Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-05
CHAPTER Y.
no FALSE PRETENsEs.


ground with him be would not
have cared so much. But there she
vas vanishing beyond the door. There
was a suggestion Of feline cruelty ID
thus abandoning him. He dared not
call her back. What should be say to
the admiral7 There was one thing he
knew absolutely nothing about and
this was the duties Of private secre-
tary to a retired admiral who had
riches, a yacht. a hobby and beauti.
full. though impulsive, daughter. His
thought became irrelevant az Is fire.
ouent when one faces crisis. humor
GUS or tragic. Here. indeed. was the
coveted opportunity to study at close
range the habits Of man who spent
less than his income.
"Come. come: draw up your chair.
Mr.. Fitzgerald Are you a sailorT
mot In the technical sense" an
swered Fitzgerald. 81 know a stanchion
from an anchor and rope from a
smokestack. But. as for travel. be-
lieve that 1 have crossed all the high
and middle seas"
Sounds good-Australia East Indies.
China. the Antilles. gulf and the south
Atlantic.
ayes: round the Horn. too. and east
Africa" Fitzgerald remembered bis In
struciious and spoke clearly.
"Well. we'll: you are find. In what
capacity have you taken these voy'
ages?"
Here was the young mans oppor
tunity. This was likable old sea
dog, and ..c determined not to impose
upon him another moment Some men,
for the sake of the adventure. would
have left the truth to be found out
later, to the disillusion Of all concern
ed. The abrupt manner in which Miss
Killicrew had abandoned him merited
some revenge.
admiral. I'm afraid there has been
a mistake. and before we 60 any fur
ther I'll be glad to explain. I'm not
private secretary and never have been
one. | should be less familiar with the
work than q Chinaman. am a special
writer for the magazines and have
been at odd times a war correspond
ent." And then he went on to describe
the little comedy Of the statuettes. and
1t was not without some charm In the
telling
Plainly the admiral was nonplused
That girl. that mink. with her inno'
cent eyes and placid faceI He got up.
and Fitzgerald awaited the explosion
His expectancy missed fire. The ad
miral exploded, but with laughter.
II beg pardon. Mr.. Fitzgerald, and
I beg It again on my daughters be
half. What would you do In my
placer"
"show me the door at onco and have
done with it"
"I'm hanged II 1 dol You shall have
a toddy for your pains. and. by cracky'
Laura shall mix It" He pushed the
buffers bell. "Tell Miss Laura that 4
wish to see her at once.
every well. sir"
She appeared shortly. II Fitzgerald
admired her. beauty be yet more ad
mired her perfect poise and unconcern
Many another woman would have
evinced some embarrassment Not she
Laura, what's the meaning OF this
hoax7" the admiral demanded sternly
"Mr. Fitzgerald tells me that he had
no idea you were hiring him as my
secretary"
IT am sure he hadn't the slightest
The look she sent Fitzgerald was full
Of approval. "He hadn't any idea at al
save that asked him to come here al
6 this evening. And his confession
proves that ! haven't made any mis-
taka"'
"But what in thunder
"Fatherr'
"My dear, give me credit for resist
ing the desire to make the term strong
er. Mr.. Fitzgerald's joke, l take It
bothered no one. Yours has put him
in a peculiar embarrassment What
does 1t mean? You went to the city
to get me first class secretary"
'Mr. Fitzgerald has the making Of
one, I believe"
"But on your word I sent capable
man away half an hour gone. He
could speak half dozen languages"
"Mr. Fitzgerald Is. perhaps. a. ef'
6cient"
Fitzgerald's wonder grew and grew
.'But he doesn't want to be secre'
tary. He doesn't know anything about
the work. And haven't got the time
to teach him. even Il be wanted the
place"
"Father," began the girl. the fun
leaving her eyes and her lips becom.
ing grave, II do not Ike the noises at
night. have not suggested the police,
because robbery is not the motive"
laura. that's all tommyrot This d
an old house. and the wood always
creaks with a change Of temperature
But this doesn't seem to touch Mr
Fitzgerald"
The girl shrugged