The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21

into the house and I rushed after him
 before he could slam the door in my face.
 He stopped in front of the China um-
 brella stand In the hall and drew out a light bamboo cane.
 Better take your oak stick" l said
 He took my advice without lingering behind long enough to thank me for it, and out he scampered on the lawn. [ hastened back to my hiding place near
 the window in my room in the stable, and no soner had l ensconced myself there than 1 heard a piercing yell-and the
 sound of a heavy body scaling the gar
 den wall and dropping with thud on
 the other side of It. l suspected the body belonged to Hawkins, for 1t was unreasonable to suppose that Middleton
 or his daughter could climb so quickly. I heard Miss Clara's voice, lifted a note
 above her usual tones, expostulating,
 arguing, explaining, beseeching, implor- ing, and Middletons voice roaring like the Bing! Bang! Bing! of that matutlnal explosion.
 l arose betimes the next morning, re- fecting that 1 would be called upon now to do the work of two; and the sunlight did not peer into the greenhouse much in advance of me. l had reasoned 1t out that the plants must be thirsty and that water could do them no harm. l never
 was more liberal in all my life; l spent
 water like money. I stood Up to my
 ankles in a purling hood the plants and flowers looked as if they were hiding un-
 der Niagara Falls. Suddenly the door
 opened and Miss Clara entered, pale, heavy-eyed, but regal despite 1t all. She looked around tmidly, gave a little shrlek and mounted the second step of
 woden flower stand.
 "Did a pipe burst?" she asked. Nothing has burst since yesterday, so
 far as I know" l answered. But l hast l ened to shut off the supply. q can make q raft for you if you care to inspect the flowers" l volunteered by
 way of opening the conversation. 'The
 water will drain off in a few minutes"
 She nodded soberly, drew her skirts
 around her ankles and chung to her perch Her brows were knit as if she had some
 burden on her mind, and yet hestated about calling me to her assistance. rushed to her aid. Did you hear any
 noises last night, Miss Middleton?' l
 asked. q was startled by loud cries at | l2 o'clock-I believe it was 12 o'clock-and | this morning my assistant did not put m | his appearance He was such a nice
 young man. obviously way above his | station. and I hope nothing happened to 1 him."
 She looked relieved. although she was | trying hard to blush. "I hope so. too!'
 she exclaimed with more fervor than I 1 liked.
 l Don't mention it. I would do anything l for"-I hesitated and changed my mind
 flor a nice young man like that. If l
 find him, i'll insist on his coming back" | "Oh. nor' she objected vigorously. Papa is-papa isis" She stopped | short.
 "You just remarked" she resumed. looking straight ahead like one determined | to do or die. that MT. Hawkins was | above his station. It does credit to your | insight into human nature. He said the | same thing about you
 That does still greater credit to his | insight into human nature" I smiled. MT. Hawkins is my step-brother," she
 continued Her eyes dropped; she | breathed deeply.
 | "I beg pardon"
 If any one but Clara Middleton had
 told me that story positively should not t, have believed 1t.
 | Papa" she went on, her fine white hand cIinched. ifs prejudced against my | brother-unr so; he has not sci | eyes on poor Charles-Charles Washburne | is his real name, don't mind telling you since his early boyhood We have had ! terrible difficulty in meeting. and 1t was