The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-28
CHAPTER I.

the slightest noise should betray her. 1t
was not dark yet. and Parker had no diff
Guilty in recognizing the features OF the
speakers One OF them, indeed, she knew
perfectly well: for William, the second
f0otman, was by way OF being an admirer
of hers. a state OF things forced upon him
against his better judgment.
"a very pretty gal is Parker" he had
declared. "Parker's got style; and there's
times when she might pass for quite the
toff But she's uppish. and nobody in the
servants 'aIPs good enough for her. A
nice gal, but not the sort to make man
'appy and comfortable"
So IL came about that Parker. the Honor
able Nora vandeleur's maid, spent very
little of her spare time with the rest of
the servants There was a legend extant
that her father had once been colonel in
the army. Before the end of her first
month she found herself left severely
alone.
Usually Parker spent an hour or so after
the family had gone into dinner rambling
about the grounds. AT that time the law
was somewhat relaxed and the housekeeper
forgot to frown. Parker found this by far
the pleasantest hour OF the day. This even
ing she felt especially free from trouble.
1t was a balmy August evening, the hour
close upon .. and the light was just begin
ming to fade. Those two male voices in
the shrubbery seemed to boom against the
still air.
Parker had almost blundered upon the
speakers before she saw them. That
listener was neither of them dreamt
for a moment. Peeping through the
acacias. Parker could see the others quite
plainly.
One was William. OF that fact there
could be no doubt. His companion was no
stranger either. Parker had met him be-
fore under circumstances which did not re-
dound TO the credit of the stranger.
william said the later, earnestly. lis
IL good enough"
Joseph" William replied as solemnly.
cit is. It's gold plate. my lad; presenta-
ton service from some emperor or another
TO the late earl. Ambassador or some
such tricks. he was. and it's all in safe as
you could rip open, easy as 1 could crack
walnut
Parker stood perfectly still. 1t seemed
to her that on the present occasion caves
dropping was quite compatible with good
gold plate on the DINING table a
dozen times?
"Of course l shall want pal, BILL" JOS
eph remarked.
''Why?' William asked uneasily
'Haven't explained to you the very place
where the safe is? Haven't 1 promised to
dose the butler? I'm not going to take any
risks beyond leaving a door open for you.'
You always were coward. William
you're right there" the second footman
agreed with perfect candor. 81 never had
the pluck of mouse. Amt got the nerve
for 1t somehow. But you can't deny that
I've put a deal of business in your way,
Joseph. No. you must collar the swag.
You must get rid of il and send me my
share. Then 1 can chuck this crib and
move off on the hunt for another plant of
the same kind"
"An right" Baxter growled. what
night is IL to be?'
"Wednesday. Nobody dining here 'cept
the house party. and as they're all off
early the next day the razzle-dazzle,
they'll sure to be in bed by IL / heard
the captain say so tonight
THE captain! Do you mean to say as
he's here?'
Certainly 1 do. Joseph. Do you know
him?"
Joseph Baxter ground out something
lurid between his teeth. 1t seemed to the
watcher that his face was diabolical in
the fading light
Don't II" he Missed. 81 shouldn't have
been nearly killed all over an innocent lot
of welshing at Sandown three years ago,
but for Captain Vandeleur. And about
twelve months ago there was pretty girl
/ met at Esther. She took out her purse to
give me bob. and it was full of guilds.
'Tisn't my fault. Why did she go tempting
pore chap down on his luck in that way ?
And II there was a bit OF a struggle. they'd
call to go and put IL In the 'ditement
as fghway robbery with Whence And
who should come up agen and give me a
cowardly blow when wasn't expecting 1t,
but the Captain And they gave me nine
months hard for THAR
William noted the beauty of his friend s
law with glance Of sympathy.
"Td pay. him out he said.
I'm going to; I'm going to have my re-
venge II / swing for 1t. I'll put q knife
into him first chance, sure as my names
Joe Baxter"
Parker crept quietly away She had
learnt all she required and more. For the
rest OF the evening she remained unseen
by the other servants 1t was past II before
she found her way to Nora vandeleur's
room.
We'll. my dear" Nora said, cheerfully.
well. Nora" Parker replied, ST have
had an adventure tonight"
Miss vandeleur's aristocratic features re-
Taxed in smile. The Earl of Malcombe's
handsome daughter appeared to be remark
ably free with her servants.
''You saw Rupert Gaunt with Mary Cress-
well in the conservatory, then? You have
noticed how shamefully they are flirting to-
gethsr?"
Il saw him kiss her last night" Parker
said. calmly.
And you are not furious about It. Your
features are placid. 1 am certain that your
pulse is beating normally How glad am.
Dorothy"
We'll. I'm raher glad myself now. I adj
NIT that my life the last month has not
been all a bed Of roses. but at any rate nv
eyes have been opened Rupert Gaunt Is
not likely to pay OF his mortgages with
my money"
and Mary hasn't got a single penny!'
MARY is very pretty girl. She is quite
innocent In this matter. and i am very
FOR ho- T3ort