The Intriguers. Harold Bindloss

from the blow; I was staying at Sandymere. He loved you, Dick, and I imagined he expected you to do even better than his son."

      Blake mused for a few moments, and Mrs. Keith could not read his thoughts.

      "Bertram is a good fellow," he said. "Why should his people think less of him because he likes to paint? But I've been sorry for the Colonel; more sorry than I've felt for myself."

      There was a softness in his dark blue eyes that appealed to Mrs. Keith. She had been fond of Dick Blake in his younger days and firmly believed in him. Now she could not credit his being guilty of cowardice.

      "Well," she said, "you have a long life before you, I trust; and there are people who would be glad to see you reinstated."

      He made a sign of grave dissent.

      "That can't happen, in the way you mean. I closed the door of the old life against my return, with my own hands; and you don't gain distinction, as the Challoners think of it, in business."

      "What business have you gone into?"

      Blake's eyes gleamed humorously.

      "At present, I'm in the paint line."

      "Paint!" Mrs. Keith exclaimed.

      "Yes, but not common paint. We use the highest grade of lead and the purest linseed oil. Varnish also of unapproachable quality, guaranteed to stand exposure to any climate. There's nothing to equal our products in North America."

      "Do you seriously mean that you are going about selling these things?"

      "I'm trying to. I booked an order for two kegs yesterday, but it isn't to be paid for until arrival, when I shall not be here. Can't I induce you to give us a trial? Your house must need painting now and then, and we'll ship you the stuff to Liverpool in air-tight drums. Once you have tried it you'll use nothing else."

      Mrs. Keith laughed.

      "Dick, you're a marvel! I'm glad adversity hasn't soured you; but you know that you won't make enough to keep you in neckties at any business you take up. It's ludicrous to think of your running about with paint samples!"