Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
CHAPTER K.
A Eorlorn Hope,


| A Forlorn Hope.
| Aynesworth ceased Juggling at the strap
of his portmanteau. and rose slowly to
| his feet. A visitor had entered his rooms
| apparently unannounced.
II must apologize" the newcomer said,
'for my intrusion. Your housekeeper. I
| presume 1t was, whom / saw below, told
me to come up"
Aynesworth pushed forward chair.
won't you sit DOWN." he said. Il be-
lieve that am addressing Mr.. Lumley Bar
rington.'
Not altogether without embarrassment
Darlington seated himself Something of
his ordinary confidence of bearing and de-
meanor had certainly deserted him. His
manner too was nervous. He had the air
of being altogether i'll at ease.
81 must apologize further. Mr.. Aynes-
worth" he continued. for an apparently
III timed visit. You are, 1 see on the eve
of a journey
81 am leaving for America tomorrow"
Aynesworth answered.
with Sir Wingrave Seton, 1 presume?'
Darlington remarked
Precisely" Ayhesworth answered.
Darlington hesitated efor moment.
Aynesworth was civil, but inquiring. He
felt himself very awkwardly placed.
Mr.. Aynesworth," he said, Il must
throw myself upon your consideration.
You can possibly surmise the reason of my
visit"
Aynesworth shook his head.
II am afraid" he said. that I must
plead guilty to denseness-in this -particu-
lar instance. at any rate. l am altogether
at a loss to account for 1T. "
You have had some conversation with
my wife. 1 believer"
Yes. But"
-
Darlington interrupted, lone word You
are aware that Sir Wingraye Seton Is in
possession of certain documents in which
my wife is interested, which he refuses to
give up?''
IT have understood that such is the case"
Aynesworth admitted. "Will you pardon
me If l AID that it is matter which l can
scarcely discuss?
/ harrington shrugged his shoulders.
Let it go, for the moment" he said.
There is something else which I want to
say to you
Aynesworth nodded little CURLY. He
was not very favorably impressed with his
visitor.
"Wellw
harrington leaned forward in his chair.
"Mr. Aynesworth," he said, you have
made for yourself some reputation as a
writer. Your name has been familiar to
me for some time was at college, l be-
lieve. with your uncle. Stanley Agnes
worth"
IT want to know" harrington continued
impressively. what has induced you to &C
cept position with such a man as Seton?''
That" Aynesworth declared. 'is easily
answered. I was not looking for a secre-
taryship at all. or anything Of the sort.
but 1 CHANGED to hear his history one night,
and I was curious to analyze, so far as
possible. his attitude toward life and his
fellows on his reappearance in It, That is
the whole secret,
harrington leaned back in his chair and
glanced thoughtfully at his companion.
You know the story of his misadven-
lures. them" he remarked.
IT know all about his imprisonment and
the cause Of It," Aynesworth said quietly.
harrington was silent for several mo-
ments. He felt that he was receiving but
scanty encouragement
us 1t worth while. Mr.. Aynesworth?" he
asked at length. There is better work for
you in the world than this.
Again Aynesworth preferred to reply by
a gesture only. harrington was watching
him steadily.
"A political secretaryship. Mr. Aynes-
WORTH he said, might lead you any
where. II you are ambitious, 1t is the
surest Of all stepping stones into the
house. After that, your career Is In your
own hands. I offer you such a post
II am exceedingly obliged to you"
, Aynesworth replied. but 1 scarcely under
stand"
II have influence" harrington said.
which / have never cared to use on my
own account. I am willing to use 1t on
yours. You have only to say the word and
| the matter Is arranged
II can only repeat" Aynesworth said,
| that 1 am exceedingly obliged to you,
| Mr.. Darlington, but 1 cannot understand
why you should interest yourself SO much
! on my behalf"
'If you wish me to speak In plain words, -
harrington said II will do so. I ask you
to aid me a man of honor In the res
| tcration of those letters to my WIFE
a., A.rx,a -N-fI Ga
| ly. IT am sorry that you should have
| come to me with such an offer. 1t Is quite
| out of the question:!
Darlington held out his hand
do not decide too hastily" he said.
Remember this. Sir Wingrave Seton had
/ once an opportunity of putting those let
| tiers to any use he may have thought fit
He ignored 1t. At that time their tenor
! and contents might easily have been ex-
planned. After all these years that task
would be far more difficult. / say that no
| man has right to keep womans let
| ters back from her years after any friend
. ship there may have been between them Is
| over. 1t is not the action OF an honorable
man. Sir Wingrave Seton has placed him
| self outside the pale Of honorable men,
Your judsment.' Aynesworth am answered
| grave Seton has been the victim Of pecu-
i liar circumstances"
1 harrington looked at his companion
thoughtfully. He was wondering exactly
| how much he knew.
| You defend him." he remarked. THAT
Is because you have not yet found out
what manner Of man he is"
I'm any case" Aynesworth answered. 81
am not his Judge. Mr.. Darlington" he
/ added. ''you must forgive me II remind
you that this Is q somewhat Improbable
| discussion
short silence followed. With Barring.
| ton II did not appear to be q silence of ir.
/ resolution. He was leaning a little forward
in his chair. and his head was resting upon
his hand. OF his companion he seemed fol
1 the moment to have become obiivious
Aynesworth watched him curiousiy. Was