St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-20

in patience So while he smoked in
the cab we talked it over"
"Well?" John Steele said shortly.
"And the upshot of it all was"-
"She suggested my going to Lord
Ronsdale."
'"To invoke his assistance, perhaps!"
Steele once more laughed. GAS an old
friend" Captain Forsythe started to
speak. The other went on, ''Well,
We'll keep his secret as long as he
keeps his compact"
'But''-
81 promised. What does it matter
Sir Charles may be disappointed at not
being able to bring about But for
her sake-that is the main considera-
tion.''
"And you, the question Of your inno-
cence-to her?" Forsythe looked at
him narrowly, smiled slightly to him
self
Is-incOnsequential! The main point
is-the Frisco Pet is dead. Gillett
won't speak. You won't. Lord Rons-
dale can't. Another to whom 1 am
about to tell the story will, I am sure,
be equally SILENT
'AnOtl0r!
John Steele smiled. "Can you think
of no one to whom 1 am bound to tell
the truth, the whole truth? Who eX-
tended me his hand in friendship, in
vited me to his home? Of course it
would be easier to go without speak
ing. 1t is rather difficult to own that
one has accepted a mans hospitality,
stepped beneath his roof and sat at his
board as-not to mince words-an i'm
postOr. I could have delegated you
to tell him all, but that wouldn't do.
1t is probably part of the old, old
debt but l must meet him face to face.
So have sent for
A bell rang. A servant opened the
door of the library. Sir Charles Wray
walked in.
Below, in the cab, Jocelyn waited.
Her pale face expressed restlessness.
She held in her hand bit of crumpled
paper. It was John Steeles note to
Sir Charles asking him to call, stat
ing nothing beyond a mere perfume
tory request to that end, giving no
reason for his wish to see him.
"Can you drop in at my chambers
for a few minutes?" John Steele had
written. GA few minutes" The blue
eyes shone with Impotence. He was
leaving London, Captain Forsythe had
informed her, and, she concluded, he
wanted to see her uncle before he left.
But not her; no. She had driven
there, however, with Sir Charles on
some light pretext-for want Of some
thing better to do-to be out in the
air
''I'n wait here in the cab" she had
said to her uncle when he had left it
before John Steele's dwelling. AT
least meeting the puzzled gaze that
had rested on her more than once
lately, 81 may or may not wait. If
get tired, if when you come back you
don't find me, just conclude" capri
ciously, 81 have gone on some little
errand of my own-shopping, perhaps"
She recalled these words now, found
it intolerable to sit still Abruptly she
rose and stepped from the cab.
She half started to move away,
looked toward the house. Brass plates
variously disposed around the en-
trance and appearing nearly all alike
as to form and size stared at her.
was removing-"Joh Steele She
read the plain, modest letters, the in
scription "Barrister' beneath. She
caught her breath slightly.
''Uncle is certainly very long" she
repeated mechanically.
'Why don't you go in and see wot's
OBTAINING of him?" vouchsafed the
cabby in amicable fashion as he re-
garded the hesitating, slender figure.
t'Third floor to the right, MISS" said
the boy, occupied in removing the sign
and stepping aside as he spoke to al
low her to pass, eff it's Mr. Steele's
office you're looking for. You'll see
'Barrister' in brass letters, as 1 said
to the old gentleman. 1 haven't got
at them veto take them down, I
mean"
s'Thank you,' she said irresolutely
and without intending to enter found
herself within the hall. There a mar
row stairway lay before her. He
pointed to it, with an excess Of 1u-
venile solicitude and politeness, boy
hoods involuntary tribute to youth
and beauty in need of assistance. He
told her to go on straight up"
And she did unreasoningly, mechan-
ically-one fight. two flights!
Near his door! About to turn, to re-
trace her steps, an illogical sequence
to the illogical action that had preced-
ed it, she was held to the spot by the
door suddenly opening. A mana
servant, broom in hand-who had evil
IDENTIFY been engaged in cleaning enc
OF the chambers within was stepping
out
You wished to see Mr.. Steele"
The proud head nodded affirmative
" to the inquiry.