Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-02-21
CHAPTER (Continued.)

L A0N-N@--N@N~@ft
THAT'S exceedingly good of you. The
onlv grounds have for asking this great
eindness from you are your sincere de-
rotion to the late Viscount--"
and to you, my lord" interrupted the
man. I'D be proud to do anything you
asked me-"
John clapped him warmly on the shout
der.
You're a capital fellow worker, Sim
mons; you're SO staunch. But don't you
think it is about time you gave up mis-
taking me for Lord Ayrill?"
The valet shock his head.
Sorry, my lord, but l see no chance
If that. The word slips out, you know.
n seems SO natural when I'm speaking
to your lordship."
ooh, you are incorrigible!" said John
lauchingly. well, then, l can rely on
YOU. You have taken q load off my
mind"
Johns transient amusement at the
Wallets obstinate persistence in the use
Of the title was changed that afternoon
into a puzzled wonder whether he could
And this is what happened.
AS he was crossing the hall in the
midst of his hasty preparations for de
parture he saw a visitor being ushered
into the drawing room.
Eyes, your grace, her ladyship is at
home,' said the servant; please come
this way"
John recognized the eccentric Duke of
= E ~ IL
Viscount's youth. He had been away on
one of his lengthy tours abroad for many
years past, and had only just returned to
England John glanced with some curl
osity at the spare form and face and
keen eyes of one of the greatest big
game hunters of the age. And at that
moment the Duke turned, and with an
exclamation of delight hurried towards
him, holding out his hand.
All, Avrill, glad to see you" he cried.
al should have known your mothers son
anywhere. Pm glad it is your mother.
l had horrible fear that after all Lady
Avrill might prove to be stranger to
me-"
John found his hands seized in
mighty grip, and met very kindly look
from the piercing eyes.
Pm afraid there is some mistake,
Duke" he replied, smiling frankly. 81
amor was-Lord Avrill's secretary"
Lord Avrills secretary" repeated the
other, in slow, bewildered tones. Cant
be; you're joking, boy"
mo, it is true My name isl have
always been called John Dene"
The Duke looked up and down with
troubled eyes.
Then who is Lady Avrillg" he asked
abruptly.
"She was Miss Marion Rolls"
Never heard of her." was the gruff
reply "And your mother-may I ask ?"
Il know nothing whatever of my par
ents," said John steadily, but flushing
little.
by Jovel" murmured the Duke, and
stared again. ''Well,n he said presently,
recovering his elf-command somewhat,
Eve been away from England so long
that | am more or less of barbarian;
which must be my excuse, young man.
Dene, did you say your name was? And
secretaryT"
Il have been secretary here for some
six or seven years-or rather agent-but
am leaving this evening"
Want berth2' demanded the Duke
brusquely.
eyes, I do'
"Then write me your address. Mind, l
promise nothing, but for the sake Of
your face I'd like to be of use if posi-
bic. Don't forget" He swung round and
motioned the waiting servant to precede
him.
A few minutes in the drawing room
sufficed to convince the Duke that here
ne would not feel himself in touch again
with the friend of his youth, and he rose
TO leave. Coming out he met Vincent,
and stopped to give him a merciless
scrutiny.
All, your father was a fool!" he said
shortly, she shook hands carelessly
with his host. you need not resent
that, you know. He was my greatest
friend, and no more a fool than | my
SELF
The young Viscount laughed easily.
He always found it difficult to realize
the father he had never seen, and it
would not have occurred to him to resent
any structures upon him.
Oh, ! have heard of your friendship,
Dukel Some fellow was speaking to me
the other day about the gay old times
you and my governor had"
Ay, we had,' assented the Duke grim
~ And | guess we were both sorry
Tor some of 'em. He must have been,
judging from what l ean-see"
The remark did not appear to be who'll
iy complimentary, but Vincent failed to
understand it entirely, and remembered
IL was Duke who uttered it.
Must you got" he said civilly. HLet
me show YOU.
No, thanks, I'm off, BY the way,
met your secretary in the hall just now.
Fine fellow, / should say"
Nlncent's handsome face clouded over,
He thinks himself so, no doubt" he
replied, with some asperity. @He pre-
sumes too much on his position, and I've
been obliged to dismiss him in a hurryt'
All! Who are his people, Avrilf7
Vincent laughed unpleasantly.
Heaven only knows. He was found
ing without relations. He was entrusted
70 my mother when an infant. You've
heard perhaps of the extraordinary terms
On WAeh my parents lived 2"
~ u ! I