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But Mr Arnot was not by any reeable experiences He had been ato know that when a piece of machinery is set in motion, not merely the wheels nearest to one will ht He who proposes to have a decided influence upon a fellow-creature's destiny should re grasp upon one life without becoled in the interests ofthis out to his cost, for he had hardly coain before there was a rustle of a lady's garments in the outer office, and a hasty step across the threshold of his private sanctuhtened face of Mrs Haldane

"Where is Egbert?--where is my son?" she asked abruptly

At that moment Mr Arnot ad a question in all his life Before hihest social rank, and she was so unmistakably a lady that he could treat her with only the utmost deference He saith alar apprehension, for there was scarcely anything under heaven that he would not rather face than a scene with a hysterical woman If this was to be the climax of his policy he would rather have lost the thousand dollars than have had it occur Rising from his seat, he said aardly: "Really, "

"I was on ive my son a surprise But this paper--this dreadful report--what does it mean?"

"I am sorry to say, madam, it is all too true," replied Mr Arnot uneasily "Please take a chair, or perhaps it would be better for you to go at once to our house and see Mrs Arnot," he added, now glad to escape the interview on any terasped

"I think you had better see Mrs Arnot; she will explain," said the unhappyin chaos about his ears "Let e"

"Do you think I can endure the suspense of another moment? In mercy speak--tell me the worst!"

"Well," said Mr Arnot, with a shiver like that of one about to plunge into a cold bath, "I suppose you will learn sooner or later that your son has co Mrs Haldane's increasing pallor, "there are extenuating circumstances--at least, I shall act as if there were"