United States or Tunisia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The man he had left remained standing at his front door. The horseman half turned in his saddle as the bush closed about him. "Curse the man for his d d superiority," he muttered. "I suppose he thinks I am blind. Well, Mr. Iredale, we've made a pleasant start from my point of view. If you intend to marry Prudence you'll have to pay the piper. Guess I'm that piper.
"I have not come over for any visit of pleasure, but strictly upon a matter of of business. There are some explanations which we both need to make, but more especially you." "Yes." Iredale was gazing earnestly into the face before him. He was trying to fathom the meaning of her coldness. For the moment he wondered; then, slowly, he began to understand that Hervey had been at work.
In doing so he kicked against the dog, which was standing with its ears pricked up and its head turned in the direction whence the voices sounded. The man's evil face was blanched. A wild, hunted look was in his eyes. Iredale saw, was startled, and his reply died upon his lips as he wondered at this sudden change. "Shut the window. Do you hear?" cried Hervey excitedly. "Don't let them hear.
He saw ahead of him the possibilities of furthering his own interests, and he revelled in the thought of George Iredale's wealth. The despicable methods he was adopting troubled him not in the least. Iredale should pay dearly if his work partook of the nature of crime. Hervey entertained no friendship for any one. The greed of gold was his ruling passion.
"I'm sorry, mother," the girl said, "but I wanted to tell you that Leslie is not coming to-night." Prudence turned a mischievous face towards her lover. Mrs. Malling wrinkled up her smooth forehead. She assumed an air of surprise. "Why not, my child?" "Oh, because you have asked Mr. Iredale. Leslie says it isn't right." Prudence was still looking in her lover's direction. He had his back turned.
Just for one brief moment Iredale felt a shiver pass through his body. The icy tones of the girl's voice, the seemingly dispassionate words filled him with a horror unspeakable. Then he pulled himself together. He was on his defence before the one person in the world from whose condemnation he shrank. He did not answer at once. He wished to make no mistake.
His chin was resting upon his clenched hands, and his elbows were propped upon the table. He was sitting with his shirt-sleeves rolled up above his elbows, for the day was hot and the air was close and heavy. On one hand the window was wide open, but no jarring sounds came in to disturb the thinker. The door on the other side was also open wide. George Iredale showed no desire for secrecy.
"That is not to be wondered at. There are very few people who ever come this way. Why, I couldn't say, unless it is that the country is bad to travel through on this side. Mind, although there are few habitations on the western shore, there are plenty to the east and south. I never could understand why George Iredale selected Owl Hoot for the site of his ranch.
Where's the other gone?" "It disappeared under this bank. Ah, the other one is following in its wake. Yes, I should say those are Indians." "Let us go on down. We can see better from the bank. My curiosity is aroused. I didn't know there was so much fishing done here. Mr. Iredale never speaks of it." "I don't think Mr. Iredale sees much of the lake.
Iredale moved over to where Prudence was sitting She had ceased work to greet him, but she did not rise from the table. Neche surveyed the intruder, grunted and closed his eyes again. Prudence was half inclined to resent Alice's sudden departure. Alice was in her confidence; she knew her feelings as regarded George Iredale. She considered her friend's action was unkind.
Word Of The Day