Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-20
walk in, and I'll fetch you your hat
and stick from the studio"

walk in, and I'll fetch you your hat
and stick from the studio"
| had no objections to make to this
suggested course, though l was con-
scious of vague desire to return to
the octagon room.
The butler noiselessly preceded me-
turning up the lights, which had been
dim. and touching a match to four or
five candles on the mantel-piece. I
saw then that / was in a large. old
fashioned drawing room, with plenty
of ancient blue and white china, Sher-
atom furniture, and fire place sug-
costing design of Adams.
| sat down beside il to finish my time
OF waiting, not quite sure whether to
be crestfallen over having made an I'M
| necessary sensation, or to be diStrust-
full of the butler, with his shifty face.
l scarcely heard his decorous footsteps,
as he moved away over the polished
oak floor of the great hall, but he hae
not been gone more than moment or
two, when the sound of voices whisper
ing together reached my ears.
l had always particularly sensitive
ones, and no doubt my somewhat pre-
to sharpen them AT all events, | was
able to hear that which did not reach
the ears of other men less favoured in
this regard, and now l was able to
catch a word or two spoken outside in
the hall.
In the drawing room !.
In the drawing room 'tisn't
he, after all confound your
stupidity. fool you are. =.
Well it can't be helped now {.
story will have to do"
An instant later Mr.. Carson MILDRED
had appeared at the door. | got up as
he showed himself. and advanced to-
wards him, keenly watching his face.
1t had been alert at first. as though he
were anxious to ascertain who the Wis
itors could be; then, as he identified
me. for the fraction of a second fire
Of fierce anger blazed in his pale eyes.
Before could more than convince my
self that it had actually been there,
however. it was gone. He came to-
wards me, smiling cordially, Ind hold
ing out his hand
How do you do. Mr. Stanton?" he
said. This is an unexpected pleasure.
night, but none the less delightful. |
suppose I'm rather late in wishing you
| a merry Christmas? But better late
than never. you know!
THANK YOU" returned ,grudging the
necessity for taking the mans hand.
Ii was as cold as ice, and he remarked
upon it, laughing.
Rather a chilly welcome that" he
exclaimed but I've just come in from
| a walk, and we've very seasonable
weather. as they call it, to-day. My
| butler-the best and most methodical
| of chaps, by the way-is in a frightful
! state because you have been annoyed,
! it seems, while you have been waiting
| for me So sorry to have kept you.
Accident in the kitchen, it seems. Hope
! it won't interfere with our getting a
decent dinner tonight, for, of course,
you'll stay?"
| fabricated an engagement for the
| evening on the spot, and explained how
/ l had felt like spending an afternoon
! in the country and seeing what the
! river looked like at Christmas time.
Il We only a few minutes to stay,
really" | said, for I've set my heart
on walking back to NARROW. Farnham
/ knows I'm here, l SUPPOSE
oh, that's the pity of it, he eJacu-
| lated. "Farnham's away, after all.
! You know what an erratic fellow he is?
| Well, he got tired OF business, and not
dreaming you would come, ran into
town to dine with some people who
| had asked him the other day. The
fact is. l fancy there's fair lady In the
case. But he did say something about
looking you up at the Savoy, if he had
! time. and as trains are bad to-day, he
meant to spend the night in town.
AS Wildred went volubly on with his
apologies and explanations, | did not
take my eyes from his face. 1t was
as open and candid in expression as
| a fact Of his peculiar type could be'
and yet, though there was no earthly
reason why | should dlabelieve any
thing that he had said, there was a
vague doubt in my mind as unc~ mort
able to bear as a haunting sense OF
guilt.
ITO he COntinued)