The Green Forest tribune., 1915-08-13
CHAPTER lV.-Continued.

Of course. They've been engaged
 nearly year, but he's been abroad un
 fl ouite lately. He is rather close
 shout his own affairs, and never talks
 shout his travels and adventures, al
 though one day MT. Leithcourt de
 dared that his hairbreadth escapes
 would make a most exciting book if
 ever written"
 Teithcourt and he are evidently
 most intimate friends"
 "0h, quite inseparable!" she
 laughed And the other man who is
 always with them is that short, stout
 redfaced old fellow standing over
 there with the lady in pale blue, Sir
 Ughtred Gardner. MT. Woodroffe has nicknamed him Sir Putrid.' And we both laughed. "Of course, don't say said so" she whispered. "They don call him that to his face, but it's so easy to make a 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 gossiped 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 me in the consulate at Leghorn. Half an hour later my uncle's car fsge was announced, and I left with tne distinct impression that there was some deep mystery surrounding the Hlthcourts. Whatever the reason. mad become filled with grave appre- tensions The mystery grew deeper osy oy day, and was inexplicable. During the week that followed l sought to learn all I could regarding te new people at the castle.
 They are taken up everywhere, J aeclared my aunt when I questioned her. "Of course, we knew very little 0f them, except that they had a shoot up near Fort William two years ago, ana mat they have a town house in Gfeen street. They are evidently 'alner smart folks. Don't you think so?"
 judging from their house party, yes' responded. They are about as gay crowd as one could find north @ Carlisle just at present."
 Exaxctly. There are some we'll AnoWn people among them, too," said uy aunt. I've asked them over to. mOiloW afternoon, and they've ac. cepted"
 ESceilent!" I exclaimed, for I want. sa an opportunity for another chat si'a the dark-eyed girl who was en- 9lSeu to the man whose alias was
 ~npy' particularly desired to as s.i'din the reason of her fear when .au mentioned the Lola, and whether que possessed any knowledge of Hyl. ton Chatter
 ihe opportunity came to me in due a' s0u.se' TOT next afternoon the Rannoch sa, ' uroVe over in two large brakes, has, I "itn other people from the neigh. svn., aooo and band from Dumfries, my aa; a' grounds presented a gay and animated scene.
 o l expected. Woodroffe did not ac- s,,aa. ,a,pany the party. Mn. Leithcourt, a sash.iy sasny fussy little woman, apologized ha,I . uis absence, explaining that he had fors recalled to London suddenly a Row., R." uays before, but was returning to och %n again at the end of the week. sbo "o S couldn't afford to lose him." aw,a,, ueeiared to my aunt. He is so ana y humorous-his droll sayings s.o, u antics keep us in a perfect roar fsct mimic" -o 'u'n q pei Mn,,eu turned away and strolled with h0. hu'iel' pleading an excuse to show a vhi. ay uncle's beautiful grounds, not tho ' iess picturesque than those of ken. 's'le, and perhaps rather better gagony oniy heard yesterday of your en- marLns Miss Leithcourt," I re- "AI,ae presently when we were alone. tons me to offer my best congratula- Mr u when you introduced me to ide. ~.,oodroffe 7, the other day I had no Shs nat ne was to be your husband" ip he ha.s slanced at me quickly, and saw Then uark eyes a look of suspicion. ing nn sne flushed slightly, and laugh Voice. Saio' ln a blank, nara wish very good of you, MT. Gregg, to tbin,, e all sorts of such pleasant 'ase Ike placer" ID tue happy event to next uate Is not exactly fixed-early shs s, yeaf, l believe" and I thought