Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-24

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ralgia about
week ago, entirely because he was con-
sumed with gout-though, mind, he
declares stoutly that he hasn't mad the
govt for more than three months-and
persisted in having the window open
all the way from Leicester. But as fol-
my health or any ones health but his
own giving him moments anxiety
why, the idea is ludicrous, simply lu-
dicrous. The graVest anxiety, indeed
HIM! If were lying at the point OF
death, his lordship might be anxious
till the breath was out of my body"
"That was just what I said TOTO
myself" said Dick, who had been on
the very point of uttering his wife's
name. However, Lady Aylmer, 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, af-
ter moments silence, she suddenly
burst out, "Dick, what is he after?"
Lord Aylmer? don't know" Dick
answered.
''He is after something: I've known
it for weeks. but 1 cannot make out
what" Lady Aylmer went on. First,
by his persistence that he has not got
the govt. l have been married to him
a great many years, but l never knew
him deliberately deny himself the
pleasure Of gloating over his govt be-
fore. He must mean something by It,
thought, of course" she went on, with
nonchalant air, chat there was
somebody else. But his anxiety about
my health, and his desire to pack you
of to India, where he knows you don't
want to go, 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, If
you really don't want to do so; but il
he insists, take my most serious ad-
vice and temporize-put the time on
anyhow-tell him you must have
week in which to consider the idea"
Eyes, I'll do that" said Dick, rising.
"Stay, we had better send to him
first" said Lady Aylmer touching the
button of the bell. eyes. 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 it when
/ want to make him little more hui
man than usual. l don't do it at other
times, because he is eminently per-
son with whom familiarity breeds con-
tempt"
Dick laughed outright. Very well,
l will be most careful" he replied;
then added, ITS awfully' good Of you
to give me a good tip out of your ex-
perience. have never been able to
hit 1t off with his lordship yet. Per-
haps I 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 Annandales money" correct
ed Dick.
"Ah! yes, it is the same thing"
carelessly.
But 1 don't believe Mary Annandale
would have had me-" Dick declared.
perhaps not. Still, you never gave
her a chance, did you? Now, of course,
it Is too late"
very much too late" returned
Dick, promptly, and grinning good
humoredly at the remembrance Of
how very much too late it 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
we'll. He found Lord Aylmer sitting
in a 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 minute or so Lord
Aylmer did not speak; he moved his
left foot uneasily, in a way distinctly
suggestive of equity twinges, and I'D
geted a little with his rings and his
finger-nails.
"You got my letter." he remarked at
last.
yes, I did, sir; that brought me
here" Dick answered.
"Ah, that's all right" said the old
lord, in self-satisfed tone. Great
piece Of luck for you, my boy, great
piece Of luck. l couldn't have got 1t
for any one else; In fact, rather fam
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