Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-27


So much for his person. OF cares he had none. From
the Welsh coalfelds had been dug for him huge for
tune From wife he had received a large sum de-
rived from similar sources lie had married early
and settled down in comfortable state in London lie
was reasonably happy with his wife, who was plain
domestic woman who, however, bore him no children
and died after brief Illness about two years before
This story begins lie did not abandon his house IN
NIavfar but engaged the services of sedate, middle
aged housekeeper, and continued his establishment as
before.
Serenity itself characterized his life, the even flow
of which remained undsturbed until one morning
ot kfast he broke the seal of letter bearing an
Indian postmark. The superscription was unfamiliar
to him. He glanced at the signature and read Arch
bald MaclvOr - 80,
Il seem to remember the name,' said Dick. 81
friend of my fathers, think. What the deuce can
he want from me?'' and he perused the precious
epistle
''DEAR Mr. WI1IIAMs,n it read. ~ have
been so long abroad that l am forgetting old
friends and addresses. | have yours however,
and wish you would do me great favor My
only daughter sails for England to-day | want
YOU to meet her at the station when she arrives
in London. She will then give you certain in
formation and particulars wire from her will
give you notice of her coming. Her name IS
Kate, and any hospitality and courtesy you may
extend to her will be warmly appreciated by your
father s old friend,-ARCHIBALD MAclvoR
''Indeed!" said Dick. "Of all cool mpudence!
Her is Kate, and pere Maclvor Will appreciate
any hospitality l may extend to this pledge OF some
pitality to a young female requires considerations
How old is she, | wonder am, in one sense living
here en- garcon though of course, old Maclvor doesn
know that. There is getting over the convent
ences ANYTHING under ten will do-but dash it
all! it s jolly nuisance, downright imposition
Just because he knew my father too. don like 1t.
Is it plant, wonder? Upon my SOUL don It like
He ate his breakfast in perfunctory fashion, and
went down to his club. But the subject would not
leave him; it dogged him all the way.
"Anyhow' said he, 'no telegram has come
When that arrives it will be time enough to make up
my mind what to do, ;" and he endeavored to dismiss
the subject from his mind 1t was useless, however,
and he haunted by sense of uneaslness the 1--we
long day
In the evening he was fain to take counsel of Mrs
Pennyfeaher, his housekeeper. Out of her store OF
worldly wisdom he thought discreet plan OF action
might be safely evolved. 70 the practical NINA OF
Mrs Pennyfeather the matter simplicity itself.
Should the prove to be child she would or
a certainty, be accompanied by a maid. That would
cause no trouble. On the other hand, were she
young and attractive woman, totally unknown to him,
prudence would suggest his providing accommodation
for her at some respectable hotel. Dick felt great
ly relieved and left the whole matter to her dis
cretOn.
lie slept well that night, and awoke like giant re-
treshed the next morning. No telegram had arrived
as yet and after breakfast he visited family hotel
where he well knoWn-for financial reasons ana
provided against all contingencies This done, he felt
happier, for whatever might now befa, he was amply
prepared
The telegram arrived in the course of the after
'oon. 1t read
''Trust to meet you 715 this evening at Vic
toria StatOn.-KATE MACIvoR. -
He showed it to Mrs Pennyfeaher, who simply
bowed and said: g Everything will be ready Dinner,
usual, at clock. am glad you told me; shall
know what to do now.
AS the hours sped on, Dick became nervous again.
This having strange females sprung upon him was a
novelty he failed to appreciate. This man Maclyor
certainly had a copious amount of cheek. He had
by no means CHEEKY presentment that the mysterious
conner would arrive without maid and possess good
ly number of inches.
''No kid, said he, "would send telegram like