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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 1912)
DDXT CAPITAL J0CB5AL, SALEM, 0EZG05. MOSPAT, SEPTE3IBEB t, Mil rr t. Cowardice Court Br GEORGE BARR MTITCHEON Copyrltht 1904. Dodd, Mead A Co. SYNOPSIS Lord nawlhurat'e earrarita. oritarad to throw lUndolph Bhaw Into brook mark Inc the boundary Unas btOMn the 8ha and Ilazalhurat eatata. are thoroughly ducked br Bliaw hlmatlf. Lord Basalhurst Incited br hla 111 na tural American wife, Invadoa ShaWs land, but tuna urban Bhaw appaara. Bhaw, mora In )st than aamaat alacta from hla pramlaas Panalope Drake. Lord Hawlhurat's alatar. fanalopa admlraa blm eery much. Thar maat fraquantlr and bacoma Intar aatad In each othar. Uawlhurat ( sarv nts ahoot HhaVa dof and allghtlr wound Shaw. Thla erual act makaa Shaw furtoua and also anfara Penalopa, wbo doclaraa (bat Hhaw la coming arm ad to tha taath to vlait BaaalhuraL Penalbpe quarrata with Ladr Basalhurst. who practically luma har out of doors at elcht Penalope ataxia for Hhaw'a home. Bhe has no othar place to go. Shaw on Fernanda har pradlcamant, recelvas bar kindly and goaa to call bla bousakeaper. CHAPTER VIII. In Which a Qhoat Traipauaa. nllH Impulse wlili h drove Penel ope out for the second time that night may be readily ap preciated. It foundation wng fear. Its subordinate emotlurii wero shame, self pity and consciousness of her real feeling toward the man of (be house. Tlio truii spirit of womanhood revolted wllb Ita usual waywardness. ' Fhe wan flying down the atony road, ouie distanco from the cottage, lu the very fuce of the coming tornado, her heart heating like a triphammer, her eyes Lent on the little light up the mountain aide, before It occurred to ber that thin lent flight wn not only senseless but perilous. She even laugh ed at herself for n fool a ihe recalled the telltale hand bag on the porch and the damning presence of a Razelburst lantern In the hnllwoy. The itorin which bad been raging farther down Ihe valley was at last whirling up to the hilltops, long delay ed a If In gleeful anticipation of catching her alone and unprotected. The little electric saddle lamp thot she carried gave out a fceblo glow, scarce opening the way In the darkness more than ten feet abend. Hough and Irk some was tho road, most stubborn the wall of wind. Tho second threat of the storm was more terrifying than the first At any instant It was likely to break forth lu all Its slushing fury, yd she knew not, whither she weut. ' Even as she lost heart and wus ready to turu wildly back In an effort to reach Shaw's homo before the deluge the lightning flushes revealed to ber tha presence of a dwelling just off tho rontl not 200 feet ahead. Sho tumbled forward, crying llko a fright ened child. There were no lights. The bouo looked dark, bleak, unfriendly. Farther up the klMitldo still gleamed the little light that i itnut to keep Kenwood's ghost from disturbing the lumbers of old man Crimes and his wife. .She could not reach Unit light, that much sho knew. Her feet were llko hundredweights, her llmlis almost (ovoid of power. Grimes' hut npear ed (o bo a couple of miles away. Willi n last, breath! effort, slio turn ed off tho road and laundered through weeds and brush until she came to what proved to 1)0 th rear of the darkened house. 1-ong, low, rangy, It reached off Into the shadows, chilling In Its loneliness. Thero was bo tlaie left for her to climb tho flight of steps and pound on the hack door. The rain wus swishing In the trees with a hiss that forbade delay. She threw herself, panting and ter ror stricken, into tho euvcllko opening under the porch, her knees giving wny after tho supremo effort. Tho great form broke ss she crouched far back against the wall, her hand over her awrs, her eyes tightly closed, fitie wa wife from wind and rain, but nut from the miuud of that awful coulllct. The luuima lay at her feel, sending Ita ray out Into the storm with the seuseless fidelity of M heucou light. "Penelope:" came a voice through the storm, and a second later a uian plunged Into the recem, crashing against the wall bcsldo her. Something told her wbo It wus eveu before he ropied beside her and threw bis strong arm about her shoulders. lie was crying something Into her eur-wlld. Incoherent words that seem ed, to have the power to quiet the norm. And she was responding she knew (but eager words were falling from ber lips, but she never knew what they were responding with a fervor that whs overwhelming her with joy. I.lps met aguiu and again, and there was no thought of the night, of (lie feud, the escapade, the Kenwood ltoHi, or of aught save the two warm living human bodies that had found each other. The storm, twervlng with Ihe capri cious mountain winds, suddenly swept tliHr refugo with sheet of water. Run iloiph Hhaw threw the raincoats over lit companion and both laughed hys terically at their plight, suddenly re-im-in tiered, 1 -We can't stay here!" he shouted. We can't go out Into It," she cried. "Where are wer -Ken wood's," he called back. Tbelr ohIUoii was uutenuhle. lie was drenched; the raincoats protected her a she crouched back Into the most re mote corner. Looking about, be die overcd a small door leading to the cel lar. It ojiened the Instant he touched the liti b. "Come, quick," be cried, lift. Jug her to ber feet. "la bore-stoopl 1 hare ihe light. This Is the collar. I'll JifLVf joJirciJoiViLfl (Jojr-k'BililU- i9 Shaw Swung the Ax Vigorously. the upper part of The" bouse, "but Vhat 111 not be difficult. Here's an az or two. Good Lord, I'm soaked!" "Whe-where are we golngr she gasped as be drew ber scross the earthen Boor. Upstairs. It's comfortable op there." They were at the foot of tbe narrow stairway. 8be beld back. "Never! It's the the bauoted bouse! 1 can't Randolph." I'oobl Don't be afraid. I'm wltb you. dearest." "I know," she gulped. "But you have only one arm. Ob, I can't!" It's all nonsense about ghosts. Ive slept here twenty times, I'enelope. People have seen my light and my shadow, that's alL I'm a pretty sub stantial ghost" "Oh, dear, what disappointment! And there are no spooks, not even Urn. Itenwoodr Of course she may come back, dear. but you'd hardly expect a respectable lady sM(k to visit the place wltb me stopping here. Even ghosts bave regard for conventionalities. Bhe couldn't"- How much more respectable than I," I'enelope murmured plaintively. "Forgive me," be Implored. "I would, only you are so wet" Tbe door above was locked, but Shaw swung the ai so vigorously that any but a very strong nerved ghost must bave been frightened to aeatn once more. "It's my house, you know," be ex plained from the top step. "There we arc! Come up. I'enelope. The fort Is yours." She followed blm into tne nan above. In silence thev walked along the bare floors through empty rooms until at ItMit he opened it door In what proved to be the le wing. To her surprise this room in comfortably furnished. There were nnc in me big fin-place, and there were lamps which had been used recently, for they went filled with oil. "Here's where I rend sometimes," he explained "I bare slept on that couch. Ijist winter I enme up bere to hunt. M.r cottage wasn't finished so I stayed here. I'll confess I've heard strange sounds-now, don't shiv er! Once or twice I've been a bit nervous, but I'm still alive, you see." He lighted the wicks In the two big lamp while she looked on with cbllls creeping up and down her back. "I'll have a bully fire In the fireplace In Just a minute" "I.et me help yon." she suggested, coming quite close to him with uneasy glances over her shoulders. Ten minutes Inter they were sitting before a roaring fire, quite content eveo though there wus a suggestion of imated ghosts lurking In the hallway behind them. No doubt old man Grimes and bis wife, if they awoko In the course of the ulght, groaned deep prayers In response to the bright light from the windows of the haunted bouse. Shnw and l'eneloe smiled se curely as they listened to the bowling storm outside. "Well, this is trespassing," she said, beaming a happy smile upon blm, "I shall be obliged to drive you out alas," be said reflectively. "Do you recall uiy vow? As long as you are a Itnzclburst, 1 must perforce eject you." "Not tonight T she cried lu mock dis may. "Hut, as an alternative, you'll not tie n Itazclhurst long," he wuut on eagerly, suddenly hiking ber hnnjs Into bis, forgetful of the wounded left "I'm going to try trespassing myself. Tomorrow I'm going to see your brother. It's regular, you know. I'm going to tell the head of your clan that you are coming over to Huaw, heart and hand." "Oh!" she exclaimed. "You you no. no! You must uot do that T' "Hut my dear, you are going to oinrry me." "Ves-I upoe so," she murmured helplessly. "That Isn't what I meant I mean It Isn't necessary to ask Cecil Ask me; I'll consent for him." Half an hour passed. Then be went to the window and looked out luto the toriu. "You must lie down and get some -deep," he Minified, coming back to her. "The storm's letting up, but we can't leave here for quite a while. I'll sit up ind watch. I'm too happy to sleep." She protested, but her beavy eyes were tils allies. Soou be sut alone before the tire; she slept souud on tbe broad ouch In the corner, a steamer rug term tier knee. A contented smile lined his Hp as he gaxed reflectively nto the tin iocs. lie was not thinking if .Mrs. Kenwood's amluble ghost How long she bad been asleep Pene ok did not know. Bbe awoke with t. tarl. her flesh creeping. A nameless Jieail came over ber; .she felt th.st.she war uf firry aron grid sTirroaiiJer cy horrors. It was a full minute a sick ening hour. It seemed-before she real ized that she was In tbe room wltb tbe man sbe loved, tier frightened eyes caught sight of Mm lying back In tbe cbalr before tbe dying fire in tbe chim ney place. Tbe lights were low, the shadows gauut and chill A terrified exclamation started to ber lips. Her ears again caught tbe sound of some one moving in tbe bouse some alien visitor. There was do mis taking tbe sound tbe distant sepulch ral laugh and tbe shuffling of feet el most at tbe edge of tbe couch. It seemed. "Randolph!" she whispered hoarsely. Tbe man in 1be cbalr did not move. She threw off toe blanket and came to a sitting posture on tbe side of tbe couch, ber fingers clutching tbe cover ing with tense horror. Again the soft rumbling laugh and the sound or foot step on the stairway. Like a flash she sped across tbe room and clutched frantically at Randolph's shoulders. He awoke wltb an exclamation, star ing bewildered into the bonified face above. 'The the ghost T the gasped, ber eyes glued upon tbe ball door.' He leaped to bis feet and threw bla arms about ber. "You've bad a bad dream," be said. "What a beast I was to fail asleep. Lord, you're frightened half out of your wits. Don't tremble so, dearest There's no ghost Every one knows" "Listen listen F sbe whispered. To gether they stood motionless, almost breathless before the Ore, tbe glow from which threw their shadows across tbe room to meet tbe mysterious In vader. "Good Lord," be mattered, unwilling to believe bis ear. "There la some one In tbe bouse. I've I've beard sounds bere before, but not like these." Distinctly to their startled ears came tbe low, subdued murmur of a human voice and then unmistakable moans from tbe very depth of tbe earth from tbe grave, It seemed. "Do you bear?" she whispered. "Oh, this dreadful place! Take me away. Randolph, dear" "Don't be afraid," he said, drawing ber close. "There's nothing super natural about those sounds. Tbey come from lips aa mucb alive as ours I'll Investigate." He grabbed tbe beery poker from the chimney corner and started toward tbe door. She followed close behind, his assurance restoring In a measure the courage that bad temporarily deserted ber. In tbe hallway they paused to look out over tbe broad porch. The storm bad died away, algbing Ita own re quiem In tbe misty treetops. Dawn was not far away. A thick fog waa rising to meet the first glance of day. Id surprise Shaw looked at bia watch, ber face at hla shoulder. It was after S o'clock. "Ghosts turn in at midnight dear," he said, with a cheerful smile. "Tbey don't keep such hours aa these." 'But wbo can It be? There are no tramps In tbe mountains," she pro tested, glancing over ber shoulder ap prehensively. "Listen! By Jove, that voice came from the cellar." "And the lock la broken." sbe ex claimed. "But how silly of me! K hosts don't stop for locks." "I'll drop the bolts Just the same," be said as tbey hurried down tho hall way. At the back stairs they stopped and listened for many minutes. Not a sound came up to them from below. Softly he closed the door and lowered two beavy bars Into plnce. "If there's any one down there they probably think they've heard spooks trotting amund up here." ' "Keally, It'a quite thrilling, Isn't ltr she whispered In ber excitement "In any event we're obliged to re main under cover uutll they depart," be said thoughtfully. "We can't be seen here, dearest" "No," she murmured, "not even though It Is our house." Tbey returned to the big room ns softly as mice, and be left ber a mo ment Inter to close the heavy window shutters on the porch. When be re turned there wss a grim smile on bis face and bis voice shook a little as be spoke. "I've beard the vo!jcs again. They came from the laundry, I think. The Renwoods were downright Vunkees. I'enelope. I will swear thnt these voices are amazingly Kngllsh." CHAPTER IX. In Which the Author Trespasses. mUlS narrative has quite hs much to do wltb the Ila.elhnrst side of the controversy ns It has wltb Bhnw's. It Is therefore but fair that Ihe heroic Invasion by Lord Cecil should receive equal consid eration from the historian. Shaw's conquest of one nientlxT of the force opposing blm was srurcely the resnlt of bravery; on the other hand Lord Cecil's dush Into the enemy's couutry was the very acme of Intrepidity. Down tbe drive and out Into the mountain rond clattered the three horsemen. Lady Ruxelhurt watching at the window casement almost swooned with amazement at the sight of them. The coes of tbelr mackin toshes seemed to flaunt a satirical fare well In her face; their owners, follow ing the light of the cnrrliige lamps, swept from view around a bend lu the road and bravely plunged Into the dnrk territory over which the enemy ruled It waa the duke who tinally brought the cavalcade to a halt by propounding most seusible question. "Are you sure she cume this way, Cecil r "Certainly. This is Shaw's way. Isn't ur "Did sbe say she was going to Shaw'er "Don't know. Evelyn told me. Ilang It ail, Rarmlnster, come along. We'll never catch up to ber." "Is she riding!" "NO-borse all In." "Do you know, we uiny have passed ber. Deuce take it Baxelhurst If she's running away from us, you don't t!U5fiJ,!S.".,Ji''dii!?-s,l!l-!ii,X 21 2 sCiffJ" fff tEe road and wad for" os ir she beard as she'd bide among tbe tree." "Bat she's bad an boufs start of us." "Where ees sbe coming tor asked tbe count, with an anxious glance up ward. Just in time to catch a skirmish leg raindrop wltb hla eye. That'a Just It Wt don't know." said tbe duke. "But I must find berF cried Lord Cecil. Tbink of that poor girl alene in this terrible place, storm coming up and all that EL renelopeF be shout ed In bis most vociferous treble. Tbe shrieking wind replied. Then the three of them shouted ber name. "Cad, she may be lost or dead or Come on. Bar minster. We must acour tbe whole demmed valley." "lie s like a wildcat tonight", said tbe duke In an aside to the' little Frenchman, referring to bis lordship. "Demme. I'd rather not cross blm. Yon seem to forget that bis sister is out in all this fury." "Mon Dleu, but I do not forget 1 would give balf my life to bold ber In my arma tbees eenstanV "Dem you, sir, I'd give her tbe other half if yon dared try such a thing. We didn't fetch yon along to bold ber. You've got to bold the horses, that's alL" "Dlable! How dare you to speak to" "What are you two rowing aboutr demanded his lordship. "Come along! We're losing time." Away they swept Penelope's two ad mirers wrathfully barking at one an other about satisfaction at some future hour. Tbe storm burst upon them In all its fury tbe maddest wildest storm they bad known In all tbelr lives. Terri fied, half drowned, blown almost from the saddles, the trio tinally found shelter in tbe lee of a shelving cliff Just off the road. While they etood there shivering, clutching tbe bits of their well nigh frantic horses the glimmer of lights came down to them from windows farther up the steep. There was no mistaking tbe three up right oblongs of light Tbey were tall windows in a bouse, the occupants of which doubtless bad been aroused at this onearthly hour by tbe fierceness of the storm. "By Jove," lamented the duke, water running down bis neck in floods, "what a luxury a borne Is, be It ever so bumble, on a nlgbt like this." "Mon Dleu. mon Dleu," groined the count "bow comfortab' tey look! And here? Eh blen! Qui fait trembler la terre! I gm seeckl I die!" "I'enelope Is out lo all this," moaned bis lordship. "I am not so sure of that Trust a woman to find a place where she can't ruin her hat My word for It, Cecil, she'a found a safe roost 1 say. by JoveF The duke was staring more Intently tbtiu ever at tbe wlndowa far above. "I bare It! Isn't It rather odd that a house should be lighted so brll llantly at this hour of night?' "Demmed servants forgot to put out tbe lamp." groaned Bazelhurst wltb out Interest "Nonsense! I tell yon what some one has roused tbe house and asked inciter from the storm. Sow, who could thnt be but Penelope T Jove, yon're a ripping clever ass, after all. Bnrmlnster-a regular Sherlock Holmes. That'a Just It She's up there where the windows are. Come on. It'a easy Bailing now," cried his lordship, but the duke restrained him. "Don't rush off like a fool. Whose bouse Is ltr 'TIow the devil do I know? This Is Ehaw's land, and he hasn't been espe cially cordial about" "Aba! See what I mean? Shaw's land, to be sure. Well, bang your stupidity, don't you know we're look ing at Shaw's bouse this rery Instant': lie lives there and b lie's arrived, dew It all. She's up there with blm-dry clothes, hot drinks and all that, and we're out bere catching pneumonia. Fine, Isn't ltr "Gad! You're right! She's with that confounded t lllaln. My God. what's to become of ber?" groaned Lord Cecil, sitting down suddenly and covering bis face wltb bis bands. "We must rescue berF shouted the duke. "Brace up, Cecil! Don t be baby. We'll storm tbe place." "Not In zls rulnF cried the count "You stay In the sbnde and bold the horses, that's what you do," said the duke scornfully. After many minutes there came a break In tbe violence of tbe storm and preparations were at once made for the climb up the bill. Deveaux was to remain behind In charge of the horses. With their bridle reins In bis bands be cheerfully maintained this position of trust, securely sheltered from the full force of the elements. Right bravely did tbe duke and his lordship venture forth Into the spattering ruin. They bud gone uo more than three rods up tbe putb when they were brought lo a halt by the sounds of a prodigious struggle behind them. There wns a great trampling of horses' hoofs, ac companied by the frantic shouts of the count "I cannot bold zem! Mon Dleu! Zey are mad! Elo! bo! nelpF "Uold to 'emF shouted Lord Cecil "UelpF shouted the couut ut the same moment releusing his grip on the reins. Away tore the horses, kicking great chunks of mud over him as be tumbled aimlessly Into tbe underbrush Down tbe rond clattered the animals, leaving the trio marooned In the wil derness. Groaning and half dead, the unfortunate count was dragged from the brush by his furious companion". What the duke said to him was suffi cient without being repented, bere or elsewhere. The count challenged him as they all resumed the march up tbe hill to visit the bouse with tbe lighted windows. '"Here la my card, m'sleur," he grat ed furiously. "Demme. I know youF roared the duke. "Keep your card, and we'll send It In to announce our arrival to Shaw." In due course of time, after many slips and falls, they reached the trout yard of the bouse on the hillBlde. It waxjIlJLralnlnjr HghtlJi. The thunder anJTfgljfuTng trerrcrashlng awajri lly farther up the valley. Cautlou ots- usly tbey approached through tbe weeds and brush. "By Jove."' exclaimed his lordship, coming to a standstill. He turned the Ugbt of bis lantern toward tbe front elevation of the house. "Every door and window except these three nre boarded up. It can't be Hhaw's home." "That's right, old chop. Deuced queer, eh? I say. Deveaux. step up a "I say, Davaaux, stsp up and pound on the door." ind pound on tbe door. You've got a card, you know." "Que dlableF exclaimed tbe count, sinking into the background. "We might reconnolter a bit." said Bazelhurst "Have a look at the rear you know." Around tbe corner of the bouse tbe trailed, finally bringing up at the back steps. The windows were not only dark, bnt boarded up. While tbey stood there amazed and uncertain, the rain came down again in torrents, worse than before If possible. Tbey scampered for cover, plunging three abreast beneath the aame steps thai bad sheltered Penelope and Shaw aucb a short time before. "Ouch! Get off my footF roared the duke. "Zounds! Who are you punching, demme! Hullol What's this? A door and open, as 1 UveF Tbe trio enter ed tbe cellar door without ceremony "Thank God, we're out of the rain at leastF It was not until tbey bad explored the basement and found It ntterly without signs of buman occupancy that the truth of tbe situation began to dawn upon them. Barmlnster'a face was"whlte,"snd his voice shook as be ventured tbe horrid speculation: "The good Lord save us It's that demmed haunted bouse Pen was talk ing about." "But ze lights?" queried tbe count "GhostsF "Let's get out of this place." said Lord Euzelhurst moving toward the door. "It's that beastly Kenwood bouse. Tbey say be comes back and murders ber every night or so." "Mon DlenF "Penelope isn't bere. Let's more on." agreed tbe duke readily. But even fear of the supernatural was not strong enough to drive them out Into the bllndicg storm. "I say, look ahead. there's Shaw's place!" Peering through tbe door they saw for tbe first time the many lights lu Shaw's wludows. scarce a quarter ol a mile away. For a long time tbey stood and gazed at the distant win dows. Dejectedly they sat down, bucks to the 'wail and waited for the storm to spend Its fury. Wet cold and tired tbey finally dozed. It was Lord Cecil who first saw the signs of dawn. The rain storm had come to a mysterious end, but a heavy fog In its stead loom ed up. He aroused bis companions and with many groans of anguish tbey prepared to venture forth Into the white wall beyond. Just as tbey were taking a last look about tbe wretched cellar something happened that would have brought ter ror to the stoutest heart. A wild, ap palling shriek came from somewhere above, the cry of a mortal soul In agony. Tbe next Instant three human forms shot through the narrow door and out Into tbefog. hair on end. eyes bulging but sightless; legs traveling like the wind and ns puniosclcss. It muttered not that the way wns hidden; It mat tcred less that weeds, brush and stumps lurked In ambush for unwary feet. They fled into the foggy dan gcrs without a thought of what lay before them, only of what atulked be hind them. Cpstnirs Randolph Shaw lay back against the wall and shook with laugh ter. Penelope's convulsed fuce was glued to the kitchen window, her eves peering Into the fog beyond. Shadowy figures leuied Into the white mantle: the crash of brush came back to her ears, and then, like tbe barking of a dog. there arose from the mystic gray the fast diminishing cry: "Help! Help! UelpF Growing faiuter and sharper, the cry at Inst was lost In the phantom desert Tbey stood at tbe window and wntcbed the fog lift, gray and forbid ding, until the trees and Mad were discernible. Then arm In arm tbey set forth serosa the wet way toward Shaw's cottage. "Poor Cecil!" she sighed. "It was cruel of you." In the roadway they found a bat which she at once identi fied as the count's. Farther on there was a carriage lamp and later a mack intosh, which had been cast aside as an Impediment "Oh, it was cruel F Sbe smiled, however, In retrospection "If I were only sure that nothing tejdpjll.Jud tncped to Cecil, sbe Capital City Creamery Manufacturer of "Butter Cup Brand" BUTTER 363 Court Salem, Oregon Phone 299 iiiiiiiiiiiitntiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifi murmured anxiously. "I'm sorry, dear, for that screech of mine." be apologized. Suddenly be started and gazed In tently In the direction of tbe haunted bouse. A man a sorry figure wns sluwly, painfully approaching from the edge of the wood scarce a hundred yards away. In his hand he carried a stick to which was attached a white c!oth-doubtles a handkerchief. He wus bntless and limited perceptibly. "It's CecllF whispered Penelope In horror struck tone "Good heaven. Randolph, go to him! lie Is hurt" It was Ixird Bazelhurst. A Shaw hurried doSro the drive to meet him, no (bought of tbe feud In mind, two lie tng even more hoelely dilapidated ventured from the wood and hobbled np tiehlnd tbe truce bearer, wbo bad now paused to lift hi shoulders Into a position of dignity and defiance. Shaw's heart was touched, Tbe spec tacle was enough to melt the prejudice of any adversary. Lord Cecil's knees trembled. His band shook as if lo a chill Mud covered, water soaked and bruised, their clothe rent In many places, their bats gone and tbelr balr matted, their legs wsbbly. the trio cer tainly Inspired pity, not mirth nor corn. "One moment sir," called bis lord ship, wltb a feeble attempt at severity. His voice was hoarse and shaky, "no do Dot come as friends, dem you. Is my sister bere?" "Sbe I. Lord Bazelhurst We'll talk this over later on," said Shaw In bla friendliest way. "You are worn out and done up. I'm sure you and your friends. Come; I'm not as bad as you think. I've changed my mind aince I saw you but Let's see If we can't come to an amicable understanding. Miss Drake Is waiting up there. Break fast soon will be ready hot coffee and all that Permit me, gentlemen, to In vite you to partake of what we bare. What Bay you?" "Confound you, alri I I" But bis brave effort failed blm. He staggered and would bave fallen bad not tbe duke caught blm from behind. "Thanks, old chip," said Barmlnster to Shaw. "We will come In for a mo ment I say, perhaps you could give us a dry dud or two. Bazelhurst la In a bad way. and so Is tbe count It was a devil of a storm." Penelope came down from the porch to meet them. Without a word she took her brother's arm. He stared ut ber wltb growing resentment. "Dem It all, Pen." he chattered, "you're not tit all wet are you? lok it me! All on your account too." "Denr old Cecil! All on Evelyn's sc count, you mean." she said softly, wist fully "I shall have an understanding with her when we get home." he said ear nestly. "Sbe shun t neat my sister like this again." "No." said Shaw from the other side; "she shun t" "liy Jove, Shuw, are you with me?" demanded bis lordship In surprise. "Deiends on whether you are with me." said the other. I'enelope Hushed. Hot coffee, chops, griddle cakes nod muple sirup soon put the contending forces at their ease. Itiizelbursi so fur forgot himself as to laugh amiably at hla host's Jokes. The count rvxiouded In his most piquant dialect, and tbe duke swore by au ever useful Lord Harry that be hud never tasted such a brenkfast. "By Jove, Pen," exclaimed her broth er In rare good bumor. "It's almost a aln to take you away from such good cooking as this." "You're not citog to take her awny, Come Over and Play Bridge "WW are you doing tonight? Can't you and Mrs. Bruce come over and have some bridge?" For getting people together there is nothing quite equals the telephone. A telephone call to a neighbor frequently results in a jolly, informal party. The local and long distance service of the Bell Tele phone system promotes sociability. The PacificTelephone&Telegraph Company ttms however," euliTMiXw. "51ie has come to stay." "What what tbe devil do you mean, sir?" demanded Lord Cecil, bis coffee cup shaking so violently that tbe coo tents overflowed. "She's going over to Plnttsburg with me today, and when she comes back; Whan she comas back aha will be Mrs. Randolph Shaw." she will be Mrs. Randolph Shaw, That's what I mean, your lordship." Three of his listeners choked with, smazemcnt and then coughed painful ly. Feebly they set their cups down and gulped ns If they had something to swallow. The duke was tbe first to find his tongue, and be wua quite at a loss for words. "B-by Jove." he said blunkly. "that'a demmed hot coffee!" "Is this true. Peuelope?" gasped hla lordship. "Yes, Cecil. I've promised to marry him." "It Isn't because yon feel thnt yoa have uo home with me?" "1 love him. It's a much order story than you think," she said simply. "1 say. that hits me hard." said tbe duke wltb a wry face. "Still, I Join Id saying. God bless you." "We're trying to end tbe feud, yon see." said Peneloi. Tears came into his lordship's pale eyes. He looked first at one and then at the other and theu silently extend ed his band to Randolph Shaw. He wrung it vigorously for a long time before speaking. Then, ns If throw ing a weight off bis mind, be remarked: "I say. Shaw, I'm sorry about that dog. I've got an English bull terrier down there that's taken a ribbon or so. If you don't mind. I'll send him np to you. He he knows Penelope." THE END. CASTOR I A For Infants and Children, Hie Kind You Have Always Bought Bears the Signature of Every Bell Telephone Is Long Distance Station