Part 3 (1/2)

”If ever you go to a -picture palace of aht reasonably conclude you are”--he bowed--”beholding nizedso else, Madam, you would care to question nificantly, ”what I have learned is quite sufficient If the occupations you have told me about are so disreputable--ere those you have kept so carefully concealed? For exa four--five--six--years ago? You have already refused to answer You relate only a few inconsequential and outre trifles To cover up--What? What?” she repeated

Then she transfixed his transfixed hilance expressed approval; his tail underwent a friendly agitation

”Naughty!” said the lady sharply Naughty gamboled around Horatio

”How odd!” murmured the mistress, more to herself than the other ”How very extraordinary!”

”What, Madahty, who so seldo

”Perhaps it's the scent of the gasolene,” he suggested

”It's _in spite of_ the gasolene,” she retorted sharply

And for some moments ruminated It was not until afterward Mr

Heatherbloohty's instinct aht him at fault in his likes or dislikes of people; when he had showed a predilection for the assistant rector's shapely calves But after that gentleman's elopement with a lady of the choir and his desertion of wife and children, Naughty's erstwhile disrespect for the cloth, which Miss Van Rolsen had grieved over, becanificance Thereafter she had never doubted him; he had barked at all twelve of Mr Heatherbloom's predecessors--the dozen other answers to the advertises from Horatio Extraordinary truly! The lady hesitated

”I suppose we shall all be murdered in our beds,” she said half to herself, ”but,” with sudden decision, ”I've concluded to engage you”

”And my duties?” ventured Mr Heatherbloom ”The advertises every day in the park”

”Ah!” Horatio's exclaht have added was interrupted by a light footstep in the hall and the voice of sooing now, Aunt,” said a voice

Mr Heatherbloohtened on the back of a chair; from where he stood he could see but the ri notes of color as it were, for the lovely face behind, concealed from him by the curtain

The elderly lady answered; Mr Heatherbloom heard a Prince Someone's name mentioned; then the roses hisked back; the voice--musical as silver bells--receded, and the front door closed Mr Heatherbloos in the room--she who stood before hies,” said a voice--not silver bells!--sharply

”I hardly think I should prove suitable--” he began in somewhat panic-stricken tones, when--

”Nonsense!” The word, or the energy imparted to it, appeared to crush for the moment further opposition on his part; his faculties beca headway in front of the door Mr Heatherbloom listened; perhaps he would have liked to retreat then and there from that house; but it was too late! Fate had precipitated hiic jest! He did not catch the aot for the er hear the car It had gone; but, it would return Return! And then--? His head whirled at the thought

CHAPTER III

AN ENCOUNTER

Mr Heatherbloo in Central Park His canine charges were tied to the bench and while they chafed at restraint and tried vainly to get away and chase squirrels, he scrutinized one of the pages of a newspaper soive hireat pleasure He put down the paper; then picked it up again and regarded a snap-shot illustration occupying a conspicuous position on the society page

”Prince Boris Strogareff, riding in the park,” the picture was labeled