The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-19
CHAPTER xxxlv-continued)


definition. and looked up with listening
eyes. He had got into the way OF lis.
teninE to the passing wheels Lady Can
tourne sometimes called for him on her
way to fcstlvlty, but 1t WAS not that.
The wheels ro heard hnd stopped---
perhaps twas Lady Cantourne. But he
did not think so. She drove behind n
pair, and this was not n pair. 1t was
wonderful how we'll ho could detect the
difference, considering tho age OF Ills
ears.
A few minutes later tho butler silently
threw open tho door. and Jack stood IN
the threshold. Sir John Merediths son
had been given back--to him from the
gates OF death.
The son, like the father, was In I'M
maculate evening dress. There was q
very subtle cynlclsm in the thought or
| turning aside on such return as this
to dress--to tic careful white tie and
brush inperoeptibly ruffled hair.
There was little pause. and the two
tall men stood, half blowing with a mar
veous similarity OF attitude. gazing
steadily into each others eyes And one
cannot help wondering whether 1t was
a mere accident that Jack Meredith stood
motonless on the threshold until MS
father said,
Como in"
"Thomson,' he continued to the but
Ter. with that pride OF Keeping up be-
| fore all the world which was his. bring
| up coffee, You will take coffee?" to his
son while they shook hands. N
l'Thanks, yes" y
rho butler closed the door behind him,
| Sir John was holding on to the back OF
! his high chair in rather constrained
| way--ulmost as II he were suffering pain.
/ ~ nth
| there was a resemblance In the very
| manner OF raising the eyeld. There was
! n stronger resemblance in the grim. wal :
| ing silence which neither OF them would
break.
At last Jack spoke. approaching tho
| fire and looking into IT.
l"You must excuse my taking you by
| surprise at this-unusual hour. re
turned; saw the lamp, the book, and the
eye -glases--more especially inc ye-sias
| Sos. which seemed to break the train OF
his thoughts. II only landed at Liver
pool this afternoon he went on, With
hopeless politenes II did not trouble
YOU with a telegram, knowing that you
object to them.
The old man bowed gravely.
81 am always glad to see you" ne sald
suavely. Twill you not sit down :
And they had begun wrong. It is prop,
able that neither Of them had INTENDED
this Both had probably dreamed Of a
very different meeting. But both alike
had counted without that stubborn pride
which will rise up at the wrong time
and in the wrong plnce-the pride Whlch
Jack Meredith had Inherited BY blood and
teaching from his father
II suppose you have d4ned. said Sir
John. when they were seatad "or may
offer you something!
"Thanks. dined on the way up--in
a twilit refreshment-room. with ono
waiter nd n number OF attendant black
beetles"
Things we're going worse and worse.
Sir John smiled, and he was still smll-
ing when the man brought in coffee.
eyes he said. conversntionally, FOR
speed combined with discomfort sup
pose we can hold up heads against any
country. Seeing that you are dressed.
supposed that you had dined In town
',No. I drove straight to my rooms,
and kept the cab while I dressed.
What an important matter this dress
ing seemed to be! And there were fs-
teen months behind Fifteen months
which had aged one OF them and sobered
tho other.
Jack was sitting forward in his chair
with his immaculate dress-shoes on the
fender--his knees apart, his elbows rest
ing on them. his eyes still fixed on the
fire Sir John looked keenly at him be-
meath his frowning. lashless lids. He
saw the few gray hairs over Jacks ears,
the suggested wrinkles the draWn INES
about his mouth.
you have been ill?" he said.
Joseph's letter was locked away In the
top drawer Of his writing table.
Yes. had rather bad ttme--a So
rious illness My man nursed me through
1t, however, with marked success; and
the Gordons, with whom was stay
ing, were very kind.
II had the pleasure Of meeting Miss
Gordon"
Jacks face was steady--suavely im-
penetrable.
, Sir John moved a little, and set his
empty cup upon the table,
"a charming girl" he added.
Yes"
There was little pause.
you are fortunate In that man Of
yours" Sir John said. IA nrst-class
man"
"Yes--he saved my NE" s
Sir John blnked. and for the first time
his fingers won't to his mouth. as II his
lips had suddenly got beyond his con-
troll.
III 7 may suggest it,'yho said. rather
indlstinctly II think It would BIO we'll
If wo significd our appreciation OF his de-
votion in some substantial way We
might we'll do something between lis.
lie paused and threw back his shout
ders.
~ should like to give him some sub
stantlal token OF my-gratitude,
Sir John was nothing II not Just.
'"rhank you" answered Jack, quietly.
He turned his head n little. and glanced.
moi at his father, but In his direction.
"He would appreciate 1t. know" !.
III should like to see him Tomorrow"
Jack WINGED, as II no had made mis-
take.
.IIe is not In England" he explained,
II left him behind me In Africa, He has
| gone back to the simiacine Plateau
The old mans face dropped rather pit
eousy,
Il am sorry" he said, with one OF the
sudden relapses into old age that Lady
Cantourne dreaded. II may not have q
chance OF seing him to thank him per-
sonally. a good servant Is so rare now
| adays' These modern democrats seem to
think that 1t is noblcr thing to be Il
| bad servant than n gooi one As II VIC
l I ,.tt