to see the country. Will reach Barton in four or five days.
Please wire me at the Washington Inn, Lenox, whether house is in
order for occupancy.

ALICE BASHFORD.

"Well, what do you say to that?" he demanded.

"I say it's taking unfair advantage," I answered savagely. "I've got to
clear out; that's the first thing."

"Not necessarily. Your right to the garage is settled; she couldn't oust
you if she wanted to. You've got to stay here anyhow till she comes;
there's no ducking that. The widow of an uncle who did a lot for you, a
stranger to the country; it's up to you to see her established. There
are many little courtesies she would naturally expect from you."

"I'm delighted that you see my duty so clearly! If you hadn't assured me
that she was safe at the end of the world I wouldn't have set foot
here."

"The house is in order, I judge," he remarked, glancing about the room.
"I've got to wire her that we're ready for her."

"You most certainly have! Your duty is as plain as a smoke-stack. You
might add that she's causing serious inconvenience to her late husband's
only nephew."

"You really don't mean that?" he inquired anxiously.

"Oh, thunder, no!"

I had forgotten how trying Torrence could be. He now suggested that we
summon Antoine and take a look at the house. Torrence is a conscientious
fellow with an exact and orderly mind, and there was no corner of the
place from cellar to garret that we didn't explore. It was highly
creditable to the old Tyringham servants that the house was thoroughly
habitable. All that need be done before Mrs. Bashford arrived was to lay
linen on the beds and take the jackets from the furniture; a couple of
hours would suffice, Antoine said.

As we were on our way down-stairs the old fellow detained me a moment.

"Have you told him about the parties? Pardon me, sir," he whispered,
"but him and the trust company is responsible. I thought likely you'd
tell him."

I shook my head in angry rejection of the idea that I should tell
Torrence about "the parties," and dismissed him as soon as we reached
the hall.

"I suggest," said Torrence, "that when she comes you have flowers in all
the rooms; the conservatory will supply enough. And it occurs to me that
the more inconspicuous you make this bunch of lazy dependents the more
agreeable it will be for Mrs. Bashford."

"You don't expect much of me! It was never in the