The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-29
CHAPTER II.

After breakfast | rang for Brayson, and
began my inspection of the wiue-cellar
That took up the greater part of four DAYS
Result: / had BraysOn into the little library
which was given up to me as my Office,
Lord Ourleigh having merely reserved to
himself the right to come Of an evening and
smoke a pipe.
Brayson came ia locking very pale and
sOideu. La those four days he had lost flesh !:
and As he stood before me the miserable
wretch perspired profusely and was tTem-
bling.
Now, look here. Brayson." I said
gravely, you are aware that Lord Curt
leigh has placed everything in my hands"
Yes, sir. bis l0rdshig told me So"
Exactly. Well, l am very sorry to have
10 exercise my preTogatiye 50 soon; but l
must make an example. You we've in the
late Lord GurtIeigh's service Is years, and
Tor the past seven years you have had sole
charge OF that valuable cellar Of wine
which has been shamefuly plundered.
What have You 10 sayP'
His lips moved, bat no words came.
Nothing? Well, have a little to say.
Give me your keys. / shall have the plate
examined at once. His Lordship will be
extremely loath to have you prosecuted,
but you must leave here; and I can only
say how could you be SO mad as to throw
away so good postP"
''Oh. for Gods sake forgive me, sirv7 he
cried passiOnately, and crying now like
child. III confess everything, sir. The
plate is all right siI-I swear it is. sir; but
did take little wine"
"a little, man! hundreds OF dozens are
hissing."
yes, sir it's true sir; but have mercy
on me, sir. I'll turn over a new leaf, sir,
and be the best servant his loTdship could
have, sir did sell some wine, sir; / was
tempted, sir. No one ever wanted to know
about il before in all these years.
And now thedaY Of reckoning has come"
Yes, sir; but | will mind, sir. For
heavens sake forgive me, sir. Eve wife
and family, sir; and it's ruin TO me. You
know it is. l can never never get another
place with a character like that I'll be the
best OF servants, sir. I'll be your slave, sir,
aud I'll confess yerythiDg, sir, and show
you what's been going on In the stables,
and at the farm, and in the garden, and
about the hares and TEXANS. sir"
Il eau ind out for myself" l said, sternly,
and Lord Gurtleige wants an honest but
ler, not contemplate tale-bearing spy"
III course, sir, Of course. But Mr.. Les
Ter, SIT, have mercy on NE, sir. Indeed I'll
turn over a new leaf"
Then 20 and turn it over, man. and don't
groYel before me IN that way. Let me see
mat you do repent But mind this, If the
slightest act Of dishonesty comes 10 my ken
there will be no more mercy"
'God bless you, sir; thank you. sir" he
sobbed ont. Il"
He could say no more, but broke down
and stood with his face working.
''St down, Brayson, till you are more
composed, l said, quietly. There is cold
water in that caTafe; take same Don't lei
the servants see you in this condition"
Thank you, sir, thank you" he whis-
pered hoarselY, and the glass tapped agains t
the bottle as he poured out some water aud
drink it.
Weak, drinks more than is good for him
excepting the cold water from the we'll
every morning to steady his nerves." l said
to myself as soon as BTayson had gone
"WeIl. / hope he viii turn out all right, and
that / have made friend"
CHAPTER III.
The months Rlided on. and after a great
deal of anxiety l could honestly feel that /
was getting Gurteigh's little kingdom into
fair state, when one night we had a shock.
| was IN the little library. porting over some
papers sent down by his lordShlp's solicitor,
about which a reply was needed. had been
speakipg to Dick about it over our coffee
and lie bad replied: well, you know best.