Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-24
CHAPTER XXI


At the entrance of the apartment
house in which Mrs. Duffield lived
were two large clusters of electric
lights that made the night as bright
as day. Had the chauffeur dis
mounted from his seat. his face
would have been plainly visible to
the trio in the limousine. So he sat
still.
For a moment, Samuel Leighton
waited. Then with an impatient
movement he opened the door,
helped his sister from the car and
conducted her up the steps. Re-
turning. he spoke brusquely.
The Astor now, Smith"
AT the Hotel Astor the conditions
were as bad. even worse, than at
the apartment house from which
the car had just come. To conceal
ones face in this glare of light was
impossible. So once more David re-
manned seated.
Matters were simplified for him
here by the fact that the doorman
was all attention, and the chauf-
feur's services were not required.
When Mr.. Leighton had accom-
panied his guest into the hotel, he
came back to the car. He paused
as if about to speak, then with a
That a time for explanations was
coming, David was sure. Just what
was suspected about him he did not
know. Norah's information had
been most unsatisfactory. He feared
to learn the truth, yet could not
stand the suspense of uncertainty.
And if the truth was not guessed
by Mr.. Leighton, how much was
the employer displeased by his en-
ploye's lack of proper courtesy this
evening?
Soon to Be Enlightened
David was soon to be enlightened.
AS he stopped the car in front of
the Leighton home, he sprang down
Mr.. Leighton got out slowly,
then turned and faced his chauf-
feur.
Smith," he said gravely, you
are not a drinking man, are you?'
'Why, no, sir. OF course l am
not" was the prompt answer.
II am glad: for if you were a
drinking man I would think that a
glass too much might account for
your behavior tonight"
MY behavior tonight, sir?"
To repeat these words seemed
the safest speech to make just now.
eS, L nave never seen SOu oO
lacking in good manners"
Lacking in good manners, sir?"
Mr.. Leighton frowned. DO not
stand there repeating my words
after me like that" he commanded.
Indignantly. What excuse have you
to make to me?"
Pardon me, sir, il l seem very
stupid. But you have not told me
what have done to displease you.
1T took it for granted that you
would know" the older man re-
torted. Since you evidently do
not, I will tell you. In the first
place, you did not open the car
door for my guest to get out when
she came here to supper"
A Poor Excuse
"But, sir, Norah came out for her,
and opened the door, too"
(Which was not her place at all,
and you should have known it was
not. Later, when you arrived to
take the ladies home you stood with
your back to me until spoke to
you. and then you took our seat
instead of waiting to close the car
door after we were seated.
"At Mrs. Duffield's house you sat
still and allowed me to open the car
door for myself and go up the steps
with Mrs. Dnfneld. WnaI Is your
excuse?"
81 thought, sir, that you would
want to take Mrs. Duffield in your
self"
"I did want to. But you should
have come around and opened the
car door for me-"
There is usually doorman there
to do that, sir"
But he was not there tonight"
Mr.. Leighton exclaimed. Don't be
so stupid"
IT am sorry, sir" will try to do
better another time. I will remem-
Der your instructions"
"You did not need those instruc-
tions. Smith," the employer accused.
THAT was proved by the fact that
when I reached here Just now, YOU
opened the car door for me. You