The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-03-16
One evening after dinner, Frank
KAYE, a young fellow in whom I had

One evening after dinner, Frank
Kaye, a young fellow in whom I had
long taken deep interest, called to see
me. He was Lord Southborough's pri-
vate secretary, and had been consider
ed very lucky man to secure so lu-
cratiVe post.
II hope I am not disturbing you,
ing through town on my way to Paris
tonight, 1 thought should like to see
you. I am feeling rather hipped," he
added, land the hotel is lonely. I just
looked in on the chance of finding you
at home" =.
my reply. "Come and sit near the fire.
1t is chilly night, is it not?" BY the
way, old chap" I added, "you do look
seedy; is anything wrong?"
He gave a slight sigh as he sank into
one Of my easy chairs. He had lost
flesh considerably since I had seen him
last and his fresh and ruddy complex
ion had left him.
II am out of Sorts" he answered,
land a good deal worried. It is all my
own stupid fault, of course Then his
face lightened up little, and he added,
But all the same I have good news for
you; I am engaged to be married"
Il congratulate you, of course"
said, "who is the lucky grip
II think you must know some thing of
her; her name is Violet Fortescue. She
was talked of a good deal for her
beauty during the last season. She
lives with her mother in Leiscester Ter
race, BaysWater. I think myself in
great luck to have secured her."
And what does Mrs. Fortescue say
to the match?" was my next remark:
"Oh, as long as I keep my present
post she is willing to allow the 'sacri-
fice,' as she expresses it. OF course,
shall never be rich, Lonsdale, and Vio-
let might have married anyone. But
that is all right" continued Kaye, in a
cheerful tone; IF only can make other
matters straight, 1 expect to be mar
ried some time next year."
What other matters do you allude
to-" I asked.
II will tell you all about it, he said,
He stared straight before him for mo-
ment. All the sorrow and misery had
returned to his face. Then he continu-
ed, speaking quickly
Il am in frightful mess. Never take
a friends advice about buying shares,
Lonsdale. did, and I have got myself
into a pretty scrape-silly, stupid fool
that I am! On what I considered the
best advice in the world, spent a lot
of money on some Rand Diamond
shares, which I was assured would go
to double their value in few months.
The old story-they went down. I had
to sell, and it has pretty nearly ruined
me.
scarborough heard of it, and natur-
ally spoke to me very seriously. He
said as his secretary he could not al
low me to speculate in the wild way
was doing. He had every right to dis
miss me, but, knowing of my engage
ment to Violet Fortescue, was lenient,
and overlooked my shortcomings for
this time. The unfortunate part of it
is that he thinks I am out of the wood,
whereas am not. I am in debt to a
man in town, and he means to press me
If / cannot pay up, and very shortly,
too. Well, we'll, 1 must hope for the
best, and will quiet my creditor with a
fairly good cheque when I get my
salary at Christmas. I am now going
to Paris on mission of the greatest
secrecy, Importance and responsibility"
you certainly jeopardised your posi-
ton when you went in for that big
plunge" was my reply, land am sorry
to hear you are not clear YETI
mo, that is the real worry, but can
| not talk about it any more at present.
''How long do you stay in PARISH"
II shall be back the day after, tomor-
| row, arriving in London after midnight,
| and shall sleep at the Fortescues." The
| next day I shall go down to Yorkshire,
where Lord scarborough is staying.
My mission to Paris is alone enough to
make me little anxious. However,
dare not breathe word to anyone, not
even to YOU
| you are quite right" I said Il only
trust everything will go we'll. Be sure
you send me line when your we'd
ding day is fixed.
II should like to introduce you to VIC
let, Lonsdale; I am sure you would like
her,
Il expect I would replied, heartily
On the pext day and the following
one 1 was especially busy, not getting
home until quite late. During those
hours of heavy work had little time tc
give Kaye thought. I had just gone
to bed on the evening of the second
day, when, to my annoyance, 1 heard
my night-bell ring long and violently
did not want to go out again, being
somewhat tired, but of course there was
no help for it. I quickly dressed an6
went down to the door. AS l opened il
saw to my establishment a girl stand.
ing on the doorstep, and a cab stood
at the kerb.
"Are you DR.. Lonsdale?" she asked
quickly.
Yes. What is the matter?" I replied
please let me come in for a momen
to speak to you. My name is Fortes
cue-Violet Fortescue. Can you come
at once to see Frank-I mean Mr.
Kaye? A most terrible and inexplica