The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-24


with basIe / had never seen him use; he was a
very slow, methodical man, and took everything
in general very quietly. Directly he had read
the letter his ordinary manner returned to him.
There Is netting here requiring such 1iDme-
date haste. L think but, of course tell Mr.. APPS
lev IL shall be attended to at once. Mr.-that IS
the gentleman he aIludes tO-shall bear from me
by to-nighps post. have few friends TO DIM
ner, Mir. Aekers. though as You are not IN evening
dress you may not care 10 join them. but you
must al all events have a glass Of Wine"
This declined ana lie did not press II; though
perfectly civil, indeed much more cODcilatOTy
than had ever known him to be- for ii was al
ways cold and reserved, ne was obviously glad
to get nd Of me. As a host detained from ms
guests this was not to be wondered at; but the
Impression it LETT upon me was very unpleasant.
AS passed into The hall the ladies were leav-
ing the dining-room; six or eight of them, all
beautifully dressed, tiOoped up the staircase
without peTceivng our presence, but the last
one, The lady OF the house. caught sight OF US and
looked surprised. Size was very hand some
woman, half head taller and considerably
larger than MIR. Jones' and her voice though
musical enough, had touch of NERVOUSNESS in
ii, as she inquired what was OBTAINING him.
/" My young friend. Mr. Ackers,' he explained,
" has been so good as to bring me an important
ION, tire .oftice," she answered contemptu.
ously, and without taking the least notice of
stairs.
As drove away to The station 1t seemed to me
like awakening from sort OF splendid night
mare; was 1t possible that squire Jones eohld
really be one with our most respectable but very
unasSumng manager? Could that Vrago IN lace
and SATIN be his relative
Looking back on that strange experience, from
my present standpoint, am conscious that the
lady'S behavior affected my view Of Mr.. Jones'
position iDjuriously. My suspicious OF him
would have been aroused in any case, but the in
science with which his helpmate had treated me
made me jump 10 The conclusion that there was
a screw loose somewhere. Ii was very Illogical,
for the lady's conduct had at least shown that
she was not afraid OF me, or OF any account
was likely TO give of my visit to Horton, but l
III al kind. 1T was pad enough that people should
be purse-prOud who were really rich, but that
the housekeeper OF ii man With $500 year, who
was living at Tie rate OF 4SOUo, should give her
self airs was lntolerable
OF the reckless extravaganza OF our managers
mode Of life there could indeed be no question,
unless his wife had been an heiress, in which
case it was TO the last degree unlikely that she
would have married MIR. Jones; but much more
painful suspicion had taken hold OF me- l could
not forget The CONSERVATION lie had exhibited on
seeing me, his feYeriSb anxiety TO know the En-
rand on which | had come, and his evident relief
when the contents OF Mr.. ApSley's letter had in
formed him OF IT, That he expected something
Of a far graVer nature | was convinced. AS /
sat In railway carriage alOne-n first class
compartment, OF course, as was only right when
travelling on the business OF the hrm, which, OF
course, paid the "eXes"-and reflected upon the
whole situation, felt that II was In truth seri-
ons one. There was no question as TO what 1t
was my interest to do; when presently Mr..
Apsley-he had told Inc to call, no matter how
late the hour III order 10 assure him that his d.
IecllOHs Hdu Deen attended lO-l might make q
clean breast to him, not only OF my late expert
ences but OF my suspicious. what | tell YOU,
sir" might say, Il tell you in confidence, but
II is my conviction that there Is something wrong
with Mr.. Jones'"
Even if l had misjudged the manager this
would do me no harm, and If l was right
should have claim upon the firm which they
could hardly ignore. 1t was clear to me that
was the most profitable course 10 take; but In
what direction lay my duty? / had no regard
for Mr. Jones whatever; indeed rather disllked
him; he was less like a man In the office than a
machine Enough ouI of II it seemed he was Thu
man" enOugl) aud showed no sympathy for any
OF US. But was Ii my business To ruin him? The
notion OF telling tales "Out OF school, was hate
full 10 me, 10 ali young fellows OF decent feel
ing; and besides Enough that was not so COM
mendable) had notion that 1lrm which
makes tens OF thousands year Is in position
TO take care OF itself. / bad not at that lime
that sympathy with well-to-do persons, which,
am thankful 10 say, circumstances have since de-
velOped IN me.
On the other hand, Mr.. Apsey was not only
my father friend but to certain extent, and ac-
cofding TO his lights (though they were rather
ulin ones) mad been bis friend. Was II right, en-
pertaining such suspicious as did, and which
80 nearly aIeeied the well-being OF the firm
served mat should keep silence about them?
some philosophers hold that conscience, prop
cry consulted, Is an unerrng guide for conduct;
consult her properly; at all events, / was puZ-
Zled how 10 act / think If IL had not been for
that housekeeper should not have said a word
about the matter. III there had been a Miss ZONES
at Horton Hall, of nice manners and appearance
feel sure should have been silent. Think or
bringing misfortune and, perhaps, disgrace upon
an Innocent grill Upon the whole, 1 resolved to
adopt a middle course. / would simply tell nv
st0ry-nOTe or less or IL as circumstances should
demand-wIbout any comment of my own, and
leave my employer to draw his own conclusions.
1t was not very high prlDeipled plan, perhaps
II was certainly compromise, but i am writing
OF Thing that actually occurred and have set
down the conclusion arrived at TO its real mo-
tives. They might have been more high princi-
Pied but still think they were not base
II was L O'Clock when reached Mr.. Apsley' S
door. L was shown In, as before, to his study,
and found him there, smoking cigar; though
evidently pleased 10 see ME he did not ask me
TO have one II lie bad done so matters might
nave turned ont differently perhaps; geniality In
an employer goes great way, like smile from
royalty; but II was not In him.
ven, you gave the manager my letter." he
inquired, sharply.
YES. sir; he said the matter should be at
tended TO to.DigltD
IA, pas bats well; you have been very expeditions,
ar; Aekeis; l suppose you had no Difficulty In
hndlng out MIR. Jones'" "
~ was evident he had no interest in The sub
]ect, aud only mentioned H. In avoid tha TiS
courtesy OF dismissing me at once. ~ va