The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-12

more than 1s-pence worth of damage by
walking; however, she had only five shil-
| liugs in hand to last to the end of the week
so she picked her way as well as she could
| through the mud.
| Lincoln Gardens was reached at last, and
| having pressed the electric bell at the door
dirty little boy in buttons admitted her.
"Mr. Legh?n he said in answer TO her
| inquiry. " Yes 'e's IN. Third f1oor!" and
so saying he disappeared down passage,
leaving Sydney 10 make her way up.
The door ut the head of the third staircase
stood open, and her timid knock was an
swered by voice IN obedience 10 which she
entered. The room formed a strong con-
trast 10 her own. A bright fire burned on
the hearth, throwing its leaping lights and
| shadows over the picture-coyered walls and
! the soft hues of carpets and curtains But
| Sydney's eyes were not attracted by the
roon; they were fixed in mute surprise
upon its owner. She had expected
TO see an elderly, gray-headed man, like
her cousin; but the hair that appeared
over the bandages was thick and dark
and the figure in the armchair was that OF a
man IN the prime of youth. She was so
taken abacR that she hesitated on the thresh-
| old, uncertain what 10 do; but in the
meantime he could not see her and she was
Obliged to speak.
My cousin Mr. Morris Holt, asked me
TO call on you to-day, about some work, T"
abe said.
"Oh, yes; come in, said Leigh. Excuse
my getting up; I'm rather lame. Holt was
here yesterday, and said he thought you
coHld do what l want; but l should think
you were very young, by your voice"
Sydney thought that his manners were
decidedly peculiar, but she knew that she
must not mind such things as these. "Yes
i am young" she said, "but / have taken
the B. A. degree at the London University,
and have had some experience in literary
work, too"
"Oh, well, I daresay you'll do all right"
said Leigh. "Tn try you, anyhow. My
doctor says l mustn't do more than three
hours work day at present Hes a chum
of mine, who comes In every morning to
bandsge me up for the day and all that kind
of thing; so we had better work from till
5, if that viii suit you"
"Very well, indeed" said Sydney.
"All right, then. We ought to finish the
work in a fortnight. j hope you can write
clear hand. Oh, and about terms; will
two guineas week do for you?"
StlbdIuly, Sliu foFuHcs, WIN Idu Hob
dared to expect so much.
"We may as well begin at once, then.
You'll find the papers on the writing-tab!e.
Tell me when you are ready, and I'll fire
away"
Sydney arranged the papers and began to
write. The book was one dealing with GER
tain aspects Of Greek drama, and the quota
tons made the work difficult; but the sub
ject was one which thoroughly interested
her, and the time sped rapidly away.
Five o'clock chimed ont at last from the
little clock on the mantelpiece, and Leigh
gave satisfied sigh.
" suppose We must STOP" he said, "or
shall get into n row with my doctor. How
ever, we've got on capitally, so / won't COM
PLAIN. BE sure you come punctually to-
morrow
:" / will be certain to be here" said Sgd
ney, opening the door as she spoke.
All right, and if you see your cousin
yon can tell him / think you'll do very
well. You really have very decent amount
al scholarship, though / should think you're
not much more than boy!"
Sydney gave startled little gasp as he
uttered the last words, and escaped before
he could add anything more So this was
the meaning of bis cursory remarks and his
off-band ways! Morris had evidently only
spoken OF her as bis cousin" without men
tlonlng her name; or, even if he had men
toned it, it would have told nothing unless
he added an explanation. Why had she not
been called Ada or Caroline, instead of Sgd
ney?
All through her homeward walk she was
debating what she could do. Should she ask
her cousin to explain? But he was gone out
OF town, and she did not even know his ad-
dress. Should she explain the mistake her
self? But the idea was TOO formidable
After all. it was only an hour or two in the
day for fortnight; it would soon be over.
She hardly noticed the discomforts of her
room that evening; her mind was too much
occupied with the events OF the day, and in
stead OF worrying over her money troubles
when she went 10 bed, she fell asleep won
dering what the morrow would bring
Leg was waiting for her when she ar
rived The next afternoon. Here you are"
he said, cheerfuily. "The doctor says I'm
none the worse for the work yesterday, SO
that's all right. We shall soon finish, at
this raiep
Sydney became az interested in the book
Of research and broad way Of dealing with
facts that gave her very high opinion of
his mind. She admired him also for his pa
tience under the trials that had beiallen
him, and day by day she found herself look
ing forward more eagerly 10 their hours of
work.
Leigh, on bis part felt growing admira-
tion for his Secretary.