The San Francisco call., 1907-02-17

taken up my abode at the Brand
Good morning. Mr. Ducaine." she
said You need not look at ne rs
though 7 were a ghost. always walk
before breakfast IN the country"
There is no better time / aucwercd.
You look as though you had been
up all night" she remarked.
'I had work TO finish told her.
she nodded.
50 you would have none or my ad-
vice, Mr. Secretary" she said. softly,
coming 3 little nearer 10 me. You are
already installed
ALREADY ~ work. asserted.
She glanced toward the Brand
L hope that you are comfortable =
she said. "A couple OF hours is short
notice in which to make 2 place habit
aGrooton IS a magician, told her.
He has arranged everything.
He IS wonderful servant, she
said. ghtfully-
a vhite-uinged bird noated over our
heads and drifted away skywaro. She
followed il with her eyes.
..You wonder at seeing me so early.
she nurmured. Don't you think it is
worth while? Nothing ever seems so
sweet as this first morning breeze.
bowed gravely. She wss standing
. hareheaded now at the edge Of the Cliff,
watching the flight or the bird. 1t was
delightful 20 see the faint pink come
hack 10 her cheeks with the sting of
.he salt wind. Nevertheless. ] had en
sdea in my mind that it was not wholly
Tor her health's sake that Lady Angela
walked abroad so early.
rrr
YOU had visitor this morning.
What. at this hour2" ] exclaimed.
There are other early Tisers besides
vou and me-" she said. The spinneF
gste was open, so some one has passed
through"
j shook my head.
Il have not seen or heard q soul. I
told her. II have 5Ust finished some
work. and I am on my way up TO the
house with e."
.Of course I DO" I answered her
.Grooton is the only person I have
spoken 10 for at least nine hours Why
do YOU asiS?'
She hesitated-
NY window looks TIPS way she
said. and I fancied that I saw some
one cross the park while 7 was dress
ing. The spinney gate was certainly
open"
Then fancy that II has been open
ali night" declared. for to the best
Of my belief no one has passed through
ii save yourself May 7 walk with you
back TO the house. Lady Angela? There
IS something which I should very
much like TO ask Tou-
She replaced her hat, which she had
been carrying in her hand. 1 stood
watching her dcft white fingers fsshing
among the thick silky coils of her hair.
The extreme slmness Of her figure
seemed accentuated by her backward
r,oise. Yet perhaps I had never before
properly appreciated its perfect grace
fulness.
Il was going farther along the
cliffs" she said but viii walk some
OF the way back with you One min
ute"
She stood on the extreme edge, and,
aiding her eyes with her hand, she
looked up and down the broad expsnEe
Of sand-a great untenanted wilder
ness. wondered for whom or what
she was looking, but asked no oues-
tion. ia 2 few moments she reioined
me and we turned inland.
Well" she said, what is It that you
wish 10 say2"
LADY Angela" began, "a few
weeks ago there was no one whose
prospects were less hopeful than mine.
Thanks to your father and Colonel
Ray all that is changed. Today have
z position I am proud Of, and important
work. Yet 7 cannot help always re-
lnembering this: L am holding q post
which you warned me against accept
ing"
s@WelI?"
7 am very curious said. I have
never understood your warning. / be-
lieve that you were in earnest. Was il
that you believed me incapable or un-
trustworthy. or"
You appear TO me" she murmured
TO be rather curious person"
/ bent forward and looked into hel
face. There was in her wonderful eyes
CLINT Of laughter which became her
well She walked with slow, graceful
ease her hands behind her. her head
almost on a level with my own.
found myself studying her with new
pleasure. Then our eyes met, and
looked away. momentaTily confused
Was IL my fancy or was there a GER
tain measure OF rebuke ia her COO
surprise, q faint indication Of her de-
sire TO remember that she was the
Lady Angela Harberly and hel
fathers secretary ] bit my lip. She
should not catch me offending again.
determined.
You must forgive me" ] said, stiff.
~ but your warning seemed a LITTLE
singular. II you do not choose tc
Eratify my curiosity it is OF no conse.
quence."
Since you disregaroed it." she re-
marked, lifting her dress from th.
dew-laden grass on 20 which we hsc
emerged, 'it does not matter, does IT
only you are very young. and yol
know little OF the world Lore
Ronald was your predecessor, and n.
is in a lunatic asylum No one know.
what lies behind certain uufor.
tunate things which have happened
during the last months. There is !
mystery which is as set t4nsolved."
I smiled.
IN your heart YOU are thinking
] said, that such an unsophistiostet
person as myself will be an easy pre-,
to whatever snares may be laid for me
is IL not SOP
She looked at me with uplifted eye
brows.
Others of more experience hsv,
been worsted," she remarked calmly
"A,hy not your"
IF that is a serious question
said. IT viii answer it Perhaps M
1neXperience may be my best friend
Yes"
Those before me-" continued
"have thought that they knew WHOM
IN fr,tsf lxuoufne no oue shall fr,ss