Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-12-12
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
"Hay berry ham" said Mr.. Horatio
Lowther. "uay-berry-ham!'
Mr.. 1.owther was seated In his Office at
n table overspread with papers. He
made no cessation In his work as he ut
tered this curious call: but his voice took
an ascending tone as he repeated II, ur-
til its oily smoothness gave way to q
grating shrillness. When the cry had
been repeated half dozen times voice
was heard overhcad:
"Hilo.'
"You have been there all the time? ?"
asked Mr. Lowther. "Why did you not
answer seener"
''Retter late than never" said the
voice. and pair Of corduroyed legs came
into view on the open stairway which
led from the upper room to the lower.
"What do YOU mem BY better late
than neverT" asked Mr.. Lowther,
frOwning.
"Nothing. said the voice grufiy. rs
Its owner came into view. II might ha'
said better never than late II would
hn' been trucr about most things"
"Hay-berry ham!" said Mr.. Lowther.
speaking rather high In his head. and In
a tone Of digniied reproof and protest.
"Abrum." the other corrected him dog
gcdly. "Christened name. A.br-n-rn, Alb.
rum. Don't put me on the rack and drag
me out into four synnabcs. won't
have It."
did you get the document at the
County Court last nightY" asked Mr..
LOwther.
EYES," snid Abram. a little more dog
gedly than before. That's a nice job.
that is." lie was clean-shnven. wood
en-fentured. bald man, with moist eyes
nnd a chronic scowl Of satire. "Whcre's
the hurryY" he demanded. eth do ut
night. won't it?' Come, now. Why
shouldn't I put It off TIL after dark?
He had come downstairs In his shirt
sleeves. and OH receipt Of Mr.. i.owther's
commands Ind reached down coat from
a nail on the office wall. He had strug.
gled half way into the coat. which was
rather too small for him. when he paused
to put these questions.
"You know very well that Il will not
do after dark" said Mr.. Lowther. lie
added suavely: "Prokerns tinntion IL the
thief Of time. DO what you IRE told"
IAN right" returned Abrnnl. strug-
Cling with his coat. Hadn't l better
wait till about two minutes after
o'clockY Everybody turns out OF the fac
tory just then. Everybody knows me.
aud when ! go into u house they know
what I'm there for. Bless your heart,
I'm known as well rs you are"
"Do as you are told" said Mr. Low.
ther. land do Il now"
| "Shall send the town cried round to
say I'm gOimgW Abrnm asked. They're
u very young married couple. The gals
always been particular respectable. Folks
oughtn't to know as the bailiff's In the
house."
"Do as you are told" repeated Mr.
Lowther land do 1t now"
Abram departed. grumbling inarticu
lately. He walked at u great pace t.
Hackett's house. semi.dctached villa
Oh the edge Of the town. aud having
knocked ut tie door. made himself III
small us he could to avoid observation
until clean little rOsy.cheeked maid. In
pink print aud smart cap. answered
to his summons The rosy maid blanch
ed when she saw him. for Mr. Lowthe,
had had dealings with all sorts of people
In his time. and the maid knew Mr.
LOwther's messenger from homo expert
ence. Abram, though duly qualified
servant Of the court, was In a sense Mr.
I.owther's retainer. When not engaged
In his professional duties. Abram did odd
jobs for Mr.. LOwther. aud even In the
exercise Of his profession was OfteneI
engaged In his behalf than In that of al
other people put together.
Mr.. Hackett int" said Abram. nod
ding ut the maid to claim his old nc
Quaintance with her.
"No." answered the girl. Masters
gone TO the races"
"rhen tell your missis there's a party
wants to speak to her"
The maid during this brief colloquy
had closed the door little by little, unit
by this time only one Of her eyes was
visible behind It. but the visitor pushed
1t open with authoritative shoulder. and
closed 1t behind him when he had entered
upon the neat little hall. The little maid
recoiled before him, and disappeared
with II backward gaze OF terror
Painting u little and somewhat scared
she knocked at the drawing room door
Her mistress voice babe her come In
ana she entered, and, having closed til,
door, stood silent for n moment or two
The three months bride was seated neal
the window looking out with absent eyes
4 half'fnished piece of embroidery was
in her hands, but they lay idly In her Lar
with an air of weary lassitudc. There
was hint of the same expression In hel
fact. which was of II delicate and rather
meager oval. Her eyes were of u dark
ish blue-gray. mystic and dreamy. Hel
lips were mobile and tender, but she had
II very decided little chin; and the form
OF her eyebrows, too, Notwithstanding
the dreamy mystery of the eyes they
surmounted, looked MS though she might
upon occasion have will of her own.
When only second or two had gone
by In silence a dim sense that there had
been something stealthy and afraid IN
tho girls action intruded itself upon hel
day dream. She turned and awoke from
her fancies with little start at this Gu
rious thought, and glance ut the maids
face confirmed II.
what 10 the matter, sarahi" she ask