The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
CHAPTER [.
Introduces Nan and a Myster,y.


What makes you suspect that?"
Well first she's evidently a Iady-the
daughter Of a man who has come down I,
the world, most probably; and. second.
ly-
All! You mean the secret lover-the
man who was here yesterday and bought
a twenty-guiRea evening gown OF her TO
send TO his sister-eh?" exclaimed Mr.
Warner, buyer Of the costume depart
ment OF the great drapery house of Gun
nington's, in Oxford street, that huge
store which. as everybody knows. com
petes with Whiteley's and Harrod's for
the premier place Of the middle-class
trade in London.
Yes. laughed Miss Thomas, the rather
stout. middle-aged woman who was head
saleswoman Of the department. as she
stood IN the small ss-partitoned Office
of the buyer, a pleasant-faceds man of
forty-fve. who was an expert in ladies'
costumes. and twice yearly bought his
stock personally in Paris and in Berlin
Yes. She's a really nice girl but can't
quite make her out although she's been
here for over a year now"
And the lover2'' asked the buyer, with
glance across the long. square room
where autumn costumes of every descrip-
tion were displayed upon stands or hang
ing by the hundred IN long rows, while
ranged round the walls We're many ex-
pensive evening dresses exhibited ~ glass
cases Il was afternoon. and the place
was full Of customers, the assistants, in
their neat black holding ready-made
skirts to their sides to try the effect, or
conducting the prospective purchaser to
the ftting-rooms And yet they were not
what Mr.. Warner termed busy"
The man. too. is a mystery. like Miss
Rolfe- Nobody knows his name He
comes in sometimes goes up 10 her. and
asks 70 be served with a skirt or some
thing, and has it sent TO Mr.. Evans. at
some chambers in Dover street. The
name is, of course. not the right one, q"
said the head assistant
But Miss Roife knows it, Of course?r
Probably she does"
And she meets him after business
hours?r
I think so. But she keeps herself very
much to herself. and is always at home
early"
Mr.. Warner glanced across at the tall
fair-haired. handsome girl whose figure
showed TO such advantage in her black
satin gown. At that moment she was
displaying a cheap tweed skirt TO two
middle-aged women. Her face. as he
caught its profile. was very soft and re-
fined, the contour Of her cheeks perfect
and the stray wisp of hair across the
brow save softness TO her countenance
that was charming Many a stage girl
whose photograph was displayed in the
shop windows was not half so beautiful
as the demUre. hard-working shop assist
ant. Marion ROlfe.
The air OF mystery surrounding her. Mr.
Warner found interesting, and the love
romance now in progress he intended to
watch. Toward his assistants he was al
ways lenient. Unlike some buyers" he
WAS never hard, and never bullied them
He believed that by treating them with
kindness and with the courtesy every
man should show toward a woman he
obtained the best of their business abili-
ties. as no doubt he did Warner Of the
Costumes" was known through the whole
mouse" as one of the most considerate
of men, and one Of the most trusted of
old Mr. CunningtOns advisers. These in
other seven hundred-odd assistants in the
employment Of the great firm.
While Mr. Warner and Miss Thomas
We're speaking, a smart-loOking fair
haired, fair-mustached young man of
about twenty-five, in frock coat and silk
hat entered, and. walking up to the little
office. greeted the buyer. saying:
Mr.. Warner. I'm sorry 10 worry you
but may l speak TO my sister for mo-
ment on some important family business?
/ won't keep her but few moments, for
see she's busy
why. certainly. Mr.. Rolfe." was The
good-humored reply. as Miss Thomas
went away to serve a customer. IT'S
against our rules. as you know. but for
my own part can never see why young
lady need be debarred from speaking to
her own brother"
you're always very good Mr.. War
ner, responded the young man. "and
I'd like TO thank you for many little
kindnesses you've shown to Marion"
"Oh. nothing. nothing. my dear Mr.
Rolfe," Warner said. "Your sister is an
excellent business woman-one OF the best
have, may tell you. But look She's
disengaged now Go 70 her" And he
watched the young man crossing the de-
partmenL
stood before her, Immediately asked
whether he had received Mr. Warmers S
permission.
"Of course l have" was his quick re-
ply in rather an excited manner. she
thought. Il just ran up to tell you that
have to go abroad suddenly tonight,
and 10 say good-by. Old Sam Statham is
sending me out to Servia. He only told
me at l o'clock that must go. and I've
been buying some things necessary"
ITO Servial" exclaimed the girl. amaz-
ed that her brother. to whom she was
devoted, was TO so so Ear from her.
Yes We have some mining interests
and some other things out there, and old
Sam suddenly decided to send me out to
make certain inquiries / shall be away
go 70 see a new mine in the course Of
preparation down on the banks Of the
Danube somewhere"
"But do take care OF yourself. Charlie. -
urged the girl, looking up into her broth
ers face. I've heard that It's an un-
safe country"
Unsafe, Why. that's quite a falIacy.
Servia is as safe as the Strand nowadays
Bland our chief clerk. was out there a
year. and he's been telling me how de-
lightful the people are. Servia is entirely
mlsjudged by US"
Then you'll go tonight"
Yes by the mail from Charing Cross, -
he replied. But don't come and see me
of. l hate people to do that And when
you see dear old Max, ten him that I'm
sorry I had no time to go round before
leaving. I've just telephoned and his
man says he won't be back till Z. That
VIII be TOO late for me-"
Very WELL, replied his sister. But"
But whatg
We'll. Charlie I'm sorry you're going