The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-11-28
CHAPTER III-Continued


her brother, looking at the toast. 1--WE
been offering Sir George the post of
secretary. private secretary, a sort of
liaisOn officer between me, in my Grip
pied state here, and my New York
office. | have secretary there, but
L want him at the office | need
man who can go to the city and get
things done for me and at the same
time take look outside at the various
jobs, and come here and give me an
idea as to whether my plans are being
carried out or not
Lady Sandison looked at him and
nodded approval. "You have done
well to take Sir George here. Have
bit of toast, Rob, and let me put jam
on it. 1t will set you up. And to
think you two have planned it out all
yourselves. without any heIpw She
looked at them both admiringly.
Sir George returned the look warily.
He knew his Aggy of old. but her
brother smiled broadly. 1t was warm
ing TO him to find how much he liked
Aggy again. Despite her handicaps-
poverty. her lack of family-had she
not cOntrived to marry a baronet
Robert Macbeth might think that titles
meant nothing TO him, but Aggy's title
and Sir Georges presence in his house
were a source of pride.
"While we're slipping our tea said
Lady SandiSon, comfortably aware
that Sir George was admiring her,
''yOu'll maybe be able to tell me. Rob.
where Sir GeOrdie will bide. and how
late does your daughter generally stay
out when there's dinner to get and
none to get it,"
Robert Macbeth looked worried.
"She ought to be home. We quarreled,
of course. this morning, but | hardly
thought she'd leave me alone so long"
Something by-ordinar's detained
her." declared Aggy. Ever since she
had glimpsed Roberta this morning,
she had had her mind made up about
that young lady, but she was not tell
ing Roberta's father. Don't put
yourself out, Rob. She's no run away.
She'll be home soon"
"Oh, do you think So Aggy? You're
q great comfort" then he turned to
Sir George I'D like you to stay here,
Sir George, If it suits you. 1t will be
best for me, and there's plenty of
room"
Sir George, looking like an embar-
raised Apollo, thanked him. He was
thinking rapidly that never had his
luck been greater than now that Aggy
had taken the helm.
"AfOre your daughter gets back"
resumed Aggy, watching first one then
the other, but evidently satisfied in
her own mind that they were all get
ting along nicely, ''are we to use our
titles here, or put them by as you
might say, until we go home again?"
Robert Macbeth looked puzzled He
had forgotten that Roberta knew moth
ing about this aunt, except that she
was a poor and obstinate Scotch
woman, who foolishly refused the
money he had offered. How would
she take this new element he was in
PRODUCING into his home? Would
Roberta see her aunt's real worth or
only her odd ways and clothes and
queer modes of expression?
'If | could only keep ii from her."
muttered Robert Macbeth, 81 might
try it as an experiment"
81 wouldn't" declared Sir George
quickly. Its hardly fair If we're
to be in the house, she should know all
about US, think, sir"
1T would be a grand lesson to her
If we kept it from her." declared her
Aunt Aggy.
Roberta isn't that kind" retorted
her father Indignantly. "She's not a
snob. She's just naughty child"
Sir George put up his hand for
silence and rose, but before be could
speak the door was flung open.
"Hello, Dadw Roberta called
"What's happened? No lights in the
garage. No sign of Willy. No one in
the kitchen. Where are the maids?"
"They went away with Willy, as
soon as your back was turned her
father told her. Didn't you expect it 2"
81 did not" The flippant Robertas
eyes rested for just moment on the
conspicuously handsome young man
who happened to be standing near her
fathers chair. She bent over her
father and said in a voice that though
low. reached Sir George: Whats
Phoebus Apollo, or is it Adonis. doing
here?"
Then before her father could pre-
vent her, she turned to Sir George
sit isn't, of course, included In the
regular duties of butler hut still In
an emergency-if you would put my
car in the garage for me"
Lady Sandison rock a quick step