The morning call., 1893-02-10
SERENADE.
SHE LOVED HIM.

apartments? Yes. cir"
81 want a bedroom aud q sitting-room
for few nights" he said.
VERY we'll, sir. This Will be the sitting
room. If You'll please to follow me up
stairs III show you the bedroom"
You have other people in the house, l
presumed"
They had paused in their descent on the
first-foor landing and the question was
seemingly suggested by the sound of
piano PLAYED softly, which proceeded from
the right-ha door
Only one young man at present, sir-Mr.
Blair"
"Oh! a permanent lodger?"
"WeH. l can't say. He's been here
month come Friday. l don't know how
long lie may be going to stay, not having
taken the liberty to Inquire. But you
needn't be afraid as how he'll disturb you
queter gentleman never breathed. He's
almost too quiet, 10 my mind; it amt naIu-
raj to see young man in such low spirits"
BY this time they had reached the hail.
and the flow of Mrs. CARROTS eloquence
ceased on the subject of the upstairs lodger.
She came to business abruptly.
81 think you said a mutton chop and
potatoes and green's at 2, sir?"
Eyes"
There vas really nothing to detain him
now, but still he fingered, lounging against
the wall and stabbing the opposite one with
his cane.
His next observation was somewhat irrel-
evant 10 'hextras."
Perhaps" he observed, sitting a yawn,
perhaps Mr.. Blair-ddn't you saw that
was his name Pts in bad health. That may
account for his depression"
That is at 1t may be; but don't believe
he's Il.'
You think not, eh? What do you think.
then?"
Mrs. Carroll folded her hands upon the
ample surface of her black silk apron, shook
her head darkly and vouchsaied no reply.
Kitty Carroll laid the new lodger's din
ner's table for him. because Mary Ann had
sailed forth in festal garb for a rare days
holiday.
She--Kitty not Mary Ann-was a pretty,
hright-eyed girl. and she had been to board
ing school. fact which rendered her fit 10
associate with the best society In the land,
in her mothers opinion.
Certainly she was pleasant both to look at
and TO talk to, and Mr.. Driscoll seemed to
be aware of II, for, after watching her for
awhile as she whisked about with the
knives and forks, he assumed an ingratiat-
her.
II hear the gentleman upstairs is not a
verv noisy person." he remarked.
''No; he is rather quiet"
Kitty was not garrulous. like her m other;
she had been to boardlng-School.
Pm glad of it, as he's over my head. You
mightn't think IL, Miss Carroll, to look at
me- but I'm troubled with nerves; noise
distresses me-. l hope be doesn't have
many visitors"
"He hasn't had one since he has been
here"
Mr. Driscoll looked thoughtful.
"By the way" he said presently, II used
to know tEan named Blair; | wonder if
this can be the same. My friend was
Georgs-George Blair"
80 is he" the girl nodded upward "He
said so when the visltors-list man called"
Dear me- / thought George was at the
Antipodes," murmured Mr.. Driscoll, as one
who muses. aloud. What does he look
like? Is he y0ung?"
Yes. about 80 | should imagine. He is
rather above the meiium height and Clean
shaver, excent for small mustache."
Fair, eh?'
"WeI, his eyes are gray. but his hairs
dark"
Dark hair. You're sure it isn't light?"
"Of course Pm sure" retorted the girl,
tartly. "Fm not blind. Ii yen don't be-
lieve me you can see for yourself. That's
he letting himself in at the front door now"
Adopting this advice Mr.. Driscoll sprang
across the room with great aacrity. and
was lOnnglng carelessly near the doorway
as footsteps sounded In the hall, and the
subject of discussion appeared
The Young man walked slowly toward
the staircase with his eyes on the ground,
and In the shaft OF sunshine that streamed
in through the landing window his down
cast face showed haggard and drawn and
glonmly des p0ndent.
IN m QFn n IN ~ N n
observed he looked up quickly. and for one
brief instant the eyes Of the two met. Then
Driscol sauntered out OF sight aud Blair
noun ed the stairs.
The former turned to Kitty.
you're right" he said. THAT isn't my
friend; Eve never seen him before"
But when the girl ad deposited the dishes
on the table and retired he drew from his
pocket small poster, which he unfolded
aud conned for the twentieth time. This is
what be read:
FoRGERY-e5o0 REWARD.
The above sum will be paid TO any person or
persons providing such Information as shall lead
10 the detection and arrest of Robert Weston.
late steward To Lord Elwood, who abscondet
from ElwOod Abbey. Essex, on Sept 3.
Personal appearance: Height, 8 feet 8; reg
ular features, gray eyes. light hair and mus
tache; age. 20.
''The description tallies, except that he's
dyed his hair and clipped his mustache con-
sideraby. think" murmured MIR. Dris-
coll complacentIv, "that at last I've found
my man. However, It's as well to make
sure before | arrest him."
Upon leaf torn from his pocketbook he
scrubbed the following telegram to Lord
Elwood: Send some one Immediately to
identify Weston"
He supplemented the address, signed 1t.
and then raised the window and whlstled
to seedy loafer in the street.
Send this Off and come back at once" he
said. You may be wanted"
The man nodded and hurried away. and
Mr.. Driscoll at last found time to turn his
attention to dinner.
III.
"Wait moment, Miss Carroll; don't be
unkind and hurry away like that. lou
used TO talk to me sometimes when / first
came, but lately you've hardly granted me
hat-a-dozen words n day. / haven't uh-
Willingly offended you, have ?"
George Blair had rung his bell ostensibly
to ask for a glass Of water, but now she had
brought IL he did not seem to be thirsty.
''Of course | am not offended" she said.
Twelve been busy lately. that's all. I'm
busy noW-Mary's out :"