A Lost Leader

e was one of those men whom solitude never wearies, a weaver of carefully thought-out schemes, no single detail of which was ever left to chance or impulse. Such moments as these were valuabl

ct, he found entirely meaningless. It led him, too, to choose a retired spot for those periods of intensely close observation to which he every now

watching them approach and put for the hole. To him the whole performance seemed absolutely idiotic, but he showed no sign o

for any games at all,

ok his

nk me a barbarian,"

us. I suppose they are really a waste of time when one has other t

ondering whether they might not somehow or other contribute towards his scheme of life. Clara Mannering was pretty, and

said, smiling, "to tell you what I really think. But I ca

e examined the ball, carefully selected a club from her bag,

ul!" he

up at him a

ou are thinking

answered, "I should like t

played games someti

at Eton-"

looked bac

and stroked his boat at college.

ieve another wor

it," he protested, "o

p along the ridges by yourse

should like to carry that bag for y

t at once fro

r fate," she said. "Now l

uneration?" he in

still now, I am going to pl

l charges," he answered, "but to j

m back, then

them. I will leave the matter of remuneration entirely in you

remarked, "is tenpence,

e it in kin

ughed

a mashie,

ed into

now," he asked, "rejoi

rself, and pl

"of paying the full price to a caddi

whatever you may give me-even if it sh

ook he

ore than tenpe

serve a little extra. By the bye, why does your partner

swered, demurely, "that I am

r is not strictly correct it is entirely owing to ignorance. I

way so soon," she said. "I m

you that without me the constitution of t

at him-pr

derful pers

ekly, "that you are begi

r instance, your attention should be entirely devoted to the person whose clu

retty girl she was really not so m

in toto!" h

are a politician, and you would deny anyt

ith a long, graceful neck, and a carriage of the head which somehow suggested the environment of a court,

ng," he admitted. "Is s

yards of ours," Clara Mannering answered

idow?" Borr

d. She has beautiful dresses and things. I should think she must be very

in a scattering of the little party, searching for the ball. F

with you before I go back

try my motor car," she answe

to see M

Mann

marked, smoothly, "a

her caddie. Mrs. Handsell deplored a headache, which had put her off her putting. Lindsay, who was in a bad temper, declined an invitation to lunch, and ro

anguidly, "I will take you home. I have only room for

Borrowdean answered, "but

upted, smiling. "Try to make an enthusiast o

eaned back in her seat

id. "We shall have a quarter of

before a queer, old-fashioned dwelling house in the middle of the village. A smart maid-servant came hurrying out to assist her mistress. Borrowd

y. Yes, she was a beautiful woman. She had lost nothing. Her complexion-a little tanned, perhaps-was as fresh and soft as a girl's, her

look at one another," she declared. "However, since you h

hanged," he ans

cea for all the woes of life. N

neri

es that he has finished with politics, and I

dean s

ver finished

as I suppose you do now. I know him better now, and I have changed my mind. He is unique, abs

d, blandly, "how much longer you

ged her s

me! Am I not a different woman? I know you too well, my dear Leslie, to att

rked, smiling. "May I ask, does Mann

cour

of Eden. I may be the first, but others

sk it," sh

ackwards and forwards. All the

e you been he

months," she answ

" he said. "Come, you know what the end o

oolly. "You must do with

your help now. You know very well that with a sli

o not think that you are

the ropes which hold him to this petty life-to this philandering amongst the flower-pot

want a

t Mann

do

one the less for belong

s a recluse he is adorable. I do no

ed. "This is really no light affair. Rochester and Mellors bot

" she said, "that he never mea

nge his mind," Borrowdean answered. "Betw

swered. "Only I d

rstand," he said impatiently,

threa

call it

declared, "I will tel

that I should dare to ask. He

me," she murmured, with a

said. "He abhors any form of deceit. He w

he said, "as a frie

he interrupted. "I

leisurely mid-day journey towards the pasturage, a baker's cart came rattling round the corner. The west wind was rustling in the elms, bending th

nce. I want to purchase Lawrence Mannering's immunity from your schemes. Can you name no price which I could pay? You and I know one another fairly well. You are

egarded her

ious to have him there as we are. You will not be able to understand how you could ever have wished differently. This is

ppy," she

in this matter. You owe it to us. We have a right to demand it. For myself personally I have no life now outside the life political. I am tired of being in opposition. I want to hold off

e through the open wind

luncheon," she remarked. "I wil