The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-08-07


His eyes opened n little wider.
Il am sorry for that. And he has a
ways seemed so very kind"
ale is too kind" said Hester quickly
"And too easily imposed upon"
That's the penalty of having syn
pathetic heart" said the young man.
How indifferent!y he spoke of this
How toughened he must be-
You are not so old as supposed yo
to be-" said Hester.
81 am older than l look, | fancy" h
said. 81 feel at times that don't lool
old enough. It's really 4 drawback witt
most people"
you have been in your present baai
ness for some time" she said.
Nearly ten years" he answered. I"
went at it pretty young
You like it,
"Oh, yes. It's second nature to III,
now"
you do rot find it distasteful:"
"No."
He looked at her curiouSlv A rather
singular girl she seemed to hin-ant
singuiarlv attractive, too.
81 know something about your mission
here" she said in freezing tones
"Do you?"
''ies, and do not approve of it"
"You do not approve of it? May
ask why"
at does not appeal to me. Iiave told
my father So"
MAY ask what he said"
You know his kind heart"
Perhaps nobody knows it better"
well, ne declined to take my advice"
Which means?"
THAT you are to wait"
The young man looked thoughtful
"Do you object to the schenc?"
81 object to all such schemes.
but there seems to be lots of money
in it."
81 believe" said Hester, sarcastically,
that that is popularity of all your
schemes"
The visitor slightly flushed
Il will admit" he said. that have
been reasonably fortunate
Hester stared at him. That flushupon
his check was actually blush of pride
And vet beg of you, she said. "nnt
to work upon his feelings again. 1t dis
tresses him to think of saying no to you
and yet there must be stop to this"
The visitor slightly Strengthened up.
81 wonder what your father could have
said concerning me-" he said. at seems
to have greatly prejudiccd you"
Before Hester could speak again Il
sudden interruption drove the repartee
from her lips. There was n sharp crash
as of some solid body falling from n
height and striking on an equally solid
object. Hester spr ing up and turned
toward the door of the inner apartment.
WAS it here?" queried the visitor, as
he hurried forward and faced the study
door. "And may have your permits
sion?" And without waiting for an
answer he quickly opened the door.
1t was a small room and its contents
were taken i'll at glance. The chief OF
these was the venerable stranger. He
was stretched back III the easy chair,
sound asleep. And from his halfopcn
mouth came prolonged muttering He
had eaten his biscuits and empticd his
tea cup. 1t was the fall of cup from the
table to the floor that had aroused
Hester and the young man. But it did
not arouse the sleeper.
For moment the two stared into the
room, and then Hester drew back and
motioncd to the young man to close the
door. lie latchcd it softly and turned o
Hester. There was a question i'll his
glance.
"a friend of the family" said Hester
stilfly.
ellis face seems familiar" Tie Young
man remarked. I'm sure l have seen
him before"
Every likely" said Hester drily.-
every likely. He has the reputation OF
being generous"
The young man looked at her queerly.
at remember right" he said, his
generosity had nothing to do with the
circumstances recall. should like to
have this impression cleared away if
am mistaken in the man
Hester ilared up. He certainly WAS
very bold and very inquisitivc.
81 can't see how it can concern you in
the least" she said "but the gentleman
in the study is Mr.. Barclay Hill, of
whom no doubt you have heard
He made a queer gurgling noise in his
throat and suddenly turned and looked
out of the window. Hester stared at
him i'll some alarm.
at is nothing" he quietly said, as he
turned and caught her look. II chokcd
n littlc-that's all"
Hester did not remove her eyes from
his flushed face. IereXprcssion suddenly
softencd.
"Sit down." she said, "and will bring
you glass of water"
"No, no, don't bother"
"Perhaps-perhaps you are hungry"
Not yet. don't expect to be hungry
before luncheon time
Hester froze again ut his impudence.
Whe eat he laughed until the tears came
in his eyes.
81 b-beg pardon" he stammcrcd
whenever choke that way have to
laugh" And lie laughed again. Then
he Strengthened up. about this man
IIill?" he said "ls he SO very much"
She shuddered at his slang
"Mr. Barlay Hill is the legal adviser Of
the great house of Barham and Goldic
He is one of the leading men in his pro-
fession, gentleman of whom all men
speak highly. We are proud to acknow-
ledge that such man is friend of the