Evening star., 1912-10-06

signed my former name to prevent any
chance of error. l want to see my-to see
Mr.. Waverton tonight if possible. How can
| manage it?
Rice was wrung with conflicting emotions. |
He was puzzled, pleased, fattered, at the
same moment; but he could only blurt out
a commonplace opinion that if she would
authorize him to ask Mr.. Claude
ooh, l don't mean in that way, she inter-
rupted eagerly. Il am afraid, after my
Rhode Island experiences, and from circum
stances that have come to my knowledge
since, that if Mr.. Waverton knew | was in
Saginaw he would take every means in his
power to avoid me. But | must see him,
speak to him-I really must! Don't you un
derstand, Rice? | want to take him by SUR
prise. to come upon him so unexpectedly
that he cannot refuse to discuss certain mat
tiers with me- You will help me, won't you
am quite alone here, and have no one else
to appeal to. Can you manage this thing
for me, somehow:
Very beautiful and pathetic she looked in
her pleading, and the valet, who might have
been a knight errant had he lived few hum
dred wears earlier, vowed that he would be
her slave if it cost him his job; which meant
far more to him than the fret and fume OF
life to a light ht-headed troubadour.
His right hand rose to the shaved upper
lip, and his left travelled to the small OF his
back.
@Well, Ma'am, seein' as it's you, I'll do
what | can"
"Ah, | was sure of YOU, Rice!" broke in
Doris with a catch in her voice that went
to the mans heart.
you see, it's this way, NIa'am," he went
on. "Bein a fine night, an not glvin much
time to his dinner, Mr. Claude will probably
nd
Bob
"Bob!" she exclaimed. "Who is Bob:'
@The old setter, Ma am, the lame dog
ooh, | remember. He was my particular
friend. But" She hesitated in bewil-
dered way until the urgency of her mission
drove aside all other considerations. "You
mean that | may meet Mr.. Waverton in the
park?
~It's almost a certainty, Ma'am. If YOU
was to go now to the boathouse by the lake
he will probably pass that way before nine
o'clock.
"But if he does not? Tonight, just be-
cause happen to be awaiting him, he may
remain in the house.
Rice coughed, sure sign of diplomatic
utterance "In that case, Ma'am, if MIR.
Claude stops indoors, he will be in the Ii
brarv, an the drawing room windows Will be
open. I'll take care that they are.
@Ah!" Doris sighed her gratitude, and
opened the gold purse that hung from her
neck by chain.
"If YOU don't mind, Ma am, I'd rather"
began the valet sheepishly.
She closed the purse with snap, and
smiled brightly. @Iquite understand, Rice,
she said "You are acting as my true we'll
wisher, not as one whom | could pay for ser
vices rendered.
Rice's pallid face flushed with pleasure.
Il can only hope, Ma am he blurted forth,
but, recollecting himself, checked the ex
preston of a pious desire, and went on to ask
if she needed any assistance in reaching the
boathouse since she would probably wish to
avoid the main road.
She laughed at that 81 have not forgot
ten my way about the place, she said. "By
walking a quarter of mile down the svca-
more avenue | can enter the park by climb
ing a gate, and then take the path through
the wood to the lake. 1t is not dark and the
distance is short; SO there IS nothing to be
afraid of, and scampering rabbit or two
will not alarm me.
60 the valet raced back to the house, and,
- watching developments from an upper
window. heard Waverton whistle to the dog,