White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-06-15
INSTALLMENT NO. 5.

An interval of some minutes. elapsed
and at last the silence in the picture
gallery was broken by voices pene-
trating into it from the drawing
room. Felix rose to sitting position
on the sofa. He had recognized the
voice of Alfred Hardyman saying,
Don't disturb Lady Lydiard,' and the
voice of Moody answering, II will just
knock at the door of her ladyship's
ROOM sir; you will find Mr.. Sweetsir
in the picture gallery.
The curtains over the archway
parted, and disclosed the figure of
tall, lean man, with a closely cropped
head set little stiffly on his Shout
ders The immovable gravity of face
and manner which every Englishman
seems to acquire who lives constantly
in the society of horses, was the gray
ity which this gentleman displayed as
he entered the picture gallery. He was
d llHGly Hlduc SiHC"y man, WlIi SlCdi
ly cut, regular features. If he had not
been affected with horses on the brain
he would doubtless have been person
ally popular with the women AS it
was, the serene and hippic gloom of
the handsome horsebreeder daunted
the daughters of Eve, and they failed
to make up their minds about the
exact value of him, socially consid-
cred Alfred Hardyman was, neverthe-
He had been offered the customary
alternatives submitted to the younger
sons of the nobility-the church or the
diplomatic service-and had refused
the one and the other II like horses"
he said, "and | mean to get my living
out of them. Don't talk to me about
my position in the world. Talk to my
eldest brother, who gets the money
and the title" Starting in life with
these sensible views, and with small
capital of five thousand pounds,
Hardyman took his own place in the
sphere that was fitted for him. At
the period of this narrative he was al
ready rich man, and one of the
greatest authorities on horse breeding
in England. His prosperity made no
change in him. He was always the
same grave, quiet obstnately resolute
man, true to the few friends whom he
admitted to his intimacy, and sincere
to a fault in the expression of his
feelings among persons whom he dis
trusted or disiked. AS he entered the
picture gallery and paused for a mo-
large, cold, steady gray eyes rested
on the little man with an indifference
that just verged on contempt Felix
on the other hand sprung to his feet
with alert politeness, and greeted his
friend with exuberant cordially.
Dear old boy! This is so good of
you" he began. 81 feel it; | do assure
you feel it,"
you needn't trouble yourself to feel
it," was the quietly ungracious an
swer. Lady Lydiard brings me here
l come to see the house-and the
dog" He looked round the gallery in
his gravely attentive way 81 don't un.
derstand pictures,' he remarked, re.
signedly. II shall go back to the
drawing room"
After moments consideration
Felix followed him into the drawing
room, with the air of man who was
determined not to be repealed.
"Well?" asked Hardyman what
is it?"
about that matter?" Felix said, in
quiringly
What matter?"
"Oh, you know. Will next week dor
Next week won't do"
Mr.. Felix Sweetsir cast one look at
his friend. His friend was too in.
tently occupied with the decorations
Of the drawing room to notice the
look
Twill tomorrow do?" Felix resumed
after an interval.
"Yes"
"At what timer"
Between IL and in the afternoon.
Between IL and / in the after
neon," Felix repeated. He looked again
at Hardyman, and took his hat make
my apologies to my aunt" he said
you must introduce yourself to her
ladyship. can't wait here any long
err" He walked out of the room, hav.
ing deliberately returned the con.
temptuous Indifference of Hardyman
by similar Indifference on his own
side at parting
Left by himself, Hardyman took a
chair and glanced at the door which
led into the boudoir The steward had
knocked at that door, had disappeared
through it, and had not appeared
again. How much longer was Lady
Lydiard's visitor to be left unnoticed
in Lady Lydiard's house?
AS the question passed through his
mind teh boudoir door opened. For