The Holbrook news., 1910-06-03
He sent her away earIY.


 ling" he said. and we'll go and dine somewhere and have the evening to- gether"
 After she had gone he sat still, dreaming at his desk. He lifted his head quickly as the door opened and his clerk entered with a card in his hand. He took it carelessly in his fin gers.
 The card dropped from his clutch and lay staring at him from the desk
 Reginald Lindley." | Send him in," he said, and during the few moments that elapsed before Reginald came, he sat like a dead man, dumb. motionless, cold.
 The door was swung open.
 Hello, Graham, How are you, say? Great Scott. I believe you've been boring over those papers ever since I was here last. You look just the same, only dustier"
 Philip rose slowly to his feet. He was cold-horribly cold, and his heart seemed to be lying dead and heavy in his chest
 You are stranger" he said with difficulty. I thought we should never see you in Rochminster again. and you can't wonder at my surprise"
 Reginald laughed
 ''No. I suppose not" he said; "and upon my word. I don't think I ever could have come back only-only chanced to hear a bit of news"
 Reginald sauntered slowly across the room and back, whipping his stick against his boot. Graham, how and where is Miss Kennet?" he asked abruptly
 Philip fiinched as though Reginald's stick had struck his face
 "I heard that she was still here. and that you had given her employment" Reginald went on, and I came here on purpose to see her"
 T suppose you think I behaved bad ly,' the lieutenant went on, ''and I sup pose I did, but I couldn't help myself. When her father died penniless, 1t was impossible for me to marry her, for had scarcely enough money for myself, and so thought the kindest thing was to go away without saying anything. But now that there is chance of her having some money. after all, it Is al together different, for I am fond of her. you know, Graham"
 Philip had looked up with a start.
 She has no money" he said hoarse- ly.
 Reginald nodded his head eagerly
 Not yet, old man." he said lightly, but she will have. I happened on an old boy out in Australia who's going to lezve her some. He is the colonel's brother and her uncle, and he's pretty nearly gone. I gave him all partic ulars about her, and it will be all right. The old buffer isn't married, and there's nobody else for him to leave it to. And he thinks Gladys and I are still engaged-as, in fact, We are-and that We are only waiting for a little money to get married. I ex- plained it all to him"-he laughed and winked at Philip-"and now his sole anxiety is to die and oblige us. Where is Miss Kennel. Graham"
 Philip was white to the lips now
 She is at home" he said with diff ficulty She left early. She-she- lodges with Mrs. Galley in Stone street"
 He turned awSy. His one wish now was that Reginald would go quickly. | He could not stand much more
 "Oh, all right. Anybody would | think you were jealous of me! Well, goodbye"
 The door closed and for long Philip stood still in the middle of the room staring at it.
 Stimson opened the door.
 Did you call, sir?"
 >"No. mo-" said Philip hastily. "No. that is all. You can go.'
 He heard the preparations for de- parture, but he still sat before his desk without making any attempt to put his papers away He wondered what Gladys would do now
 His thoughts broke off and uncon- sciously he stiffened himself. Some one had come into the outer office. A clerk had forgotten something evident ly; he hoped he wouldn't want any thing of him.
 Steps sounded-quick steps, that ran. and then the door was flung open and dashed to ;-gain. and breathless fig ure whiried itself across the room and dropped on it's knees at his side.
 -Philip-Philipi Look up want you more than ever. love you better-a thousand times better than ever loved Reginald. Oh. Philip. my dearest. I've just seen him and w"-Cassell's Journal