The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1885-01-16

ueClure Wtts UoBiuAui6 w ~A. t:
you were not going to pay any atteheion
to the business III hand, although yo"
had expressed such an interest IN H.
Eh--what do you say!" SAID Johii
stupidity and the next moment nus iie''.
dropped upon his breast ana he up
peared to fall into heavy sleep:
MIR. Dreyfus regarded his visitor io ao
few moments steadfastly. Then he arose.
took him by the shoulder, and shool
him heartily, calling him by name bu'
John made no movement OF sensipiiity'
He slept on.
nj last desisting from his efforts. "Al
right but that stuffmust be stronger tlial,
/ Thought. 1t is good thing he did moi
take the whole of it.
With which singular remark, he lifted
the stuff to which he appeared to refer,
namely, the remains of the whiskey.and'
water which John had been drinking,
and carefully deposited it in the earth OF
the ported plants which were set in the
window. His next action was to mix
some fresh whislSey and water and hall
Then he rang the bell, and sat down to
wait patiently until it was answered.
The landlord himself appeared.
"Hallo, landlord !" cried Dreyfuss, ris-
ing I'm glad you've answered my
summons yourself. 1t will save me the
trouble of sending for you, and, perhaps,
an exposal Look there your whiskey
must have been proof. See what effect
it has taken on my friend
"Why, bless me |" exclaimed The land
lord, gazing at the miserable footnan
with concern. "He must have had a
strong dose, and I always reckoned him
sober fellow If he goes home in that
state, bet he loses his situation. "
"But he must not go home in that
state" remarked MI. Dreyfus, coolly
"because consider | am somewhat to
blame If you'll kindly look after him.
IN step round to the Hall, and tell the
new housekeeper that he has been acct
dentally called to see sick friend, and
get him excused. She knows he is spend
ing the evening with me, and so is sure
to believe the story. You'll not contra
dict me, dare say-eh?" And Mr.. Drey-
fus. with an insinllating gesture, put a
half-sovereign into the landlords hand
to enforce his request.
II expect there'll be no necessity, re-
piled the landlord, cautiously.
mot likely" replied Dreyfus, with
briskness Then he said, II suppose
he can sleep here all night?"
Eyes, answered the landlord, finger
ing his half-sovereign II suppose he
must. Well persuade him to go to bed
if he gets round little, and if he don't,
why.Sahem hell have to take his sleep
out in that chair until morning. You
won't be wanting to enter the room
again, sir because I'd like to turn the
kew if you've no objection, and make
all square agin intruders, for l always had
liking for John.
Turn the key, by all MEANS" re-
sponded MI. Dreyfus, putting on his
hat "and Ill 60 straight to my bed
room OH my return.
He went out of the apartment as he
uttered the last word, and was soon on
his way to Weldon Hall.
st was about eight o'clock, and quite
dark for summer evening, when he ar
rived at the front door, and raised the
knocker
His summons was answered by q maid,
as John was out
The girl came to the door O little tim
idly, for she was not used to the duty,
and visitor was unexpected at that hour.
On seeing Mr.. Dreyfus, however, whom
she remembered to have noticed at the
funeral of her late mistress, she appeared
reassured.
"Is Miss Mason iny" asked Sydney
Dreyfus, boldly.
Eyes sir" answered the maid, who
knew nothing of the prohibition which
was intended. "Will you step in :? I'll
20 and tell her."
"You need not trouble to do that, re-
piled Sydney Dreyfus, quietly; 'she
expects me on business. Please lead the
way" And the maid, having no reason
to believe the contrary, did as she was
desired.
When they were almost at the door of
the housekeeper's room, Mr.. Dreyfus
stepped forward suddenly, and touched
the arm OF his conductress.
"Thank you" he said /; 81 need not
trouble you to go further. I know my
road now"
"But, sir" exclaimed the maid, as
tonished, II had better announce YOU. "
ut is really not necessary, my dear,
unless you doubt me-" answered Sydney
Dreyfus, with smile meant to be fas.
cinating II tell you I am expected,
and Miss Mason is probably wondering
at my delay"
A half-crown accompanied this remark,
and the maid was silenced.
The next minute she was running
down.stairs thinking more of the gift
than the giver
As soon as the sound of the girls foot.
steps had died away, Sydney Dreyfus
knocked lightly at the door of the room
which had been indicated as that of the
housekeeper, and was instantly hidden
to enter by the voice of Janet
Janet was seated on a sofa near tie
open window, reading by lamp which
was set on small table by her side. She
seemed much interested in her book, and
did not look up at the person who had
entered the room, for she supposed il
was one of the housemaids come to fetch
tray which had been left in the apart
ment by mistake.
Hearing no movement, however, she
did so, and rose with startled gesture,
letting her book fall to the floor when
she saw strange figure standing i'll the
gloom at the other end of the room.
Dreyfus advanced Immediately.
"Do not be frightened, Miss Mason,
he said, in low tone II am only come
to apologize for my conduct"
| "How dare you come unannounced 7?
| cried Janet anprilv oHOw did Won