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Pickles and Pearls
any reward you think your due, and he will not deny the boon."
Charlie took the little hand. He was really having a dream, a beautiful dream, and he was disposed to enjoy it as long as possible.
"I shall ask a reward/' he answered, collecting himself, "a great reward, beside which all other rewards pale into insignificance. Do you remember what I asked you, through the speaking tube of the limousine?"
The beautiful girl trembled. "How can you ask, Sir Charles !" she exclaimed.
"In a little while, I am going to ask that same question again," he said. ''For the present "
He looked around hastily. The coast was clear — except for Arthur, the chauffeur, and he did not count — and Charlie passed a quick arm about the slender waist and snatched a kiss from the ripe red lips.
He was not rebuffed. Drawing back, he heaved a long sigh of rapture. Xo wonder the pretended duke had dared all to win that wonderful girl ! And Harold ! Charlie could have laughed at the millionaire's folly in turning from this matchless beauty to pay his suit to the stenographer. Certainly, that was a rare, enchanting dream !
In a happy trance, he allowed himself to be driven to the stately home of the McTodds in the luxurious limousine. At the mansion, the cap sheaf of joy was to face the lofty Hawkins, and be addressed as "me lud." Hawkins knew how to treat the nobility, and, while his past experiences with Charlie caused him some agitation, nevertheless he sought to wipe out the past by a studied servility.
Charlie was shown to the guest chamber. He was told that he was to consider the manor as he would his own home. Charlie, seeing that it would please his host, tried to do this. All the servants endeavored to show him
that they knew how a real lord ought to be treated.
In his study, Mr. McTodd wrote a telegram. He felt that Sir Charles was as good as landed, and that there could be no risk in apprising Shrewsbury Ames of the fact that his lordship had been found, and was being cared for as became his high station. The message ran thus :
Sir Charles is with me. Have honor of entertaining him in my own home. Come at any time. McTodd.
Having written the message, the pickle king took it downstairs. He paused at the entrance to the drawingroom. Charlie was in the drawingroom, and Hawkins was with him.
"A cigar, Hawkins," Charlie was saying. "One with a gold band, if you please, and as expensive as any you have in the McTodd humidor."
"Yes, me lud."
"And a match, Hawkins."
"Yes, me lud."
"I like to hear you speak in that way, Hawkins. It reminds me of home."
"Hold Hengland, me lud? Hit haurouses 'appy memories hindeed, me lud."
As Hawkins came out, Air. McTodd handed him the telegram. "As soon as you supply the wants of Sir Charles, Hawkins," said he, "have this message sent to the telegraph office."
"Very good, sir."
Ah, what a difference between that "me lud" and the "sir" ! Silas McTodd felt his inferiority keenly.
CHAPTER XLVII.
A BOMB EXPLODES.
It was three o'clock in the afternoon of a perfect day. Mr. McTodd had spent a few of the morning hours at the factory. He was in a frame of mind that could best be described as exalted.
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