The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-30


to have lasting influence over the lives Of
more than one Of the guests located beneath
the roof of Craymore Towers
But to Castlemaine, worn and jaded with
a seepless night in which anxiety and re-
morse had kept him tossing till daybreak
the prospects of the chase had for once lost
their accustomed charm, and, snatching
hurried Notwithstanding a headache as
an excuse for his haggard looks-and con-
siderably relieved to find neither Lady Kitty
nor Lucy Ravensworth had yet made their
appearance he escaped from the noisy
breakfast where spirits had never seemed
so boisterous, laughter SO loud, wit 50
evidently poor and borrowed, and made his
way out into the park. roFo.
There yet an hour before the meet but
even then the scene in front of the house
was full of animation. Grooms were running
to and fro, the horses led out of the stables
and far off the musical baying of the hounds
as they came Up sounded on the clear morn
ing air.
As Castemaine neared the end Of the
winding carriage drive, bordered on either
side by odorous scented pines and dark,
waving frs, he recognized, walking short
distance in advance of him the slender figure
of Giulio MaZetti.
At the same time the duke opened the
lodge gates, and came quickly up the drive,
pulled up with violent start as he encoun-
tered the valet, who lifting his cap and
averting his head, had passed rapidly by,
leaving the duke gazing after him as one
turned to stone, made a few steps forward
as if to overtake him, paused irresolute, and
then resumed his way.
A few yards brought face to face with
Castelmaine.
do you know who that youth is 1 have
this moment passed." he queried, abruptly.
my new valet" was the reply
"Ah! a foreigner, evidently. What is his
name?"
Eyes, an Italian, Giulio Mazetti," replied
Philip, briefly.
"And where did you pick him up?'
well if you wish to know, sir, 1 came
across him bv chance"
THAT is to say, picked him up in your
usual Quixotic fashion, and promoted a thief,
most probably, to the trusted post of valet
added His Grace with a sheer. -
eff you choose to put it so, yes" answered
Castelmaine, with his usual sangfroid.
"Then it is my wish that you instantly
dismiss him. the stern retOrt.
And your reason?" said the younger man.
coldly.
THAT will not have under my roof fell
low come into your service under such cir
cumstances and others 1 do not choose to
mention"
"Then I am sorry to be obliged to refuse
your request
Am 1 to understand that you distinctly
refuse to obey me? cried the duge furi-
ousy
81 do" answered Castelmaine haughtiy.
"Then you know the consequences thun-
dered the duke, beside himself with passion.
Either that fellow goes you! Choose,
and abide by your choice!"
Il have chosen" was the calm reply. sAf--
!
ances, I shall receive a telegram of recall
YOU understand"
The dukes feelings were something of sur
prise, and for a moment he seemed at a loss
the next burst into a brutal laugh.
appearance! you seem very chary Of
creating a scandal Perhaps it is appear
ances that makes beggarly Foreign Office
clerk keep a valet like his betters?'
The thrust told home; but Castlemaine's
self-control was perfect, though his very lips
were white
Sir you are an old man." he said, quiet
ly, cor you know what my answer would be
to such insult; as it is, I simply ignore
it,"
You do?"
"Yes but your question shall be answered
I keep a valet for convenience and to do
duty to my recognized position as your heir
that 1 can i'll afford, but another man would
have appreciated. If 1 am beggarly For
eign Office clerk-though 1 would remind you
that there several noblemen'S sons in the
same postion-whose fault is that? when
you, with your money and influence, could
have raised me to any post in the diplo-
| matte service; but no, you would do nothing
and why? Simply because you hate me-.
He paused looking earnestly in the dark
lowering face before him, waiting an answer
hoping, perhaps, a denial, but none was
forthcoming. and he continued:
Hate me, because, like other men, you
risked a chance and lost, and vent your
spite upon an innocent child and inoffensive
man. Chance made me your heir-or rather
your own free will, since matrimony is dis
tasteful to you-yet not once during all my
twenty-seven years have l received one
word of kindness from you; harshness plenty
as child, contempt as man."
Nay / will speak, the duke waved
his hand impatiently, 'for the part you have
PLAYED is bitterly to your dlscredit. When
my poor improvident father died killed by
the blow that robbed MIN of his miserable
pittance, and you saw my de1cate, hlgh-bred
mother
"Stop, sir; 1 forbid you to mention her"