MRS MANNERS'S CHAFFEUR.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13006, 7 January 1908, Page 8

MRS MANNERS'S CHAFFEUR.

+ By Liu-ias Cax?bell Divrosos (Author of "Second Lieutenant Celia," eto.) "Darling, Darling! Say yon love mc! Siy you'll bo my wife!"' They were sitting on a long ortonmn in a nicho of the staircase, epparently designed by a Ijenevolent builder with an oye. to such episodes, for tbo curtain that- hung l>etireen thorn nnd the crowded stairs was as complete, w isolation from the- world as if they had been on <i desert island. Violet Balcarrcs sat witJi drooping red-brown head, and Jittlo round ears tinged with it sudden celestial pink. Hor handu were clasped together in her white silk lap, with her fluffy feather fan between them. Winchester Curst airs loant forward, and gently captured one little gloved palm, laying it on one of his own, while the other covered it like a big appropriating lid. "iSay you love me!' , lie repeated, nrgently, insistently. Too strains of the Blue Hungarian band wailed through a waltz down-stairs-a waltz she had promised to somebody else, but what girl oouki lie expected to remember partners when she was havinc a proposal liko this? The cast-down lids trembled, the. hand in his own masterful ones, turned iw if she would have pulled it away. He prevented that rapidly. Then sho looked up at him with a kind of desperate tremor. "What is the use? Oh, what's the use? I shall never be allowed to like, you' Aunt Selina will never hear of it! , "Aunt Selina!" If he strangled a wish concerning the aunt, it was lost to hor ear. "My dearest— what do all the aunt*, on earth matter, if you only care? You do care,—tell mo you do? ,, She pave a little gasping sigh, and forced a shadow of a smile—'"l liko you,—yes, —l, even I—no, I won't say it, I mustn't! Aunt Selina would hare a fit!" "Let Aunt Selina have a fit if she wants to I Why. who » she that she sbonld control your destiny? The aunfc you live with? Old Mrs Manners.? Well, I suppose we shall have to ask hor, certainly. But why should sh« object? You're of age—or are you? You might b© seventeen to look at you, but you said you'd been out three years. I'm old enough to know what I'm after, —I've enough to keep a wife, and give her most things- sho can want. Wliat cart the aunt see to object to? I know I'm not good enough to tie your little shoe strings, but no chap on earth is that!" "Oh, nonsense! But it isn't you in especial she will object to. It is anybody who wants to marry mc! She has made up her mind I am to marry a horrible German count we met last year at Marie'nbad. She's taken the most amazing fancy to him,—like fascination. I hate him, but she says I'm to have him. And she'll never, never, let you come near the place if she hears you've proposed to mc! It's awful, isn't it?" The blue eyes looked up into his distractedly. There was something there, in their depths, besides distraction. Carstairs flushed as their glanoee met, —stooped forward swiftly and kis»ed her. There was only a faint fOh, you shouldn't!" to punish hb audacity. "Why shouldn't IP If you e«re, ten thousand aunts shan't part us!" "Oh, but I'll never be allowed, never, never, and I'm not of age" till I'm twenty-three, and Aunt Selina does just what she likes with mo! There isn't a eingle atom of hope!" The Blue Hungarian band blared on cfaidingry. Carstairs only threw back his head. "I'll be a match for Aunt Selina!" he said, with determination. Violet could only mournfully shake the head he pressed against his shoulder. "No use! I know -it's not!" And indeed the letter that came back to Carstairs in answer to hia polite appeal to Mrs Manners for her niece's hand might' have'given, most, men pause. "Mrs Manners. presents her compliments to. a person calling him* self Winchester Carstairs, and beg" to inform him that "his impertinent pretensions to her niece,: Violet Balcatres, are treated wilh the reception they de-,_ serve. Mre Manners has put bis letter , in the fire. Miss Bakarree is about, to marry Count Ludwig Harafcem, » distinguished German. "With regard:. to Mr Winchester Carstairs's reqiwb;, to be permitted to oall at Stoke Maiwryv he is informed that Mrs-Manners hu: given orders that he is nob to be ad-; mitted inside the gates." # , '';-" Carstairs read this surprising ,ep««6 . at his club, and tore it across in wraUu,, '-The old hag!" he said,: redden**;;, "Of course ehe's mad! But that, dap/,' the door in one'e face for the munfo.. ■ There'll he a halt called to oonedg, . the next move. My.little VioletfWM-, that beastly German m . ~;/: Hβ picked up the "Tune" , from Vm.* floor where it had fallen; and knee* < it into shape with : a blow or . hi«.J* 7 a that was mentally meant for a tcme£* combatant. He looked down the before him with, eyee too angry to,«••>£ Suddenly a name leapt from: the ed sheet and struck him. It *■•?£** name just read a minute ago: Tw«g' cd. an experienced chanffeqr. ,«•£- ------others need apply. Wages on, •gjfeg ment. Apply Mrs Manners, delis Manor, Reading," r _^'i^ "Wanted a , chauffeur! gar, who would drive out the motor, and go in and out naeMh|! lenged from those gates that *«*-J!i shut upon himself at his Lucky brute 1" And then .tbew«££|f another flash of thought on w» ""Jffifel quick and amazing. ''WbjrshouWhef.&j one be that chauffeur P Vibf *jMߣf ply for the situation? "oy—P^V - wit Mrs Manners and court vwleMfeg der her very eyes?" • ''MM The thought was like an j**P°lp| tion. Carstairs sprang from hit leather lounging chair and , *'«n*J"Sf|g to the chimney-piece. He himself in the glass above it wiwijff»j% rest. Who was there to £1M, %j?"5il Mre Manners he had never the Lord!), Jio parenthesised. Jto'gg'jj an excellent motor driver. ™IJ9£M as much experience as even ners could insist on. He <«uW. el, ! l !xjl make a friend give him a With a face where a grin had -"JH eoeded the scowl of a minute ago, *^ stairs hurried over to a writing *¥%& and dashed off a note on plain He applied for the situation wfrwWfeg in to-day's "Times." Hβ signed &*&§ self "William Knocker,!' called a ****$. er, and gave him the letter to, P" when ho had stamped it, and then citcdly awaited evento. The result was up to his expectations. Mre Mannere deMMgg him to call on her agent, who was in town, and if he proved satiafactoJTg she would engage him. _ . i&; Carstairs sobered down his toes his hat over the electric st&maimj in Piccadilly as he went off to «*& agent's address. Ho was able to •**"**; fy that functionary—an elderly, voile little man. who was only *••■ anxious to get the interview over. stairs was engaged as chauffeur tojWJj mistress of Stoke Manor, and request""? to go down at once. .£ He went. It wa3 a tingling nHjmej*. when the car stood at the door of tH* old creeper-grown white '"J 1 "? ing for its load. First stout, portly, determined womsßjg swathed in a pony-skin coat- an d*£y gremivo silk veil, calculated to stne*,, terror to the heart of the Following her a slim, depre.ssfd fiEOH; in caracul, at whoso appearance VIS* stair&'s heart leapt. Behind _ tj*»< csimo a "baio' Gorman, at the ""c whom Carstairs said to hiritoolf **J ;m inward whietle: ■"Count! If )£? isn't a billiard marker I'll eat W; boots!" . ijsk They R»t. into yio.*fji and barstairi startt<l it-, foxing rai., whirl of ioy, fury ami ox< - itomoiit.-y in one. H<- (inW <«»tch snat<"h«>> of t& conversatio'i b<-Jii:id him. Tlw stride**ton«c> of llni Manners <2cu»und«d w.

ber nioce sat by her, instead of by the """I Ilk" it hotter."' said a voice, that «t Ca.n4a.rs- pulses flammg ' '-Tl-e mor* p>« s c 7« v! «"<' hor aunt'offaWT- ••iJ.vn't. yon .«■<■ you're rroirdin:: n»' n '"• : -.' r (, ° ']V r "" d VI 1)V tlo U:l- II!-!)llt'.'. I IV UU'st unci.infortal.ie! the car. Knocker, n-hile M'-fS Halcarns nwvis. Gai'Stairs slowed up. With a sudden dart Mi.- S Hnicarros was out of the rar. and round by tho front of it. '•'i shall (-it- here," aiic sum, (-!nml>erin? lip b - v ,li; 1 - -I l! "'- '" i M4> v!le rod. . Whatever Jiurtled over from th*> t>.'i<k. Qirstairs ignored. The car covered the next, two miles in liehtftTiinp .■•peed. Then. :, Dare I speak r Will *he fioreami''' ho cogi-taK-1. . Ho <v>u?rned rr.e.Triniglr under his breath. Viokt turmii her head and 3ook**l ot- him. Ho etiughfd again. •I'm afraid you have a cold," klu? Bi:d kir.dly, hut distantly. "Uocs it tro'io'e you much ? •■Vio'vt!" It was a.s low as a breath, but Vio\ei sTJrtod violently and uttered a faint cry. ••Wliat'e ' tho nta.ttrvr.' fl.tk(xl her aunt from the. background, tartly. "Oh. tJwt, lovcJy pw-j) l)etwrTn the ue<w. Aunt Selina : Do look at it!" Mrs Manners gmnu>d shortly. '"I've. sotMi it a million timee if I ha-ve omv, knd .v> have you for that matter. AVhat is uhx;rc t*> m,ik.i v « fufs about ? Knocker, stop at that house on the left as you go down the lull." Carsuirs obeyed respectfully. Mrs Manners flung tlie door of the ear back. "(bme, Count, I want you to help mc to choose tilic pony. Come, Yio-k-t.' . But tlie girl hung back. •'l'd rather not come. I'm tired. I'll sit hero." Scarcely had tho broad backs of the two disappeared throujrh the gates of ihe farmhouse than V iolet turned her face up to tie goggks above her with a' littlo horrified moan. "Oh, Winchester!" Sho had never railed him that before. It scored a distinct gain. ''AVhat do you mean? How dare you 1 It is too dreadful! AYe shall certainly be discovered, a.nd there will be such a frightful fuss!" ''Discovered! Pooh 1 As if there were any foar! Look here, darling, did you think sho was going to lock her gates, and mo on tho other side? Rather not! Lovo laughs at locksmiths, and at lodge-keepers, too, for tb© matter of Hurt . Th*«y can't keep out the c&auffeur !" "Oh, I think it ie brave of yoti! So noble, end so—«o queer 1 But I tremble, nice as it is! Do yon know, aunt will expect you to take a hand at bridge after dinner? She makes all her chauffeurs 1" "All the better! I can sit at a table with you! But look here, darling— listen, quick. Tiiere'3 a chance here we may never got again while wv live. Those "two are out of the way for a minute. AVlhnt keeps you and \ae from noltiug in the car—and getting married at a rcgistrar'e ?" "There'd be a hue and cry after us, md i can't marry without Auniao's consent. No, end I won't do anything moan,eitlicr. "Winchester 1 If it's above board —why, that's anouher thing altogether, but not to do a thing like tiiat!" Carskarrs, rather dashed, hastened to apologise. "lad, bceidee, 1 couldn't navo a trousseau or any bridesmaids. It would be perfectly horrid," VicJet added, in a tone that loft nothing at a.ll to be. said. So they sat in mournful silence, only daring to jora hands under the rug while tJieir two enemies bargained over the pony within tho distant farmyard gates. They returned triumphant. Mrs Mauncre ecrambled into her red seat with a relieved sigh. "Got it cheaper t3rra I bad any id>a of," ehe said comfortaWy, drawing the fur-lined apron, over her knees. ''T>rivo on. Knocker! By the way, Count, you fook the change of that other ten potnid note for mo. Here you got it?" "Ach eohP eaid the count, diving into thftjijigpths of a oaTernivue pocket in his im£sr coat. Bβ drew oiit'eomo looso sovereigns and silver, and jmt them into tho pilm of Mrs Manners' gkrve. Sho ron hor diarp eye over them. "Wiry, that'e not aU!' , eho said. 'Twelve-ten—there's .".nother sovereign to come. I'm one short." "Is it to?" asked the count -with hasty apology. "Impossible. , " He felt in the corner of his pocket. "Hinuncl ! —I am glad you spoke of itl" and he brought out a golden coin. "lie socreto himself in the corner of my pocket!" Garetiire in front pricked h-is ears. Tnrre ivos something in tho riua of that 'Is it so ?'' of the count that had given him c queer prick. "Is the fellow a blockguard? n lie Faid to hknself. "Or is it only becanse I loathe him that it etruck mc he would have kept that sovereign if he hidn't been asked for it?" They went on, over long roods, through fields, 6milin2 on either eido— woods whose trees overhung till tho branches aJmost etruck them as tier flew. The two behind talked inueh and confidentially. To Csrstairs' intejise disgust ho grevr aware tint the. count ewl tho aiuit -were on t-Tips of oxtTenie intimacy. The two ia front s-it silent, decoTons. AVhen he turned liis head respectfully. Carstains tlirillotl under the idea that ho <n»tight c glance of tenderness through t!ie tak front of tho swathing tufisore veil. To 6it beside her, in tho neighbourly contact of tho scat they shored, was enough to fill a mane cup with joy. Cansteirs finished the afternoon's run with credit to himself. 31 rs Manners, looking at him scrutinieingly as she got down from the car at the door of tho Manor, was pleased to say: "\on know how to drive, and yoa're cirehil. TV© had foals till now." Wanned witih this appreciation, Aurstairs took tho oar off gaily to the motor house, and wee ready to clean it down himself from head to foot, but found that token off hie hands by a toe-tor boy. He- v.es shown his room in the buck regions of the house, down the kitchen passage, and near tiie back uoor. Whistling tho swan, ©ong from "Ijohengrin" ho cheerfully began to K"*tle the mcogro belongings Lβ had brought. . By and by <nmo the summons to tea in the housekeepers room, with that "igh and mighty functionary, two iadtee.' maids, and the ohef. Ho had forgotten that this would be included >n the programme. Howesex, he went obediently. Tho female cart of tho *«tabhshruent received him with gratiousness. He woe given tho seat next *o the housekeeper, and made much of, »a the way of muffins and iam. He orerieard the two laddies' mc ids confide *o each other that ''My goodness gra-<-ious! AVo never had such a goodone e& him!" The chef treat*a him with distant disdain. own Position of favour was imperilled. After tea he took a eutintex round |no grounds, looking up at the now .lighted upper windowe end wondering r w* y ' irJl ' c " Avas hers. He saw tho twjuklo down to the lower floor, *"W heard the roar of tlio dinner gong. _ sudden sense of queer loneiineee ov,-r him. not unmixed with th-o of hunger. He w;is not used ?* •'f 7 liis jpDotite, and ho felt tho *IS**el» of \is new life. i»ri dra «"Jng-room hghte went m iu£ ' V wilh a bTCad el«rtric gleam. £L d Uw fi '* t tiß kiing ncte of tho JjcmS' • * Sho "™ s l >! «O-ing; He cime was I Jn onctul1 tinent to listen. It CriaT'V ai: U" c t>uun f° n - fmm "Lobenther'.* r Jhov hed listened to it togelik« I{a nelagli. It camo to him do*. I hfJ , s,or,(J under the winbreathless with lore and grati-

tudc, a flying figure skirmished round from the back of the. house. "Is tluit he chauffeur ?" came to mm in an agit;it«l undertone from an underling maid who ran messages throughout the house. "If you pica*. -Mrs Jiousekocper sent mo to find you and 1 v«» been alookin' ovorw.hero -Missus has sent down to the room to as how can you play Bridge?"' .'•Bridge?- Carstairs jork«T/awav his cigarette- end astonished. It was a very yood cigarette, even for a cUnteur. -\.iiy, ye*—of course I play but what the " l i ' The. little* maid broke in, "Oh. that's «1 r.gnt u,c,,. They W ant a game i n tho and tho old rector, he am t come up to-night to dine. Missus says as how, if you can play, you're to, your hands dean, W com© he^irdV I rS. He&tiff^- Th - •All right, I'll come./' ho said. Fie -.vent hmiM;uard.s. followed by the littlo panting maid. Caratairsa scheme of chauffeur life, had included an earnest and heartburning caro over clothes. He must look tno chauffeur, -whether in nrieor mufti. ]jo was neat in unobtrusive tweed and knickerbockers With a distinct sen.*e of discomfort at entering a drawing-room and facing ladies without a Mark coat and whittil-, ho took tho direction point'd out {'" ;l n indifferent footman, and found himself m a wide high room, furnished with Empire yellow satin chairs and soras and hung with yellow satin, in the midst <,f an expectant trio, lhey were all seated roiuid tho card table. \ iolet was radiant in pale green chiffon, and old Venetian rose point; .Mrs .Manners grim in black velvet and diamonds; and tho count looking more, of a bounder than evor in evening dress. Carstairs closed tho dcor behind him and bowed, standing still. His mistress sharply called him forward. "You play Bridge, I understand. 2\ow wo need a fourth to mako tho game, and you're to take a hand. Aro your fingers clean ?" Carstairs held them up in. silence. "Oh, all right 1 I never saw a chauffeur so careful over his nails before I liut all the better. Sit down. ,, Carstairs drew a chair up, and seated himself. He took tho cards. "Wβ don't wont any conversation from you," said Mrs Manners shortly. "You como to play, not talk. I mako uso of you, but 1 am not a Socialist. I don't destroy class distinction, I assure you." Carstaira meekly remained silent. Only the look his sweetheart cast him —a look of compassion, and indignation, and love, came to him like a kiss from her lips. For his own part, ho chuckled inwardly. Tho situation tickled him hugely. Ho played an excellent hand, and won the approval of Mrs Manners, however offensively expressed. As tho game, went on, Carstairs's unsmiling attention becamo more and more fixed on his rival. Twice ho had to check himself with a sudden jerk from a start or an exclamation. Tho man "was palpably cheating! It "was an amazement that his hostess did not see it. Carstairs with an effort veiled the significance in his own 'yes as they met the count's shifty ones. He would not let tho brute guess he -was detected. But tho fact made him watch closer and closer. By and by Mrs Manners, dealing, caught the lace of her sleeve in the clasp of her diamond braoelet. She took tho bracelet off with a snort, and laid it impatiently on the tablo at her side. /The count took it up. There was a strange glitter in his narrow eyes. "What beau-tiful stones 1" ho said, raising the bracelet till it flashed back liquid light. The count's glance greedily followed tho gleam. ".Sever haf I seen stones more lofely! Do you not feel fear to wear so handsome an I ornament every night?" Mrs Manners snorted in her affable way. "Foar? I don't know how you spoil the word 1 Of course 1 wear tlrcsm I Id feel as if I'd ooino down without a frock, if I left them off. What should happen to the things?" "Ach, they are of conreo securely. ! placed when" you do not wear them, "The plate chest in the butler's pantry, with all the eilvcr. That's where i they aro. Rogers, my butler, has been with mc twenty years. 1 can loa-ve them with him as if they were in the Bank of England. Knocker, it's your lead. Play up—don't dream !" she rapped tho "table sharply. Carst; irs led, his eyes on hie cards. But for Jl that, they had shot a glanco at tho count before they dropped, and had soon tho odd light dame in those green orbs. AYith a vague feeling of distrust and suspicion and discomfort, Carstairc went on with via i»*v. .There wr.s nothing tangible, nothing whatever, yet he doubted. It was not only because he loathed the brute that t/v»6o strange feeling* filled his mind. They played on till the clock etrucr eleven, and tho butler liad long since come into the room to enquire with a ghostly uiidor-tono whether his mistress 'wanted anything more, and to withdraw with a look of well-veiled astonishment at the chauffeur's presence. Eleven struck, aoid -.Mrs Maiuxiib threw her cards down. "That's enough—it's bod-dimo! I m sleepy, if nobody <Jso is! Come along, put away tfoo cards." Carstairs rose at- once, and retreated with a meek ••Good night, ma'ani," in return lor Yiokt'e "'Good-night, Knocker." Mrs Manners did not vouchsafe any farewell. Oarstajrs made his way down darkAn*xl passages to the deserted kitchen regions. Tho household liad gone to bed. He- found a candle buruv.ig m his room, the electric light having been switched off in tho back parts U the house. He sat down, and kicked Ins boots off. sitting on the side of his paAlet bed. "I wonuex if smoking in the servante , quarters is interdicted." ho thought. "Anyway, I won't risk it. It might got mc dismissed.' . In fond thought ho went oror Tho evening. How m-any times lud her hand touched his .own, as they threw dawn their cardsr" How often kid her swoet glance crossed his owar . How oficn.:- , Hu-t to-morrow woirfd bring greater joys still. They were to have another motor drive. Ho sat, liis handi behind his hcud, his head against the wail, wrapped in fair reveries, 'i'iio sound of the clock striking twelve sent liim rising up and stretching himself. Ho must get to bed. AH at oaco a fainX, isoit sound struck his ear. It whs as if someone wore coming down the flagged passage to the kitehesns with a .cautious step. Promptly CarEtairs blew his guttering candle out, and reaching the door with one stride he eoft.ly aud noiselessly opened it. Hβ stood in t-he entrance. To tho oud of his days it seemed to him that he had been expecting it, whon there dawned into hia vision first a flickering light, and then a shadowon the kitcheei wall. It was the Count! He was hi dressiug-gouni and slippers. He li-eld in his cb.-i.ud a shaded bedroom candle. Afhat did Le wont in the kit-hen at the dwid of night. AVas ho ill? Did ht» require a hotwater bag, ora mustard plaster? Car-st-ciirs stocd and waited events. He saw the count softly pick up the kitchen poker tiiid insert it in the glowing fire the candes kituhon maid had left piled high in the grato. For a second, a doik»t of hie sanity crcs*?<l Garsiairs's watching mind. Then, with a Hash he understood. There was solder to Lo incited, somowiterc. 'live <otint was preparing for it. He stood with held breath, watching, liis own door tsvfdy ci'.iovxl all but a crack. The iron heated quickly. In, a iittle time, after one or two impatient trials, tho count, drew it out irom between tho bars, n glowing tip to it. With it carefully in his hand, held far from him. he turned j and left tho kitchen, and took his way j

down the flagged passages once more. alone, this time, for a dim dark shape followed, creeping, creeping. It hid in tho shadow behind him, and it made no grain of noise. Tho count made his way through the swinging baize door that chut off the kitchen promise from the sacrcvl rest of the house. The door flow against Carstairs, following hard, and nearly felled him with it? sudden attack, but it only bruised his shin, after all. AYhen he, tor>. got throimh, having recovered from tho sudden start, he saw the count ahead, turning through a door. A *.wift-stride or two, and Carstairs v.a,s able to lo.'k in after him. He knew it! It was tho butler's pantry, and bemmth the table Carstuirs caught tho green outlines of a massiro iron chest. The count shoved tho table aside. He laid the glowing iron poker against the back of the chest. Then Cars>tairs saw tliat it had been broken at some time, and been soldered, not rivfttrd. He stood grimly -iii'i vraiehed. The back yielded, after reiK-ated efforts. Tivo count carefully laid tho pokor on a pewter plato to cot;!. He kue't down, and thrust an arm through the opening. There waa the faint rattle of silver on silver. He jHTsi.steii. Hy and by he drew out ;i il:it. largo jewel cuse. X waf. at that precise moment that Carstairs filing himself on him, and tliroitl*"--! him wit!) eager liands, yi-U-------ing aloud for help. Another yell, an I'thor, and doors u}>stairs, burst oj>t-n, l)oILs rani; furiously. A torieiu of jM-opk- seemed to pour down the staiie, and surround t'lem. The old butler, in di"i-«rray, was among tho Then Mrs .A!aimers and A'iolet, one jn a fearsome dressing-gown of red flannel, the other lovely in silk and lace. At sight of the two struggling together there wenc up a .shriek from Yiolot that mieht liavo reached the Heavens. '■^Winchester,—oh, AVincheat«r! Kill that wretch, —somebody,—he's killing my Winchester!' , TLo butler closcvi in like <i man, and caught the count's elbows. He now could do nothing but kick. Cnrst.-iirs, flushed, exultant, beaming, rose from above his prostrate foe. "I give that scoundrel in charge foi breaking into your plato chest," lie said, addressing Mrs Manners. ''I caught him red-handed." Hβ was panting, but glad. Violet flew and clung to him. "Dailing, are you hurt? Are you wounded ?'' Mrs Manners looked on with a grimset mouth. She stooped and snatched the jewel case from the count's hand, that Ftill held on to it with instinctive despair. Sho wrested it from his clutch. "My diamonds!" she said, laconically. ''Almajt warm fTom my wearing ! Cousins took them down not an hour ago! Tio him up, Kogors! Hβ diall go to Reading Gaol in the morning." Tho count uttered a whimper, but she turned her back on him. ''And you, young man—whom my niece calls AVinciioster and kisses under my very eyes!—you ought to go with him for coming into my house on faUo protences, and behaving like v fool! But you're a brave fellow, and I'm half inclined to forgive you. Only you mustn't think that meaus you can marry my niece, you know." , "You don't want mc to marry the count now, I hope, Auntie!" asked Aio- rlct from her lover's arms that still held her. Mrs Manners Gcratched her prominent noso. "No. that's true," she saidl "It does rather leave you without a husband. And lie drives a car extremely well. All right, I'll take you on. young man, as my nephew-in-law, if you'll promise to stay on and drive my car!" And with that stipulation Carstairs remained at Stoke Manor, and he stays thero still with his wifo and her aunt.