Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07
CHAPTER VII.
Lady EVELYN Returns.

Ae0y 6SciyA hetuTnS.
Mr.. Griggs. the butler at Melbourne Hall,
had just fallen asleep after second glass
OF his masters unimpeachabie port. when
footman knocked softly upon the door
OF his pantry and informed him that he
was the proud owner OF telegram
For you. SIR. and the boys a-waitin. for
a hanswer.''
Mr.. Griggs. who had been dreaming of a
rich uncle in Australia, and of the fortune
this worthy had bequeathed to him (by
which he would set up a public house in
Moretown and acquire a mastery reputa-
tom. murmured softly, mo tugs In the
private bar" and awoke Immediately in
that state of irritable stupor which even a
moderate allowance (and Mr. Griggs'
glasses were true bumpers) of ancient port
may provoke.
Whatever do you want, comm creeping
In here Ike fox with the gout?'' he asked
angr1iy, is the 'ouse on fire or Is Partfgan
took with the Mysteries? Whatever is it.
james," "
IT'S telegram" replied James lofttlv:
perhaps you're little ard of caring ar
Ter port wine. Mr.. Griggs. The boys
a-settin' on the step whistiin' airs. I'll tell
MIN to come in If you like"
Griggs looked a little sheepishly at the
bottle before him, and prudently offered
James a glass.
Them boys is born in hurry and that S
now theyH die, James. Just take a mouth
full of that wine I'm sampling 1t for the
gunner. This'll be from him no doubt"
10 do the excellent man Justice 1t must
De admitted that he had been samplng
that particular wine during the last twenty
years, and still found ii necessary TO con-
tinue his task before he could give a def
mite opinion. The telegram was another
matter Mr.. Griggs read 1t by the aid of
an immense pair of horn-rimmed spec
tacles, and, having read it, he uttered that
exclamation he was won't TO employ only
upon the very greatest OCCASIONS
GOO bless my poor ola gray hairs II her
adyshlp amt returning this very evening.
w Whatever can have put IL into her wicked
little head to do that? Derby station at II 40
and Fletcher gone haymaking to Matlock
shouldn't wonder If the beast had been
drinking, he added pompously.
James, the footman, admitted that it was
very embarrassing
Il We lived in many families, Mr. Griggs. -
ne SAID, and deal of human mater I've
learned But this ere family is wholly a
masterpiece. Your good health. sir and
I'm sure 1 wish you blessings
It's easier to wish 'em than to bring
EN-, replied the philosopher Grfggs.
doing?''
She's a-participatin' in the floral fete
at the Bath-Dianner in a motor car or
something of that sort"
She went over with Fletcher, no doubt.
That's how his lordship's interests are
served In his absence. Is Molly In the
'ouse, james,"
''She was takin' her sngin' lesson from
the horganist of Moretown half an hour
ago"
Let her sing upstairs with the warmin'
pan, and quick about it, too I suppose the
shutters not in9"
Gone to Derby to see Mr.. Wilson Bar
rett eat up by Hons
Then We'll have to send Williams the
groom, and make q tale. Lord what a
'ouse to look after. l feel sometimes as
such responsiveness will break me up into
small coal. James. Just ring that bell and
send Molly here. I'll give her a singin'
lesson as she won't soon forget
There never was such a ringing of bells,
certainly never such a scampering of over
fed menials as the next hour witnessed at
the manor. Hither and thither they went:
Molly UP the stairs to look out the sheets,
Williams the groom to get the single
brougham ready, James to set the boudoir
straight ('with me own 'ands 1 done It,"
he said to Partigan the lady's maid. after
other peoples hands, which was true
world, Griggs to put away his decanter and
enter the kitchen in mighty splendor Not
only this but stable boys upon bicycles
went flying of to Matlock and Derby to
bear the tidings to the absentees.
Her ladyship a-comn' home" said Par
tigan when she heard it; well. that do
beat the bestF
1--WE always said" Griggs remarked to
James. when the first moments of agitation
had passed. I've always said the Lady
Evelyn isn't ordinary. Just look at the
antics she'd be a-doin' by herself when
she thought no one was lookin' at her in
the park. Carrying on like play actress,
she was, and me hidin' behind tree, NOR
tai feared of her THROWN of herself into
my arms by mistake What his lordship
would say If 1 told him of this ere the
cherubims above us only knows, James"