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

"Of course. They've been engaged
nearly year, but he's been abroad un-
I'll 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
sver 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.
redfaced 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 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 l 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,
lad 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 | 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
so?"
Judging from their house party,
yes" I responded. They are about as
gay a crowd as one could find north
Of Carlisle just at present"
'Exaxctly. There are some we'll
known people among them, too" said
my aunt I've asked them over to-
morrow afternoon. and they've ac.
cepted."
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. ! 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 Rannoch
party drove over in two large brakes
AID with other people from the neigh
borhood and a band from Dumfries, my
aunts grounds presented a gay and
animated scene.
AS | expected, Woodroffe did not &C
company the party. Mrs. Leithcourt. a
slightly fussy little woman, apologized
for his absence, explaining that he hac
been recalled TO London suddenly a
few days before. but was returning te
Rannoch again at the end of the week
We couldn't afford to lose him
she declared to my aunt He is sc
awfully humorous-his droll saving.
and antics keep us in a perfect roa,
each night az dinner. He's such a per
feet mimic"
l turned away and strolled win
Muriel, pleading an excuse to show
her my uncle's beautiful grounds, no
whit less picturesque than those O
the castle. and perhaps rather better
kept.
Il only heard yesterday of your en-
gagement. Miss Leithcourt," re
marked presently when we were alone
Allow me to offer my best congratula
tons. When you introduced me I,
Mr.. Woodroffe the other day had NJ
idea that he was to be your husband"
She glanced at me quickly. and saw
In her dark eyes q look of suspicion
Then she flushed slightly, and laugh
ing uneasily said, in a blank, hare
voice:
Its very good of you. Mr.. Gregg. t.
wish me all sorts of such pleasan
things"
And when IL the happy event t.
take placer"
1.-THE date IL not exactly fixed-earl,
next year, I belisve." and though
~ slehoa