The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-07-23
CHAPTER XVIII.

make ready that none of the
others knew where to begin un-
i'll he showed them. At his best in
most emergencies, he was resolved to
strain every nerve in this one and so
perhaps show some little gratitude at
last. The opportunity was unique.
Tom seized it with characteristic or
dor.
He began By putting Mrs. Fawcett
on her mettle, invented the dinner for
her and got old Fawcett out Of his
wife's way by sending him to neigh
boring nursery for the asparagus and
the green peas. Peggy he set TO work
to make the beds, while he himself
gathered flowers for the table, flow ,rs
for the ladies' rooms, flowers for the
veranda upon which the bride must
tread. The new flag. bought for this
day, had never been unpacked. 1t was
soon flying bravely from the Flagstaff
on the lawn. And by o'clock Tom
had his table exquisitely laid. but 1t
was nearly before the curricle lamps
shone through the open gate and the
horses swept UP to the veranda. where
Tom stood in ardent readiness.
He had spent the interim In array
ing himself most carefully In all his
mental finery. in shaving for the sec
ond time that day. In laying out his
masters evening clothes. In gathering
the books which had been left upon
the shore, In reading and re-reading
the poem that expressed his case, in
talking to Peggy and in thinking Of
Claire.
The whole situation put him sadly in
mind OF Claire, but he was not think
ing Of her as the horses trotted up. He
had forgotten all about her when he
heard her voice. Next moment the
curricle bridged the stream Of lamp
light issuing from the hall. And Tom
stood among the roses he had strewn.
silhouetted against the doorway. with
out moving hand or foot or ONCE lift
ing his unseen gaze from Claire Hard.
ing's face.
What followed seemed to he happen.
ing TO another man. Daintrce cried 10
him. and he helped the ladies TO get
down. He touched her hand. Their
eyes never met Daintree jumped
down and led Claire on his arm
through the roses. Fawcett came up.
the curricie was gone. and Tom stood
alone In the drive. watching the ladies'
90 upstairs within, followed by their
maid and Daintree, and after that he
stood watching the staircase until
Daintree ran down Il and had him by
both hands.
"You dear. god fellow. you have
thought Of everything" he cried. "You
couldn't have done more II you'd been
the happy man yourself. md I shall
never forget it-especially the flowers
"Nor l." cried Tom bitterly.
"Why, what's the natter"
"You might have told me who II
was, sir. I recognized Miss Harding
at once. Her family used to come to
our village for the shooting. and her
father was my fathers enemy. It's
hard for me 10 meet her like this after
that. I'd have run away n I'd known"
Precisely why didn't tell you" re-
Joined Daintree triumphantly. "Come.
come, my good fellow. know all
about the relations between the two
families. and you mustn't fiatter your.
self that Miss Harding will remember
you. You've altered considerably, for
one thing. and I dropped your surname
on purpose 10 spare you any such rec.
ignition. Miss Harding won't know
you from Adam"
IL would rather not wait upon her
all the same"
DsIntree showed his teeth.
"Not wait upon the lady who II 10 be
my wife and your mistressf You dare
10 say that 10 my fscef Let me nnd
you at your post when I come down.
stairs-or take carer
And he stood a moment az the door.
with the most significant and mallg.
nant expression, after which he went
upstairs TO dress. leaving Tom TO re.
gret for the first time bis ifnpulsiye
confession Of completely in the Castle
Sullivan outrage and 20 reflect upon
the many sides of the man whom
Clhire Harding had come out from
England 10 marry. Memories lasbed
him by the score. lie had seen how
the iyrant could treat his servants and