The western recorder., 1898-05-19

little drawing-room. and as she pushed
open the door. suddenly there flashed
across her mind a remembrance OF the
fact that a large portrait of Dick was
standing on little table near the
fireplace. Quick as thought she walked
straight to the table and turned the
portrait face downwards, carelessly
throwing over II the pretty lace trine
which adorned the top OF little chair
which stood close by
She battered herself that the old lord
had not seen or at any rate noticed the
action. and turned to him eager to hear
shat had. happened to Barhara.
Tell me. is she much hurt?" she
asked. My poor old Barbara How
was itg''
He told her then exactly how the ac-
eident had happened. and how they
had taken the old lady (as he called
barbara. with an air of being himself
quite boy) on to 81. Georges. she
being insensible and not able to tell
where she lived.
To St Georges, Is that a hos
pital?" Dorothy cried. 'oh. my poor
Barbaral She will think that the end
OF the world has come"
"oh. no. She is much better on than
she would be in any private house."
said Lord Aylmer, soothingly- But
am most grieved and sorry to tell you
that her leg Is broken. and she is
naturally very anxious that You should
hear of her, and, II possible. that she
should see you"
"Oh, I'll go. I'll go at once" Doro-
thy cried. Would you be kind enough
to get me a cab? I won't lose another
minute. oh, my poor. dear old Bar
barar
May drive you there? I have my
carriage at the door" he asked.
In an uncomfortable burst OF graft
tude Dorothy put out her two little
trembling hands and took his. "Oh.
Lord. Aylmer." she cried, how good
you are. won't keep you waiting a
minute. I Will be ready before you
know that l have gone"
She ran out OF the room and came
back with her bonnet on and a dust
cloak over her smart tea-gown, but not
before Lord Aylmer had quietly gone
to the table and looked at the portrait
which she had SO adroltly hidden. Yes.
as he had suspected from her move
ments. II was portrait OF Master
Dickl He put 1t down again and
walked to the window. where he stood
looking at his handsome carriage. with
its satin-coated horses and the two tail
servants in their respiendent liveries.
Lord Aylmer wondered how long the
destinations of a photograph would
hold out against the Vaccinations OF
such turnout as that. And Dorothy
all the time was thinking how lucky
It was that 1t was not Lord Aylmer
who had picked up Barbara. and how.
now that she had got in touch with
him. she would be able to work things
into a straight and comfortable state
and send for her darling home again.
instead OF going out to India to Join
him.
Il haven't been long, have II" she
said. as she came In.
Very quick, indeed" he answered
approvingly. and added to himself.
''Pon my word. but Master Dick has
very fair taste-knows the right sort
when he sees it."
Il will put my gloves on as we go;
do not let us lose any time" she said,
going toward the door.
He handed her into the carriage with
an air of Difference he might have
shown to princess. then he got in
himself and sat beside her.
Back to st. Georges Hospital" he
said to Charles.
yes, m'lord,r said Charles.
And. as ill-luck would have IL. Mt
that very instant the lady with tho
serene eyes who lived on the floor
above Dorothy's fiat came down the
street in time to see them come out and
the old gentleman hand her into the
carriage-nay, in time to hear Charles
reply OF Yes, m'lord."
AS II by instinct the two women
looked at one another-therei was no
expression In the serene face of the
lady who was on foot. nothing notice
able about her excepting cold severity
in her eyes; it was but the glance Of
a moment. yet Dorothy, who guessed
what was in the mind of the other.
grew scarlet from chin to brow and
turned her head away that Lord Ayl-
mer might not see that her eyes wero
Allied with tears.
''WiIl you be able to get on without
your old servant7" Lord Aylmer asked.
as they drove along.
Il must. for the present." answered
Dorothy.
But meant-haye you-that is-''
You meant have another servant p
she finished. mo, have not must
see about some one to take her place
for the time. wonder where shall
go 10 look for one?'
you don't know this part of London
well. them" he asked
II don't know London well at ail,''
Dorothy answered. for lived in the
country all my life until was-mar-
Red"
There was scarcely noticeable hesl-
alton before she uttered the word mar
ried, and Lord Aylmer interpreted II
in his own way.
III you could trust me TO find out
about 1t. think know Just the very
person." he said. MY Wallets wife she
ian excellent cook and a very cleysr
capable servant in every way"
But would she come?"