The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-29

The maid took the card and Mrs.
Sartwell appeared in the hall, almost
as if she had been listening to the
words of the speaker, which, of course,
she had perfect right to do, as one
generally wishes TO know who calls
at ones front door.
Did l hear you say that you were
Mr.. HoDe?" she asked
I'm his son. madam" said Barney,
modestly, and with that politeness he
had learned in Paris.
Won't you come in. I'm sorry my
husband is not at home. Is it on ac-
count of the strike you come? | feel
very anxious. Your mother called yes
terday, and we had a long conversa-
ton about it,
Yes. the mater takes a great inter-
est in the workingman, although
can't say do myself merely wished
to have an informal chat with Mr..
Sartwell on the situation, and that is
why l called at the house rather than
the Office
Barney stepped into the hall and
kept his hat in his hand to show he
had hanson waiting. He had no in
tention of staying more than moment
or two. He had thought it best to
have something to tell his mother
was relentless S-questioner, and
If he could have a conversation to re-
port she might take the will for the
deed and give him the check
The door of the drawing room was
thrown open and when the two entered
he found Edna Sartwell sitting there
in a deep chair, reading a book with
such interest that she evidently had
not heard a word of the colloquv at
H.
coloring deeply as she saw a stranger
come in with her steDmother. The
latter said nothing to the girl, but di-
rected a glance at her that, speaking
as plainly as words, told her to leave
the room.
Barney's first thought on seeing
Edna was that she was about to es-
cape from the room, and that this de-
sertion must be automatically pre-
vented. Barney's great burden in life,
SO he often told his friends, was that
the young ladies of England were in
the habit of throwing themselves at
his head, which remark caused Haldi-
man once to say that they had a quick
eye for his weakest point of defense.
Now here was a stunning" girl to use
Barney'S own phrase, about her. who
was actually about to walk out of the
room without casting & second glance
at him. young man always likes the
unusual
Not your daughter, Mrs Sartwell?"
said Barney, in his most winning man
ner.
My stepdaughter," said the lady,
coldl-
'Ah, I though YOU could not have a
grown-up daughter" murmured Bar
ney, delicately. He always found this
particular kind OF compliment very
successful with ladies well past middle
age, ard in this case his confidence
was not misplaced.
DO not let me drive you away, Miss
Sartwell," he continued. II am Bar
nard Hope" he added. seeing that Mrs.
him, and 1 called TO see your father
and talk with him regarding the strike.
So. you know, it is a matter that in
terests US all. and / beg of you to join
in the conference
The moment he mentioned her father
and the strike, he saw he held the at
tention of the girl, who paused and
looked at her stepmother That per-
picked lady was in a ouandary. She
did not wish to offend Mrs. Hopes son.
and she did not want her stepdaughter
to remain in the room. She hesitated
and was lost.
Pray let me offer you a chair in
your own drawing ROOM" said Barney.
with that gallantry which he always
found irresistible, and you, Mrs. Sart-
informal chat, which l know will be of
immense assistance in my talk with
Mr.. Sartwell for / confess / am little
afraid of him.
Edna opened her eyes at this; she
had several times heard people say
they stood in awe of her father, and
she never could understand why.
Mrs. Sartwell sat bolt upright and
folded her hands on her lap. frowning
at her stepdaushter when she got a
chance unseen by Barney. She did not
at all like the turn events had taken.
but saw no way of interfering without
seeming rude to her guest.
You See" chirruDed Barney, the
mater takes a great interest in the
workingman; so do l. He thought
this noble sentiment would appeal TO
Edna Sartwell Il think we alive
alias IL were-should feel a certain
responsibility. don't YOU know. You
sec what 1 mean, Mrs. Sartwell?"
Certainly. It does YOU credit. Mr..
Hope" replied the lady appealed to,
although she uttered the phrase with
some severity as if it were an asper-
sion.
"Oh. not at ell. suppose it was
born in me. l think it natural for all
rightly brought up persons to take a
deep interest in their fellow creatures.
Don't you think so. Miss Sartwell?'
Yes" said Edna family, without
looking up.
For workmen are our fellow crea-
lures. you know cried Barney, with
all the enthusiasm of startling dis
covery.
Am I my brothers keeper?' said
Mrs. Sartwell. in gloomy tones.
Quite so, quite So assented Bar
ney who took the remark as original
Il couldn't have stated the case better
if 1 had thought all day about it. Now
the mater imagined that perhaps Mr.
Sartwell would consent to meet the
men and talk IL over. making. per-
haps, some trifiing concessions, and
then everything would be lovely. You
see what ! mean?"
1T seems a very reasonable pro-
posal," said Mrs Sartwell. with a
sigh, but my opinion is of no value,
especially in my own house."