New Britain herald., 1923-12-14
NOW 60 ON WITH THE STORY


 Yes. sir He is attending MT Chester Wilson on the other side Of the square. and Mr. Wilson's man rang up few moments ago requesting Sir Charles to step across
 T see murmured Harley. as the butler showed him into u small but well-fitted library on the left of the lcbby.
 Refreshments were set inHitingly upon table beside a deep lounge chair. But Harley declined the mans request to refresh himself while waiting and began aimlessly to wan der about the room, apparently study ing the titles of the works crowding the bookshelves.
 Now. upon his musing there sud denly intruded sounds Of a muftlcd altercation. That is to say the speakers. who were evidently in the lobby beyond th" library door. spok" in To" tonrs perhaps w d"for,uc" to the prcscuc, Or u visitor. Harley was only mildly interested, but the voices had broken his train of thought, and when presently the door opened to admit a very neat but rather grim looking old lady he started. then looked across al her with @ smile,
 Some Of the srimness faded from the wrinkled old face. and the house. keeper, for this her appearance pro- claimed her to be, bowed in il queer Victorian fashion which suggested that a curtesy might follow. One did not follow. however. "I am sure apologize. sir" she said. "Benson did not tell mo you had arrived"
 That's quite all right" said liar ley, genialy,
 Servants in these times" she in- formed him, are not what servants were in my young days
 Unfortunately, that is SO" Harley agreed.
 The old lady tossed her head. T do my best" she continued. hut that girl would not have stayed in the house for one week if l had had my way. Miss Phil is altogether too soft-hearted. Thank goodness. she ge,S tomorrow, though,
 ''I mean Jones, thr new parlor- maid. Four hours on has that girl had today, although she was out on Wednesday, Then she has the impudenco to allow someone to ring her up here at the house; and fnally I discover her up- setting the table after Benson had Iaid it and after | had rparranged it"
 Wandering from sidc to side of the l'brary. Harley presently found him self standing still before the mantcl- piece and studying q photograph in a silver frame which occupied the Cen- ter of the shelf II was tho photo- graph or an unusually pretty girl.
 "Prcsumably Miss phm'." he said aloud.
 He removed his gazc with rcluc- tancc from the fascinating picture, and dropping into the big lounge chair. he lighted cigarette. He had just placed the match in an ash tray when he heard Sir Charles voice in the lobby and moment later Sir Charles himself came hurrying into the library.
 T was called ten minutes ago by someone purporting 10 be the servant of Mir Chester Wilson. that friend and neighbor whom ] have been attend iHg."
 ''So your butter informed me"
 My dear sir" cried Sir Charles. and the expression tn his eyes grew almost Rild, mo one in Wilson's house knew anything about the matter,"
 Sir Charles was staring at Harley l in that cusiously pathetic way which | be had observed at their earlier in- ] terview in Chancery Lane. ''1u any event. said his host. "lct US dine: for l already I have kept you waiting"
 Benson attended st table. assisted | by lark-facrd and Nrry surIy-iook- i ing maid. in whom Harley thought ! he recognized the housckcrper's bctc l noire.
 When presently both servants had 1 temporarily retired. You sae. MT ] Harley" began Sir Charles. eIancfng l about his own room in manner al- . most furtiTe. T realized today at your office that the history Of this dread 1 which has come upon me perhaps i went back so far that it was almost I impossible to acquaint you with it 1 under the circumstances"
 I quite understand"
 T think perhaps I should inform you in the first place that I have daughter. Her mother has been dead l for many years. and perhaps ] have not given her the attention which a motherisss girl is entitled to expect I from her father don't mean" he 1 said. hastily, that we are in any sense out Of sympathy. but latterly in 1 some way I must confess that we have got a little ont Of touch.' He