The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-06-10
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81 hudsoND ouSlae

CAAPTEH All.--COntlnucQ
"She was accompanied by her
maid, a most Trustworthy person"
asserted Miss Jane, undaunted by
his yelled threat.
And now, Mr.. Quaintance. since
we have afforded you such infor-
nation as we possess, you will
perhaps kindly excuse u.s."
She swept towards the door, her
cap a-tremble with indignation,
and her sister followed without
further speech. 1t was only thus
that they could express their
strong disapproval Of this very
vulgar person, and, since there was
seemingly no more to be learned
from them, he did not wait for a
servant to show him downstairs,
but followed them himself. A
photograph caught his eye as he
passed the piano, and his quick ex-
clamation as sight of it caused
Miss Jane to face about on the
threshold with inconvenient results
to Sophia, hard at her heels.
Who's this?" Seager asked,
picking up the portrait while Miss
Sophia was backing off the train
of her sisters skirt. She looked
around, still more at sea.
why, that's Miss Quaintance,
she answered involuntarily, on her
own unaided responsibility.
"Phew!" whistled aeager, and
the corners of his eyes wrinkled
in smile Of delighted amaze
ment. Curiosity as to it's cause
induced the sisters to linger, IT.
resolutely.
Then l can tell you where Miss
Quaintance is. She's in New York.
l saw her there not 48 hours be-
fore l started for this side, and
l didn't know who she was. Cad!
Isn't that a fierce thing to have
happen one?
"I've never seen either her or
my uncle, you see," he went on,
in response to their looks of be-
wilderment. 1--WE spent most of
my time abroad, for many years in
Africa. I didn't even know then
that he had adop-that he had a
doughter. But l hurried home,
and, as soon as / reached New
York, l wrote his lawyers in San
Francisco to let me have her ad-
dress.
"They sent me here. I must see
her at once, in connection with his
estate, in which she, of course, has
a large interest, but on conditions
which only can make clear to
her.
"You can understand, therefore,
how it affected me to hear that
she had left you. All the trouble
I've taken on her behalf thrown
away, and Will you do me the
very great favor to let me have
this photo?'
Miss Jane did not seem very
sure that she should comply with
such request, but Miss Sophia 8
imagination had been fired by the
hint of inheritance, and she
thought that, IL it would help the
girl, Of whom she had been very
fond in her old-maidish way, to
any rights in that direction, they
need not scruple to part with the
photograph.
There is your copy upstairs,
Jane" she once more took the In
itiative.
THAT one is mine, Mr.. Quain-
tance." she said to Seager, land
I shall be pleased to let you have
it, on Miss Quaintance's account"
you're very good" he assured
her, and his more pleasant tone
did not fail to have it's effect.
Miss Quaintance is sweet
girl" she added. when you see
her, will you please give her our
love-" -.
Gladly" responded Seager,
bowling with great outward defer
ence, and held the door for them
while they passed from the room,
In the hall he expressed more pro-
fuse thanks for their kindness and
civility, finally taking himself off
under much more agreeable au-
spices than those which had mark
ed the earlier stages of the inter
view.
Gentlemen from America are
sometimes $3.50 unusual" Miss
Sophia commented forgivingly as
she closed the hall door behind
him. But 1t must be a very rough
place in parts, especially in the
canned-beef districts where all
those dreadful exposures came
from. ! think he has a good heart
under his harsh exterior"
"Humph!" shifted Miss Jane.
He may have, but he certainly