Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-03-06
lC0NTINUED.1
CHAPTER VII.

with Harriet Renwyck.
Richard took his first lesson
in modern English history and geogra-
| ply. The well trained Bills attempted
to take full charge of the toilet. but
upon this the new master put his foot
down firmly.
"Bills," he said, lust about eighteen
years ago. If | remember right. my
| nurse came to the conclusion that
was then old enough to get into my
breeches without her able assistance.
The conditions remain unchanged. Sit
down and talk to me about London"
Gingerly availing himself of the edge
Of a chair on account of this conde-
scension of inexperience. the valet de-
tailed an account of his masters move
ments for the past three years. On the
whole, the story was interesting.
| though distinctly unflattering at times
to member of the nobility. Outward
ly Bills was as expressionless as a
sphinx: inwardly be enjoyed his own
narrative hugely. 1t was seldom he
had so glorious an opportunity of lay
ing bare his private opinions of his
whilom master.
"Umph" grunted Richard as he tried
on one of Lord Croyland's dinner
jackets. $50 am responsible for three
entanglements and one scandal Of
which | still wear honorable scars.
Drop that part of it. I'm seeker
after general information only"
Bills looked disappointed, but strove
to earn his salary on less tasteful
lines. He was a shrewd man. and his
knowledge of the requirements Of
Richards case led him to give valuable
information. He described Hyde park
Piccadilly. the Strand and many other
haunts of the fashionable set; also
club or two and various prominent
English people likely to be mentioned
In general conversation.
Richard was possessed of a retentive
memory, which he now stored full of
odds and ends which would help him
pass muster, provided, of course, he did
not run foul of the initiated, in which
case he shuddered to think of the pos
sibilities. His alleged sOiourn in the
United States. especially bis winter in
Texas, accounted in a measure for
occasional slips. but even with this in
his favor the position was a trying
one.
There was another feature of the en-
terprise which troubled him sorely it
was comparatively easy not to seem 20
appreciate joke and to ntersperse
small talk with few stock phrases
delivered in a British drawl, but when
he looked into the eyes of the woman
he loved he longed with all his heart
to be for once and all time an Ameri-
can. He sighed for the sweep of the
wide free plains, for n gallop with her
across the fragrant prairie. to speak to
her in his natural native tongue and
to tell her he loved her as he loved his
land.
'Woolsey," he sighed, and 1t anus
ed him to notice how the valet resent
ed the use of his Christian name, I'm
afraid, after all, shall have to ask
you to tie this neck thing. The ones
| had at home were ready made and
could be cinched up properly with a
practical buckle at the back"
The valet deftly adjusted the bow.
then gave pull here and a poke there
to the dinner suit, to which the mas
ter submitted meekly.
an lord" observed Bills. surveying
/ his charge with an experts eyes, ask
in your lordship's pardon for presum-
in to mention ii, the-er-the other
one never looked quite so convincin,
m lord"
THANK you, cardinal"
"Thank you, sir, an amt no Judge
IL the lady don't think so too
Richard wheeled upon him sharply.
Lady? What lady?"
ivy, Miss Renwyck, sir the lady
wOt strikes me as
stop right therew commanded Rich
ard sternly. There are certain sub
jects which are not discussed between
gentleman and his servant. This is
one of them. Please remember it,"
Thank you. Mr-er-I mean m
lord" said the valet respectfully. VERY
good, sir"
In sizing up his man the astute Bills
had made a grave mistake wherein he
found much food for reflection regard
ing his future line of conduct. He had
long since learned to manage his for
mer master by various cunning little
articles. but this wide awake Texan
with his square chin and steely blue
| eyes, was quite another proposition.
Although Bills had OWNED the object
of this masQuQrade II did nOt spam al3
If he would profit much by it, and yet
there must be some way in which he
| could turn ii to his own advantage
eventually. he was sure.
Meanwhile the adventurer descended
into the drawing room and was pre-
santnd tn snNnraI athoI. ......I.4.... "a ti,a.