CHAPTER VIII—SIR THEODORV.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13929, 12 June 1909, Page 1

CHAPTER VIII— SIR THEODORE.

It seemed to Queonio a curious coincidence that upon the very next evening she should lie taken down to dinner at tho house of a friend by Sir Theodore Gresham. The name of Gresham had been in her thoughts a good deal that da>. She was consumed by a great wish to learn tho whole history of thst occurrence which had blighted the life and career of one member of this family, and thrown a dark cluud across the path of another. For all the world said of Sir Theodore that he had never been the same mai since his cousin and comrade was convicted and sentenced for forgery. Some people wondered whether by any possibility he had connived at and assisted the escape of the convict. Real escapes we so seldom successfully carried out. The dress makes identification patent to .ill the world. Men may get off in times of fog, or by some unwonted activity or skill; but after days of miserable wandering and starvation, are almost always re-taken. This was why men were half-inclined to suspect that Sir Theodore knew more of his cousin's escape than he would ever say. Yet others of his acquaintance declared that he was the last man to connive at such a thing. Now, voting Gresham could be nothing but a fugitive and alien from his countr\. Whereas had he but served his time--stood it for three years moie — he might long ago have been enjoying the fruits of liberty; and in some other country at any rate have won back his good name, and be free to, return home ha ) he the mind to. All this had been easily learned by Queenie from her brother and from Langton, who picked up all the gossip ot tho clubs. As the girl sat beside the baronet ut tho lighted, flower-decked table that night, she was aware of an overmastering desire to ask him questions — unconventional questions, such as .she had no right to put at so earh o> stage of their acquaintance. So to conquer this impulse, she spoke of the Lees — of her projected portrait, anJ of the .skill of th<_ artist, ' '

"He is clever — one of our coming men in tho art world I should «ay," answered Gresham, "but I think more successful with his lady sitters than with men."

"Were you not satisfied with your portrait? I thought it very aood."

"Good, yes; perhaps a little flattering. But he had to alter it once or twice. If he has a fair lady to deal with, he is content with the rendering of her charms; but with men ho wants to make a telling picture, and puts m a fancy expression ! Fr> made mo .some-

thing of a Mopnistnpholos at ficst. Of course, we all rather like to play that role, it us a certain distinction : but 1 do not think I can really claim to

it 1 I am a very hum-drum, harmless sort of follow in real life."

Rhe lookod at him, and he smiK-d, but his oyos did not meet hers squareIv. It was ■ rather odd, she thought, the indctorniinato likeness between that face and the one she had boeii studying twenty-four hours earlier. Certainly tho shape of the brow and the swoop of the eyebrows and curve of the eve-socket wero similar, and also something in the moulding of the jaw. But what was lacking in her present companion's face was that quite indefinable element of mystery and fascination ; the clear, quiet glance of the eyes, friendly and firm; the unconscious, yet very decided air of command which hau dominated her curiously from the moment of their introduction. Sir Theodore was trying to please her; she was increasingly aware of this as tho meal procoodod. Mr. Lethbridge had made no visible effort to do so ; yet she was conscious ill the while of an ah^oluto contentment in his presence, nrl had scarcely had the sound of bis voice out of her ears over since, n^ the floating memories of his personal.. y out of her thoughts.

"Yes, I live at Putney," she found him 6aying, as the servants handed dessert. "It is rather a quaint old house — by the river, in one of the few old riverside gardens left. I hope you will soo it before long. My aunt lives with mo; she is petting on in years now, but we do a little entertaining n a nuiet way. She kept house for mv uncle, whom I succeeded. Of course, I could not turn her out. She has always said she will go when I marry, but that has not happened yet." i "You moan she was your uncle's sis- ! ter and housekeeper ? It would bo hard

for her to leave a home slio had li\od in so lony." "Yes, sho prow up tf-ro from rhildhood — quite- a survival in these da\s--soincom? who has lived all her life undor one roof. She was a sort ot auntmothor to us as boys " Ho stopped suddcn!> . Qucenio felt her heart leap. "Have you a brother — or sister?" she asked. "No, no. I was thinking of my poor cousin Hugh. Of course, you know the story. Everybody does. It's no good trying to keep family .'!vH<-ton.s locked up in those days of a f.oc press. He and I had the run of the 'lou&e thiough our bo\hood. Curious thing about our generation that we wore- iwo only son&, and orphans. Oresham Jrttl run mo^o to sons than daughters for some while. M;\ uncle Theodore bad Vothers ; but both died young, and so did their wives —ho had a disappointment in youn^ life; I believe he wished te marry Huiib (iiesham's mother. I don't know ; but i ln ays suspected it. Ho alwajs boliavod oddly to Hugh — capriciously — -.ometimos indulging him foolishly, then bring needlessly stern and harsh " It was provoking to Queenie that ut this moment the hostess gave the signal lor tho ri^, and the ladios streamed may towards the drawing-room. Sluhad reached the point she desired ; she I'ould have put a few Questions without i^eniincj to intrude on private fannh matters. Well, perhaps the chanrr 1 would come a^ain. She saw that Si • Pbeodorc admired her — Queenie was !->>ginning to discover that most people did that! — and he had invited her to 1 is house, should opportunity servo. >->lio would have a chance then, perhaps, of finding out what had realh happened, and of what her "fugitive" accused. He had declared himself innocent, and she had bebvyod him a« i child ; she believed him still. But if !>o were innocent, then why should not his character b© cleared, that ho might ";turn to his nativo land, and take up his own name and station once more t (To be continued.)