The Washington herald., 1908-01-01
CHAPTER w.

evening.
The greater part of the large house was
not open, but enough was seen to impress
and delight Mrs. Brenton.
She admired everything.
II am full of envy" she said to him.
so am l., said Camilla. Il want every
thing I see here. your servants especially.
How do you bachelor people always man
age to get such good servants? That
man Of yours, Harper, is a perfect treas
ure. He is a sort Of Monte Cristo-noth-
ing seems difficult or impossible TO him.
believe If I We're to call him now and
say TO him. Harper, viii you please give
me the earth?' he would answer in that
quiet way of his, I have just put it in
your carriage, madam.
She was all in white tonight, and
looked languid and pensive Rupert Hav-
erford asked her once If she were tired
she nodded her head
Just a little; but that is my own fault.
have been skating at Princes all the
afternoon she explained, Il wondered
If you would come there by any chance.
You must promise TO go with me one
day II is really rather fun, and it gives
one some exercise"
She was sitting in the place Of honor.
Mrs. Brenton and she were the only
ladies.
Don't send us away" said Camilla,
when coffee was brought in; please
smoke. all Of you. Agnes doesn't mind
do you. Agnes? and 1 love it,
AS the liquors were being handed 10
him. Haverford's man addressed him con
fidentially.
Gould speak to you, sir?'' he asked.
Mr. Haverford looked upward; the re-
quest was unusual; then he just nodded
his head.
"AIl right, I'll come to you in a minute. "
He waited a little while. and then, when
the conversation was general, and there
was a movement from the dintngroom.
with a murmured excuse 10 his TWO
woman guests, be left them.
Harper was waiting for him,
What IS the matter, Harper?" he ask
ed impatiently enough.
I'm sorry to bring you away, sir. said
tlss man, but there's a young person as
wants 10 see you, sir l told her that
you'd friends to dinner. but she wouldn't
be sent away Says she must see you.
She came quite hour ago, I put her
I'm your study. She's come from Mrs.
L asked her to tell me what she wanted.
but she wouldn't do it. Insisted that she
must speak TO you yourself. sir
Rupert Haverford gave a few orders 10
the man about having certain rooms lit
up for Mrs BrentOn to see. and then
went along the broad passage 10 the
room where he usually sat and smoked
and worked
The girl who awaited him was stand
ing by the fire. She turned as the door
opened.
He had seen her once before. and rec
ognized her as his mothers secretary.
Naturally his thoughts few at onCe TO
his mother.
rs anything wrong?" he asked Have
you news from Paris? Do you want me %
Katherine Granger looked at him
steadily.
She was a tall slip Of girl. with a
thin, coIorless face, and very large, i'm
pressive eyes.
Her dress was shabby and meager; she
looked. indeed, as if she had scarcely
enough on for such a cold. raw night
II don't know whether I ought to have
come 10 you, Mr., Haverford," she said.
but I'm in great trouble, and as I've no
one to whom I can go. and / don't quite
She spoke in a staccato kind Of way.
The voice was rather disagreeabie 10
Haverford
7 shall be very glad TO help you II 7
can" he said coldly: and then he waited
for her 10 say more.
Mrs, BaynhuTst has sent me away, "
the girl said; she spoke still in that same
sharp, stiff way. "A letter came from
Paris this morning by a midday post but
as I have been out all day I did not get
Il till late this afternoon. I have brought
it with me so that you can read It."
Mr.. HaVerfoTd looked annoyed
He objected strongly TO interfering in
anything which concerned his mother.
I am afraid it is not possible for me
10 go into this matter with you" he said.
Il have nothing whatever to do with Mrs.
Baynhurst's affairs
The girl answered him sharply, authori-
tatively
Some one must listen to me, and as
you are her son, / consider it your duty
20 do So
At this he wheeled round.
This kind Of tone was a new experience
TO him in these latter days, when every
one who approached him had soft word
81 their lips and a subservient suggestion
in their manner
Il think you have made a mistake. -
he said, thoroughly annoyed now; 'ff
my mother has seen fit to dispense with
your services she has, no doubt, the very
best reason for doing SO. You must ap-
ply to her. AS 7 have just said, this is a
matter IN which I could not possibly in
terfere at any time. And now"
And now. said Miss Granger, with a
short laugh, you want TO go back to
your guests; to your dinnerr She
shrugged her shoulders. Then go. I was
a fool TO come.
She left the fireplace and walked past
him 10 the door, but before she could
get there Rupert Haverford made a move
forward
Wait" he said. He had suddenly
caught a glimpse of her face; it wore an
expression that was eloquent enough for
him.
She paused. and stood biting her Iip
and blinking her eyes to control her agI-
tation Young as she was, she sug-
gested an element Of strength.
nave not very much time at nv
disposal said Rupert quickly, but tell
me exactly what has happened. If I can
help you I will
She did not answer him Immediately.
When she did. that sharp. almost pert.
tone had gone from her voice.
Il know quite well / have not given
Mrs Baynhurst satisfaction" she said
though I have tried my very best to
fall In with her ways. But she is not
very easy She does not make allow
ances. If it were only that I should not
complain" She bit her lip again. IF
| am not good enough for her as a secre-
tary she Is quite right TO get some one
else; but she ought TO have prepared
me-not dismiss me in this way I did
not 90 to her of my own accord. She
took me away from the school where I
have been living for so many years. I
was given TO understand that she was my