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


"Of course They've been engaged
nearly year, but he's been abroad I'M
til quite lately. He is rather close
about his own affairs. and never talks
about his travels and adventures, al
though one day Mr.. Leithcourt de-
clared that his hairbreadth escapes
would make a most exciting book if
ever written"
"Leithcourt and he are evidently
most intimate friends
"Oh, quite inseparable!" she
laughed. And the other man who is
always with them is that short. stout.
red-faced old fellow standing over
there with the lady in pale blue. Sir
Ughtred Gardner. Mr. Woodroffe has
nicknamed him Sir Putrid' And we
both laughed. "Of course, don't say
said so, she whispered. They don't
call him that to his face, but it's so
easy to make mistake in his name
when he's not within hearing. We
women don't care for him, so the nick
name just fits"
And she g0ssiped on, telling me
much that desired to know regarding
the new tenant Of Rannoch and his
friends, and more especially of that
man who had first introduced himself
to me in the consulate at Leghorn
Half an hour later my uncle's car
rage was announced, and l left with
the distinct impression that there was
some deep mystery surrounding the
Leithcourts. Whatever the reason,
had become filled with grave appre.
tensions. The mystery grew deeper
day by day, and was inexplicable.
During the week that followed
sought to learn all could regarding
the new people at the castle.
They are taken up everywhere"
declared my aunt when l questioned
her. "Of course, we knew very little
Of them, except that they had a shoot
up near Fort William two years ago,
and that they have a town house in
Green street. They are evidently
rather smart folks. Don't you think
500"
Judging from their house party
yes responded. "They are about as
gay crowd as one could find north
of Carlisle just at present"
"Exaxctly. There are some we'll
known people among them, too," sale
my aunt. 1--WE asked them over to
morrow afternoon. and they've &C
copied"
Excellent" exclaimed, for want
ed an opportunity for another cha
with the dark.eyed girl who was en-
gagged to the man whose alias was
Horribly. l particularly desired to as
certain the reason of her fear when
had mentioned the Lola, and whether
she possessed any knowledge of Hyl
ton Chatter.
The opportunity came to me in due
course, for next afternoon the Rannoct
party drove over in two large brakes
and with other people from the neigh
borhood and band from Dumfries, my
aunt's grounds presented a gay and
animated scene
AS expected. Woodroffe did not &C
company the party. Me. Leithcourt, q
slightly fussy little woman, apologized
for his absence, explaining that he had
been recalled to London suddenly a
few days before, but was returning to
Rannoch again at the end of the week
I'VE couldn't afford to lose him
she declared to my aunt. He is 50
awfully humorous-his droll savings
and antics keep us in a perfect roar
each night at dinner. He's such Der,
feet mimic"
l turned away and strolled with
Muriel, pleading an excuse to show
her my uncle's beautiful grounds, not
a whit less picturesque than those of
the castle, and perhaps rather better
kept
Il only heard yesterday of your en-.
gagement, Miss Leithcourt," I re.
marked presently when we were alone
ALLOW me to offer my best congratula.
tons. When you introduced me to
Mr.. Woodroffe the other day I had no
idea that he was to be your husband"
She glanced at me quickly, and saw
in her dark eyes look of suspicion.
Then she flushed slightly, and laugh.
ing uneasily said, in a blank. hard
voice:
It's very good of you, Mr.. Gregg, to
wish tie all sorts of such pleasant
things"
And when is the happy event to
take placer"
"The date is not exactly fixed-early
next year, ! believe" and thought
she slghef