The Master of Silence

lang. I was known as "last legs" among my companions for some time after my initiation to the warehouse. At first I was inclined to resent

ed his invitation gratefully, and the next evening Phil took me over. It was a hearty welcome that I received at the home of the Chaffins. My enjoyment of their simple hospitality would have been perfect but for the embarrassment I felt at the many apologies with which it was offered. Mrs. Chaffin knew as 'ow the tea was not as good as I was used to drinking, but she 'oped it didn't taste "murky." I assured her that it did not taste murky, although a little doubtful as to the exact significance of the word when applied to tea. But in spite of my declaration she insisted that it must taste "murky" to one who was accustomed to better things. The ham was never too good in Liverpool, but she 'oped that it wasn't "reesty." I solemnly declared that it was

," said Mrs. Chaffin,

ughter's name was the only one that the g

learned afterward, he only employed on very special occasions. Presently the youngest lad in the family, who sat on his father's knee, demanded a song. The response was prompt and generous. The selection with which Mr. Chaffin favored us contained upward of forty stanzas, relating the unhappy story of a fair maid and a bold sailor, both of whom met a tragic death, in the last stanza, just before the day set for their marriage. The song being fi

law me! she goes rompitin' about the house like as if she was crazy someti

to go it was near midnight. I forgot my weariness as I walked to my lodgi

ave decided to go home for a fortnight, but that I thought it would be pleasant to observe the effect of saying good-by to Hetty. I had no doubt that she would be quite overcome with grief and loneliness after I had gone, and, reckless youth that I was, nothing could have made me more happy than to have known that she really felt grieved on my account. And yet when I called to bid them all good-by, the evening before I started, she betrayed no sign of regret. In fact, she seemed so much happier than usual that I worried about it for weeks, even after I had gone so far away that it seemed doubtful whether we would ever meet again. It did not occur to me that I had been less skilful than she in concealing my emotions, and that she might be me

h?" said he, shak

cept for a pair of close-cropped, iron-gray side whiskers. I w

card on which his name and a

GORDON

ster

's Inn,

companied my father to his office

" he added, surveying me from head to foot, "I didn't expect to find such a big, strapping fellow as you are. Your surroundings are quite as

eve so,

ur stepmother had mar

I exclaimed

artin

n?" I asked, i

my question,

to go home to-mo

s,

nearest relative, I believe. Of course you have heard your father speak of him. A most eccentric fellow! but a man of fine ability. He was a graduate of Oxford and a physician of great skill and learning. Thirty-five years ago he went to Canada and finally settled in a large town on one of the great lakes not far from the border. It was Detroit, I believe. Your father told me, shortly before his de

, I have

pon paying the bills. In the success of the underta

wish me to st

ve this place at once, go with me to a hotel, and

ter say on hearing that I had gone to America? It would be very grand to write her from New York that I had been suddenly called abroad on important business. Would she care? Of course she w

picking up my things and

you have decide

l be ready in a m

he pavements in a cab that h

to the dock and having succeeded in making comfortable arrangements for my passage Mr. Earl went aboard the steamer with me. In a reti

nsisted that I should tel

n," said he, as he held my hand for a moment before going

at thoughts came to me as I lay there inviting sleep to turn them into dreams, while the great ship waited for the tide! I tossed about my b