Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-07

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mently slamming such drawers as were
open and locking them.
The private secretary found her doing
this when he came in. She muttered some
thing-still STOPPING with her face over the
drawers-and almost Immediately went
out. He looked after her, partly because
there was something odd in her manner
she kept her face averted-and partly be.
cause she was wearing new and striking
gown, and he admired her; and he noticed
as size passed through the doorway, that
she had some papers held down by her
side. But, of course, he thought nothing
of this.
He was hopelessly late for his own din
ner party, and only stopped moment tc
slip the letters just signed into envelopes
prepared for them. Then he made hastily
for the door, opened it, and came into alb
rupt collision with Sir Horace, who was
strolling in.
"Beg pardon !" said that gentleman,
with Irritating placidity. Late for din,
ner?"
'Rather p cried the secretary, trying to
get round him.
"WeIl," drawled the other, (which is
the hand box, old fellow ?"
at has lust been cleared. Here, give it
to me. The messenger is in the hall
now"
And Alley snatched the letter from his
companion, the two going out into the hail
together. Marcus, the butler, couple OF
tall footmen, and the messenger were sort
ing letters at the table. "Here, Marcus,
said the secretary, pitching his letter on
the slab, 'let that go with the others. And
is my hanson here %
In another minute he was speeding one
way and the Stafords in their brougham
another, while Sir Horace walked at his
leisure down to his club. The Minister
and his wife drove along in silence, for he
forgot to ask her what she wanted, and,
strange to say, Lady Betty forgot to tell
him. At the party she made quite SEN
sation. Never had she seemed more reck-
lessly gay, more piquant, more audaciously
witty than she showed herself this even
ing. There were illustrious personages
present, but they paled beside her. The
Duke, with whom she was a great favor
tie, laughed at her sallies until he could
laugh no more, and even her husband, her
very husband, forgot for a time the coun.
try and the crisis, and listened, half proud
and half afraid. But she was not aware Of
this. She could not see his face where
she was sitting. To all seeming she never
looked that way. She was quite model
society wife.
Mr.. Stafford himself was an early riser
1t was his habit to be up by 6, to make hi:
own coffee over spirit lamp, and then moi
only to get through much work in hi:
dressing-room, but to take his daily ride
also before breakfast. On the morning
after the Dukes party, however, he lay
later than usual; and as there was more
business to be done-owing to the crisis
the canter in the park had to be omitted
He was still among his papers-though
momentarily awaiting the breakfast gong
when hanson cab, driven at full speed
stopped at the door. He glanced up wear
ily as he heard the doors Of the cab flung
open with crash. There had been g
time when the stir and hustle of such ar.
rivals had been sweet to him-not SO sweet
as to some, for he had never been deeply
in love with the parade of ofice-but
sweeter than to-day, when they were nc
more to him than the creaking of the mill
to the camel that turns it blindfolded and
in darkness.
Naturally he was thinking of Lord Pill
grimstone this morning, and guessed, be-
fore he opened the note which the servant
brought into him, who was its writer. But
its contents had, nevertheless, an electrical
effect upon him. His browred dened
With a quite unusual display of emotion
he sprang to his feet, crushing the frag
ment of paper in his fingers. "Whc
brought this?" he asked sharply. "Whc
brought it," he repeated before the ser
want could explain.
The man had never seen him so moved.
"Mr. Scratchley, sir" he answered.
"Ha Then, show him into the library,
was the quick reply. And while the serv
ant went to do his bidding the Minister
hastily changed his dressing-gown for ;
coat, and ran down a private staircase
reaching the room he had mentioned by
one door as Mr.. Scratchley, Lord Pilgrim
stones secretary, entered it through an
other.
By that time he had regained his com
posure, and looked much as usual. Still
when he held up the crumpled note, Their
was a brusqueness in the gesture which
would have surprised his ordinary &C
ouaintanees, and did remind Mr.. Scratch
ley of certain swarm nights in tn
House. "You know the contents of this
Mr.. Scratchley~ he said, without pre-
Jude. and in a tone which matched hi
gesture.
The visitor bowed. He was a grave
middle-aged man, who seemed oppresse
and burdened by the load of cares and re
sponsibilities which his smiling chief cal
ried so iauntily. People said that he wa
the proper complement of Lord Pilgrim
stone, as the more volatile Alley was of hi
leader.
"Aud you are aware" continued Nj
Stafford, still more harshly, "that Lor'
Pilgrimstone gives yesterdays agreemen
to the winds ?"
Ii 81 have never seen his Lordship S
deeply moved" replied the discreet one.
"He SAYS: Our former negotiation wa
ruined by premature talk, but this last di:
closure can only be referred to treacher
or gross carelessness.' What does thi
mean? 1 know of no disclosure, NJ
Scratchley. 1 must have an explanation
and you, l presume, are here to give m
one"
For moment the other seemed take
aback. "You have not seen the Times
he murmured.
"This mornings? No. But here it is.
He snatched it as he spoke from tabl
at his elbow and unfolded it. The secre
tary approached and pointed to the hea
of a column-the most conspicuous. tn
column most readily to be found in tn
paper. "They are crying it at every stre'
corner I passed" he added, apologeticall,
"There is nothing to be heard in St. JAIME
street and Pail Mall but Detailed Pr,
gramme of the Coalition The oth'
dailies are striking off second editions
contain it p
Mr.. Stafford's eyes were riyeted to tt
/ paper, and there was long pause-a pau
on his part of dismay and CONSERVATION
He could scarcelY-to repeat commc
phrase-believe his eyes. at seems"
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