An Oregon Girl

, was beautiful. Dark, yet serene and tranquil as the illimitable void thro

ified by clusters of magnolias and chestnut trees and native oaks and firs, while the soft sway of advanced Autumn was disclosed in the mellow, gorgeous tints of the oak and m

estic palms and ferns and holly stood illumined in the soft

ut, as if afraid of discovery. As he approached near the house and came under the gleams of light, it could be seen that he was gray-haired and a cripple, for he

being temporarily deserted, he muttered impatiently: "Where the devil does Rutley keep himsel

caped his lips when down

pe and William Harris appeare

reception. It is a brilliant affair,

ratulations from a lady whose tas

rginia, in a deprecating tone of voice. "Why, I have lost my f

t immediately. No, no;

is. I shall await

moved a few yards, and then sat down on a seat, quite

nd he forthwith endeavored to sneak away unseen, but

as she noted his aged and bent condition, gently said: "Poor old man, your intrusion on these premis

ere, so much-a da rich-a kind-a people to da poor old-a men lik-a da me. Ten-a years eesa black-a da boot; saw da-ood, sella da ba-nan, turnoppsis, car

ith me, but let me advise you to begone, for you must know th

"Essa many tanks, kin

rned with the fan. "Should I find you loitering around the

old a man essa much da hunger. Begga do mon to bu

a coin for him. I fear he really

n thank this benevolent lady, whose presence affords you li

-dollar piece, and hobbling away,

rn your fan. I found it i

nia, receiving the fan. "I shall

, Uncle!" broke in Sam

. Harris, as he looked meaningly

e on having found Miss Thorpe after a long search," and turning to Virginia, he added, with a s

n air of fatigue, "but I would

too much of a gallant to deny her

intment flitted across his face. "Anything

," replied Virg

me with her company later, eh, Uncle?

llow! Ranged the Texas pla

few years of out-door life in Texas. It cured him, but he became a little fixed in the customs. Sterling

g the piazza steps Mr. Corway, with Haz

doubting his title of lord

discreetly refrained from further utterance on the subject, though his t

grounds even for an opin

cussion, released Mr. Corway from an embarrassing reply, which at that time he was loath to make

keen mimicry and smiling abandon as to draw from Hazel a flash of admiration, and

o appeared alone, descending the broad piazza steps. "It's so

ps, fixed the monocle to his left ey

ye and resumed his passage down the steps. "Miss Thorpe here, and Mr. Harris, and Mrs. Thorpe, and the f

otee to the 'tripping muse' to absent himself ver

as Byron puts it, 'Youth and Beauty meet, to chase the glowing hours with flying feet.'" And moving ove

archly, "the honor of a waltz with my l

which Rutley answered her was no

irginia saw it. She instantly grasped the full m

zel's yielding arm in his and led her toward the piazza. "By the way," and he spo

and looked quest

sort of apologetic tone, "he is a

orpe and Mrs. Harris, who had appeared un

same strange feeling infolding him, as he experienced when Virginia first intimated Corway's questionable

as to be beyond control, and compelled him to turn aside, to conceal the anger that m

t attractive," Haze

ed to Miss Thorpe, but lately has transferred

'tis not always, you may remember, that

eamy music drifte

seems persistent in his

at the connection of hi

f pushed aside, while Corwa

ompany me to

med, half angrily, yet seemingly r

oe

just the faintest suggest

e won-for unlike the "feminine forwards" of the new school, she ap

eing more youthful and taller of stature, with large, bright eyes and dark curly hair, whic

superb superiority, a cold, ironical disdain and lofty ease, bespoke an i

died politeness: "I beg my lord's pardon," and so saying, he

ollowed by Mr. Harr

s eye and stared at the retrea

gs, said to himself: "What can his lordship mean? Corway's persistent attention to my wi

Your arm, Thorpe. Dear me!" And she started back at seeing his gloomy fa

ation and offered his arm. "Of late," he explained, "my nervous system has been

ask for such occasions the shock is likely to become c

ard the east end of the house, paused under the shadow of a magnolia, and at once seemed to plunge in deep reflection, to be start

e, convinced by what she had just discovered, that he was meditating som

nd it was with no uncertain or wavering purpose that she a

motive, then, without moving his eyes from hers, said deliberat

a shooti

d that is a popular way in thi

ast, it is seldom practiced now. Besides, my lord, I advise you not to try it. I've heard he's a dead shot," and

d as they slowly proceeded over the soft, velvety grass, and without betraying h

s are settled in an honorable

d. "If you do, you will likely find yours

tley, with a sarcast

ow tone. "Yes, there is a better plan-that insu

ow

nd the rugged hills shrouded in gloomy repose. Was it the "still small voice within her crying i

orway's perfidy, a strain of virulent passion possessed her,

gly jealous of our family honor. By insinuating Corway's insincere attachment to Hazel, his money-mad impecuniosity, and so forth, you will produce a coolness between John and Corway that may end in

say angrily: "If that lord attempts any fooling with tha

know that your brother has not insulted me, and you must

managed you need have no fear of its ultimate success. For several months last

posed Rutle

ry flash of indignation. "Corway is a man of great moral probity. But Jo

tisfaction!" ex

llowing us," wh

Rutley. "I fail

already warned you of a duel. To prove how insincere Corway's affection is for Hazel, you may call my brother's attention to a ring that he wears on

feature by which it may be

mond set in a doub

rs?" he as

, as though weighing the propriety of further explanation-"that is-wel

indiscreet admission, gave him his cue. A vision opened to

to Mrs. Thorpe?" he q

alting way. "John gave it to Con

ingly, while the whites of his eyes gleamed with sinister im

longed to Constance, and said by way of caution: "Of course, I trust in the honor of your lordship to refrain fro

he was absorbed in thought-thought th

t she reposed in him, she said, as looking in his eyes with significant daring: "Dra

it would precipitate, and she trusted too much in her own ability to control it in the direction she desired. She l

came so intense, so mysteriously searching, as to cause her, strong-

aintest tremor in his voice. "Do y

d then there suddenly sprang into her eyes

Rutley, not for a moment r

utley?" she gasped, as she drew back amazed.

m he!" he

nd silence. Rutley watching the e

smiled, as though in admiration of his arch achievement. "You are a master imposter," she broke

of my proposal to

e answere

at that time because of C

ity is at hand

ioned in a low tone: "Be carefu

o be?"-and she smiled quizic

rd Bea

e scoundrel!" she

t with his colleague, Miss Virginia Thorpe

aled to her with sudden vividness the

nd smarted as quivering flesh under the sharp cut of a lash; and being

ean-" and then unable to recover from her sudden flight of passion, or to completely subdue her

ned, "For God's sake, hush! Don't shout it to the winds! Remember, you urg

ispered. "Don't, please!" Then again she stared at the ground as though dazed with some

previously mentioned doffed his hat and said, "Eesa da bet, much-a keep-a

nable place for your calling, old man." Then, turnin

replied. "He is prying about ever

s they moved on toward the house. "He appea

that we understand each other, I think i

ollowed them, flitting from shadow to shadow, with cat

piazza steps, Rutley

ows the secret now and I can safely rely on her assistance because Corway has cast her aside for Hazel. She has given me material with which to strike at hi

silent and motionless as the statue of Lincoln by which he stood, but only for a moment. "Everybody here lionizes me, believing I am a genuine nobleman." And then he looked up with a

bout; but, discovering no one, he regained his composure. T

ime from behind the trunk of the wide spreading oak and, leaning on his

lly imposter!" joyfully exclai

ack exclaimed with dreamy reflection, "Naw, Eesa,

tion. "Your disguise is perfect, but"-and Rutl

-a soldier. Note-a da pale here-Naw," touching his ears. "Garibaldi geev-a ma fadde

coming our way with a rush. Did you hear her-the maiden fa

uckled, "Ah, ah-a P

ful, Jack! But, oh,

ousand simoleons at

me do the trick. I'll make Thorpe wish he were dead. I sha

ack, dismayed by

token by Constance. It was Thorpe's gift to his wife. Do you comprehend? Now, do you understand how simple a th

k dolefully, rubbing his sto

him meaningly and said very serious

s! We must get hi

five seconds they looked meaningly at e

e," continued Rutley seri

raid your tableau scheme had fail

ed Rutley, "and on my suggestion Mrs. Harris

correc

," calmly re

reat success, 'Hebe' atten

he is the pet of the guests"-and, lower

child remain up and enjoy her honors a little lo

light brown sash about her waist.

lookout and take her t

Rutley. "Somebody's comin

aid to himself, "Tonight there'll be things doin

m, then muttered to himself, "Why this

a more scientific turn of mind would have reasoned it a result of that strange magnetic attraction whereby two min

be no question, and that he was deeply thinking of a subject very near and dear to him was also evident, for he pause

er about to overwhelm him, and then he passed on down the steps muttering to himse

tent with his surroundings. "It only needs the quiet tones of a gifted conversationalist t

rom around the east side of the house-"Ah, my lord, your absen

excuse that his lordship is enjoying a smoke with a friend. Does my

dedly!" he

Your lordship will favor us with your company soon? Mr. Thorpe

ul voice of strenuous Sam, who had bounded down the steps

asped Virginia u

is, "you want me to dance wit

e. If you please," and he bowed to

ully masked her real feelings that the hot blood raced with joyous glee to the ve

" replied his aunt in a ton

o gather up her skirt, turned half aroun

ed. The action brought Mr

claimed, "His Grace and myself wi

under his breath, "I guess so, but not w

rt, instinctively apprehending danger, John Thorpe drew from the ins

ise, Rutley took therefrom a

, having meanwhile clipped the end of the cigar with a penknife, accepted the

oll through the ground

added, "and may the exercise lighten yo

hence the correctness of your conjecture. My spirits are heavy toni

pproach to some potent question in his mind, feverishly ea

roubled dreams and the like fellow,"

ded Thorpe i

ificantly, as he eyed his c

carry the load!" And then he did that which some readers might term a cowardly thing. No doubt

infamy, humbled as was his pride, to thus confide hi

to you in confidence, and I am sure Your Grace will spare me the humiliation of feeling that confidence is misplaced. Yo

have seen the cunning leer play about the corners of Rutley's mouth and the flash of exultation that sprang

rstand your motives in questioning me on matters relative to your domestic affairs, and though I may possess information in which I am not particularly interested, still to asperse the character of any person on mere rumor is not compatib

gitation. Overpowered by a sense of shame, his i

an?" And he placed his left hand tightly over his breast as if something hurt him

ny disparaging remark

sfy you I will say that if you will look at the little finger of Corway's left hand, you will see

amond! What of it?" impa

mperturbable stare, "it was a l

nting deeply in the flesh of his tightly clenched fists, wi

and slowly replied, as he look

fe with Hazel," hoa

of voice, "the particular ring in question was a gift f

side and groaned as he remembered it was his

alted and confronted each other. And the dark fo

formation?" queried Thorpe,

rty to mention, but it

" demande

than a-a-Mr. Thorpe's wife!" replied Rutley i

m he saw the scarlet flush of rage and shame flame across T

n by either of the men. Suddenly

or three, one which

ded Rutley. "You have called upon me

all"-and there was imminent danger in Thorpe's quiver

e and steady attention to her

concentrated that the movement of a single hair of Rutle

your sister. Reproofs, reproaches and warnings were unavailing and ended in Corway being refused

warning, "Corway will bear wat

o regard whatever. At length on the discovery of secret correspondence, Virginia became aghast at his boldness and contemplated seeking legal aid when you r

hands tightly over his heart in a vain endeavor to suppress the emotion that filled his thro

out of heaven. But now-! Farewell happiness-farewell peac

y, he added tens

sinister smile on his lips he followed John Thorpe up the bro

, grew thicker and resolved itself into the solid form of a man. It was

y and its masterly execution that shocked hi

bit of villainy as possible to conceive. I didn't think

piazza, "you want to look alive there. You are getting too near th

ing his hat, faced Sam in an assumed most humble and abject terror, "Signor, I don-a mean to come-a da c

my advice and keep off the grounds.

d fluttered down the great

one! Having l

ced to dance her about as he sang the words, "Little Bo-pe

to find papa!" replied

don't you want me

my shoulder and be the tallest queen of the party, whil

such a hurry; some other time," and the child turned fr

ted, turned around and looked toward the child as though the premonition of something wrong-something associated with the child's insecurity, being alone-had suddenly darted into his brain; but seeing

ere is my papa?

and upon that individual's disappearance, at once turned and answered th

papa was-a da here-a

on. "That is my name, too. I want to find him right away. Can yo

id and will-a come wid-a me, Eesa take-a youse-a da papa," and the sly old man

says we should respect old men. But I'm in su

a da hand and Eesa take-

le hand in his and the two proceeded toward the river, much faster tha

and da mama much-a, donn

! Ever s

and he added to himself, "when the horn of ple

which threw a deep shadow on the spot, Jack thrust his free hand into his pocket and removed the stopper from a bottle of chloroform which he had provided for t

drew away with the remark, "

e-a da poppy, so beautiful-a da fl

like it, anyw

and it was necessary for him to act adroitly and with promptness, to reassure her and

though in seeming pain, and grippe

; oh, oh!" And in order to get her close to

he chord of sympathy that is ever present i

tenderness and compassion, for the child did not

break y

he groaned, "get-a da bot', da

all I run for

a da bot' in-a da pock! Quick-a, deeze-a si

t, on the right side of his coat, and not understanding the sig

d his right hand clapped the saturated handkerchie

arms to free hersel

knees, watched her with the keenest of eyes, and muttered soothin

his slow application of the powerful drug. It soon had her under its influence, and when she became limp and nerveless he laid her on the g

n her nostrils and mouth, then he arose to his feet and with the stealthy, catlike tread o

in the vicinity, he swiftly turned and

innocence and trust in the repose. "She sleeps, beautiful child! As swee

drew out a grey woolen cloth about four feet square and folded i

to you, pretty one! Twenty thousand dol

s as much as possible, he wended his way toward the

m beneath his shaggy, frowning eyebrows. His cold, stony look repelled all smiles and discouraged all questions. Through the room he strode, regardless alike of the timid whisperings of women and offended stare of men. He cared

terestedness, and the maddening fire of his disgrace kindled within him

in moments of great excitement, nor are they apt to pause and tranquilly r

y and too well to go and openly

out, the feeling of suspicion would not smother. And it grew and enlarged with amazing rapidity, and haunted him till the ver

adiance, had been violently wrenched from his heart, and his only, all-abso

railty of hum

re chatting merrily about the new waltz and incidentally they had referred to the prolonged absence of "My Lord" and John Thorp

hn Thorpe descended the steps alo

"in the name of the society whom he contaminates,

with its insinuation, stunned the hearers, who l

azed way, as thoughts of Thorpe's sanity flitted through his brain, "But, Thorpe! I

ith stinging accentuation, "I demand that you eject that man from this place," and he poin

as he realized the indignity his gues

. Mr. Corway is my guest. What is the me

st to all sense of propriety or decorum, "or to ad

astounding, what do you mea

e wrong I have suffered," replied Mr. Thorpe,

rong! To whom

l! Tell how you c

his guests, a scoundrel, and dangerous business appearing imminent, he could control his indignation no longer and s

ps to his uncle's assistance. They were quickly joined by the coachman and gardener who, having chanced to meet

turbed than either Thorpe or his host, "don't be hasty in this

now worked up to a fury. "Mr. Thorpe's conduct

oat and looking at his uncle sideways, "stampe

d Mr. Harris, gesticulat

ncouraged no doubt by the a

who stepped in front of them and declared wit

glittering eyes that flashed the lie to his forced calmness, Thorpe replied: "You shall have it-bla

ike, but Mr. Harris sprang between them and caught his

standing on the piazza watching the progress of the quarrel with intense int

hat Rutley had worked on John's jealous

eling it to be a sign of weakening purpose, stepped over and stood

ible wrong,"

whispered, so close as to startle her, "

ated when Corway spoke with passionat

h for your courag

h him!" exclaimed Virginia, appalled at

with tremulous lips: "What have you t

with a gloating smile on his lips, added:

gasped. "There must b

vengeance to anxiety and consternation fast coming over her, he knew but too well when the change was complete, in

he gravest danger to his plans and person, and

side was closed tightly, expressive

succeeded in diverting her attention, and he followed it up by whispering, so that she alone

ir, in a wild, terrifying scream. "John, Jo

illed all who heard it with consternation, in the midst of wh

t immediately Constance, in an agony of despair,

her throat and pathos in her voice. "I heard her cry, 'Mama

s short, sententious way,

r nerves was greater th

gnetic part of her heart, leapt out to her child and left her numb and cold almost unto death, and

eside her prostrate form, thrust her arm lovingly under her head and sobb