The Ely miner., 1930-10-24
CHAPTER Continued

S1AF LEN l-SOntlnue0
?
"Oh, not that from you, Sir Geor-
die" she cried. and then stretched
out a timid, pudgy, capable hand
toward him. Gould we not be
friends, we two? There's a heap |
would like to speak to you about, and
indeed there's nothing | wouldn't do
for you. You were my own wee laddie
when took care of you"
Sir George looked at her with an
embarrassed air. you make ii hard
for me. Lady"
"Aggy to you," declared Lady Sandi-
son promptly. You called me that
when / was your nurse girl, and I'm
still wanting TO look after you
"Aggy," he began, after a moments
hesitation.
The maid came in with the cloth
and began TO set the table, and Sir
George watched somberly. What was
it in life that caught one and drew
one toward the very people one hoped
to avoid? He had come, only because
of the duty he owed his fathers
widow, to see her once and be done
with her forever-and he found he
had forgotten how much he liked
Aggy. 1t was preposterOus, but 1t was
true This was the woman he had
cursed many a day, many a night
and he was dining with herI
"a Lady Sandison hesitated a moment
when the maid left the room, and then
went reSOlutely to where she had
caused the extra blankets and sheets
to be stored, and came back with a
bottle of wine.
He stopped her as she was about
to pour cut a glass for him.
mo, Aggy, none for me, I'm too
hungry, and the old mans horrible
example is still before my minds eye.
I've been leaving that stuff alone"
"The Lord be praised!" said Aggy,
and poured herself a generous glass.
"There's no need of wasting His mer-
cies, however. l can take it or leave
it, and it has no effect. But to see you
so discriminating is like an answer
to prayer"
Sir George smiled and began his
soup. he hoped not too ravenously.
He had not dared take wine on so
empty a stomach.
"This good sense you are showing
will fit in we'll with a plan l have"
continued Aggy as she took her soup
spoon in hand. How are you OFF,"
do you mean as to money!"
Lady Sandison nodded. 81 do So"
I'm broke" Sir George told her,
without emotion. "The Yucatan oil
scheme was a failure. l came out
alive and without debt, but that's all.
l have" he hesitated, then laughed,
and continued, Il have exactly seven
and-six between me and the cold
world"
"Michty!" exclaimed Lady Sandison.
The maid brought in the fish and
served it, during a profound silence.
When she had taken her way to the
elevator with the soup plates, Lady
Sandison spoke:
The estate is in an awful bad way"
Sir George nodded. 81 suppose So"
what he did with his moneys past
finding out" Then she looked at the
young man thOughtfully. 1--we had a
long talk with that lawyer body, Mr..
Gillespie, and he approves of what l
have done. I've let the house."
Sir George stared.
Subject to your approval, Of course,
for it's yours, but 1 wasn't going to
let a chance like this slip by. Some
American folk that had more money
than could count in month of Sab
baths. They wanted Sandisbrae and
wanted it that bad that they came up
to nv price. They are highly recon-
mended. / could pay the servants off
with the first months rent, and get
them Jobs with the new folk, and the
rent for the rest of the season put in
bank would settle up the debts, if you
agree"
at sounds quite reasonable" said
Sir George, and there was silence
again as the maid took the fish plates
and brought in the meat course.
IT was roast beef with potatoes and
cabbage but it was the food of the
gods to hungry Sir George, who
fell upon it.
Lady Sandison, not having his ap-
petite, ate little more slowly and
between bites studied her stepson.
Seven and six is all you have?"
Sir George, his mouth full, nodded.
"Wherel you sleepT asked the
practical Aggy.
Il haven't decided yet" Sir George
looked at her with a smile, "But at
that I'm not 'daunted' as you used to
saw. Aggy. I'll walk to Havilant's
club and ask"
Hes off and away" interrupted
Lady Sandison. "His mother told me
that, over the telephone, this very day.
He was out at Mont Denys for the
weekend. / doubt she sent him there
when she heard you were coming back"
Sir George looked somewhat dis
composed.
"Why did you"
'I didn't" said Lady Sandison, flush
fng a little. She called me. 1t seems
she'd heard that / was here and you
were expected, and she telephoned me
and asked when you were coming"
"She has heard of the collapse OF
the oil business, l suppose"
Il expect. She seemed to know