The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-03
CHAPTER XVI.

D Chichester more hopefully.
Until | get really started"
said Alaric with n sense of climax.
Mrs. Chichester turned to her daugh-
ter. 'Ethel?"
Whatever you decide. mamma"
Mrs. Chichester thought moment,
then decided "I'l do it," she said
determinedly. 1T will he hard. but
III do 1t" She went slowly and de-
liberately to Mr.. Hawkes.. who by this
time had disposed of all his documents
and was preparing to go. A look in
Mrs, Chichester's face stopped him.
lie smiled mt her.
'Well?" he asked
For the sake Of the memory of
my dead sister. | will do as Nathaniel
wished" said Mrs. Chichester, with
great dignity and self abnegation.
Mr. Hawkes. hreathed IL sigh of re-
lief
Good. he said. I'm delighted. 1t
is splendid. Now that YOU have decid-
ed so happily there is one thing more
| must tell YOU. The young lady is not
to he told the conditions of the will
unless at the discretion Of the execu-
tors should some crisis arise. She will
be to all intents and purposes-your
guest In that way we may be able
to arrive at a more exact knowledge
OF her character. Is that understood?'
The family signiiied severally and
collectively that it was.
And now" heamed the lawyer. hap
py at the fortunate outcome of sit
uation that few moments before
seemed so strained, where is your
bell:"
Alaric indicated the bell.
May | ring" asked the lawyer.
"Ccrtainly." replied Aluric.
Mr. Hawkes. rang.
Aiaric watched him curiously. Want
sandwich or something's"
Hawkes. smiled henignly on the un-
fortunate family and rubbed his hands
together self satisliedy.
Now | would like to send for the
young lady-the heiress."
Where is she:" asked Mrs. Chiches-
ter.
'She arrived from New York this
morning, and ! brought her straight
here. | had to Gull on Il client. so |
gave her your address and told her to
come here and wait"
At the word wait an uneasy feel
ing took possession of Ethel. That was
the word used by that wretched little
creature who had so rudely intruded
upon her and Brent Could it be pos
sible-
The footman entered ut that mo-
ment
The lawyer questioned him.
rs there a young lady waiting for
Mr.. HawkesT
"A young lady. sir? No, sir" an
swered Jarvis
Mr.. Hawkes. was puzzled. What in
the world had become of her? He told
the cabman distinctly where to go.
jarvis opened the door to go out
when thought suddenly occurred to
him. He turned back and spoke to the
lawyer:
There's a yohng person sitting in
the kitchen-came up and knocked at
the door and said she had to wait un-
Ill gentleman called. Can't get moth
Ing out of her"
Hawkes. frightened up.
THAT must he Miss O'Connell," he
said He turned to Mrs. Chichester
and asked her If he might bring the
young lady in there.
"My niece in the kitchen" said Mrs.
Chichester to the unfortunate footman.
"Snrely yOu should know the differ
ence between my niece and servant!
Il am truly sorry, madam" replied
Jarvis in distress, but there was moth
ing to tell"
Another such mistake and you car
leave my employment" Mrs. Chiches
ter added severely.
Jarvis pleaded piteously:
Upon my word, madam. no ON
could tell"
THAT will do. thundered Mrs. Chi
chester Bring my niece here-a
i once
The wretched Jarvis departed on hi
errand. muttering to himself "Wai
until they see her. Who in the worlt
could tell she was their relation"
Mrs. Chichester was very angry.
Its monstrousr she exclaimed.
"Stoopid" agreed Alaric. "Doocit
stoopid."
Ethel said nothing. The one though
that was passing through her mint
was. How much did that girl hea
Brent say, and how much did she Sc
MIR. Brent do?'
Hawkes. tried to smooth the misun
derstanding out.
II am afraid it was all my fault" b.
explained. II told her not to talk-jus
to say that she was to wait. want
ed to have an opportunity to explain
matters before introducing her."
"She should have been brough
straight to me-" complained Mrs. Chi
chester. THE poor thing" Then witt
feeling of outraged pride she said
MY niece in the kitchen-a Kingsnortl
mistaken for a servant.'
The door opened and Jarvis cam,
into the room. There was a look o
half triumph on his face as much q