The Detroit times., 1912-05-09

CHAPTER XXI.

while grave shadows threatened his
face. But presently his smiling, un'
quenchable good temper came 10 the
surface, and he gleefully tucked
Melanies hand under his arm.
"As said before, you need a hus-
band very badly"
"Oh, | don't know" she laughed
The result OF Alexis moment OF
grave thought came few days later,
with the arrival OF two quietly-dress'
ed, unostentatious men. He told
Melanie that one man was her chauf-
feur for the white machine, and the
other was an extra hand he had en-
gagged for the return trip on the Sea
Gull. The chauffeur. however, for
one reason or another. rarely took
the wheel. and could have been seen
walking at a distance behind Melanle
| whenever she stirred abroad, Ihe
| extra hand for the Sea Gull did just
the same as the chauffeur.
From the day of the arrival or the
manager. Mr.. Hands rather myster'
ious but friendly temper underwent
a change for the worse. He not only
continued silent, which might easily
be counted a virtue, out he became
almost sulky, which could only Ia
/ called crime. There was no ban
tering with Sallie in the kitchen
scarcely a friendly smile for Agatha
herself. Mr.. Hand was markedly on
of sorts.
On the morning following Mr.
S;raker's request that Hand shoule
repair the car, the manager lounS
him tinkering in the carriage shee
near the church. The car was JACK
ed up on a horseback, while one
wheel Law near the road. mr. Hanc
was as grimy and oily as the law a.
lows. working over the machinery
with a sort of vicious earnestness
Mr.. Straker lowered around for q lev
moments, then addressed Hand II
that tone OF pseudo-geniality tina
marks a certain type or politician.
Look here, Colonel. understand
Won were in the employ Of tina
French anarchist
1t was an unlucky moment for al
tack, though Mr.. Straker did not
once perceive II. Hand careiuli!
wiped the oil from neat ring o
metal. slid down on his back unde
the car and screwed on nut. A
Mr. Straker, hands in pockets AM
feet wide apart. watched tn
mechanician, there came through IN
| silence and the sweet air the SCUM
Of thrushes calling from the WOO
: beyond Mr.. Straker craned his hea
: 10 look out at the church. then az IN
8 low stone wall as II he expected
a see the songsters performing on
Z stage before a row OF footlights. II
: turned back to Mr.. Hand.
That's right, Is IL? You worke
: .or the slippery Mounseer?"
Z ''Um-m," Hand grumbled, with
! screw In his mouth. Something ik
2 that"
"What'd you do?"
5 1--WE found where she was wrencl
: ed in the turnover. Got TO have
pew pin for this of wheel before sh
J goes much farther"
{ "All right, I'll order one by tel
r graph today. What'd you do, l as
3 ed"
Hand wriggled himself out fro
3 under the car and got on his Zee
. He thrust his grimy hands deep int
4 lis pockets, stood for a moment CO.
= IeHpldllNo DclllbcAChts 40 IL ~
v decided whether TO explode or no
e and then silently walked away.
[ AS Mr. Straker watched his hgul
: moving slowly toward the kitche
I ne started a long low whistle, EXPIRE
O sive of suspicion and doubt. Midwa
8 however. he changed TO a lively tur
I whose title was i've got him on Il
q -un"--a classic just then spreadir
ur and down Broadway. He took
few turns about the car, looked
the gearing with a knowing air, al
then went into the house.
II he had been small boy, h
mother would have punished him Il
stamping through the halls; being
grown man and a visitor. he may
described as walking with firm, DO
tread. Finally he was able to ru
down Agatha, who was conferrir
with Sallie in the library.
Sallie shifted in scorn of M
Straker, whom she disliked II
worse than Mr.. Hand; nevertheless
as she left the room she twisted
her Bingham apron and tucked
into its band in a vague attempt
company manners. Mr.. Straker 10
no time in attacking Agatha.
What d'you know about tn
z chauffeur-nurse and general roust
bout that's taking care OF your your
z gentleman upstairs?" he Inquire
tluntly.