The Press., 1902-11-06

OF AN HOUR.
out my hard luck story. Next he sat
down on the bench with me, and ten
minutes later l was engaged as his
valet, a position l had never held in
my life and with whose duties | was
utterly unfamiliar. But l was wide
awake and smart, as young English
men go, about twenty-five, fairly we'll
educated and Of good face and figure
l think he was actuated by more than
a desire to do me good turn. In per-
sonal appearance l would do him cred
it. He had the written testimony Of
business men that l was faithful and
honest, and l think he sized me up as
one whose prudence and discretion
could be relied on. The pay was better
than a head clerks and the duties nei-
Their humiliating nor onerous. My gen.
tleman had fine apartments in a fash
ionable street. Once a week a char
woman came in to wash windows and
wax floors. but at all other times had
the care of the rooms. He had the
value of $1,000 in his apartments, and
everything was in my keeping. Money
was placed in my hands to pay many
of the bills, and was not treated with
tenth part of the degradation that
falls to the lot of the average clerk or
salesman.
Arthur Moreton Wellington was a
man of thirty-fiye when l took service
with him. He had liberal means, and
his only thought was of society and
pleasure, but he was neither dissipated
nor did he have an unsavory reputa-
ton. So far as I could judge he was
not marrying man, but at the same
time he was a man who fell head over
heels in love with every new and
pretty face. There would be flowers
and presents, billets doux and suppers,
the opera and grand dinners, and then
the affair would be off. Now and then
one of the women who had been drop
ped when the glamour was gone would
call at the rooms and either weep or
threaten, but nothing ever came of it.
He had to trust me with these little
affairs, but he never did me the wrong
to hint that must keep close mouth.
I had been with him three years
when he fell in love with an American
actress who was filling an engagement
in London. She had hundred admir-
ers, a thousand perhaps, but inside Of
month my gentleman had the field
to himself. It was amazing the amount
of money he squandered on that wom-
an. 1t was flowers three times a day,
expensive dinners every evening and
presents Of diamonds, pearls and ru-
bies. heard some of his friends argue
with him, but 1t did no good. He was
in love, as he had been twenty times
before, but with no thought of mar
riage. Had not other gentlemen of
means and leisure entered the lists
against him he would not have been
driven so far, but he was bent on out
doing them all. On three different &C.
casions the lady came to the rooms
with other guests. She seemed to me
only fair looking and to be an adven-
turess. at least in spirit; but. Of course.
l was rather prejudiced.
At the end of about month. true to
his capricjous nature, my gentleman
wanted to have done with the affair.
In that time he had squandered about
$4,000 for her benefit. don't think
she cared rap for him. but as there
had been great deal of public gossip
she naturally felt piqued and indig-
nant at his cooling down. knew
when the break came. l was told that
she might call and was ordered not to
admit her. Had my gentleman taken
run over to Paris for few weeks
all might have been well, but he re-
fused to stir out of London. The ac-
tress called, as expected, and was told
that he was out. Her words were fair
and her smiles pleasant, but l caught
fash of her eyes and Tightening Of
her lips to prove that her visit was not
a friendly one.
A week after that, when the actress
had consoled herself by elevating an
M. P. over the heads of her still nu-
merous train of admirers, my gentle
man had q headache and remained at
o'clock when young man called. l
had never seen him before, but there
were many callers who were strangers
to me.
"No cards, my man. If Arthur Is
home, I'll just walk right in on him
and give him surprise. Been in Chi
ma and Japan for three years, you
know, but used to be his best chum. i
Egad, but I'll have him out Of this in
ten minutes"
Frequently callers entered thus with
out formality. 1t was not until days
later that remembered that his figure
didn't look manlike, his voice was toe