me he tried to keep a tight hand upon his hopes-unruly and mettlesome fellows, which more than once had carried him int

nally settled, was

Leather

Ma

rt

OR MA

situation advertised in yest

over six feet in height, healthy and v

e such satisfaction as one member of his lordship's household required of me, but the Marquess, who is familia

that gentleman was going abroad, and so had no furt

e of silver, clean boots and knives, and carry coals: and I am ready to do anyth

, but since, if I come to you, I may bring my dog

istemper, and will not be fit to travel for another wee

e, I will come for an inte

shall be very grateful if you will inform

ir (or

obed

LYV

, July

suggest. Had it been possible, he would have applied in person, not of self-confidence, but because he could have made plain one point, at an

aled, he slid it into a pocket and, telling the mistress of the inn that he would like his su

ancies whirling, and be remembered, with another half-dozen of trifles, so long as he lived. A slot in the door received His Majesty's mails. Anthony, who had used the box before, strolled leisurely

our guineas in hand against the dog's board and lodging, in case, after all, he was to stay at the Dogs' Home. For a shilling he gave to a beggar, because he was

f a cock-robin who frequented the pillar for company's sake, and had seen more letters posted than there were feathers

t Lyveden had tho

Home and learned that his dog was mending. For fear of exciting the patient, he would not go in, but promised to come the next day. Then he passed on, hardly noticing whither he went, but turn

situation in the country-Heaven only knew where-she would come to seek him in vain, and would go empty away. That even if he stayed and she found him, and came to care for him, she would eventually go still more em

man with his master and honou

se than footmanhood, though less degrading. After further consideration, he decided that

idiculous. Possibly it is. In any case it is highly illuminating, for i

ht, the cock-robin, who had been brooding ove

*

outh-east, the fitful puffs passed over the dip in the moorland and left it windless. This suited the butterflies admirably. Indeed, from all the insects an unmistakable hum of approval of the atmosphere rose steadily. Anthony could not hear it, any more than he could hear the lark which was singing merrily at a vast height above the shining rails, for the rumble of the composite train, but he saw and

with the irreverence, but a second later the sudden demands of a French bull-dog, sitting pert in a dog-cart which at a level-cro

n had pulled into the s

e, it appeared, the onl

s. From his appearance he might have been a member of the club to which, till recently, Anthony had belonged. His soft felt hat was cocked extravagantly over one eye to keep the sun at bay, and hi

carrying his luggage

're for The Shrubbery,

e your things in t

case and touched his hat.

firm brown hand. "Not to put too fine a point upon it, I'm overwhelmed to meet you. With the slightest encouragement, I shall fall upon y

other's hand like

," he said simply.

ison. "We're all in the sam

with delight. Instead, he thrust his baggage into the car and, s

straddling. "Or will sh

to stand on the step," said Alison

e-brown ribbon of road that sloped sideways ou

ered away li

nds' worth of Rolls-Royce all round me, I'm simply it. My only fear is that, when you turn out beside

you," sai

ourse, we do old Bumble and Mrs. Bumble proud. They deserve it. They're very kindly and easy-going, and we always try and give them just a shade more than they have a right to exp

tedly till the car leapt into a

I take it,"

which no commercial traveller returns, for the most potent reason that none ever

drive, past the creepered front of a wel

her appearance, squirming with affection and good-will, and

t Mrs. Alison appeared in a doorway, wearing the traditional h

er into the yard, Anthony felt as if he had been push

lling apartment, all pale green and white and as fresh as a daisy-and they were all four s

chen. They're a very nice pair, and seem to think more of us than they do of the Bumbles. It's really as good as a play. We pay the girl a shilling a week on

hony, "oughtn't I to b

ee you, just to say they hope you'll be happy more than anything else. And now do ask

ny la

zy. I've been on my beam ends so long that to suddenly fall on my

a pipe. "Bound to. I feel rather overwroug

is that Christian names are the order of the day. Off duty it's natural; on parade, since we three glory in the

the latter is convalescent, all his days lately have been red-letter, and celebrated by the addition to his rations o

tty, "as he's a bo

Sealyham's privilege. It was impossible tha

cinate me. To think that you're not going to suck wind when drinking, or clean your nails

dered at t

orne it. But he was just odious. The idea that we

George. "And whe

on his ankle sile

said Anthony, who had

stemper, I shouldn't let him run loose just yet. José's a terrible hunt

said Anthony

atch was going to have

footman into the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Bu

ot," he

you forget and mention her name a

Incidentally, her protégé's an improvement on little Halbert, isn't he? I think we ought

him behind

*

e. The old zest of living had returned to him to stay. It was no longer necessary to make the best of things. From labouring in the tro

coming storm, and, finding it cloudless, saw in this calm some new miracle of treachery, and feared the worst. He was afraid, selfishly, for Mr. Bumble's health. The man was pink and well nourished. Anthony thought of apoplexy, and, had a medical book been available, would have sought a description of that malady's favourite p

of his faith began to kindle, and his suspicions to wilt. His mind shook of

se: had the place been a ring, instead of a pavement, he would have been up and dancing within ten seconds. So with Anthony-had Fortune frowned, he would have laughed in her face. It was her smil

and Lyveden, as snow beneath the midday sun. The three had more legitimate leisure than any three servants in England, and no residence in Europe was better kept. Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, of course, were in clover. It followed that Anthony Lyveden had much time to him

sun-kissed, folded in the arms of the wind, with the pure red wine of Nature singing through her delicate veins.... Thinking of veins, he r

oorland overlooking the smiling valley, where the railroad went shining away into the old world, there stood his lady beside him, complete, glorious, the freshening b

towards him before the mirror of Imagination shivered, but on

the understanding that he appeared to her in livery, he would still have jumped at th

letter with a significant forefinger and announced that it contained an invitation to a quiet little dance, An

essed hers

ace about five miles from here. You're included, of course. I saw her last week, so she knows all ab

me," sai

or one thing, and they'll wrap their arms about you in about two minutes. They liv

ter go," said Anthony.

I'm not much of

as overruled

t any clothes," said Georg

ng to a dress-suit, much as the orphan who lugs her carpet to the pa

allusion, and Betty came

got to get leave first, and then we've got to ask if we can have the Ford." She paused to glance at the time. "Ten to eight, and

e day was over she had

d mistress permitting,

The Shrubbery, and offering the use of the Ford before this was sought. Considering that they were not upon the visiting list of Lady Touchstone, or, for that matter

ce of the woods. Summer was dying hard. Yet in the bottoms there lay-sure sign of Autumn-little hoary pools of mist, just deep enough to swathe the Ford and its comp

he untroubled slumber of the country-side, gaze at the velvet dome fretted with silver. Moreover, he was almost dreading the dance. Had he not given his w

ansion

sidence he could not perceive. Indeed, almost before the car had been berthed close to the shadowy elegance

sts pas

e a disconcerting fillip to the latter's uneasiness. As a respectful butler pr

Alison, Miss Aliso

braced

ext m

ith a quiet smile. "I'm so gla

Anthony tried to say th

o my aunt," said Valeri

e seen before. "Aunt

Lady Tou

bowed

bout it. And how do you like service? I always said that, if my father had put hi

ny, "on whose service you're

chstone

girl with a most attractive smile. "Daphne, my dear, this is Major Lyveden-from The Shrubbery. Amuse him, and he'll flatter you. You see." The tall fair man who had been sitting with Mrs. Ple

nd in a moment all the winking length o

Anthony trod the m

d him to a tall window w

To make up for it, you must come to White Ladies. It

y kind," sa

te you for the week-end. And now would you like to

d, and the girl

blackmail," she said.

er merriment before

he said, "was in

ne eagerly. "North

they had danced two

with Anne. After that, before he could get to Valerie, he was handed

veden-Mis

said that lady. "I sa

my c

u both," s

stared at

think she's like a flower. She's going to marry my cousin. She's an American without an accent

gres," sai

ghed del

ook at Berry dancing with Daphne, and pretending he

asking questions innumerabl

enjoyed

tle, Valerie came towards th

th me, dear, so I'm going to heap coals of fire on his head and restore him to his little sister." She returned to Anthony. "Now, t

Anthony tongue-tied, and she

ered the reason of the party, and begged to congra

uch noise at supper, so it must wait. Afterwards I'll send for a coat, and w

The assemblage, indeed, was remarkable, and the hostess-a very Demeter-must have been the oldest present by some twenty

s, for Anthony the old

erie led Lyveden to a lobby and let him help her into a chamois-leather coat. A cloak of Irish frieze was hanging ther

irthday,"

garden-door. A moment later they were walking

said V

to remind you that I am a footman. Now t

at if y

the same house, I should go i

tossed h

ou weren't shown out of the front door

ny si

t would shrink," he sai

ou know m

didn't recogniz

you must have. Then you misled me, and mad

not tell him the truth. "It seemed eas

nd I saw the Bumbles' advertis

d not the Bumbles had paid for its inserti

be brought tog

now I was at T

aised her

ldest friend,

on as she had spoken, his mind sped back, bee-like, to suck the honey

power, then, greater than he had ruled against his resolve. Why? To what end? It

move-whither he chose, of course, but somewhither. The truth was, he did not know which way to turn. His heart pointed a path, certainly-a very precious path, pave

beggar who had not enough money to maintain a hovel. It would not have been so hopeless if he had possessed "prospects." With

of old footmen. One or two, perhap

actually twenty-six. In a short fourteen years she would be actually forty. Forty! For a moment she was upon the very edge of exercising the privilege of a sovereign lady who has fallen in love. All things considered, she would, I think, have been justified. Something, however, restrained her. It was not modesty, for modesty had nothing to do with the matter. It was not the fear of rejection, for

ir relationship, they stepped the le

thinking about," said Vale

shook

y instead," he said.

eas

lawns and, beyond, the pale ghost of a great park that seemed to stretch a

ery reckless, because it meant that there were now two mouths to feed instead of one, but the minnow and the frog became such great friends that that didn't seem to matter. At last, sure enough, the day of reckoning arrived. The larder was empty, the minnow's appetite was as healthy as ever, and the frog

when he saw her, may be imagined. What he felt doesn't matter. Enough that he was profoundly moved. So moved that he almost forgot to give the minnow his flies. And long after the Prince

es are the most

d again.... At last he could bear it no longer, so he went to a water

ly outspoken. 'Once a frog

lwa

and persuade her to kiss you.' And, being

o excited that he could hardly float, and then he turned round

Being an optimist, you see, he assumed that she would reappear.) But it was quite another matter to persuade her to kiss

the impossible

fixed her with a bulging and glassy eye, she smiled at him. Very haltingly the frog swam to l

what he was. Probably a Prince. Oh, undoubtedly a Prince. All clad in gold and silver, with a little fair moustache. He hoped very much that he had a fair moustache. But he wouldn't put up his hand and feel, for fear

e hadn't known that he was no longer a frog, he would have said-- A frightful thought came to him, and he opened both eyes, staring frantically.... Then he sprang to the edge of the pool and looked himself in the face.... H

, and should busy themselves with fly-earning, and be thankful for the air and the sun and the mud at the bottom of pools, and, last of all, look forw

a long sil

Valerie, standing

to say so," said Anth

ichly des

ppened to th

enriched the memories of all who saw her,

r think any mor

said A

did she

or by now, and, as she spoke,

d a sweet, kind heart, and she was s

of pity at all," said Valeri

said Anthony. "Why

nce

o kiss him," said Valerie

t her with undis

Princess," he s

or-handle and laid he

kiss him?"

cause it p

o his lips. As he let it go, the slight fingers caught his and

he door was open,

*

rgan was work

been a great help, of course, but during his service at The Shrubbery it had been kept unlocked. Som

might have been thought that the architect of the house would receive Mr. Morgan's commendation. On the contrary, of his zeal appropriately to execrate the former's memory, the ex-footman employed most regret

e. This was due to the foresight, patience, and unremitting care with which he had severed the

e extremely heavy. So much so, that he almost regretted that he had not brought a friend. The reflection, however, that to present a coadjutor with half the proceeds of a robbery which his bra

he should go without these. The piece was kept locked, but he had often gazed at them through

then, that, torch in mouth, he was wor

the noise of the insertion of a key into the lock of the front door. Mr. Morga

n could not hear-their voices, too, were too low to be recognized-but he had no doubt at all regarding their identity. Seven weeks of their fellowship had blessed (or cursed) him with a familiarity with their style and proportions

out the door?" whispered Bet

shut it," said G

t be more than a minute or two, and w

ght be wandering around the house, seeking admission in vain. Consequently, after the car had been noiselessly bestowed-out of consideration for their employers' rest, the four had alighted before they left the road and had man-handled a silent Ford up

tongue was engaged, and, quietly closing the door, followed his wife and sister a-

ood still. When her husband reminded her that in less than four hours it would be her privilege to prepare Mrs. Bumble's tea, and adde

owever, would ha

his stars in their course

thought no more. The man was rattled. His one idea was to pick up his traps and be gone. He was even afraid any more t

ing Mr. Bumble's service. Was it the fifth or sixth? He hesitated, then avoided the fifth gingerly, and hoped for the best.... Beneath the increased pressure the sixth stair fairly shrieked. Mr. Morgan skipped on to the seventh and broke into a col

five stairs had been rough with his hinder parts, but his physical pain was no

f these, one had to be strapped, for the catch of its lock wa

e he was, as still as death. Unless the new-comer was there because his suspicions were aroused, there was a chance that Mr. Morgan might yet escape notice. Who the new-comer might be

his lungs were bursting and his h

, it was doing much to illuminate. From this it would appear that the arresting beam, so far from emanating from the moon, was none other than Mr. Morgan's evil genius, following him about wherever he went. It was, in fact, his torch, which in his confusion h

expelled it as gently as he possibly could, inhaling a fresh supply with the same ca

e source of the latter, however, was shrouded, not only in mystery, but in a darknes

er was su

itely. Mr. Morgan was afraid to do anything else. Clearly, if they were no

patch. He was extremely wet, and there were burrs in his coat and mud up

sed by Anthony in the gloom, and then stood still like his master, staring at the mysterious beam. But not

ready to die. Then, so tenacious is the hold we mortals have upon life, he gave an

ing upon Mr. Morgan, who was lying face downwards upon the drawing-hearth and dealing as fluently as a sheep-skin rug would permit with Anthony's birth, life,

junketing will have his reward; that a woman knows better than a man what course he should shape; and