Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-21

strangers in the vicinity since our
sudden grief and trouble have come
upon us is inexcusable."
Mrs. Cayley paused, tapping the
desk with her pen, but Geoff waited,
making no protest. Il can have no
one in my employ in whom l feel
cannot place the utmost confidence,
least Of all at a time like this. L
am sorry, for you have been very
obliging. very thoughtful. and your
work is most satisfactory, but l am
compelled to dispense with your ser
,, vices. l shall be glad, however, to
give you the highest recommends
tom
Thank you, ma'am." Geoff re-
sponded stiffiy. Il don't need none
in this neighborhood and I amt
hggerin' on movin' out O. it,"
Very we'll" Mrs. Cayley opened
her cheokbook. Let me see; how
much do I owe you?'
The business was soon transacted.
and Geoff went back to the terrace
To gather up his tools and load
what he could on the wheelbarrow.
He did not know whether to be
pleased or sorry at this sudden
turn of events. 1t left him with a
free hand, to be sure, but he had not
planned his next move and he
would have liked a word with old
Henry before he left. Little Miss
Millie, too, troubled him in another
fashion, and he made up his mind
that he would see Rupert Ashe at
the first opportunity.
1t was noon before the last of his
paraphernalia was removed from the
Cayley place. Alone in his little
cottage with Rufe and Lady, Geoff
prepared a hot cup of coffee to ac-
company the frugal cold dinner. 1t
did not occur to him to throw it
, away, although the savory stew
previously intended for his evening
meal awaited reheating on the back
of the stove.
Doc Hood must be informed at
once of his ally's dismissal: and
after that Geoff decided that he
would take a quiet stroll along the
shore front and maybe pick up a
little news about Sergeant Eliots
activities. Early the next morning
he might go on a jaunt into the city
again to test out the theory which
had occurred to him during the in
terriew with Zoe Dawn on the night
before. although he was a tritie haZy
in his mind as to how to go about it.
He had not forgotten his promise to
Adrian Middleton, but it would be
time enough to start work at the
Corners by the end of the week. :" . Il
"Geoff. Are YOU in there" A eau
tious voice called from outside, and
he rose hastily and went to the door
to find Rupert Ashe standing in the
path. What are you doing home
at this time of ay?-Hello, Rufe,
old fellow."f
The hound had bounded out and
was leaping upon him in clumsy but
unmistakable evidences of affection
ate greeting. AS the newcomer
fondled him. Geoff noticed with
quick misgiving that his eyes were
sunken and his face unnaturally
pale and drawn.
I'm finishin' up my dinner. Mr..
Ashe.' The response was literal
as usual. "Wouldnt think that
there was the scrawny little pup
YOU cured O distemper for me
last summer. would you? Reckon
this is the first time you been here
since. Won't YOU come in and set
a spell? IT'S cooler'n outdoors and
this porch can be saw plain from
the main road
Thanks. | get you" The young
! man followed him into the little
kitchen. and then paused with star
ing eyes. over in the corner Lady
had raised herself. less painfully
now. and was crawling forward
Good Lord. That's Benkards prize
wolfhound that he beat almost to
death because she wouldn't fawn on
| him! ] remember how Miss Mildred
cried afterward when she told me
, about it and what she had called her
uncle. If she had been there when
1t happened [ know she would have
stopped it if she had had to attack
the Infuriated wretch herself. but
she was in town for n days shop
ping. | Thought
He hesitated, and Geoff finished
for him.
You thought Lady was dead? So
did Bernhard. He give me $40 to
take her out and shoot her" The
slim, beautiful creature had reached
his side. and as she laid her
patrician head adoringly on his
Saunt knee he looked down at her
with Il wondrous tenderness in his
eyes; but when they met those of