Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05

| a half-stifed exclamation had crept out
| from between his teeth. His cheeks seemed
| paler than ever, and his eyes unnaturally
bright Nevertheless. he was completely
| master of himself. On the table was q
! large deed box of papers, which Rookie had
left for his inspection. From its recesses
with key from his chain, and emptied its
| sole contents-a small packet of letters
| upon the table. He counted them one by
one. They were all there-ahd on top a
| photograph. A breath of half-forgotten
| perfume stole out into the room. He open
| ed one OF the letters. and its few passion
| ate words came back to his memory, linked
with a hundred other recollections, the de-
| sire of her eyes, of her lips raised for his,
1 the caressing touch Of her fingers. He
| found himself wondering, In an impersonal
| sort Of way, that these things should so
little affect him. His blood ran no less
for this backward glance into things nm
ished.
There was a knock at the door. He raised
his head.
Come in!'
A slim. fair young man obeyed the sum-
! mons. and advanced into the room. Win
| grave eyed him with immovable face. New
displeased surprise.
Sir Wingrave- Seton, believer the in
truder said cheerfully.
That is my name" Winsrave admitted;
but my orders below have evidently been
disobeyed. I am not disposed to receive
visitors today"
| The intruder was not in the least abashed.
He laid his hat upon the table, and felt In
/ his pocket. ~ ~. -g
Il am very sorry" he said. 'They did
try to keep me out, but told them that my
business was urgent. I have been q jour
nalist you see: and am used to these 1T
| tie maneuvers."
Wingrave looked at him steadily with
| close-drawn eyebrows.
Am to understand?' he said. that you
1 t. t., ffz$N ptt rr
| The newcomer shook his head.
| Pray do not think" he said, that I
| should be guilty of such an iunpertinence.
MY name is Aynesworth. Walter Aynes-
worth. I have q letter for you from
Lowell You remember him, L daresay.
| Here 1t is?' ss-
He produced It from his breast coat
Dcskas and d hsnSse W,0 0vss asked
He left for the east early this morning"
most at an hours notice."
| Wingrave broke the seal, and read the
letter through. Afterward he tore 1t into
small pieces and threw them into the
| CRATE.
What do you want with me, Mr.. Aynes-
Il want to be your secretary" Agnes
| worth answered.
my secretary Wingrave repeated. II
am much obliged to you but l am not re-
quiring any one in that capacity
Pardon me-" Aynesworth answered, but
| think you are. You may not have real
| lied 1t yet, but II you will consider the
matter carefully I think you will agree
| with me that secretary. or companion OF
some sort. is exactly what you do need"
| "Out of curiosity" Wingrave remarked.
| II should be glad to know why you think
| So"
| Certainly" Aynesworth answered. I'm
| the first place, know the story OF your
life, and the unfortunate incident which
has kept you out Of society for the last
ten years"
From Lowell, I presume" wingrave in
precisely" Aynesworth admitted. "Ten
years absence from English life today
| and complete stranger. You would be like
a Cooks tourist abroad, without q guide
| or Baedeker, II You attempted to rely
upon yourself. Now I am rather Bone
| sort of all-round knowledge which would
be most useful to you. have gone
| little way into society. and know some
| thing about politics. I, can bring you up
where to dine well in town and where to
| be amused I can tell you where to get
your clothes. and the best place for all
the etceteras. If you want to travel. can
speak French and German; and consider
myself bit of a sportsman.
II am sure" Wingrave answered. 7
congratulate you upon your versatility.
am quite convinced! l shall advertise at
once for a secretary!
"Why advertiser" Aynesworth asked. II
am hereW
Wingrave shook his head.
You would not suit me at all. he an
"Why not?" Aynesworth asked. II forget
whether I mentioned all my accomplish
| ments. l am an Oxford man with de-
I've a fair head for figures, and I don't
require too large a salary" suuu
"You are altogether too desirable! ! should
not require an Admirable Crichton for my
purpose"
Aynesworth remained unrufled. -,
IAN right he said. You know best,
of course! Suppose you tell me what sort
of a man would satisfy your
why should To- Wingrave asked coldly..
sit would anuse me-" Aynesworth an
swered, land I've come a mile or SO out
Of my way, and given up whole morning
to come and see you. Go on! 1t won't
take longr
Wingrave shrugged his shoulders.
II will not remind YOU" he said, that
you the idea. however. SO l will tell you
the sort Of person shall look out for. In
the first place, do not require him to be
a gentleman"
IT can be a shocking bounder at times,
Aynesworth' murmured.
HE must be more q sort of an upper
servant" Wingrave continued: Il should
require him to obey me implicitly. whatever
J. IOtQ uiIu " w. 4Vu nave q SohoSAShSSs =
presume?'
Every little" Aynesworth answered. II
have been journalist"
you have the remnant Of one, at all
events" Wingrave said. quite sufficient, no
doubt, to interfere with your possible use
fulness to me. I must have some one who
Is poor-too poor to question my will, or to
dispute my orders, whatever they might
be-"
.. IT have never" Aynesworth declared,
possessed a supernuous half-crown In my
life"
"You probably possess what is called
sense of honor" Wingrave continued. you
would certainly disapprove Of some of my
proceedings, and you would probably dis
obey my ORDERS"
"Sense Of honor!' Aynesworth repeated.
"You have too nattering an opinion of
me- I don't know what 1t Is. always
cheat at cards II I get the chance."-
Wingrave turned away.
you are a fool" he said, land you
won't suit me-"
when can I Gomez Aynesworth asked.
you can stay now" Wingrave answered.
Your salary will be four hundred year.
You will live at my expense. The day you
disobey an order Of mine, you go! No
notice, mind!'
agreed" Aynesworth answered. What
should I do first? Send you tailor,
should think
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