San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-15

other TO carry Miss Farquharsor
off while she is playing at the theatel
would be to have hue-and-cry
set up at once that might lead to
discovery and unpleasant conse-
quences. But the Lord Mayor has
ordered the closing of all thcaters on
Saturday, and it is on Saturday after
the theater, therefore, that this thing
must be done. when Miss Farquhar-
son will no longer be missed and her
disappearance give rise to no excite
ment-particularly at time when
this very fear of the plague is giving
people enough to think about"
And afterwards, your grace?"
"Afterwards?"
"When the lady makes complaint"
Buckingham smiled in his knowl-
edge of the world. "Do ladies ever
make complaints of this kind-after-
wards! Besides, who will believe
her tale that she went to this house
OF mine against her will? She is an
actress, remember; not a princess.
And / still command some measure of
authority in. this country"
But Bates solemnly shook his
head. l doubt if your grace COM
mands enough to save my neck
should there be trouble, and trouble
there will be. BE sure Of that, your
grace. There's too many malcon-
tents abroad, spying the opportunity
to make it."
Amusement and scorn were blent
on Buckingham's countenance. His
fingers drummed the table what time
he reflected Then he determined to
cut the game short by playing,
trumps.
How long have you been in by
service, Bates?"
Five years this month, your
grace"
But you think the time has come
when you may pick and choose the
things in which you will serve me
still. Bates. / think you have been in
my service too long"
"Your grace!"
require proof before believing it.
your power to afford me that proof,
l advise you to do so."
He looked at Bates coldly, and
Bates looked back at him in dread.
"Your grace" Bates cried on a
llOlt VI tntIc Is Ho StENltt
| will not perform TO prove my devo-
ton. Command me to do anything,
your grace-anything. But not.
not this"
Il am touched. Bates, by your
prOtestatiOns. His grace was cold
ly surercilious. Unfortunately, this
is the only service l desire of you at
the moment"
Bates was reduced to despair.
81 can't, your grace. can't" he
cried. at is hanging matter, as
your grace well knows"
"Then there is no more to be said"
Inwardly Buckingham was very
angry. Outwardly he remained Jelly
cold. You have leave to go. Bates,
and 1 shall not further require your
services. If you will apply to Mr..
Grove he will pay you what moneys
may be due to you"
A wave of the white jeweled hand
dismissed the crestfallen little scoun-
drel. The Dukes trump card had
failed to win him the game. and he
knew not where to find another agent
for the enterprise which now OBJ
sessed him.
Mr.. Etheredge, coming later that
day TO Visit MIN, found MS grace sun
in bedgown, pacing the handsome
library. restless as a Gagged beast.
Mr.. Etheredge, who well knew the
attraction that held the Duke fast in
Town, and who had, himself, just
completed his preparations for de-
parture, came to make the last of
several recent attempts to recall his
friend to his senses, and persuade
him to leave London for healthier
surroundings.
Buckingham laughed at him with
out mirth.
"You alarm yourself without oc-
casion, George. This pestilence is
born Of uncleanliness and confines
itself TO the unciean. Look into the
cases that are reported. The out
breaks are all in mean houses in
mean streets. The plague practices
a nice discrimination and does not
venture to intrude upon persons of
quality
Nevertheless, ] take my precau
tions," said Mr.. Etheredge, produc-
ing a handkerchief from which