Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-07

to bed in a private room. Arter long time the uniformed nurse entered briskly and accosted the impatient Texan.
 Are you the chauffeur?'
 "The chauf-no-er-yes. of course" stammered Richard in wrathful con- fusion.
 "very well, then. Mir. Williams wants to see you at once. This way, please"
 She spoke curtly, as if she had little use for chauffeurs in general and none at all for this particular specimen. Richard, however, rose obediently-he could do nothing else-but his cheeks were flaming hotly at his false and humiliating position. Croyland was carrying his joke little too far
 ''Thank you." he answered grimly, to the great surprise of the nurse. I'm particularly anxious to see the gentle man myself"
 He was led to the door of bare but sunny room. spotlessly clean, where the woman left him. He entered and closed the door sharply behind him and then turned to face the bandaged earl reposing peacefully in bed.
 Look here. Croyland! What do you mean by giving ny name in place of your own:'
 The earl smiled up at him and wink ed craftily.
 Nov. don't be silly ass. old chap. Sit down. You can't smoke here. but dare say you won't mind
 Richard seated himself somewhat ir ritably and awaited the answer to his question. For moment tke English man lay with closed eyes, then opened them and drawled out irrelevanty:
 Ripping girl, that Miss Sempton, ch? Madison avenue l shall send flowers --er"--
 ITO thunder wi;h your fowers"' snapped Richard, red spot appearing on either cheek. Why did you give my name:'
 Now. don't be in a hurry, Dickie; I'm coming to that" returned the Eng lishman, with maddening complacency You see dear boy, it is this way: I'm here in New York on most delicate affair in the interests of a foreign gov ernment. and l cant afford to be writ ten up in the newspapers as having heen knocked out in an accident Real ly. you know, 1t might lead to interna- tional complications and all that sort of thing. By love, you cant imagine!"
 But began his friend, when the Englishman checked him with his un- wounded hand.
 Tt is simply out of the question, old chap. I'd have a lot of fellows after me, and all that Your newspaper chaps are such silly asses they'd get my business out of me and ruin ev- erything. And, then. another thing there'll be trouble about that motor and possibly lawsuit by that idiot of a farmer. I couldn't have that, you know. It would be most annoying beastlyr
 "Oh, l see" said Richard. with in. finite scorn in his tone; "it will be far easier for you to lie snug here and be petted and coddled by good looking nurses, while I'm saddled with tribu- lation and live wire'
 Infinitely" agreed the Earl of Croy- land. with beamlng good nature. You can see that yourself"
 No. can't" said Richard, and, what's more, I won't.
 You are n private citizen and can do what you please, you know. I'm a public person and cawn't."
 q won't do it. sayw persisted the other stubbornly.
 "Oh. yes. you will. old chap" the Englishman asserted with infectious assurance. I'd do the same for you, and it won't be long either By the way, I won't he able to go to the Renwycks at Irvington tomorrow"
 Richard frightened visibly. The proposition afforded some points of advantage after all. You see" the earl went on. I'll be laid up here for perhaps two weeks.