The morning times., 1895-10-27
BY ROBERT BARR.
Author OF 1.-THE Face and the Mask" al
the Midst of Alarms" &c
Copyright, 1895, by Robert Barr.)
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Miss Jennie Brewster was very much an
noyed at being interrupted, and she tool
no pains to conceal her feelings. She was
writing an article entitled How People
Kill Time on shipboard," and she did not
wish to be disturbed. Besides, as she otter
said of herself, she was not "a woman'i
woman," and neither liked nor was liked
by her own sex.
81 desire few moments conversation
with you, IL have your permission" said
Edith Longworth, as she closed the door
behind her.
Certainly" answered Jennie Brewste
"Will you sit DOWN."
THANK you," replied the other, as she
took a seat on the sofa. II do not know
just how to begin what 1 wish to say. Per
haps it Will be better to commence by tell
ing you that know why you are on board
this steamer"
Yes; land why am on board the steamer,
may asi?"
You are here, understand to get GER
tain Information from Mr.. Wentworth.
You have obtained 1t, ard it is in refer
encc to this that | have come TO see you. "
Indeed. And are you SO friendly with
Ar. Went worth that you-"
II scarcely KNOW Mr.. Wentworth at all"
Then why do you come on "A mission
from him?"
1T is not mission from him. 1t is
not mission from anyone. was
spea Eii,s To Mr.. Kenyon, or, rather. Mr..
Kenyon was spea king TO me, about a
subject which troubled him greatly. 1t
is subject in which my father is in
ferestcd. My father is a member OF
the London syndicate, and he naturally
would not desire to have your intended cIblc
message sent to New York"
Really; are you quite sure that YOU
are not srra6ins less for your father than
for your friend Kenyon?''
Anger burned III Miss Longworth's face,
and flashed from her eyes as she answered:
You must not speak TO ME in that
way
Excuse me. shall speak to you in
5ust the way | please / did not ask for
this conference; you did, and as you have
taken IL upon yourself to come into this room
uninvited, you viii have to put up with what
you hear. Those who interfere with other
peoples business, as a general thing, do
not have nice time
II quite appreciated all the possible disa-
greeableness of coming here, when came"
Il am glad of that, because il you hear
anything you do not like, you will not be dis
appointed, and will have only yourself
10 thank for it
IL would like to talk about this matter in
spirit of friendliness, If | can. ! think no
good is to be attained by speaking in any
other way"
Very WELL then. What excuse have you
to give me for coming to my stateroom to
talk about business Which does not concern
you?''
Miss brewster, it does concern me
it concerns my father. and that con-
Germs me- l am, in measure. my fathers
private secretary, and am intimately ac
quainted with all the business he has in
hand. This particular business is his affair,
and therefore mine. That is the reason
am here"
Are You Sure?''
'-Am | sure of wsat?'
"Are You sure that what you say is
true"
"Iamnot inthehah!to spea king anything
but the truth
Perhaps you flatter yourself in that
case, but it does not deceive me. You
merely come here because Mr. Kenyon is in
a muddle about what am going to dc. Isn't
that the reason?'
Miss Longworth saw that her task was
going to be even harder than she had ex-
pectcd.
Suppose we let all question of motive
rest: have come here-I have asked your
permission To speak on this subject. and you
have given me the permission. Having done
so, 1t seems to me You should hear me out.
You say that should not be offended-'
Il didn't say SO. | do not care n rap
whether you are offended or not"
"You at least said / might hear some
thing that would not be pleasant. What
] wanted to say is this: ! lave taken the
risk of that. and, as you remark. whether
am offended or not does not matter. Now
we will come to the pofrt-''
"Just before you come to the point please
let ME know if Mr.. Kenyon told you he had
spoken to ME on this subject already"
"Yes, lie told me So
: "Did he tell you that his friend Went
worth had also had a conversation with ME
about it?''
ayes he told me tht. also
avery well, then, If those two men can