The San Francisco call., 1907-03-31


where he was hard at work with a pile
cient.saooting Jacket. and his feet were
encased in slippers. AS usual. his pipe
was between his teet;:. and the tobacco
smoke hung about him in little clouds.
"Well.' he said grufny. What do
you want OF me? am busy. Spcak to
the point.''
Il have come to ask your advice
said. Il am afraid that must resign
my post"
MY father is IN London. I have
seen and spoken with him.
with that woman
Yes"
And YOU have spoken TO him in
public plscs perhaps?'
Ray was silent for moment, Then
he looked at me kesnly.
do you want TO give it Vp?' he
asked.
No aaswered. bat do you sup
pose Lord cheisford and the others
would bc willing for me TO continue
under the circumstances?
Probably not" he admitted. The
Duke would not. at any rate"
Then what am j to do?" | asked
Ocl Know. ne answered siOILia.
1T requires consideration. i VIII see
Lord Cheisford. You shall hear from
me in the morning.
That was all the consolation / had
from Colonel Mostyn Ray.
At 10 o'clock the nest morning the
Duke came to me in the study, where
/ was already ct work He was look
ing. even for him. particularly trim
and smart. and he wore q carefully Sc
lected pink rosebud in his buttonhoie
Ills greeting was almost cordial. He
gave me . few Instructions and then
lit cigarette.
What is this about your resigna-
tion. DucSine?" be asked
II do not wish 10 resign, sir" ] an
swered Il have explained certain cir
cunstances 10 Colonel Ray. which "
seemed to me might make my rcsiSna-
tion necessary. He promised 10 confer
with Lord Cheisford, and let me know
the result
The urbanity slowly Nfaded from the
Dukes face.
4 am your employer he said cold
ly. II do not understand why YOU
thought it necessary to go to Colonel
Ray.
1T is entirely owing to Colonel Ray.
SIR" | answered. that / received the
appointment. and he has practically
made himself responsible for me-
You are mistaken" the Duke an
swered. The responsibility is shared
by all OF US. Your unfortunate family
history was known to the whole board.
Then am less indebted to Colonel
Ray. SIR than / imagined" ! answered.
al am very glad, however, that 1t Is
known. Perhaps Lord Chelsford may
not consider my resignation neces-
sary?'
The circumstances being"
II have seen and spoken with my
father in London" I answered.
The Duke wes silent.
II presume" he said. after short
pause. that you must yourself realize
the indiscretion of this
'I went at once to Colonel Ray and
offered my resignation, | answered
The Duke nodded.
Your father" he said slowly, lis in
London?''
Yes sir"
"Alonee"
I hesitated. Yet perhaps the Duke
had right to know the truth.
He is with the lady who occupied
Braster Grange. sir. until last week. /
answered., She passed under the name
OF Mrs. Smlth-Less4Rg, but / believe
that she is In reality my stepmother.'
The Duke stood a few PAGES from me,
looking out OF the window He held
his cigarette between his fingers. and
he stood sideways 10 me. Nothing
about his attitude or face was unusual.
Yet / felt myself watching him Curl
ously. There was something about his
manner which seemed to me to suggest
some powerful emotion only kept In
check by the exercise of strong will
.'This is the person, L believe he
said in a slow measured tone, with
whom my son, Lord Bienavon, was
said TO have been intmate?"
Lord Bienavon was certainly a con-
stant visitor<at Braster Grange" l an
swered.
you know her address in London2'
the Duke asked.
Yes"
He turned and faced me. He was
certainly paler than he had been few
minutes ago.
Il should be glad" he said, .if you
would arrange for me to have an inter-
view with her."
AN interview with Mrs. smith-Les-
sing?' l repeated incredulously.
The Duke inclined his head.
There are few questions, he said,
(which wish to ask her"
II can give you her address" I said.
Il wish you to see her and arrange
for the interview personally the Duke
answered.
.You viii see that my visiting her
does not prejudice me further with the
board. slr?" I ventured to say.
You can take that for granted, the
Duke said.
So that afternoon / called at %
bloomsbury street, and in shabby
back room OF gloomy. smoke
beErimed lodging-house found
my father and Mrs. Smith-Lessing.
He was lying upon a horsehair sofa,
apparently dozing. She was gazing
negiigentiy out OF the window. and
drumming upon the window pane with
her fingers My arrival seemed to act
like an electric shock upon both of
them. 1t struck me that to her II was
not altogether welcome. but my father
was nervously anxious TO impress upon
me hIs satisfaction at my visit
Now" he said. drawing his chair up
to the table, I'VE can discuss this little
matter in businesslike way. I am de-
lighted to see you. Guy. quite de-
lighted
What inatter?" ! asked quietly.
My father coughed and looked
toward my stepnother, 3 though for
guidance. But her face was q bank.
Guy he said. Il am sure that you
are young man or common sense. You
will prefer that / speak 20 you plainly.