Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-17
CHAPTER 1.
Id Lord Avril lay dying.

motionless figure whose only sign of life
was in the hooking cynical eyes which
gazed g=imly out of the ashen face, as
il watching steadfastly and without one
shade of dread for the swiftly advancing
king of terrors.
At a little distance from the bed, and
in the bright circle of the light cast by
the electric cluster. sat young man as
mute and still as he on whom his eyes
were fixed-a tall, fair haired young fell
low, broad of shoulder and long of limb,
with certain grave strength and self
reliance about him which marked him
out as one to be trusted.
The professional nurses had been dis
missed; the doctors sat at dinner down
stairs. Nothing more could be done for
the Viscount. Lord Ayrill's moments
were numbered, and he had elected to
spend the last of them alone with his
confidential secretary, John Dene. The
paralytic seizure which had been his
death lnell had not destroyed his powers
of speech; yet his lordship lay silent.
Was it because he had so much or so
little to say? He was perfectly con-
scious, and had been so almost from the
moment of the sudden attack thirty-si
hours ago; but his brain was benumbed
and worked heavily, and his keen and
caustic tongue had for the most part
been mute.
Still he must have something to say
last messages, it might be last confes-
sions-and John Dene, who knew vague
iy of his patrons wild life abroad before
he settled down into his fifteen years of
sober dignity at Avrill Towers, glanced
anxiously again and again at the drawn
face. Had all accounts been honorably
closed? Were there none left to whom a
parting injunction parting prayer for
pardon-should be sent?
The Viscount had sternly refused to
see any religious counsellor and would
hear naught of prayer or penitence. If
there was anything on his mind-and
who could doubt but that it was bur
dened with memories There was no
one to hear his condolences save his Sec
rotary.
John Dene," came low voice from
the bed.
1t was enc of his peculiarities never
to address the young man except by
both his names.
John Dene rose at once and came close
to the patient.
do you want me, sir?" he asked, of
tering a spoonful of cordial.
Lord Avrill put it aside with hasty
gesture.
None of those internal messes,'' he
said, with some Of his old vigor. "Ill
die as I've lived, John Dene-that is,
doing as l choose"
There was something awful in such
words of self will at that moment, but
the secretary knew his employer too
well to attempt remonstranee. He put
the spoon down and bent nearer to the
still figure.
This has a bit upset my plans, John
Demo" painted the Viscount. 81 reck-
oned to live Macy mere years yet She
stole the papers, you know let her.
thought there'd be some humor in LETT
ding her fancy / didn't know. Now it's
too late. There'll be row And there
Win be a pretty tangis for you to
straighten out. But youtse equal to it.
II there's anything to poe in order you're
the man to do it. Still it's vcxatious;
At least it seems SO now, though didn't
fancy I'd hold my tongue to the last,
Ell? All, you don't know"
His voice died away into an incoherent
humble, and John Dene waited patient
~ Presently, when he thought he saw
return of consciousness, he said in his
low, steady voice:
Would YOU like to see Miss Challis,
Lord Avrill2 She is waiting to come up
to you"
That madeap HONOR No, thank you,
John Dene. She'll make ducks and
brakes of the title and the money, /
suppose-6or a time-for time-till she
learns" And then a weird, hoarse
chuckle shook him from head to foot.
Wat game to watch!" he gasped
Dye think / shall be able to see it
played, John Dene? Not without taking
a hand in it, / dare swear If / had
time I'd put you up to wrinkle or two.
But my head goes round-and I'm
hanged If | remember what the game isl
Papers-yes- took 'em. Don't you
trust her. She's cunning enough And
one | hid. Now where did I hide it,
But you'll find it all out, John Dene.
Speak up, mani What's the good of
you but to find out thingsY''
IN do my best, sir" was the quiet
answer.
"Ay, ay, your besti Your best-that's
what she used to say And / never did
10 you KNOW. she might nave done
more with me but for her pride. She'd
have been proud of you-just after her
own heart. All, queer world, John
Dene; and, mark me, you don't know yet
how queerl'
Have you no message, Lord Avrill,
for Miss Chailisf" asked the secretary
urgently, again putting a spoonful of
cordial to the invalid's lips.
Some of it the dying man swallowed
this time, and it seemed to give him
fresh squirt of cynical life.
"Ha, the nadcap mink! Tell her she
may be worth a good man some day,
when she's found her level And don't
you make fool of yourself over her,
John Dene. The love Of a pretty girl
wlll play havoc with you, just as it did
with" A faint red stole over the
young mans face, and the Viscount's
dim eyes seemed to become aware of it,
ior he chuckled again wickedly.
Thought / didn't guess, Ell, John Dene?
an, my boy, I've been there before
once-years ago-and it ruined nv life