A Man and His Money

ainly to get away and chase squirrels, he scrutinized one of the pages of a newspaper some person had left there. What the young man read seemed to give him

ested. A picturesque personality-the prince-half distinguished gentleman, half bold brigand in appearance, was depicted on a superb bay, and looked every inch a horseman. Mr. Heatherbloom continued to stare at the likeness; t

and the Poles were engaged in constant strife on the steppe … Miss Dalrymple, with whom this stalwart romantic personage is said to be deeply enamored, is niece and heiress of the eccentric Miss Van Rolsen, the third

east and took something from his pocket-an article wrapped in a pink tissue-paper. Mr. Heatherbloom unfolded the warm-tinted covering with light sedulous fingers and looked steadily and earnestly at a miniature. But only for a brief interval; by this time Curly et al. had become an incomprehensible tangle of dog an

ew, however, that the unraveling would have to be done all over again ere long; it constituted an important part of his duties. The promenade was punctuated by about so man

e somewhat reluctant to go into, or to approach too near the old-fashioned stiff and stately house. For fear of meeting some one, or a dread of some sudden encounter? With Miss

ck and forth via the front steps, while the other comes and goes only by the subterranean route; but, sooner or later, though belonging to widely

ld not, however, having only five senses, tell when the front door might be suddenly opened at an inopportune moment. It was opened, this very morning, on the thi

as he had remained; or to lament that other sentiment, conspiring to this end-the desire or determination, not to flee from what he mo

he was about to enter the area way below. The girl looked at him and her eyes suddenly widened; she stopped. Mr. Heatherbloo

as if she did not

gift of speech has its disadvantages-on occasions; it forces one to insufficient answer or superfluous explanation. "Yes," he said, "your-Miss Van Rolsen engaged m

were hard as shining crystal. To Mr. Heatherbloom that slender figure, tensely poised, seemed at once overwhelmingly near and inexpressibly remote. He started to lean on a

to tell Miss Van Rolsen she must find some one else to take my place. It wo

ted with unutterable scorn. If any one in this world ever experienced thorough disdain for a

hed. "They are very n

hey are ex

ace slightly. "And do you wash and curl and perfume them?" sh

them," answered Mr. H

erself. She knows the pa

ained smile struggled a

d Naughty another. At l

isn't given

remote and impersonal, "did my aunt happen to employ-you? I know she is very particular-about recommendations. What ones di

herbloom. "I didn't hav

tone. She continued to gaze at him and yet through him; at someth

I exp

y did you want this position? What ulterior motive lay behind?" She was speaking now almos

-I should qualify by saying I have long been at the point where one is willing to take any 'honest work of any kind'. I s

g him into the category where he belongs. "'Honest work'! When have you been particular as

gaze met hers unwaveringly. "Y

id the girl

idn't need any support now, but stood with head wel

thief!" She spoke

tched. "How

of evidence I

said in the s

nce of my

f thinking. He loo

ou protest?"

t," he

to explai

further," he

eleven o'clock in the morning. Where were y

oom looked ve

mentioned the streets

that time in the c

ink I understand." His hand

auty barked, but nei

u can't deny?

t," he said,

rself; plead palliati

told you, on my honor, I am not-what you have called

the girl with a crue

"I don't suppose there's any use

t see; hear? Can you not hear-thos

et eyes questioningly, deeply, as if seeking there to read what he should say, but t

ed, "you remember;

idea of my being th

; what one has already pieced together; it is just another odd-sh

"You are alluding to picture puzzles. Is th

se, you can't stay

go at once, as I to

herb

You mean

That is," he added,

er to go of your own volition than to have

d. "I won't resi

s-" She did not speak the word, but it

not a

r you the chance and do not spe

t," he

ch. But he stood without looking at her, appea

said, a dangerous

as far above him; his clothes were threadbare, the

any mercy from

caught her eye-the handsome stalwart figure o

ss Dalr

d pleasure, Prince," she said w

and. And as he gallantly raised the small perfumed fingers to his lips,