Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-05
CHAPTER xxi.

My anxiety to see Mrs. Randolph was
not abated. Nor did l intend to give up
my fight against Lane. Yet courage and
determination came back to me but slowly.
After some amless wanderings l went to
hotel. avoiding the one where Lane was
stopping There I passed wretched night
In the morning, as / walked toward the
post office, l saw Lane parting company
with a man who had just stepped aboard
the trolley car. The man was DR.. Thomp-
son. A swift suspicion rose in my mind
and the sight caused me to halt l was
sure that Lane had brought him to Camden
with Mrs Trencher, and had used them
both against me with Mrs. Randolph. Hav-
ing apparently completed his work against
me the doctor was now on his way to
Rockland, i was sure, to take the early
train there for New York
/ avoided Lane as l went on. / could not
trust myself to meet him face to face, and
l did not wish scene in the streets. When
] returned to the hotel 1 secluded myself,
fearing l could do nothing while he was
in town. Yet l sent another telegram to
Asbury Rand, whose inactivity had ex-
hausted my patience. l had spent fever
ish and restless night and was now weak
and really ILL.,
Along In the afternoon, when I was on
the point of setting out for the Poplars, be-
ing determined to see Mrs Randolph again
even If i had to get into the house by
walking in past the servant, there was
rap on the door.
Come !n-' 1 said, feeling too tired to
rise from my chair. I thought it was the
bellboy.
When the door opened the oblong, white
face of Jerome appeared.
May | come in?' he said tlmldly.
nod 70 foot
Certainly" l cried; delighted to see
you"
He came in cautiously, without enthusi-
asm, and closed the door softly behind
him.
II have left my dress-suit case and the
trunk downstairs he said, enigmatIcally.
He sat down in the chair l pointed out.
passed his long white hand nervously
across his smooth chin, and carefully drew
up his trousers that the knifelike creases
might not be taken out of them. He was
always particular about the appearance OF
his clothing. l wanted to inquire concern
ing Mrs. Randolph and affairs at the Pop
lars, but his manner puzzled me into delay.
Il have resolved to stay with you, sir!'
he declared. with an air of mild and re-
signed determination.
The generosity and kindness OF the Fellow
fairly overwhelmed me.
But, Jerome" / eXpostulated, I can't
afford to keep a valet now. You under
stand what has happened I see. And you
must know tnat l. am pTdCtlCdily peIlUlleSS
and have no income whatever at present"
Yes, sir l understand" he said.
$50 you see how impossible your idea is.
1t Is very kind of you; can't tell you how
l appreciate it. But you see how impos-
sble it is
II shall not ask any salary, SIR he said.
thus making me perceive how much in
earnest he was.
My heart warmed toward him. I had al
ways liked Jerome-he was such a model
servant, and here he was showing qualities
of faithfulness of which had not dreamed.
Yet l felt called to protest and to refuse
his offer.
Jerome" 1 said. "even IL you should
serve me without pay couldn't do it. 1
have very little money 1t will be as much
as / can do to pay my board bill for
while. So shall have to be my own valet,
you see, much as l have valued your serv-
ices. Mrs. Randolph will still give you en-
ployment of some kind, l am sure, and"
Mrs. Randolph has left Camden. but it
isn't that sir. it"
Left Camden"
fairly leaped from my chair.
Yes, sir" said Jerome, quite undis-
turbed; "she and Miss Hansborough and
all of them, sir, left this morning"
For what point?" l asked, trembling.
81 am not sure sir, but l think Cam
bridge. They may have gone to New York.
but from what l heard | think 1t is Cam
bridge. The servants that are left are
closing up the house and will leave this
evening"
/ was panic-stricken.
The yacht has gone. too. sir; she sailed
an hour ago, with the auto on board, and
the
Gone" cried. And 1 knew I acted for
a minute as If all hope had gone, too.
Yes. SIR said Jerome. with calm resig-
nation.
II wish had known this earlier"
Il didn't know where you were, sir. I
could have gone with them, but, to tell the
truth. sir, didn't want to. l felt that you
had been-but 1t rs not for me to express
an opinion, sir"
Express it," I commanded
We'll. sir, 1t seemed to me you had been
treated badly and l didn't believe the
things I heard You have always been
kind to me- sir. before you went away that
time when we-that is, Thought you
were dead, and since your return"
Jerome did not credit Lanes statements
He believed in me as Julian Randolph, and
now that l was under a cloud he had de-
cided to stand by me, in spite of what it
might mean TO him. Yet the fact that he
believed me to be Julian Randolph, his old
master. stung me. l felt Inundated and
Self-reproachful.
Jerome" 1 said "you overwhelm me
with your kindness. I can never repay you.
And l must not let you waste your time
with me. You will be acting sensibly if
you follow Mrs. Randolph by the first train
out of Rockland."
He was unmoved by this.
II want to stay with you, SIR he said
because l think you will need me. You
have not been used to doing things for
yourself, sir. When you returned your
hair and beard were in a bad condition, If
you will pardon my saying It."
But the money"
II have quite enough, sir" rising to
heroic heights; II have quite enough for
myself and even for you In case of need
have long received a good salary aud your
generosity was always great, and 1 am not
a spendthrift l think. sir, II you will par
don me, that you have been .wronged
and"
II have been damnapiy wronged by
Courtney Lane" l said, bitterly, land I'll
settle with him for 1t II it takes me a life
time"
II should be glad to help you. sir That
is why l stayed sir, and now offer my
services-to help you In that"
jerome" | cried, you are the only
gentleman | have met recently. | can't
suffer you to serve me as valet, under the
conditions, but your friendship and conf
dence- are everything to me. 1 intend to
compass the downfall of Courtney Lane
| know how it is to be done and 1 shall yet
do 1t. And l shall"
l ceased my raving 1t was belittling
If no man is a hero to his valet, here a
valet had become hero In the eyes of his
former employer. Jerome seemed to con-
slider the matter settled, so long as my OBJ
jections did not take the form Of a hostile
refusal or an angry election. He ordered
the dreSS-Suit and he 20