New Britain herald., 1930-10-29
Chapter 15 WEALTH DESCENDS ON ROSE

WEABlh DLSSCNDS oN iAoSL
 MT. Perle returned home early that afternoon. Bellamy the maid, who took his hat at the door in formed him that Miss Conaldinc was in her room, and had been moping all afternoon.
 Dear, dear! What a good thing that I was able to return earlier than usual,' radiated Mr. Perle. "l think, Bcllamy. that Miss Con, aldine and l will take tea together in the study Tell her l particu- larly request her company. And | think it is probable that we shall bc dining out tonight. l must apologize to cook but the occasion was un- foreseen.'
 While Rose, in sulky submission. prepared to join her guardian, MT. Perle stood by the study writing table and smiled down at the leaf let which he had himself place l there more than a. week ago. The leaf1et announced that for all mat tcrs involving confidential inquiry it was advisable to go straight to Mir. Howard Lcckett, private dctec- / tive. The leaflet looked somewhat thumbed.
 As Roses step sounded outside, Mr. Perle skipped away from the l,aflet and became absorbed in q iclio of engravings.
 "Ah, my dear," he exclaimed. "f trust that I do not interfer.. with your plans but I must have p little business talk with you and 1t seemed to ne pleasanter that t should take place here than at my office. The young ladies. I know, dislike the sight of weighty tonnes and long, narrow documents . So I allowed myself a alf-holiday."
 He had taken care not to give the girl more than a fleeting glance as he spoke, but he was clearly aware that at mention of a 'busi- ness talk" she had paled under he" rouge and shot a frightened glance at the leaflet. As she came slowly j up to him, he put aside the engrav ings and bowed to her.
 An extremely charming gown. is may so so," he remarked. Aha! I shall have to study the | fashions if 1 am to hold my own amongst those who will pay you compliments in the days that are to come"
 Rose, by now, was visibly trem bling
 I'm glad they're near enough at last for you to be able to prophecy even that much about them. I'm ab- solutely sick of"
 Youth, youth" interrupted MT. Ferle. Here IS our good Bellamy with the tea-wagon. Let us curb cur impatience and refresh soul and body before we become dazzlei by what is, after all, the sordid selam of gold. What is it that the East says of sold?'
 T don't know" said Rose. As the door closed behind the parlor- maid she burst out with Look Eere Why should you and me have to drink tea before"
 MT. Perle glanced at the door.
 You must control yourself" he said. And there was in his voice and in his eyes something which Rose had sen5ed in him before but never yet called so far into the open. She stood as though she were tied to a post while he whipped her.
 You will control yourself" said Mir. Perle in the same indescribably terrible way
 And then, before she could turn 10 run, he had placed her in a chair and drawn the tea-wagon to her side.
 What a pleasure he said in his smile about his lips. ito be tn" first to take tea with the beautiful young heiress, Miss Rose Conaldine. My dear, you must do me the honor this evening of dining with me at the Ritz. And afterwards a play?"
 Thank you" Rosa articulated.