The San Francisco call., 1907-02-10

was evidently annoyed, aDo ee~ sue
did not wish me to he. There was
cioud upon her face and a nerv-
BUSINESS in her manner which ! wholly
failed to understand.
If 7 were to tell you she said, rails
ING her eyes suddenly TO mine. that
your acceptance OF my offer would be
p fsvor-wouid put me under a real
obligation TO your"
Il should still have 20 remind YOU"
/ declared. that as yet l have no
pupils. and ii takes time TO get them.
Further. I have arrived at that posi-
ton when immediate employment il
It is only breaker OF stones upon the
road, is a necessity 10 me-"
She sighed.
Ny father will offer you post"
she ssid slowly.
Now YOU are . real Samaritan, Lady
Angela. I declared. 4 only hope that
81 may be SO"
Her face reflected none OF my en-
thusiasu.
"You lump AT conclusions she said.
ooidiv. How do YOU know that the
post will be one which you will be
able 70 MI.
eff your father offers il TO me" [
the risk Of that"
was surprised at her speech-per-
oEps q little nettled. I was an Hon
ees" man. an exceptional iinguist, and
Twenty-Five. 1t did not seem likely
te me that there was any post which
the Duke might offer. which. on the
score Of ability, at any rate, 1 should
not be competent to fiji.
He viii offer 81 you" she said, look
ing steadily downward on TO the sands
below. "snd you will accept II. / am
sorry."
Sorry" exclaimed.
VERY II could find YOU those
pupils I would" she continued. IF 1
could persuade you TO lay aside for
once the pride which man seems TO
think a part OF his natural equipment,
II would make me very happy. l."
Stop interrupted. You must ex-
plain this, Lady Angela"
She shook her head.
Explain is just what I cannot" she
eaid, sadly. That is what can never
co"
I was completely bewiidered now.
She was looking seaward, her face
steadily averted from mine AS to her
attitude toward me. I could make
nothing OF it. I could not even decide
whether * was friendly or fnfmicsl.
Did she want this post for some one
else? If so, surely her influence with
her father would be strong enough TO
secure il. She had spoken TO me kindly
enough. The faint air OF reserve that
she seemed 10 carry with her every
where. which, coupled with a certain
auietness Of department, appeared 10
most Of the people around to indicate
pride. had for these few minutes at any
rate been lifted She had co&e down
from the clouds and spoken TO me as
any other woman to any other man
And now she hso wound up by throw
ing me into state of hopeless bewfl-
derment.
Lady Angela" I said. Il think thai
youowe me some explanation. II you car
assure me that it is in any way against
your wishes. IL you viii give NE the
shadow Of a reason why ] should re.
fuse what has not yet been offered tc
Newell. I viii do It. I will do II
even II I must stsrve"
A little forced smile parted her lips
She looked at me kindly
Il have said great deal more thar
/ meant 10, Mr.. Ducaine. think that
Il would have been better IL had lef,
most Of II unssid. You must go your
own way. 7 only wanted TO guard you
against disappointment.
Disappointment! You think, after
all. then
"oSo. that is not what I meant She
Interrupted. Il am sure that you viii
be offered the post. and am sure thai
you VIII not hesitate to accept It But
nevertheless. I think that it will nrfns
with IL great dissppointments I viii
tell you this. Already three young mer
whom ! knew very well have held this
post and each in turn has been dis.
missed. They have lost the confidence
Of their employers. and though each.
believe, was ambitious and meant fs
make career, each has now a blacl
mark against his name
You are very mysterious. Lady An.
gels," ] said, ooubtful1y.
1T is Of necessity" che answered
Perhaps I take rather a morbid view
OF things but one of them was tn,
brother OF a great friend OF mine, anf
they fear that he has lost his reason
There are peculiar and painful dffiicui
ties in connection with this post, Mr.
Dueaine, and think it only fair to Civ,
you this warning"
Aou are very kind" I said sT oui,
wish that the whole thing was clearei
TO me-"
She smiled a little sadly.
At least" she said. let me give yol
one word Of advice. You, will b,
brought into contact with many peopi.
whose integrity will seem to YOU ,
positive and certain thing. Neverthe
less, treat every one alike. Trust NJ
one. Absolutely no one, Mr.. Ducafne
II is your only chance. Now 60"
Her gesture Of dismissal was almos
imperative. I scrambled down tn.
path and gained the sands When
looked up she was still standing there
The wind blew her skirts around he
slim young liEHbs. and her hair wa
streaming behind her. Her fac.
seemed like a piece OF delicate ova
statuary, her steady eyes seemed 6xes
upon some point where the clouds ans
sea meet. She took no heed OF, she ak
not even see. my gesture of farewell
7 left her there inscrutable, a chflt
with the face OF a Sphinx She hat
set me riddle which could not solve
CHAPTER vTf
EoIaaaI