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CHAPTER IX.â€" ( Continued) . “Are we safe?" she asked faintly. "How did we stop? \Vho ” She paused abruptly. and both she and Stafford stared at the two men who were standing confronting each other. Sh‘ Stephen was as white as a ghost, and there was a. look of absolute terror in his dark eyes. On the face of the other man was an enigmatical smile. which was more biner than u sneer. A. . . H... “‘14 coqfl’nrd: “You are all right?" salu DLdIvau. “but I am afraid you were very much frightened!" The girl' turned to him. “You!” she said. recognizing him. "Did you stop them?" “Yes; H. was easy: they had had al- most enough." he said. ' \Vhile they were speaking. the 'tWO elder men drew apart as If instinctn‘e- l)‘ phen. Witrhr ashy lips. I “Yes.” assented me other. 61‘11)’: ' I am here right enough. \Vhlch l to beâ€"frlend or foe?" Sir Stephen stood gnawing his 11p a moment. {hen he {urned to Staffer "Stgfford. thisâ€"most extraordinal this Is an old friend of mine. Faer this is my boy. my son Stafford!" 11 "A very old friend of your father‘.’ said Mr. Falconer. and his keen eyes looked ino Stafford's as he put out his hand. Then he turned to Sir Stephen. whose face had resumed its usual seren- ity. and was fixed in the smile uppro-I priate to the occasion. "Mr. Stafford Orme and I have met before toâ€"day ” Sir Stephen shot an inquiring glance from one to the other. â€"“At the inn at the other side of the‘ Lake. My daughter. Maude, and l hm'cl been resting there for a few hours; Maude.” he said to that young lady, who' was standing looking on at the group generally. but more particularly. under her lids. at Stafford; "this is a yer." strange meeting between old friends Sir Stephen Orme and I haven’t met tor â€"how long ago is it. Orme'!" I Sir Stephen shook his head. and rais- ed his thick. dark brows. "Too long for us to go backâ€"espe- cially in the presence of these young people. whom we are always trying to; persuade that we are not old. I am delighted to see you. iny dear young lady. and I am devoured by curiosity to know how it is that you are here.” “\Vell. we owe it to your 5011, MY- Orme here. I should imagine, Sir Ste- phen." she replied. She had fully reâ€" covered her self-possession. and her manner and voice had all the tone of pride and indolcnce which Stafford had noticed when he met her at the inn. “If he had not stopped the horses: I suppose we should have either been lull- ed 01‘ on the way to the nearest hospxtai. By the way, have you thanked Mr. Orme yet. father?" "Not yet; and I shall find it difficult to do so." said Mr. Falconer. "Thanks are poor return for one‘s life. Mr. Orme. I hope you were not hurt." He glanced at Stafford's dress-clothes. which were covered with dust on one side, and dis- played a rent in the sleeve of the coat." “Oh, that's all right, sir," returned Stafford, with all an Englishman‘s dread of a fuss. "They stopped short the mo- ment I got hold of them. and I only slipped and got up directly. “You are not hurt. then. Stafford?" said Sir Stephen. “As I came up thought. was afraid. that you were smashed upâ€"â€"and I daresay I showed my fear: it’s my only boy. Falconer." He looked at his old friend meaning- iy. and Falconer promptly backed him alIdI'sE-AH'éd:';' lie said. "Bu horses are all right. we mm on. We have given you énough "The horses are the driver. “I've the broken trace; startled them. sir. enough nova"? vT'Olfi: but where Sig: Stephen. with "No: we were 201m: to Keswick," said Mr. Falconer. “My daughter had a fancy for seeing the Lake district, and we are making a kind of tour." "You have no other engagement? I am delighted to hear it." said Sir Ste- hen. "Oh. I'll take no denial! “'hat! 0 you think I shall part with an old friend so quicklyâ€"and after such aâ€"er â€"â€"sudden and unexpecmd meeting! Miss Falconer. let me beg you to plead with soy; fa._thgr for me!" am he 0 frie Mr. Fajcorer regarded Sir Stephen for a moment. curiously. ‘hen looked to- wards his daughter. Her fine eyes rest- ed on Skal‘lord's face. and he could do niot less than repeat his father's invite.- I on. "I hope you’ll consent. \Ilss Falconâ€" er." he said. "You have no doubt been a little upset by the accident and it is rather late to go on. Pray stay with us!" “Thanks I shall be delighted." she said. with her indolent regal air. By this time. as they went towards the gate. some of the men who had been walkan in the garden came up. and Howard‘s voice called out: "Hallo, Stafford! Anything the mat- A mush Young Man; "Some 01;] ufriéfiiis of mine. Mr. Howâ€" ud: their carriage broke downâ€"fortu- nately at our very door This way. Falconer. Stafford. will you give Miss Maude your arm?" ter No: nothing whateverfl‘ said Staf- ford prompth'; and Sir Stephen seized the opportunity to steer the Falconers ehrqugh theAgfqup.» A A __ " VHLV. that is my case." she said. “My father and I were strangers until the other Wheé] he.came frog: abroeid av: , ’FQL A a U 0m 1 5 Hké a nunmtfire 953 aggk h§hégfook§d at the Villa and then at Smfford with re- newed interest. "I suppose your fa- ther is the Sir Stephen Orme of whom like a mirfiatfl'ré balaeé." She looked at the Villa and then at Stafford with re- newed interest. “I suppose your fa- ther is ihe Sir Stephen Orme of whom one has heard so much? I did not think of it until this 0 em.” Stafford was g \. ng instructions that the Falconers’ carriage should be seen i0. and was so spared a. reply. She stood in the hall looking round with a kind of indolent admiration and surâ€" prise. and perfectly self-possessed. though the hall was rapidly filling with men from the garden. "You would like to (:0 to your rooms at once." said Sir Stephen, in his serene and courtly voice. "It you should be too tired to come down again to-night I will have some dinner sent up to youâ€"but I hope you You. Falconer though the hall was rar- men from the garden. ‘ to (:0 to your rooms at Stephen, in his serene a! "If you should be too 'ell. yes. you 1_qol;e_(‘]_‘f2}ir1y startled A... “a nu‘ a. look of absolute (error In ves. On the face of the was an enigmatical smile. more biner than u. sneer. all right?" said Stafford: afraid you were very muc were not hurt." He glanced dress-clothes. which were I dust on one side, and dis- t in the sleeve of the coat." 8 all right, slr." returned h all an Englishman‘s dread ‘T‘nev stopped short‘tlle mo- 4.... CHAPTEI not coming , up Ull‘. .t hurt, 'tiiéh, Stafford?" .en. “As I came up afraid. that you were nd I daresay I showed eméa-i‘é‘.’ TBEEVVHBWZ if the ight. we may as well get given you quite trouble 0r, theoBelle of the Season. are you going?" said hospitable eaggerm-zfisf murmured i1 all right, Sufi: said to Vuswat the ng his MD for to Stafford. traordinaryâ€" line. Falconer Sir father! 1'1 albroaiu' . 5 fookeEd at with re- your fa- ot whom not think Ste ’yes 5 1 W'On ner!" he said. as he conuuutcu um w her seat. I "So do 1‘." she returned. serenely. “We are giving a great deal of trouble; and we are keeuing you from your guests. The maid who waited on me told me that you had a large house party." _ “Yes,” said Stafford. “It is a kind of house-warming. My father intends settling in England for some time, think,“ he added. “And he has built this place." ‘ Mr. Falconer looked up from his plate in“ his alert, watchful wayr “Sir Stephen‘s plans rather uncerâ€" gtaln?” he said. “I remember he always used to be rather erratic. \Vell, if he means settling, he's made himself a. very cosy nest." He looked round the magnificent room with a curious smile. “A Wonderful man. your father. Mr. Orme‘." "Yes?" said Stafford. with a non-com- mittal smile. . “Yes; of course, I‘ve heard of his 'great doingsâ€"who hasn't! Did you nvnr hear him sneak of meâ€"we were the exquisite st Sir Stephen 1( bland smHe. the and caught his 1:15:38 smilré. then he turned to marrow and caught his arm. "Not Hurt. my boy?" he said, in a tone of strained anxiety. Stafford was beginning to get tired of the question, and answered rather impatiently: “Not in the least, sirâ€"why should 1 be? I‘ll change my things and be down in five mingeg" _ ,,‘,__ Run “not! hhn with bafel)‘ gate! And U [hing as Fate “Hudn't you ingâ€"I “The Cd." "Eh? Yes. yes. of course!” said Sir Stephen‘ with :1 little start as if he had been lost in thought; but he waited un- til he saw Stafford Walk up the stairs, without any sign of a limp, before he followed his son’s advice The butler. who was too sharp to need any instructions. quickly served a choice little dinner for the unexpected guests. and Stafford. who had waited in the hull, accompanied them into the dining-hall. Miss Falconer had chang- ed her travelling-dress for a. rich even- ing-frock, and the jewels Stafford had noticed were supplemented by some re- markably fine diamonds. "I wish you had come in time for din- ner!" he said. as he conducted her to means se \‘ery POS)‘ magnifich great doingsâ€"who hasn't: ever hear him speak of meâ€" great friends one time?" “No. I don't think I have Stafford. “But as I was tel Falconer. I have not seen Yer) him." ’ A __-“$nA oincldencv Inlph Eu} him." “Ah. yes, just so." assented Mr. Fai- coner. and he went on with his dinner. Stafford had taken a seat at the table and poured out a glass of wine so that they might not hurry; but he felt that he need not have been anxious on that account. for the girl ate her dinner in 1} most leisurely manner talking to him in her soft. slow voice and looking ‘at him from under her halfâ€"closed lids. She talked of the scenery. of the quaint inns and hotels they had put up at. of the various inconveniences which she had suffered on the Way: then sudden- ly she raised her lids and looked at him fully and steadily. “1 suppose the young lady we saw you ‘with this morning is your sister?" \Vuh all his natural simpli‘cAity. Staf- »---â€" and hp With all [us unuuna; o............,.. r ford “as a man of the world. and he did not regden or look embarrassed by the suddenness of the question and the direct gaze of the luminous eyes. “No.” he said. “I have neither sister nor brotherâ€"only my father. She was a. friend." “Oh, she said. Thea after a pause: u. u ncuu. “Oh, she said. Then after a pause: "She was very pretty." Stafford nodded. Like a. flash floated before him 'he exquisite loveliness of Ida Heron. "nn vnu think so?” he said. with af- “Do you think so?” he said. wun ul- fected indifference. "Why, yes; don't you?” she retorted. “Oh. yes." he assented: “but I didn't know whether you would; men and wo- men so very seldom agree upon the question of looks I find that most of the women I think are pretty are conâ€" sidered next door to plain by my lady friends." . . ,_,__ AA-‘k§ an tn “Well. there can't be any (10th as lU your friend's good looks." she said. “She made rather a striking. not to say startling, figure perched sideways on that norse. in the pelting rain. I sup- pose slTe is one of your neighbors?” "Yes." replied Stafrord, as easily and casually as he could. for the face still floated before himâ€""yes; but not a. very neiar one. Let me give you some more w ne." "No, thanks. Father. haven‘t you nearly finished? Mr. Orme has kept us company so nicely that we've been tempmd to forget that we are keeping him from his guesfiq.” lllU "lullv. "My music is upstairs in my boxâ€" but it does not matter: I will try and remember something." she said. “I wonder what you like?" She raised her eyes to his. as her fingers touched the keys. “The simple ballad would be ra- ther out of place. wouldn't it? Do you knowr his thing or \fagner‘s?" As 5 e began to s n: the talking died down and gradually ceased: and every eye was fixed upon her: for it was evi- dent that She not only had an exquisite voice. but knew how to use it. She sang like an artist. and apparently without the le st effort. the liqui nqte‘s flowing from er red lips gkevi e Waier of a mountain rill. Sta 0rd was surprised. almost startled. but as he stood beside her. he was thinking: strangely enougl WA A- _¢ use .. uuu .. v:- She rose. and with a peculiarly sinu- ous movement threw out the train of her dress. and swept languldly to the door. Stafford offered her his arm and they entered the drawingâ€"room. Her appearance naturally caused a little sen- sation. for some of the men had l‘earnt "blâ€"A4»- ~“a... Bauuu. LUl BUHII: UL nus. nu.“ n... .V... and told the story of Staflord's plucky arrest of the bolting horses. and the people were curious to see the father and daughter who had been rescued, and who had proved to be friends of Sir Steph_en._ By. a sgrtjof tacit understand- _.\__ ._.A.. “M.- n .4“... ...... lng. Lady Clansford. who was was a good-natured individual. was playing the‘ part of hostess and general chape- X'on. and Stafford led Miss Falconer up to her. Before a quarter of an hour had pass- ed Miss Falconer seemed to be quite at home In her novel surroundin s; and leanlng back in her chair. an slowly fanning herself._ recelved' with‘ Perfect L-.. Cul- > do 1‘." she returned. serenely. are giving a great deal of trouble; we are keeuing you from your 5. The maid who waited on me 1336 that you had a large house ;s," said Stafford. “It is a kind 1=A_“'nrmln2. MY father jntendg nee, Stafford! 1â€"- nalconer formâ€"for- And he is throw And the}! spy th? think It would be better 29 into??? Mr Sififfoi‘d ren something 1’1 Stephen still nled anxiety. )rd! 1â€"1 ha all tired." said Miss allowed the house- ) demure maids up t be anyrdoqbt as LO after them with :1 turned to Stafford wasmtveVlvljng Miss seen Very much of n at great disap‘ nd my war no suc yed hir Strang e draw ed him happen - slster?" .ty. Staf- . and he assed by x and the . 1er sister She was a pause: .. .,; rewed m it“ would venture to sing tlon, and one of the 31 the piano and dashed song wth relieved U ed by Miss Falconer's and style. Then the glance at the clock in about preparatory to ‘ presently they went 0‘ ing. and laughing. in t corridors. "Melba's l'eglsh greater than mlm coner. calmly. sing again. I thi She went back fan moving lang too conscious of plause his e.\’ semblc rich 3 The mer smokingâ€"n a pool. _I{‘ Falconer looking ‘ half sex‘ like his mg. the 'Yes. She‘s been lieve." he had res; and Sir Stephen had ly and moved awn}; when the Stafford 1 to may 2 Falcons Raver“ As room ,. “Oh no." replied the baron, with a smile. “He knows nothing: he ees too young. tooâ€"vat do you say?â€"â€"â€"too va- shionable. frivolous. No. Sir Stephen doesn't bring him in at all. You under- stand? He is ze ornamental. shleepin’ pardner. eh?" And he chuckled. Falconer nodded. and leaning for- ward continued the conversation in a low voice. Then men went off to bed one by one. and presently only Sir Ste- phen. Stafford, and Falconer remained: and as the latter rose as if to retire. Sir Stephen laid a hand on his shoulder. "Don't go yet! I should like to have a little chat with youâ€"about old times. Falconer sank into his seat again and took a fresh cigar. and Stafford left them. ._ . .."WA, have “My Uncle,” writes a Youth's Coni- panion contributor, “had a contract to install a heating and ventilating system in two school buildings out West. I had the supervision of the contract, and I had to see that the plant did its work properly. As the success of the whole system depended on the proper making of the final con- nection, I decided to do that myself, and not trust it to my helper. ....... a h. ..__v “The stystem was controlled auto- matically by compressed air. When the temperature in the new building rose too high, the thermostat auto- matically shut of the fan, and turned cold water into the pipes in the tunnel. When the temperature fell too low, the thermostat started the tan, and turned tthe steam back into the pipes. “The two buildings were about twol thousand feet apart. One was old;' the other had just been finished. The boiler rooms and furnaces were sit- uated in the old building. Leading from this building to the new was a tunnel, four feet square, and lined on all sides with concrete. A foot from the floor a network of steam pipes ran 1 the entire length of the tunnel. ‘ “I put on my overalls and jumper and went after my tools. My flash light was missing, so I took a. stub of a candle that a plumber had left, and entered the tunnel. “I crawled along until the light from the entrance grew so dim that I had to light my candle. Reaching into my pocket, I discovered that I had only two matches. But I went ahead. assisted by the feeble light from the taper. The connection was exactly in the centre of the tun- nel. I reached it in a few minutes, did the work, and started back. “In my haste, 1 half rose to my feet, and was going along as fast as anyâ€" one in that crouching attitude could go. Suddenly, without warning, my foot caught in an opening between the ‘pipes, and I fell. My head hit the Isharp corner of a reinforcing rod that 1projected from the concrete wall. The 'fall knocked me unconscious. I lay ,there about two hours. “A gigantic fan in the boiler room pumped air through the tunnel. In passing over the steam pipes the air became heated, and kept the new building at the proper temperature. __.;_ 'ingd “The pipe that carried the compress- ed air ran through the tunnel, and it was on this pipe that the connection was to be made. “I came to with the consciousness‘ that I was in imminent danger. My} head ached. Under me I heard the; snapping and creaking ct expanding: steam pipes. In an inétant 1 realized my dangéi". Thinking that I had made the necessary connection and had left the tunnel, the Janitor. according to direciions, was getting up steam. “I tried to rise, but my ankie was sprained, and I fell back, with a sharp exclamation of pain, on the hot steam pipes. My wound opened afresh. and ‘1 couid feel the warm blood stream- iing do“: we: my face. Again I tried he iil - \Yhisky? Oh, yes, (it some." he said. Stafford returned 10 the ‘ Falconer nodded after him the Son in this?” he asked Ht each and a] his handsome brightness i Sir Stephen who learnt a 1 with the al‘ atula play IN THE TUNNEL. ing (To be continued.) p1 it’ted in and S ister room. illlant Falconer the him the balls. Nell nde‘ 1is lded wk 61" dr Jifferent billi hen ulders‘ rather he onically phatical nifl d said llconer w h 1' these sharp Hard “The heat of the pipes was getting lnsupportable. They began to burn my hands and legs cruelly. To make mat- ters worse. I was so confused that 1' had lost all sense of direction. "Suddenly. in the distance, I heard the grinding of the huge fan. The janitor was just starting it. In a few minutes it would be going at full speed. to Jim, but the pain was too much for me. - "An idea flashed through my dulled brain. I groped over the pipes until I found my candle. I carefully lit my last match and touched it to athe last match and touched it to ~..the candle. The almost imperceptible current had at first no effect on the candle, it was so slight. Almost tn- stantly, however, the tiny flame bent to one side. and showed me plainly the way to safety. “The pipes were so hot that I could no longer touch them. I tore off my jumper and shirt, and wrapped one round each hand. I began to drag myself along. The pain from my wrenched limb was so intense that I nearly fainted. “Suddequ I remembered the com- pressed-air control! If the airâ€"supply pipe were cut off, it would have the same effect, on the system as a rise in temperature. The fan would be stopped, and cold Water would run through the pipes. “I made my way painfully back to my tool kit, and found a hammer and cold chisel. Then I found the air pipe, and attacked it as best I could. "The last >thing that I can remem- ber is the hiss of the escaping air. 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