The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-08-30
CHAPTER III.

utter such a remark.
CHAPTER III.
About s o'clock next evening Luke
Ahersllaw arrived ut Church row with
q wooden box Of small dimensions,
Supposed to contain all his worldly
possessions. and was shown UP stairs
to 4 barely furnished attic, with
slopIng roof, which was set apart for
his bedroom.
Left alone. he sat down upon the
side of the small iron bedstcad and
looked around. Gradually curious
smile stole over his face.
After a few minutes Of silent medi-
taticn he rose and went over to cup
board or closet that stood ON one side
of the garrett
A row OF pegs showed that 1t was
intended as Il wardrobe; above these
WAS Il bread shelf for hats or bonncts
or small loXes.
After glance at its capacity Mr..
AlHrSl!aw examined the lock; 1t was
Old. useless and keyleSs.
lie vncoyyled and unlocked his box
and took out small brown paper par
eel tied with a string.
1t contained screw-drivcr, screws
and Il small lock Of peculiar construc-
ton. evidently Il patent.
After fastening the room door lie
proceeded to take the old lock Off the
closet door and put ON the new enc
III its place.
Then he proceeded to unpack his
trunk.
One coat, one vest, one pair of trous-
crs, rather shabbier than those lie
wore. few articles Of linen. a pair
CT slippers soft felt hat aud Il few
otter items exhausted its contents, as
far as clothes went.
At the bottom was wooden box
about Il foot square. This lie left In
the trunk which he re-lockcd, pushed
it into the closet, the door Of which
he safely secured and put the key In
his pocket.
Whatever there might have been to
justify these precautions was contain
cd within TINT foot square box.
lie had scarcely completed these
preparations when there came a knock
at the door.
1t was Dawson, to sxly that Mr.. Med
lic0tt desired to see Mr.. Abersllaw in
the study.
When lie descended thithcr, lie found
tray laid with cold meat, pastry, ana
some claret.
II thought you might like some re-
freslllnent before we set to work, Mr..
AEerslaw," said the lawyer. I'm flu
tilrc. when we nre ell famille, you will
dine with IFS; hut, Of course, you will
- nj. Ia, al
that may desire you to do So"
You will find me always ready to
comply with your wishes, whatever
they may hc," answered Luke, obse-
qniullsly.
".>l'. that is the spirit like" said
Mt. Mc'llicott. land IL you continue
1t we Shall get on admirably together"
Having eaten n frugal meal, Mr..
Aleryllaw began his work.
- l:rsi.lrs IL compliant. Mr.. Medlicott
discovered that he had acquired u,
very slmewd and intelligent secretary,
who could ut once grasp his ideas and
put them into form, and whose appe-
title or capability for work was ex-
haustless.
The lawyer was delighted; lie Ind
Indeed found treasure, and his only
regret was that he did not know where
to write to his friend John Roberts and
pour out his gratitude for his recom-
n""dation.
In less than week, Mr.. Luke Abcr-
Shaw had become his oracle, the model
OF what young man should be, and
his constant theme of praise.
Perhaps this position In his employ
cr's esteem was gained rather by tact
than by his abilities, marked as they
were. Mr.. Medlicott liked to be bowed
down before, to be regarded as an Ill
together superior person. and the Sec
rc'ary did this to his hearts content.
Whatever lie did was through his
employers inspiration, he was but the
clever hand directed by the clevcrer
brain; IL he offered suggestion. lie
made 1t appear that 1t was but n rem.
in;sceIce Of an idea that had been pre-
! vi"tisiy communicated to him.
Fc" men Of the ordinary human
calil!e would, have been proof against
such subtle flattery, and although a
shlewd man of business as the phrase
gees. that is to to say. lie knew all the
usual modes by which man swindles
man. Mr.. Medlicott was SO wrapped I'm
in III. own conccits, that believing II
impossible that lie could ever be i'm.
posed upon. he was an excellent prey
for any clever impostor that might
take him In hand. Not that we mean
TO insinuate that Mr.. Luke Abcrshaw
was an inlpostOr.
Although the secretary had thus far
so fully established himself In the
coed cruces Of the master of the house,
l." had not made much progress in
int aspect with the rest of the tnlabi-
! tents. The servants. headed by Daw-
sNn. positively disliked him. yet he
ne:c' in the least presumed upon tho
high favor In which he stood, hut
treated them with the most marked
ciyil!,y.
Crcducatcd people. however, give
mere heed to those natural instincts
OF attraction ard rcpulslon, which are
often truer guides than mere reason,
ana are less liable to be deceived by
spccio''s sentences than IRE their SUI
periors in culture.
lie gives me creepy sensation"
was the parlor maids dictim.
lies too smOotlif tl-tong. 20, TOO civil. !"
was Dawson's criticism, to which lie
added the rider. Il hope master nav
not be deceived In him"
Godfrey detested him, and made no
scr,'!':e In his usual impctuous way,
Of showing II,
''TEe fellows IN arrant Numbug."
l'c remarked over and over again 10
RcsamGnd.
tpcn her Luke Abcrsllaw cxcuis-
ell IL peculiar mixture of attraction
i and leDulSiOn; ut times there wns
look in Ills eyes. n tone in his
voice. n something in his man.
nor that seemed to touch the chords
Of memory, but they ccased to vibrate
before she could catch the meaning,
At others she felt the oppression of
an evil influence. n dark shadow that
seemed to chill and I'LL her with vague
nnr-al,eilsion.
Mr.. AlDcrsliaw was far too clever to
return GGdfrey's marked dislike Ivy
'ny show Of ol,sequiOusncss; he was
srrul9llously polite, NJ lle was to every
ore. hut with an air of self-respect
| that sometimes touched the young
MANS conscience.
In regard to Rosnmond. nothing in
particular marked his behavior; is vs.s
simply wlMt might i,avs been expect.
ed from such n man toward ono of
the ladies' OF tho family.
When in the house he passed all Ills
time In the study. except when he
lined with Mr.. Medlicctt.
| The idea Of his assisting In the
hhuscliold had been abandoned from
ne first discovery Of his superior abil-