The Washington herald., 1908-01-02
CHAPTER Iv-COntinued.

/
man all my life, and I don't think he
ever said kind word to me. There was
not the slightest sign of any sort 20 let
me feel that he troubled himself about
me one way or other" He was speaking
with an effort, for all the time his
thoughts were busy with the girl whom
he had left In the study below. Nat
urally IT was not a great astonishment
to him 20 hear that his mother should
be careless and Indifferent to the welfare
OF others. The woman who could turn her
back as she had done on her own little
child could not be blessed with too much
sympathy or womanly thought still, If
this girls story was true-and he saw
no reason TO doubt this mother was
now guilty of a definitely cruel act, for
which he failed in this moment to nnd
any possible explanation.
Have you a portrait Of your father!
Mrs. Brenton asked, after d little while,
as they wandered round.
Yes, but not here" answered Rupert
Haverford Il have a few old photo
graphs. but those are in my bedroom;
and there is a sketch Of him in water
cOlors in my study-that is a room down
stairs" he added.
May I see that room?' Mrs. Brenton
asked
He paused imperceptibly, ard then he
said in his frank way:
Il will show il 10 you another time.
I have some one in il now"
Then all at once there flashed across
him a suggestion that here was woman
who could possibly help him out Of the
difficulty of the moment.
That Miss GRANGER shouId remain IN
his house was, of course, impossible but
Il was equally impossible that this young
creature could be turned outside 20 find
some lodging for herself at this late hour
Of the night He knew Mrs. BrentOn TO
be a practical woman, a woman of re-
source, and this was essentially a matter
for a woman 10 deal with.
Briefly he explained 10 her that his
mothers secretary had come 10 him in
trouble
BY some curious mistake" he said,
the house has been shut up, and a
far as I can understand. she Is unable
TO sleep there tonight. The question is.
Where can she go? Apparently, from
what she tells me. my mother intends
staying in Paris for some time. have
no news from her of any sort, so I know
nothing of her plans; but the girl has
come 10 me for advice, and I am not
sure what to do with her. 1 have not
single woman In my household. Ny cook
is man, and Harper has only men under
him. I suppose she had better 90 TO
an hotel
oh, poor girl"' said Mrs. Breuton,
quickly: "she must be very much upset.
She paused an instant. and then said,
briskly, THE best thing she can do is 20
come back with me. Dick is not coming
UP for a day or two, and there is a bed
in his dressing-room- We never go to an
hotel" she explained; we have always
gone to these rooms. Practically We keep
them on during the winter They have
several advantages, the greatest being.
in my eyes, the fact that ! am really
almost next door to Camilla. Suppose ]
60 and speak to this young lady. What
is her name2'
Granger" Rupert Haverford said;
but really, BIrs. Brenton,' he protested,
Il hardly like TO bother you 10 such an
extent. / am almost sorry / mentioned
this No doubt if We leave the matter to
Harper he will arrange something You
know according to. Mrs. Lancing, he is
the most marvellous man in the world"
"Un, but this is not a case for Harper"
objected Mrs Brenton Immediately. She
felt a wOman's sympathy for the prob
ably well-dressed young woman who had
been so roughly treated.
If YOU will tell me how I shall find
my way to your study, I will go 20 her
at once and fix up things"
She was gone almost directly, pausng
only on her way to admire the almost
priceless tapestry which lined the walls
of the passage which led to the stair
case
Harper was in the study. arranging
a dainty little dinner-table and Katherine
Graninger was sitting in the chair, look
ing thoroughly tired out. She turned,
and then rose quickly as Mrs. Brenton
advanced with outstretched hand.
How do YOU do, Miss Graniger?' said
Agnes Brenton. May I come in and
chat with you little while? Mr.. Haver-
ford is on duty you know. l must in-
tiOduce myself" she added as they
were alone. I am Mrs Brenton,
friend Of Mr., Haverfords."
This kindly warm greeting startled
Katherine II was something so new,
she hardly knew how 10 respond To it,
She took Mrs. Brenton's hand, but she
said nothing, and the other woman was
very sorry for her
Poor child" she thought, "she looks
scared and half-staTved. Why. she can
net be- more than seventeen or eighteen.
Fancy sending a child ike that out of
the house at his time of night! 1t is
monSJrousl"
Her easy bearing made the situation
almost natural
Now you must eat some dinner" she
sad, "and ] will sit here, If you will let
me. MIR Haverford has been telling me
thar you are alone by yourself just now"
Mrs. BTentOn chattered on, and as you
don't seem to know where to SO, I have
suggested that you should come home
with me- ut any rate, for tonight. There
is small bed In a room close - mine.
l. IS c.ean and comfortable. AID that is
about I'll that can be said of it."
You are very kind" said Miss Gran
iger; she spoke shyly. nervously; I'm the
prescuce of this Womaniy sympathy she
lost her self-reliance a little; she almost
felt inclined 10 cry. Only a long time
ago she had taught herself the futility
of tears.
Il can't eat anything" she said rather
abruptly the next moment; lit is a pity
TO give so much trouble, for I am not a
bit hungry"
oh! that is because you are over
tired" said Agnes Brenton. 7 should
have some soup and little fish. You
won't sleep If you don't eat something"
The girl sat down in the chair that
was put for her, and as the soup was
put before her she ate il obediently.
Harper had gone, but one OF his spb-
ordnates waited upon her with great
Importance Mrs. Brenton talked on
pleasantly and brightly, and her thoughts
were busy
she looks awfully thin" she said to
herself; If she had a little more flesh
on her bones she would be rather pretty.
AS it is, she is decidedly interesting.
Poor little soul She makes my heart
ache, and she is only a type after all,
one OF thousands who have TO go out