Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-18

ana dSkeu tHc luotHluA WhStASA hc knew his colleague Joseph, and upon receiving an answer in the affirmative he gave orders, acting as Guys mouth piece, that the luggage was to be con veyed to Russell square While these orders were being executed the two men sat waiting in the carriage, and Sir John lost no time.
 q am glad" he said, "to have this opportunity of thanking you for all your kindness to my son in this wild expedition of yours.'
 "Yes," replied Oscard, with trans parent reserve which rather puzzled Sir John.
 You must excuse me-" said the old gentleman, sitting rather stiffly, Eff I appear to take somewhat limited in terest in this great simiacine discovery, of which there has been considerable talk in some circles. The limit to my interest is drawn by q lamentable | ignorance I am afraid the business details are rather unintelligible to me. My son has endeavored, somewhat cur sorily perhaps, to explain the matter to me, but have never mastered the l-er-commercial technicalities. How ever, l understand that you have made quite a mint of money, which is the | chief deration--nowadays." He drew the rug more closely round his knees and looked out of the win dow, deeply interested in dispute be. tween two cabmen.
 "Yes-we have been very successful" said Oscard. How is your son now? When last saw him he was in very bad way. Indeed. hardly expected to see him again"
 Sir John was still interested in the dispute which was not yet settled.
 He is well, thank you. You know that he Is going to be married" | "TIe told me that he was engaged" replied Oscard, but I did not know that anything definite was fixed" 1 "The most definite thing of all is fxed-the date. It is tomorrow. "'
 Tomorrow!
 'Yes. You have not much time to prepare your wedding garments"
 "Oh," replied Oscard, with a laugh, "I have not been bidden."
 q expect the invitation is awaiting you at your house.. No doubt my son will want you to be present-they would both like you to be there no l ns,t xv-ith will call and see Jack. I know where to find him. In fact. have an appoint ment with him at a quarter to }"
 It may seem strange that Guy Os- card should not have asked the name of his friends prospective bride, but Sir John was ready for that. He gave his companion no time. Whenever he opened his lips Sir John turned Os- cards thoughts aside.
 What he had told him was strictly true. He had an appointment with Jack-an appointment of his own mak- ing.
 Yes" he said, in pursuance of his policy of choking questions, he is wonderfully well, as you will see for yourself"
 Oscard submitted silently to this high handed arrangement He had not known Sir John well. Indeed. all his intercourse with him has been noted in these pages. He was rather surprised to find him so talkative and so very friendly. But Guy 0scard was not a very deep person. He was sublimely indifferent to the long drawn motive. He presumed that Sir John made friends of his sons friends, and in his straightforward acceptance of facts he was perfectly well aware that by his timely rescue he had saved Jack Meredith from the hands of the tribes. The presumption was that Sir John knew of this. and :t was only natural that he should be somewhat exceptionally gracious to the man who had saved his sons life.
 It would seem that Sir John divined these thoughts. for be presently spoke of them.
 owing to an unfortunate differ ence oS opinion with my son We have not been v0y communicative lately. he said. with that delibe-ation which he knew how to assume when he de- sired to be heard without interruption. "I am therefore almost entirely igno- rant of your African affairs. but I imagine Jack owes more tO your pluck and promptness than has yet trans pired. I gathered as much from one or two conversations I had with Miss Gordon when she was h England l am one of Miss Gordon's many ad- mirers."
 And am snother.- said oscari frankly.
 -Ah. Then you gre happy enough to be the object of a reciprocal feel. Ing which for myself I could scarcely erpect. She spoke of you In no meas ured language I gathered from her that If you hsd not acted with great p-ouptfrute the-er-happy event Oi tonorrou could not have taken place
 The old man paused. and Guy Oscari uho Iookei somewhat distressed ant dj.,frctIy uncouforrable. could snd n graceful vsy Of changing the cooVer sati01
 Tn a ro-,t- vent On Sir John In very se-ere tcre. T ore yOu . Srea dpb. You saved my boys Hfe
 -Yes. but y0u sse.- arEued Oscsrd trr-,