The independent-reporter., 1909-09-30

CHAPTER VII.
xlTE BROWNIES ARRIVE.

f11ONTRARY to all expectations
the Brownies arrived the next
II morning. The Deppinghams
~ and their miserably frightened
servants were scarcely out of bed
when Saunders came In with the news
that . steamer was standing of the
shallow harbor. Bowles had telephon-
I'd up that the American claimant was
ON board.
The deepest gloom pervaded the
household when Lady Deppingham
discovered that not one Of their reti-
nue. knew how to make coffee or broil
bacon-not that she cared for bacon,
but that his lordship always asked for
It when they did not have It.
Bromley upset the last peg Of endur-
ance by hoping that the Americans
were bringing a cook and a house
maid with them.
'.The Americans always travel ike
lords." she concluded, forgetting that
she served lord and not in the least
intending to be ironicaL
That will do, Bromley" said her
mistress sharply. "If they're like most
Americans I've seen they'll have moth
ing but wet nurses and chauffeurs. l
can't eat this vile stuff. Come on,
Deppy. Let's go up and watch the ap-
proach Of the enemy"
Scarcely half an hour passed before
the advance guard Of the Browne COM
pany came into view at the park gates
below. Deppingham recalled the fact
that an hour and a half had been con-
sumed IN the accomplishment yester-
day. He was keeping q sharp lookout
for the magic red jacket and the Tom
my Atkins lid. Quite secure from OBJ
servation, he and his wife watched
the forerunners with the hand bags;
then came the sweating trunk bearers
and then Grated objects in-what7
Yes, by the Lord Harry. in the very
carts that had been their private
chariots the day beforei
Deppingham's wrath did not really
explode until the two were gazing
open mouthed upon Robert Browne and
his wife and his maidservants and
his ass, for that was the name which
his lordship subsequently applied, with
no moderation, to the unfortunate gen
tleman who served as Mr.. Brownies
attorney. The Americans were being
swiftly. cozily carried to their new
home In litters of oriental comfort and
elegance, famed vigorously from both
sides by eager boys. First came the
Brownies, eager faced, bright eyed,
alert young people, far better looking
than their new enemies could conscien-
tiously admit under the circumstances;
then the lawyer from the States; then
a pert young lady in pink shirt waist
and a sailor hat; then two giggling. ut
terly un- English maids. and all Of
them lolling in luxurious ease. The
red jacket was conspicuously absent
It Is not to be wondered at that his
lordship looked at his wife. gulped in
sympathy and then said something
memorable.
Almost before they could realize
what had happened the newcomers
were chattering in the spacious halls
below. tramping about the rooms and
giving orders in high, though appar-
emily efficacious voices. Close at their
heels trooped the servants, all of
whom took part In the discussion In
cident to fresh discoveries. At last
they came upon the great balcony,
pausing just outside the French win
dows to exclaim anew In their delight.
''Greatw said the lawyer man after
a full minute. Finest I've ever seen!
Isn't 1t a picture, BrowneT
'-Gloriousr' said young Mr.. Browne,
taking a long breath. The Depping-
hams. sitting unobserved. saw that he
was q tall, good looking fellow. They
were unconscionabiy amused when he
suddenly reached out and took his
wife's hand In his big fingers. She
was very trim and cool looking In her
white duck.
"What docs Baedeker say about It,
BobbyY' asked Mrs. Browne. Her
voice was very soft and full-the quiet,
well modulated Boston voice and man
ner.
The pert girl in the pink waist
opened a small portfolio. while the
others gathered around her. She read
thsrefrom- The lawyer drew COM
pass from his pocket and pointed
vaguely into what proved to be the
southwest.
I'VE must tell Lady Deppingham not
to take the rooms at this end" was
the next thing that the listeners heard
from Mrs. Brownies lips. Her lady
ship turned upon her husband with a
triumphant sniff.
What did 1 tell you," she whis-
pered. IL knew they'd want the best
Of everything. Isn't 1t lucky pounced
upon these rooms1 They shan't turn
US out. You won't let 'em. will you,
Depnvr