The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-03-21
Master and Man

ration for his masters return after a
weekend vacation. Everything was
nnlshed save the final touches: the
Docks We're back upon their shelves,
the mirror was spotless, even the soil
taire board. with which Lord .Tocelyn
was wont to assuage his moments OF
ennul, shone like ebony. Satisfied at
last with the results of his labor, Tai
bot put down his duster and sighed
heavily.
It's a bad business" he said sadly.
What is father will say to it I don't
know. But it's i'm I'm sorry for"
He caught sight of his di~sconsolate
visage in a mirror over the mantel
and shook his fist at. it.
Silly hass," he cried. pounding his
temples; why didn't you save i'm
from that 'ussy? Answer me that,
Talbot. or old your blasted tongue for
hever."
Suddenly. as though seized with an
inspiration, he went to the writing
desk, opened a drawer and pulled out
a bundle of letters, from some OF
which he removed the envelopes.
My darling Dick" he read with
disgust. "Dick!" he muttered. Fancy
the likes of 'er calling i'm Dick! A
common shop girl. that's what she is,
the mink. Wrapped up is packages
I'M found e was a lord an set 'er
cap at i'm! Talbot. it's hup to you to
hact, as the Yankees say"
He turned the sheet and read on, his
features contorted with various emo
tons in which disgust predominated.
when we are one, my darling,
my love shall be yours for ever.
Though you are Of humble birth, and
poor'-so s,,e's been stringin' 'er, as
'e?-'you ara hundred times too good
for me. But my love shall shield
you"
Talbot thrust the letter hack into
its envelope, tied up the package again
and replaced it in the drawer: then
closed the desk.
The fact is, Talbot" he solilo-
quized. Lord Richard. 'e's gone batty
hover a designing shop 'ussy, what
oih I "oilu "APluS Is oOoLS uOu. AL
hits gone too far now. Talking of
getting married next week, e is. An
then-then wot? Els ruined, that's
wot. An so, SOMETHING'S got to be
done an you're a-goin' to do it,"
He sank into a chair and buried his
head in his hands. remaining silent
for an appreciate interval. At last
he rose abruptly and betook himself
into the hall. He came back. holding
a letter. which he carefully placed
away in his breast pocket. Then, TAX
ing the telephone receiver from its
hook, he called up a district messen-
ger Office.
Send me a boy at once" he said.
Can you ave i'm ere inside of If
teen minutes?"
The answer was evidently satisfac-
tory. for Talbot's face became more
composed. He began striding up and
down the room noisily.
Its touch and CO." he muttered to
himself. But there's nothink else
to be done. Talbot. you've got to do
it, 4
Within the period of time stipulated
the messenger boy arrived and found
Talbot lingering one of his masters
visiting cards. Give this to Mrs.
Schmidt, S4S East Ninety-first street"
he commanded. And tell 'er to bring
'er daughter round ere right away.
Tell err" he paused to think Of the
message most likely to succeed in its
purpose-"tell 'er it's matter of mat
rimony," he blurted out.
"Yessir," said the boy, grinning.
And 'ere's a dollar and you can
keep the change" Talbot pursued.
Now beat it,"
The boy popped out of the door and
Talbot watched him scurrying down
the stairs. He had calculated his
time to a nicely. for hardly had he
disappeared through the front door
when Talbot heard his masters step
upon the ball and withdrew into the
sitting-room. A minute afterward
Lord Jocelyn entered. flushed with the
exertion of running up five flights of
stairs.
Talbot. Talbot" he called briskly,
where the DEVILS the letter?"'
There's no letter come. sir" said
Talbot.
mo letter? There must be a let
ter. Are you sure you didn't take
one in?"
quite sure, SIR" Talbot rejoined
steadily.
Lord Jocelyn flung himself into his
chair. Then it's all off. Talbot" he
cried. Il can't get married tomor-
TOW"
(Which I'm sorry, sir" said his serv-
ant respectfully. Il remember Sir.
when Mrs. Talbot an L, sir"
shut up. you silly old fool" cried
his master in evaporation. DO you
understand what this means to me?
; There won't be another English mail
for a week now, and ] l haven't five dol
lars to my name. That's the first time
my, remittance has been late: f'shall
have to postpone my wedding, q
what am l going to say to Lena? How