icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon

Out of the Primitive

Chapter 4 THE EARL AND THE OTHERS

Word Count: 2385    |    Released on: 29/11/2017

tion. She brought up in an empty corner of the iron fence, close beside the exit gate through which passengers were hurrying from the last train that had arrived. Her velvety black eyes

ntering up the train-platform to the exit gate, fastidiously apart from his fellow passengers. He raised

reaching for her hand. "This

ping both slender hands into her muff. "I

n't come down

rony too fine drawn for his

all work on my bridge was stopped by the

he world, the fle

, with a smirk on his hand

ssured gaze. "Mr. Brice-Ashton, you will hereafter kindly add

ions, just so we're

n that was backing into the station. Ashton shrugged, lighted a gilt-tipped cigarette, and as

tell until I see him? I think it will be

l?" repeat

r one Vievie l

she really coming home so soon?-when she h

f away. The London

in England, then. Wh

orrespondence-school

e-As

een so muddled. This hero business, for a starter-what about it? I though

duke,-James Scarbridge,

f Avon

an

What chance have you now to win Genevieve,-w

? I thought he

the Mozambique coast. No; Jeems chartered a tramp steamer on his own account, to look for friend Tommy. He found the her

e alone of all aboard her steamer should ha

ame in. There was another man, but he didn't count for much, I gu

ce!-and for a gir

of any kind, not even riding. And for her to be flung out that way into the tropical jungles,

man a chance to prove h

d shoot the l

A bow and arrows, you

ke

Ashton in rather

hero, otherwise

s Blake?" ec

man of that name. You don't happen to know if h

irl spared him a swift glance from the out-flocking stream of passengers. His f

minister; so he couldn't marry her without

" repeated As

d Thomas at his daddy's ducal castle until Vievie made mamma start home with her. You know mamma streaked it for London, at Uncle Herbert's expense, the moment Vievie cabled from Port Mozambique that she was safe. Uncle Herbert would

e you're waiting for-I understood you

amer. Mamma wired that they are al

slie? Did he go

always is. I called by his office for him.

hrough, all those hardships and d

he girl, pressing close against the fence and

mother!" exclaimed Ashton, and

ised hand. Beside her walked a rosy-cheeked blonde young Englishman, while in front a big square-built man thru

younger lady leaned forward and spoke in a

ss the corner past Miss Gantry, who was advancing with ou

she half

d in each other's arms. After a moment's fervent embrace, Dolores thrust her

nk you're home again-when we never expected to see

ounger girl with an affectionate smile on her delica

e the big man, who stood looking on with rather a surly expression, in his pale

lores, clasping a hand d

mile. "Guess I've got to own up to it, Miss D

d a square powerful hand. Dolores entrusted her slender fingers to

she exclaimed, "I mea

lanced at her mother, who had drawn a little apart with th

of family affection is immodest," s

a loud salute upon the drooping

l you remember you're no longer a hoyden?

d her daughter, surveying the E

ked. "If you weren't out, I'd see that you had

But you forget yourself, mamma. You keep h

it into his eye and stared blandly at the irrepressible Miss Gantry, while her mother

he Earl of Avondale: I

and bowed with unaffected grace. Dolores nod

e said. "It's rare we

are caught in New Yor

le mustache. "I've been over before, you know. Came in disguise. This time I was able

coldly to the effusive greeting of Ashton. The young man was edging towar

, Mr. Bric

mured Ashton, his voice breaking slightly as Blake

ny's!" responded Blake

e other's hand, he mu

aven't I met you b

im: "No doubt it's the familiarity of the name, Tom. Mr.

Blake. "But no. It's hi

your father

her's o

remember, I was in your father's office for a year. That was before I succeeded with my-plans for

muttered Blake

and she turned to look about, with a perplexed uptilt

eaking short an animated conversation with the earl.

crowd. Dolores took pity on Ashton, who had edged ar

he remarked, "this, by

to present him to you,

take him even as a gift

I d

ss Gon-tray!" p

sted his monocle, oblivious of the han

n, hastily dropping his hand, "I'm extremely delighted-honored

" murmured h

one of our most eminent financ

of the eminent financier, to address Genevieve in an impulsive, boyish tone, "I say,

was staring towards the out

Tom?" asked Geneviev

ake. "Met your father onc

You'll

lained with grim humor. "Don't worry. I

ll not forget that ha

Jim

hat one or more of the steamers chartered by her father must certainly have si

two weeks, down on the Mozambique

er the heads of the rushing multitude at a vision of swampy lagoons, of palm clumps and tangled jungl

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open