The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-09

Geo 5.<ss<tse1 pretty girl who was watching him in- | tently. As their eyes met she straighten- | ed and flushed angrily, and Winthrop, | without apparent reason. tied a small, | black dinner tie Into a four-in-hand, to | the amusement of the crowd and his own | confusion
 | The blue bougham stood for some time. Winthrop ventured another glance which was rewarded by the sign of a naughty profile. Thereafter, without fear of detec- ton, he looked oftener. The horses had been restless for some time, and the lady's hauteur had given way to an ex- pression of extreme irritation, before a young man sauntered to the carriage door and opened 1t. With his foot on the step ne caught sight of the necktie demonstra- tor and stopped to watch for an instant amused and curious.
 It was perhaps a half hour later that Winthrop was told It was closing time With a sigh of relief he slipped on his coat and stepped out of the window all most stumbling over the young man of the blue brougham, who was evidently waiting for him.
 T stopped to see you," he said with some hesitation. "I happened to be pass ing and watched you at work. You seem to know your business" Tt doesn't require any particular skill It's just a knack. It's bit hard on the arms, though" Winthrop stretched out | a mighty arm and felt the aching biceps
 That's what I wanted to you about There was something boyishly eager about the young man, and Win throp rather liked him. You see, l thought possibly this work with its mo- notony and all that might not be just r,ha ak ha build of pugllst, and I should think" In spite of Winthrop's shabbiness the young man seemed to find his direct, un- comprehending gaze a trihe disconcertlng, and he finished rather lamely. "The fact is need a man, and l thought possibly" 'I don't altogether understand. Is 1t boxing master you want or a valet?'
 "A valet. You see, those ties of yours were well done, and a fellow who can do that can. with ordinary intelligence, do everything else required" Light broke in on Winthrop and his first indignation turned to amusement.
 Oh, the ties l begin to understand. I saw you this afternoon speaking to some one in blue brougham."
 My sister, yes. That was how I hap pened to notice you" The gratings were being put up now at the large entrance to the store, and the two men passed into the street. How would you like to trp it. say for a month";
 His sister, Perhaps, after all. there might be worse ways to pass the re- maining two months of his exile than under the same roof with the dlsdainful lady of the brougham.
 I've had no experience" he said, "and it's d bit out of my line. But if you care to take the risk, I'll try It." Win throp was swarm from the exertons of the day, but it Is doubtful If the young man beside him recognized even faintly the extreme finness of the handkerchief with which his prospective valet wiped his face. He fumbled with a card case, and as he hailed a passing cab he gave Winthrop card.
 iry to make 1t tonight" he called as t.e cab moved off
 At the nearest light Winthrop examin- ed the card, and after prolonged stare whispered delightfully."-
 Jacks brother. by love! It looks like retribution."
 telegraph station, and with what re- mained of his g sent the following ca- blegram:
 Valet R. W. And received the next day the consoling answer Sandwich man. J. M."
 The next week was an eventful one. The theory of decayed gentlemen having
 
 ties father and sister. there was no ques- ton raised when that enthusiastic young gentleman put on the gloves with his valet or fenced with him in the pri- vacy Of the old schoofroom upstairs. Nor dii Bertie hold the faintest resentment for the vigorous and repeated drubbings he received in both sports.
 AS the days went on Winthrop found himself inventiDg new and transparent reasons for staying. After her first flush of surprise on meeting him just outside her brothers door, Alice Mellor had frigidy ignored his existence. beyond the barest civility--a state of affairs entirely natural under the circumstances. but one which he found more and more intolera- ble day by day. He decided finally to throw up his wager, cable for money and letters, and meet her in the natural course of events, and then the affair occurred which made his leaving matter of inn mediate necessity.
 The Melors were giving swell dinner. and with the fatality which characterized