Evening star., 1897-01-02

the Portsmouth road theatweixe miles. dis
tance between London and surbiton.
As he walked up the beautifully kept
drive to the Hope mansion, he thought he
saw the owner among theItrees at the rear
pacing very de5ectedly up and down a path,
s!s Marsten hesitated q moment, but finally
decided to apply formally at the front door,
The servant looked at him with evident
suspicion, and, after learning his business
promptly returned. saying Mr.. Hope could
but Mersten felt sure Mr.. Hone had not
been consulted in the matter, So instead
OF going out by the gate he had entered.
ne went around the house to the plantation
VINO was much alarmed att seeing a strang-
er suddenly appear before him.
am one OF your workmen, Mr.. Home
began Marsten. by way or reassurinr the
nttae man, but his words had an entirely
opposite effect Mr.. Hope looked wifi,lv IN
right and left of him, but seeing no chance
OF escape resigned himself, with a deem
sigh, to dynamite or whatever other shane
ms particular workingman's arguments
ployer at last. eAA
Il want this strike to end"
a,. Oh, so do l. so do I?' cried Mr.. Hope,
Then, Mr.. Hope. won't you allow me to
speak with you for a few moments and
see see If we cannot find scme way out OF the
dffhculty?' va. - '''e
Surely. surely" replied the trembbn. old
man. visibiy relieved at finding his former
employe did not intend tc use the stout
stick which he carried in his hand for the
purpose of personal assault
Let us walk a little further from, tho
mouse where we can talk quietly Have
you anything to PROPOSE
w ell, the chief trouble seems to he that
MT. SartweH will not meet Gibbons
'Ah. Sartwell!" said the old man. as ,f
whispering to himself. ''sartwen is a
strong mana strong man; difficult to per
suade-difhcult to persuade" Then turn
ing suddenly he asked: You are not Glib
bons. are you?"
No My name is Marsten. Gibbons
was the man who tried to speak with YOU
yesterday at the gates"
The old man shuddered at the recollec-
ton.
There were so many there I did not see
any one distinctly, and 1t all took place so
suddenly. !! don't remember Gibbons It
was dreadful, Dreadful
Il hope you were not hurt?'
NO. no. Merely a scratch or two. Moth.
Ing to speak Of. Now, what can be done
about the striker"
Would you be prepared to grant the
requests of the men If they were to throw
Mr. Sartwell?"
"Oh, willingly, most willingly. I don't
at all remember what 1t is the men want,
but Wen grant it; anything to stop this
your
"Yes, SIR"
'Of course he does. He knows every one
in the works, by name even. wonder
had more influence with him. Now. If you
would go and see Mr.. Sartwell-he lives
at Wimbledon; it's on your way: 1 asked
him not to go to the works today. So
perhaps you will find him at home-you
might possibly arrange with him about Ie-
ceiVing deputation. Perhaps 1t would
be best not to tell him that you've seen
me-yes, I'm sure It's best not. Then I'll
speak to him about granting the mems de-
mands I'll put my foot down; so will
Monkton. Well be firm with him." The
old man glanced timidly over his shoulder
We'll say to him that we've stood at his
tie at once with the men when they've
abandoned Gibbons. Why will he not see
Gibbons? Do you know?o Has he a per
sonal dislike to the man?"H
'Oh, no. 1t is q matter of principle with
Mr.. Sartwell. Gibbons IT'S not one of your
workmen' 9gs
''Ah, yes, yes. 1 remainder now That's
exactly what Sartwell said. Well. I'm very
much obliged to you for coming, and 1
hope these awful occurrences are at an
end. Goodbye: There's a train in half an
hour that stops at Wimbledon"
Thank you Mr.. Hope, but I'm on foot
today" r 4
Bless me- it's long distance and round
about by road. The train will get you
there in a few minutes
Marsten laughed
Il don't mind walking he said.
The old man looked at him for a few
minutes. tr
You don't mean to telF me you have
walked all the way from London this
morning.! cf 70
It's only twelve or thirteen miles,
Dear, dear, dear, dear! 1 see, | see.
Yes. Sartwells right. I'm not very bril-
liant man, although l think ones manager
should not say so before ones partner.
Come with me to the house Tor a moment"
II think l should be off now
No, no, come with me. l won't keep you
long; l won't take refusal. I'm going to
put my foot down, as l said. / have had
too little self-assertion in the past. Come
along!
The courageous man led the way toward
his dwelling, keeping the trees between
himself and the house much as possible
and as long as he could. He shuffled hur-
riedly across the open space and went
gingerly up the steps at the back of the
building, letting himself into wide hall,
and then noiselessly entered a square room
that looked out upon the broad lawn and
plantation to the rear. The room was lined
with books; solid oak table stood in the
center fianked by comfortable armchairs.
Mr.. Hope rang the bell and held the door
slightly ajar.
rs there any cold meat down stairs,
Susy?' he whispered to the unseen person
through the opening.
Yes, sir"
We'll, bring up enough for two; some
pickles, bread and butter, and bit of
cheese. Then turning to Marsten he
asked, will you drink wine or beer?"
Really, Mr.. Hope said the young man,
moistening his lips and speaking with diff
Guilty, I'm not in the least hungry
Which was not true for the very recital
of the articles of food made him feel so
faint that he had to lean against the book
case for support.
Bring a bottle of beer, please" whis-
pered the host. softly closing the door.
sit down, sit down., he said to Marsten.
Not hungry? OF course you're hungry
after such walk, no matter how hearty
breakfast you took before you left
While Marsten ate Mr.. Hope said no
thing, but sat listening with apparently in
tense anxiety. Once he rose and cautiously
turned the key in the door, breathing easier
when this was done.
Now" said the old man, when Marsten
had finished his meal, you must go by
rail to Wimbledon. Time is Of Importance
time is of Importance. Here Is little
money for expenses"
Il cannot take money from you, MI.
Hope, but thank you all the same"
Nonsense, nonsense. You are acting for
me, You know"
mo, sir. l am acting for the men,
"Well itS the same thing. Benefit one.