Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-06-10
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

"Of course. They've been engaged
nearly a 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"
ooh, 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 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
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
L~eithcourts. 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 questioneC
her. "Of course, we knew very littlt
of them, except that they had a shoe
up near Fort William two years age
and that they have a town house il
Green street. They are %eyidentl.
rather smart folks. Don't you thin
.so?"
Judging from their house party
yes" l responded. "They are about a
gay a crowd as n could find mort
of Carlisle just at present"
"Exaxctly. There are some wei
known people among them, too," sal
my aunt. I've asked them over tt
morrow afternoon, and they've a,
cepted."
Excellent" l exclaimed, for l wan
ed an opportunity for another cha
with the dark-eyed girl who was e.
gagged to the man whose alias We
HOrnby. l particularly desired to a
certain the reason of her fear when
had mentioned the Lola, and wheth,
she possessed any knowledge of Hy
ton Chatter.
The opportunity came to me in d.
course for next afternoon the Ranno'
party drove over in two large brake
and with other people from the neig
borhood and a band from Dumfries, 4
aunt's grounds presented a gay al
animated cene.
AS | expected, Woodroffe did not
company the party. Mrs. Leithcourt
aslightly fussy little woman, apologize
flor his absence, explaining that he h
sbeen recalled to London suddenly
flew days before, but was returning
Rannoch again at the end of the we
1--WE couldn't afford to lose hir
she declared to my aunt. HE is
.awfully humorous-his droll sayil
and antics keep US in a perfect r
each night at dinner. He's such a /
feet mimic"
l turned away and strolled "
Muriel, pleading an xcuse to ST
her my uncle's beautiful grounds,
a whit less picturesque than those
the castle, and perhaps rather be-
kept.
81 only heard yesterday Of your
gagement, Miss L%eithcourt,"
marked presently when we we're all