The Man in Possession — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 59 with his handsome face and his pleasant ways, he'd be stalin’ the hearts o’ them mighty aisy.” ‘‘Good-evening, Miss.” The young man was demurely grave, but some- thing of mischief or amusement lurked in the blue eyes, as they met the puzzled wopder of Kate's grave orbs. : ‘‘Good evening, I have to thank you for your culinary efforts on my behalf. You have a great many accomplishments.” ‘‘IT have picked them up at odd moments, and in my travels.” ‘‘Men of your position do not usually have such opportunities of travel and leisure.” ‘‘Perhaps not. I have been lucky. When I was young I was taken to America bya rich uncle. I learnt a great deal there.” He had certainly done so. Audacity and inven- tiveness, to judge from his conversation, and its remarkable powers of unveracity. ‘¢T wonder,” said Kate, ‘‘ you did not stay in the States. Surely there is a larger opening, and greater scope for skilled labour, than in this over-populated country.” “T should have. stayed there, but, unfortunately, I quarrelled with my uncle, and so concluded that the American continent wasnt quite big enougn to hold us both, He elected to remain there, and I— well, I came back to London.” ‘Do you like your work ? ” ‘‘Candidly, Miss, I do not. My friends say I’m COMicloe <Sii C(O)