Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-04

Gould l speak to you, sir?" he
asked
Mr.. Haverford looked upwards; the
request was unusual; then he just
nodded his head
"All right. I'll come to you in a min
ute
He waited a little while, and then,
when the conversation was general,
and there was movement from the
dining room, with murmured excuse
to his two women guests, he left them.
Harper was waiting for him.
What is the matter, Harper?" he
asked impatiently enough.
I'm sorry to bring you away, sir.
said the man, "but there's a young
person as wants to see you, sir.
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. | put her in your study.
She's come from Mrs. Baynhurst,
think, sir. the man added. 81 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 few orders
to the man about having certain rooms
lit up for Mrs. Brenton to see, and
then went along the broad passage
to 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
recognized her as his mothers secre-
tary.
Naturally his thoughts flew at once
to- his mother
''Is 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 colourless face, and very large
impressive eyes.
Her dress was shabby and meagre:
she looked indeed, as if she had
scarcely enough on for such cold,
raw night.
II don't know whether I ought to
have come to you, Mr. Haverford, y
she said, "but I'm in great trouble,
and as I've no one to whom can go,
and l don't quite know what to do, |
thought Of you
She spoke in staccato kind of
way The voice was rather disagree
able to Haverford.
Il shall be very glad to help you
if can" he said coldly; and then he
waited for her to say more
Mrs. Baynhurst has sent me
away" the girl said; she spoke still
in that same sharp, stiff way "a let
ter came from Paris this morning by
a midday post, but as have been ou-
all day / did not get it till late this
afternoon. | have brought it with me
SO that you can read it,
Mr.. Haverford looked annoyed
He objected strongly to interfering
in anything which concerned his
mother.
81 am afraid it is not possible fol
me to go into this matter with you,
he said. 81 have nothing whatever tc
do with Mrs Baynhurst's affairs"
The girl answered him sharply, all
thoritatively.
Some one must listen to me. and as
you are her son, | consider it your
duty to do So
At this he wheeled around.
Ih1s kind Of tone was new ex
perience to him in these latter days
when every one who approached hin
had a soft word on their lips, and q
subservient suggestion in their man
ner
Il think you have made mistake.
he said, thoroughly annoyed now; ~
my mother has seen fit to dispense
with your services she has, no doubt
the very best reason for doing SO. YOU
must apply to her. AS | have just
said, this is matter in which coult
not possibly interfere at any tina
And now"
"And now said Miss Granger
with a short laugh, you want to &c
back to your guests; to your dinner!'
She shrugged her shoulders. "Ther
go. l was a fool to come"
She left the fireplace and walked
past him to the door, but before sh,
could get there Rupert Haverford
made a move forward
wait he said He had suddenly
caught glimpse of her face; it wor.
an expression that was elouuen
enough for him.
She paused, and stood biting her liz
and blinking her eyes to control hal
agitation. Young as she was. she sug
gested an element of strength.
81 have not very much time at m,
disposal said Rupert quickly. "bu
tell me exactly what has happened. I
can help you | will
She did not answer him immediate
ly. When she did, lnat sharp, almos
e,pert tone had gone from her voice
Nj know quite well have not givel
Mrs. Baynhurst satisfaction, sh
said, though | have tried my yer,
best to fall in with her ways. But sh
is not very easy. he does not max
allowances. If it were only that
should not complain She bi
her lip again, 'if ! am not goo,
enough for her as a secretary. she j
quite right to get some one else, bu
she ought to have prepared me. no
dismiss me in this way. | did not g
to her Of my own accord She too