The San Francisco call., 1907-02-10

Mr.. Moyat declared appreciatively "A
clever char. too. He's Al in politics,
and first class business man, chair
man OF the great Southern Railway
Company, and on the board OF severai
other city companies
II can't see what the gentry want
to NEEDLE with such things at all for,
Mrs Moyat said. There's some as
says as the Dukes lost more than ne
can AFFORD by speculations.
THE Dukes shrewd man. Mr.
Moyat declared. ITS easy to talk.
If he hasn't lost money" Mrs, Moyat
demanded why Is Rowchester Castle
let to that American millionaire? Why
doesn't he live there himself?''.
Prefers the East Coast Mr.. Moyat
declared cheerfully. More braclng'
and suits his constitution better. I've
heard him say so himself.
THAT is All very we'll, Mrs. Moyati
said, hut cant see that Rowchester
is a fit country house for nocaeman.
What do you think. Mr: pucains! -
/ was more interested In the ais
cussion than anxious to be drawn into
IL. SO l returned an eyasive reply. Mrs
Moyat nodded sympatheticaliy.
.sOf course" she said. you haven't
seen the house except from the road.
but I've been over it many time
when Mrs. FELTON, was housekeeper
and the Duke didn't come down 50
often. and say that It's poor place
for Duke"
well we'll, neither, re won't quarrel
about it," Mr.. Moyat declared. rising
from the table. 'T must just have
look at the mare. Do you look after
Mr.. Ducaine, Blanche"
TO my annoyance the retreat OF Mr..
and Mrs Moyat WAS evidently planned,
and accelerated by frqwn from their
fAft
alone-whereupon 1, too. rose to my
feet.
Il must be going, said. looking ct
the clock.
Blanche only laughed, ana eade me
sit down by her side.
sIm so glad dad brought you In to-
night she said. did he say anything
to you?'
What abouts"
never mind" she answered archly.
Did he say anything at air
ne remarked once or twice that 1t
was a wet night sAfd.
"stupidl' she exclAinhsd 'rsu know
what mean :.
I admitted.
II told him that I am expecting an
offer a. work OF some sort from the
Duke OF course It may not come. In
any case, it was very kind OF Mr..
Moyat.''
she drew a little closer to me.
1T was my idea" she whispered. Il
put it into his head.
Then IL was very kind OF you. too,
I answered.
She was apparently disappointed. We
sat for several moments in silence.
Then she looked afound with an air
OF mystery, and whispered stiil more
softly into my ear
Il haven't said word about that
to anybody"
THANK you very much" I answered.
Il was quite sure that you wouldn't,
as you had promised.
: Again there was silence. She looked
at me with some return OF that half
fearsome curiosity which had hrst come
into her eyes when made my request.
wasn't the inquest hcfrid?' she
said. Father says they were nve
hours decidine--and there's old Joe
Hasseli even now ne won't believe that
--fhat--he came from the sea.
1T isn't pleasant subject, said
quietly. Let us talk OF something
else
She was swinging = very much
beaded slipper Backward and forward,
and gazing 1t Il thou9htfuliy
Il don't know" shs said. 4 cant
help thinking OF II somttimes. / sup
pose II IL terribly wicked to keep any
thing back like that. isn't It Z"
III you feel that" answered, you
had better go and tell your father
everything
She looked 1t me quickly.
Now you're cross. she exclaimed.
I'm sure don't know Why.
II am not cross" geids but 40 not
wish you to feel unhappy about i"
Il don't mind that" she answered,
lifting her eyes to mine, IL Il u bet
ter for you.''
The door opened and Mr.Moyat ap-
peared. Blanche was obviously an-
noycd, was corresponding1y relieved.
/ rose at once and took my leave.
blanche got you to change your
mind?" he said, looking At me closely.
Miss Moyat hasn't tried" answer
ed. shaking him by the hand. We
were talking about something else.
Blanche pushed past her father and
came TO let me out. We stood for
moment at the open door. She pointed
down the street.
1t was just there ne stopped me-
she said in Z lev t9nt. He was very
pale and he had such slow. strange