Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-12

and then, pausing in front Of Baxter, who
had risen also, as a matter OF course, he sud-
denly laid his two hands upon his Wallets
shoulders.
Baxter" said he, you'll remember that
after my mother died my father was always
too busy piling up his millions to give much
time or thought to me, and | should have
been very lonely small boy if it hadn't been
for you, John Baxter. was often up against
it in those days, John, and you were always
ready to help and advise me; but now
well, from the look OF things, I'm rather
afraid that | must stay up against It, that
the game is lost already, John. But, which
glad-y very glad-to have learned the
true meaning of-the word, John
"Master George, Sir, there was poet
once-Tennyson, | think -who said, lis
better to have loved and lost than never to
have loved at all, and | know that he was
right. Many years ago, before you were born,
Master George, | loved-and lost -and that
is how know But | hope that Fortune
will be kinder to you-indeed | dor
"Thank you, John though | don't see
why she should be-" And Bellew stood star
ing down at the rug again, till aroused by
Bakers cough.
is waiting downstairs"
"Orders? Why er-pack Your grip, Bax-
ter shall take you with me, this time, into
Arcadia, Baxter"
@For how long, SIR
probably week"
Every good, Sir"
at is now half past three; must be back
in Dapplemere at eight. Take your time
I'll go down to look at the machine. Just
lock the place up, and er-don't forget the
black bag
CONIE ten minutes later the great racing
- car set out on its journey, with Bellew
at the wheel, and Baxter beside him with the
black bag held firmly on his knee.
Their progress was necessarily slow at first,
on account of the crowded thoroughfareS.
But every now and then the long, low car
would shoot forward through some gap IN
the traffic, grazing the hubs of bus wheels,
lodging hansoms, shaving sudden corners,
in an apparently reckless manner. But
Baxter, with his hand always upon the black
leather bag, sat calm and unruffled, since he
knew, by long experience, that Bellows eye
was quick and true, and his hand flrm and
sure upon the wheel.
Over Westminster Bridge and along the
Old Kent Road they sped, now fast. now
slow, threading a tortuous and difficult way
amid the myriad vehicles. And SO, betimes,
they reached Blackheath.
And now the powerful machine hunmed
over that ancient road that had aforetlme
shaken to the tread of stalwart Roman
Legionaries, up Shooters Hill, and down,
and SO into the open country.
And, ever as they went, they talked: and
not as master and servant bur as between
man and man; wherefore, Baxter the Valet
became merged and lost in Baxter the HUI
man, the honest John of the old days, gray
haired. kindly eyed, middle aged cosmopoli-
tan who listened to and looked at Young
Alcides beside him as if he had indeed been
the Master George of years ago.
$50, you see, John, if all things do go well
with me, we should probably take trip to
the Mediterranean.
an the-Sylvia, Of course, Master
George"
eyes; though -er-I've decided to
change her name, John
aAh! very natural-under the circum-
stances, Master George said honest John,
his eyes twinkling slyly as he spoke. snow,
if | might suggest new name, it would be
hard to find more original one than The
Haunting Specter of the
"Bosh, John! There never was such
thing you were quite right as said before,