The Cairo bulletin., 1904-10-04
Agents.

self roundly for having SO much as en-
tertained them.
In one thing, however, his duty ant
interest, his generosity and his terrors
coincided-to get rid of the bandbos
with the greatest possible dispatch.
He accostcd the first policeman ant
courteously inquired his way. 1t turned
out that he was already not fur froG
his destination. and a walk of a few
minutes brought him to small house
in lane. freshly painted and kept
with the most scrupulous attention
The knocker and bell pull We're highly
polished. Towering pot herbs garnished
The slls of the different windows. and
curtains OF some rich material con
ccaled the Interior from the eyes OF
curious passengers. The place had an
air OF repoSe and secrecy, and Harry
| was so far caught with this spirit that
he knocked with more than usual dis
erection and was more than usually
careful to remove all impurity from his
| boots.
/ 4 servant maid Of some personal at
fractions Immediately opened the door
and seemed to regard the secretary
with no unkind eyes.
This is the parcel from Lady yande-
leur," said Harry
81 know" replied the maid. with n
nod. but the gentleman is from
home viii you leave 1t with me?"
II cannot" answered Harry Il am
! m MT Will Inf
a certain condition, and must ask you,
l am afraid. to let me wait"
well" said she, Il suppose | may
let you wait. | am lonely enough,
can tell you, and you do not look as
though you would eat girl But be
sure and do not ask the gentleman's
name, for that | am not to tell YOU"
"Do you say 500" cried Harry "Why,
how strange. But indeed for some
time back | walk among surprises.
One question | think | may surely ask
without indiscretion-Is he the master
of this houseY"
HE is a ledger and not eight days
old at that" returned the maid. And
now question for a question-Do you
know Lady VandeleurY
Il am her private secretary" re
piled Harry, with glow of modest
pride,
''She is pretty, is she not?' pursued
the servant.
"Oh. beautfulr cried Harry. "Won-
derfully lovely and not less good and
kindw
You look kind enough yourself" she
retorted, ''and | wager you are worth
dozen Lady Vandeleurs."
Harry was properly scandalized.
"Ir' he cried. Il am only secre-
taryr'
DO you mean that for me?' said the
girl. Because | am only housemaid.
if you please And then, relenting at
the sight OF Harrys obvious confusion.
she added: Il know you mean some
thing of the sort. and like your looks,
but | think nothing of your Lady VAN
deleur. oh, these mistresses" she
cried. "To send out real gentleman
like you with u bandbox in broad dayw
During this talk they had remained
in their original positions she on the
doorstep. he on the sidewalk. barehead-
ed for the sake of GOODNESS and with
the bandboX OH his arm.
But upon this last speech Harry, who
was unable 10 support such point blank
compliments TO his appearance nor the
encoura ginC look with which they were
accompanied. began to change his atti-
tude and glance from left to right in
perturbation In so doing he turned his
face toward the lower end of the lane
and there, to his Understandable dismay.
his eyes encountered those of General
NandeleuT. The general. in prodiGious
huster of heat. hurry and Indignation.
had been securing the streets in chase
of his brother-in-law. but as soon as he
caught a glimpse of the delinquent see
rotary his purpose changed. his anger
flowed into a new channel and be turn
cd on his heel and came tearing up the
lane with truculent gestures and yo-
alterations.
Harry made but one bolt of 1t into
the house. driving the maid before him,
and the door was slammed in bis pur
suer's countenance.
rs there n bar. Win 1t locky" asked
Harry, while salvo on the knocEer
made the house echo from wall to wall.
"Why. what is wrong with yoaF"
asked the. maid. els 1t this old gen
tleInan;"
"If lie gets hold OF me-" whispered
Harry. Il am as go,d as dead. lie has
been pursuing me all day. carries
sword stick and is an Indian military
officer"
''These are fine Manners cried the
mail. And what. Il you please. may
be his namey"
1T is the general. my master" an
swered Harry. "He is after this band
box"
did not tell youF" cried the maid
in triumph. Il told you thought worse /
than nothing Of your Lady Vandeleur |
And if you had an eye in your head |
you might see what she Is for yourself /
An ungratefnl mink, | will be bound /
for that
The general renewed his attack upon /
the knOcker aud. his passion growing 1
with delay. began to kick and beat up-