The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-29

ticed that her face was quite pale and her full bosom heaving under the close ly fitting habit
 Thank you, Mordaunt" she said in a low voice. You are man, and l wish that l could love you but, don't you see, that is one of those things which we can't control. l will try to make you a good wife and
 'Np! he answered roughly. "fhe es- tate can go to the devil where it's been going for the last 30 years. I'll chuck
 the whole thing and clear! I didn't want to come over here anyway, Eleanor. The whole thing was a rotten piece of busi- ness from che start. I've had a hard knock or two in my time, and one more
 or less won't matter. You would never be happy, little girl, with a chap like me. What you want Is some good sort. an American, ye know, who has led a decent sort of life, and-and-whom you--"
 'Mordaunt!" cried the girl with qua yer in her voice, you have my prom Never mind your promise! What is the good of that if you don't love me? And you don't, do you, Eleanor?" No, Mordaunt, but 1 will try" You needn't. The air of this place has changed my ideas. I'll tell the old boy eh-your father. that it's all off,
 But that wouldn't make it any easier
 for me. Don't you see, you foolish, that he'd know that it was all my doing?'' What do you want me to do, then?" Eleanor did not at once reply, ficking
 nervously at the bushes which lined the road with the, end of her riding crop, a proceeding that proved sadly trying 10 her high-strung mount. Lord Abbington
 meanwhile extracted a cigarette from his case and skillfnlly lighted it with his free hand.
 Look here, Eleanor he presently re- marked. Ut seems that I've got you into , no end of a fix with the parental. You have my sympathy, little girl know what they're like" buff, puff had one myself once. Now, whatever you
 say I'll do. You go ahead and give your
 orders. Never mind me- I'm used to disappointments.'
 Eleanors color heightened. ''I think, Mordaunt," she began finally, that if you were to cross him in some way make him angry, you know-tell him he
 was looking badly or getting old, or
 eriticise hls wine or his whist playing, or
 something of that sort, the rest would be
 very easy. He is very easily vexed.''
 Lord Abbington looked at her with a
 mournful admiration.
 "Jove, but you're clever, Eleanor I'll
 tell him he's no end of duffer at bill
 lizards. He rather brides himself on his game, ye know-what?"
 "Yes" (doubtfully). "Of course you
 musn't oyerdo it. Mordaunt, and make a scene or anything like that" What d you care? It lets you out what? Or I'll tell him that the American
 diplomatic corps is tfe laughing stock of
 Europe. That ought to fetch himl''
 Eleanors pained look gave way to one of positive alright.
 q couldn't bear to have you lose your
 dignity, Mordaunt; I should hate to have
 it said that l have ever been engaged to
 a man who could do anything so caddish
 Besides, I believe that if you were to say
 such a thing as that he'd have the butler
 throw you out of the house. You don't
 know what frightful temper he has when he's arOused.''
 'Tm not afraid of him. replied Lord
 Abbngton, indfferently. "The butler may try It if he likes. The way I'm feeling I'd rather relish go at somebody. Never you mind, Eleanor, I'll make him jolly eager to be rid of me before I've done. I
 ain't a bit too anxious to spare the old your pater's feelings. Just you leave it to me. Here's a good bit of road. Let's send em-what?'
 As they drew up under the porte-co- chere of a somewhat pretentious coun- try house Mir Drayton appeared at the corner of the veranda. He was a portly man, slightly past middle age. and with the type of manner in which arrogance and intense egotism are thrust forward to claim a pseudo strength of character
 deceptive to many. especially the wom- enkind of his own household. Of late years constant self-indulgence, botn physical and mental, seemed gradually to have swathed in a cloak of adipose both the once strongly active body and the coldly calculating brain. The firm jaw had grown simply heavy and the logically compelling tongue had lazily relegated it's function to a sort of sneer- ing bluster. seldom intellectual. Behind him came his son and heir, a slim, alert, frank-featured American boy, then in the freshman year of his university course. fWell, daughter" he called in a tone of insistent heartiness, "have a good gall