The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-09

1 such occasions. Taro, the Japanese butler | chose that day to make one of his periodi- | cal disappearances Late in the afternoon | Miss Mellor sent for Winthrop. He found
 her in her small sitting room, dispond- | ently turning over the leaves of the l telephone book.
 | Her tired, discouraged face filled him with an insane longing to comfort her
 and it was only by drawing himself ur
 and looking impersonally over her head
 that he was able to remember the existing | state of affairs As he came to the open
 door she turned to him wearily.
 Pm afraid I shall have to depend or you, Winthrop, for tonight. It's impossl. ble to find any one to serve the dinner
 "I would do anything to assist you
 Miss Mellor" Something In the tone
 more than the words. brought sligh | flush to her face, and she looked little
 uncomfortable as she rose.
 ''Taro has gone, as you know, and I cannot find any one to take his place. Dc | you think you can manage, If Jane. the
 parlor maid, helps in the pantry? I car 1 give you a signal now and then, if you | will keep your eyes on me-"
 l He was doing it now, beyond doubt, and 1 she found his direct gaze a trifie dis 1 concerting.
 ! Pm a slender reed to lean on, Miss l Mellor," he said slowly. "I have never done anything of the kind" Then, seeing | her disappointment, he added. However, | I know pretty well ow 1t ought to Dc l done, and if some one attends to fixing | the table,
 1 James will look after that, and l will | come down just at the last to see that l everything is right. I-I really appreciate | 1t, Winthrop
 l For the next three hours the Honorable Reginald was decidedly uncomfortable | The only thing he was quite certain about was the temperature of the wines, and 1 that part of the dinner was religiously correct. Things passed off uneyentfully however, and the pseudo-butler began to | breathe easier. But after the ladies had gone, Billy Van Dyke, wfo had been i'm 1 bibing, according to his custom, during | the afternoon, began to grow mellow l Once or twice his voice rose above the l hum of conversation, and he emphasized | his remarks by banging on the table until | the glasses cllnkee. The other men, fa- miliar with MT. Van Dykes failing, paid | no attention beyond surreptitious mods l and grins, but Bertle Mellor began to look troubled.
 "I say, Bertie'' said Van Dyke, setting down his empty glass, and motioning Winthrop to fill 1t. don't let me forget to tell you after a while the juciest bit
 Of scandal I've heard for years. It's about that English girl, Mainwaring was her name you remember, Mary Mainwar- Ing. l heard 1t this afternoon at the
 here, you internal idiot!' or the Honorable Reginald Winthrop,
 after filling the empty glass, had most adrotly spilled more than a little down the back of Billy Van Dykes neck-an ac- tion wholly commendable, as the lady in question happened to be his cousin. Hav- ing thus changed in time the trend of r-fr ,Ir to hC rfGth Q of the other men at the table, he mopped that enraged gentleman's coat collar and retired impassIyely to the sideboard.
 where on earth did you get taht fellow, Bertie?'
 Berte Mellor glanced uncomfortably in 1 Winthrop's direction.
 I'm sorry, Van Dyke but 1t was unin- tentional of course. Our Jap left today, unexpectedly and Winthrop Is taking his place. He is really my. valet, you know" Billy Van Dyke put up his glass and
 stared at Winthrop
 English, eh?"
 No answer being either expected or vol
 unteered, he turned again to the table and
 raised his glass.
 ITO the English, lot of snobs." h.
 said, somewhat thickly, and to the King, the biggest snob in the lot!' None of the men paid any attention other than to ignore the toast elaborate ly but Winthrop shut his teeth with a click, and strode to the side of Van Dykes chair
 'I must ask you to retract that" he said distinctly. MT. Van Dyke turned. with his glass still In his hand. and gazed at the astonishing apparition be- ! side him.
 T was not aware that I had spoken i to you" he said, recovering a little. | Then seeing the expressions. half amused 1 half expectant. on the faces of the other men. he began to buster. "As for re- l tracting what I said" he rose with | his glass outstretched. q repeat the [ toast: to England the" That's enough said Winthrop fu- | riously "Pll-
 1 But Billy Van Dyke checked the sen ! tence. Wit an oath he flung glass and | contents in Winthrop's face, and was I caught the next instant by stunning ] blow under the jaw. which folded him i. up like a telescope on the floor So 1 quickly had 1t happened that before the | other men had pushed back their chairs :. and risen to their feet, Winthrop was at the door. Then he turned and faced | them.
 .I'm sorry, gentlemen. that this has 1 occurred, but while I am willing to make