Detective and mystery stories; England -- Fiction; Love stories
"You should take to writing," was what she did say, presently. "You
have a splendid capital to draw upon."
"Do you write?"
"No."
"It is odd you should speak of it. There's nothing I would sooner do
for a living--and something I've got to do--only I doubt if I have it
in me to do any good with my pen. I may have the capital, but I
couldn't lay it out to save my life."
He spoke wistfully, however, as though he were not sure. And now Miss
Lowndes seemed the more sympathethic for her momentary lapse. She was
very sure indeed.
"You have only to write those things down as you tell them, and I'm
certain they would take!"
"Very well," laughed Harry, "I'll have a try--when I have time. I
suppose you know what your father promises me?"
"No, indeed I don't," cried Miss Lowndes.
"The Secretaryship of this new Company when it comes out!"
For some moments the girl was silent, and then: "I'd rather see you
writing," she said.
"But this would mean three hundred a year."
"I would rather make one hundred by my pen!"
Harry said that he would, too, as far as liking was concerned, but that
there were other considerations. He added that of course he did not
count upon the Secretaryship, which seemed far too good a thing to be
really within his reach, for it would be many a day before he was worth
three hundred a year in any capacity. Nevertheless, it was very kind of
Mr. Lowndes to have thought of such a thing at all.
"He is kind," murmured the girl, breaking a silence which had
influenced Harry's tone. And it was a something in her tone that made
him exclaim:
"He is the kindest man I have ever met!"
"You really think so?" she cried, wistfully.
"I know it," said Harry, at once touched and interested by her manner.
"It isn't as if he'd only been kind to me. He was more than kind three
days ago, and--and I didn't take it very well from him at first; but I
shall never forget it now! It isn't only that, however; it's his
kindness to my dear mother that I feel much more; and then--he was my
father's friend!"
They walked on without a word--they were nearly home now--and this time
Harry thought less of his companion's silence, for what could she say?
But already he felt that he could say anything to her, and "You knew my
father?" broke from him in a low voice.
"Oh, yes; I knew him very well."
"He has been here?" said Harry, looking at the semi-detached house with
a new and painful interest as they stopped at the gate.
"Yes; two or three times."
"When was the last?"
But the latch clicked with his words, and Miss Lowndes was hastening up
the path.
CHAPTER VIII.
A MILLIONAIRE IN THE MAKING.
There was a bright light in the little drawing-room, and Harry made
sure that the master of the house had returned from town. Miss Lowndes
put the question as soon as the door was opened, however, and he heard
the reply as he followed her within.
"No, miss, not yet."
"Then who is here?"
"Mr. Huxtable."
"Mr. Huxtable--in the drawing-room?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account