprise Who
is she?"
My companion was silent moment,
her dark eyes meeting mine with Q
strange look of inquiry.
Yes" she laughed, everyone ad-
mires her. She was schoolfellow OF
mine-Elma' Heath"
Heath" ! echoed. Where was
she at school with you?"
AT Chichester"
Long ago."
"A little over two years ago"
She's very beautiful" | declared.
taking up the photograph and discov-
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. 1t hardly does her jus
tice."
And where is she now"
why are you so very inquisitive,
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." l answered
with mock severity. Il don't think even
my worst enemy could call me flirt.
could she?"
No. ! will give you your DUE" she
declared. you never do flirt That
is why ! like YOU
Thanks for your candor, Miss Leith'
| court - said