The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-27

Wish now" he said dcsoiately that
1 had made one or. two friends"
IL was n great relief TO him when the
lift had taken him up TO his floor In
Ashley Gardens and he was able TO
lock- the dining -roonN door upon him.
self. The two matrOnly servants did
not hear him arrive, and they went on
I'm high pitched tones with quarrel
which was not really a quarrel, but a
kind OF sham debate, probably started
TO chase monotony. The elder OF the
two nad been a servant with his pa
rents: her voice made him think OF
mother. one OF Maybury's best traits,
and one that he never revealed to the
wcrld, was his affection for. the mem
ory OF his mother: for the fiiTst time
since her death he thought OF the pos
sibility OF meet ng her again.
But she was good woman" he
said.
Was IL too late to make some repara-
tlon for his acts OF the last few years?
The clock on the mantelpiece struck
the hour and reminded him that there
were no moments To waste He went TO
the writing desk in the corner-there
was a writing desk In every room I'm the
fiat--and unlocked the stationery stand
He opened his checkbook and laid II on
the ledge. and for half an hour ne
wrote swiftly several letters. IL Was
not possible to make amends 10 all the
but there We're some who, by reason
OF their association with him. were
now in distressed circumstances. To
these he wrote letters which had for
company check.
There seems he said thoughtfuly
after the half hours work, "a good deal
TO clear up.
To Margaret Tearle he wrote long
affectionate letter. THE. composition OF
which cost him some trouble: when he
had finished he thought for "A moment
and then tore IL into many pieces. be-
cause he felt that IL would give pain.
He substituted a friendly little note
simply announcing his departure. May
bury had never made his will, because
IL had always seemed an absurdly pre-
mature thing To do. Now he took q
sheet OF paper and thought.
The elder servant, answering the
ring. app ared In the diningroom. Her
master was reading over the sheet Of
paper which he had written out, and
he did not speak TO her at once.
Didn't know You were in, sir. Let
ters To post, cir? I'll send them down
by the little boy at once. Would you
like .inner a little earlier"
Pack my bag. Martha. please. I'm
going away to the south OF France
BE away long, SIR" inquired the
middle-aged servant. "'Scuse my ask
ing
II don't know when shall be back"
ne said, YEARLY. And, Martha"
"Sir?'
"Oblige me by witnessing my sigma
ture here, and call the other maid In to
do the same. have just been making
my will"
He indorsed the document, will and
Testament of Arthur Maybury," and
placed IL In a corner Of the desk. He
Went again to look at himself in .the
mirror. and felt gratified to And him.
self looking sane and normal: tinge
OF color had returned to his face. He
took the photograph Of Margaret Tearie
from an expensive frame and placed II
carefully in his pocket.
Your bag. sir" said Martha. bring
Ing In the portmanteau, and don't
think I've forgotten anything"
Martha" ne said.
The middle aged woman helped him
with his coat.
I'm not very well, and I'm going
away for the benefit OF my health"
Master Arthur! It's nothing Sc
rious, l hope?"
I'm afraid I've been rather-rather
a selfish master during the last few
years. If at any time / have been
harsh In speaking 10 you, if have
seemed no forget you were an old SER
want Of my dear mothers, 1 want to
ask your pardon
mo. no. Master Arthur" said the
woman. fearful, mot that. You mustn't
ask my pardon
he said, "as 1 was when I was n boy.
and He stopped. for there was a
choking In his throat. Ring for a
hansom." he said
Il can tell, SIR" said Martha, quaint
~. that you're not 'alf we'll"
He looked around when the servant
had gone and said farewell to the room.
opening his portmanteau. he found
room for some letter paper and enyel-
opes; there would be time. he hoped.
out in the south OF France TO take fur
ther steps 10 right the wrongs that ne
had committed. For the first time NO
recognized the amazing change that the
Harley street mans announcement had
made in him: the quiet, thoughtful
man, with a great affection I'm his heart
for the world. seemed to have no re-
letionship with the assertive, buoyant
man who had left for the city that
morning.
Cabs waiting. sir" said Martha.
And here's a telegram"
Il wont trouble TO open it," he re-
marked. ITS from my partner. L ex-
pect. l can't bother about business any
more"
TT might be private. sir"
only the thought that IL might be
from Margaret Tearle induced him as
he stood I'm the passage waiting for the
lift 10 open the envelope. 1t was not
from her.
"can I see you at your rooms now?
"Jeyeson."
He scribbled hurriedly a reply on the
back:
NO. Am leaving Charing Cross to-
nights mail. Maybury."
please send that, Martha" he said.
"Good-bI'
"Good-by, Master Arthur" said the
woman. And do 'ope you'll be back
soon"
"Good-by."
He repeated these two words many
times as-the cab took him past the Alb
hey and up Parliament street At
Charing Cross there was time to spare.
and feeling hungry he went into the
hotel. Something TO his surprise he
found himself able to eat with ad-
mirable appetite: small bottle Of
white wine added TO his content. He
felt half inclined TO speak TO the people
who were eating at the next table. and
TO tell them that he had but six days
10 live in, this world; to tell them that