The western recorder., 1898-03-24

gout for moro than three months
persisted in having the window open
all the way from Leicester. But as ior
my health or any ones health but MS
own giving him a moments Anxiety
why. the idea is ludicrous. simply iu-
dicrous. The gravest anxiety, indeed.
H'mi II l were lying at the point OIL
death. his lordship might be anxious
TIL the breath was out OF my body.
THAT was Just what l said toto
myself" said Dick. who had been on
the very point OF uttering his wife's
name. However, Lady Aylmer, l am
very glad to find that you are all right
and in good health"
Thank you. Dick she replied.
holding out her hand to him; then, ai-
ter n moments silence. she suddenly
burst out, "Dick, what is he after7"
Lord Aylmer? don't know Dlcii
answered.
He is after something: I've known
1t for weeks, but cannot make out
what" Lady Aylmer went on. First,
by his persistence that he has not got
the gout l have been married to him
a great many years, but never knew
him deliberately deny himself the
pleasure of gloatlng over his gout be-
fore. He must mean something by 1t.
thought. of COURSE" she went on, with
nonchalant air, that there was
somebody else. But his anxiety about
my health, and his desire to pack you
off 20 India, where he knows you don't
want to 90, make one think differently.
In any case. go to the library and see
him, and whatever you do, my dear
est boy, don't irritate him. Don't con-
tradict him; tell him at once that you
don't want to go to India-that is, II
you really don't want TO do SO; but II
he insists, take my most serious ad-
vice and temporize-put the time on
anyhow-tell him you must have a
week in which to consider the idea"
Yes, I'll do that" said Dick. rising.
stay. we had better send to him
FIRST said Lady Aylmer. touching the
button of the bell. "Yes. Jenkins,
tell Lord Aylmer that Mr.. Aylmer is
here and wishes to. see him."
Best to treat him in the imperial
way that satisfies him." said her lady
ship to Dick. as the man closed the
door behind him. 81 always do 1t when
want to mako him little more hui
man than usual. l don't do 1t at other
times. because he is eminently a per-
son with whom familiarity breeds con-
tempt"
Dick laughed outright VERY well.
%==..,l be most CAREFUL he replied:
then added. Its awfully good of you
to give me q good tip out of your ex-
perience. l have never been able to
hit 1t off with his lordship yet. Per-
haps l shall be more fortunate this
time"
,'You may be. You know, Of course.
Dick. that 1t was your steady refusal
to marry Mary Annandale that set
him SO thoroughly against you"
Mary Annandale's money" correct
ed Dick.
"Ah. yes, It is the same thing"
carelessly.
But l don't believe Mary Annandale
would have had me-" Dick declared.
Perhaps not, Still, you never gave
her chance. did you? Now. of course.
1t is too late" ..
Very much too late." returned
Dick. promptly. and grinning good
humoredly at the remembrance of
how very much too late 1t was for
him to build up the fortunes of the
house of Aylmer by means of rich
wife.
He turned as the door opened again.
His lordship will be pleased to see
you in the library, sir" said jenkins.
Il Will come" said Dick.
And good luck go with you," said
Lady Aylmer. kindly, as he went.
Come back and tell me how you get
on
Poor Dick. he did not get on very
well. He found Lord Aylmer sitting
in big chair in the library. looking
ominously bland
Good morning. sir" said Dick.
oh. good morning. Dick; sit down.
my boy" rejoined Lord Aylmer, quite
tenderly.
Dick gave himself up for lost at
once. but he sat down and waited for
the old savage" to go on with the
conversation. For a minute or so Lord
Aylmer did not speak: he moved his
left foot uneaslly, in way distinctly
suggestive of gouty twinges, and nd
geted little with hissTfngs and his
fnger-nails.
You got my letter" he remarked at
last.
Yes. l did, sir: that brought me
here" Dick answered.
''Ah. that's all right said the old
lord. in a self-satlsfed tone. Great
piece OF luck for you. my boy, great
piece of luck I couldn't have got It
for any one else; In fact, rather fan
ey Barry Boynton had somebody else
in his eye. though, of course, he
couldn't very well refuse me. Still, of
course, had to tell him you were dew
iiish anxious for the appointment"
But I'm not devillsh anxious for the
appointment" Dick broke in at last.
I'm not anxious for it at ALL
For a minute or two the old man
locked at him in profound amazement.
"Damme, sir, do you mean to say
you're going to turn round on me after
all the trouble I've iaken for you?
Damme. sir. do you mean to tell me
that?"
mot exactly that" answered Dick.
still keeping Lady Aylmers advice in
bis mind, but"
Then what do you mean, sir?" roar
ed the old man, losing his temper al
together.
II mean this" said Dick. firmly; up
to now have as you know. always
set my face against going TO India. l
hate and loathe the very idea Of IT.
England is good enough for me. and l
went into the For;y-third on purpose