The western recorder., 1898-04-07

CHAPTER xVIII.-tContinued
Mr.. Aylmer Is here. my lord he
said. 'will your lordship see him"
Certainly. OF course" exclaimed his
lordship. Show him here at once
The man retired. and in minute
or two returned with Dick, who said
"Good-morning'' to his uncle. with an
air OF cheerful civility.
High grunted the old lord. morn
ing. well7"
We'll, SIR" said Disk, 81 have
thought the matter over, and although
have not, and never have had. any
wish to go to India. / have decided
that It will be best for me to accept
the appointment you were good enough
TO get for me-
"Oh--er. I'm glad you've come to
your senses at last" said the old lord.
a shade more graciously. well. you
had better go and see Barry Boyrton
about it-that will be the best And
then you'll have to get your affairs put
in order. make your will. and all
that"
Il have made my will" said Dick,
promptly. although it's true ! hadn't
very much to make II for"
Ali that's good-those things ought
always to be done before they are
wanted. By-the-bye. Dick, are you
hard up, or anything OF that kind? Do
you want any money!"
mo. sir. thanks. I could do with a
hundred or two. OF course-who
couldE't? But / am not in debt. or
anything of that sort"
The old lord caressed his white mus
tache and looked at his heir with
sort Of eomical wonder. "Pon my
SOUL" he remarked. II can't tell how
you do It,"
"Eh7" said Dick. not understanding.
and, in fact. not interested in his
uncle's thoughts.
We'll. how you do IT, Expensive
regiment-fat in Palace Mansions
Riviera, and all the rest
Dick shrugged his shoulders. well.
sir. don't owe penny in the world.
I give you my word"
"Ahl Mrs Harris must be young
lady OF very moderate Desires" said
Lord Aylmer, lighting another cigar
cite. Have one?'
NO, thank you, SIR" returned Dick.
And what will become Of Mrs. Har-
ris when you are gone to India, eh?"
fhe old man asked. with great air
of interest
We'll, SIR" said Dick, 81 always
make It rule never to talk about my
friends private affairs. even when /
happen to know them"
You won't tell me-" Lord Aylmer
chuckled. "oh, very well. very we'll
never mind can take a hint as well
as anybody
When 1t suits your purpose. ="
Dicks thoughts ran. as he watched the
handsome. wicked old face.
Then he got up from his chair. IF
you don't want me any longer. sir, l
will go and pay my respects to my
lady. By-the-bye, hope you are less
anxious about her than you were a
short time ago."
Lord Aylmer jumped up in fury
and stamped his gouty foot hard upon
the floor. "Damme." he cried. that
woman is like an India-rubber ball, and
as hard as nails into the bargain"
Then she is better" said Dick. with
an air of profound and anxious inter-
est.
Better! Damme." the old savage
cried, she's outrageously well. sir.
Damme, her healthiness is positively
aggressive"
but that must be a great relief to
your mind, SIR" said Dick, with per-
feet gravity.
"Reliefl' the other echoed. then
seemed to recollect himself little.
"Ahl yes, yes. of course-to be sure.
Well. go and see her. l dare say you
will find her in the boudoir."
Dack felt himself dismissed with a
wave of the old lords hand. and being
never very anxious to remain in his
presence, he betook himself away, and
went to find her ladyship. But Lady
Aylmer was not in the house-had, in
fact, been gone out some time before
he reached it; SO Dick jumped into a
cab and went back to Palace Mansions