That Mainwaring Affair | Page 5

speaking, when a door opened noiselessly and
a middle-aged man appeared.
"Parsons," said Mr. Mainwaring, addressing him in quick, incisive
tones, "I am going out to Fair Oaks, and probably shall not be at the
office for two or three days, unless something of unusual importance
should demand my presence. Refer all business callers to Mr. Elliott or
Mr. Chittenden. Any personal calls, if specially important, just say that
I can be found at Fair Oaks."
Parsons bowed gravely, and after a few further instructions retired.
"Now, Mr. Whitney," Hugh Mainwaring continued, at the same time
touching another electric button, "you, of course, will be one of our
party at Fair Oaks; my secretary will accompany us, and the papers will
be drawn up to-morrow in my private library, after which you will do
us the honor to join us in the pleasures of the following day."
"I am at your service, Mr. Mainwaring," responded the attorney; "but,"
he added, in low tones, intended only for Hugh Mainwaring's ear, but
which were heard distinctly by the private secretary, now standing
beside the desk, "would it not be better to draw up the will here, in your
private office? My presence at the house on the present occasion might
attract attention and arouse some suspicions as to your intentions."
"That makes no difference," replied Hugh Mainwaring, quickly, but
also speaking in a low tone; "my private papers are all at the house, and
I choose that this business shall be conducted there. I believe that I am
master in my own house yet."
Mr. Whitney bowed in acquiescence, and Hugh Mainwaring turned to
his secretary,-
"Mr. Scott, just close up everything in the office as quickly as possible
and get ready to accompany me to Fair Oaks; I shall need you there for

two or three days."
It was not the first time the private secretary had accompanied Mr.
Mainwaring to his elegant suburban residence, and he understood
perfectly what was expected of him, and immediately withdrew to
make his preparations as expeditiously as possible.
For some reason, which Hugh Mainwaring had never stopped to
explain even to himself, he always accorded to his private secretary
much more respect and consideration than to any one of his other
numerous employees.
Harry Scott was not only a young man of superior education and good
breeding, but what particularly impressed his employer in his favor was
a certain natural reserve which caused him to hold himself aloof from
his associates in the offices of Mainwaring & Co., and an innate
refinement and delicacy which kept him, under all circumstances, from
any gaucherie on the one hand, or undue familiarity on the other; he
was always respectful but never servile. He had been in the employ of
Hugh Mainwaring for a little more than a year, and, having frequently
accompanied him to Fair Oaks to remain for a day or two, was,
consequently, quite familiar with the house and grounds.
As he re-entered the room, having exchanged his business suit for one
more suitable to the occasion, there was not one present but what
instinctively, though perhaps unconsciously, recognized in him a true
gentleman and treated him as such. Tall, with a splendid physique,
finely shaped head, dark hair, and eyes of peculiar beauty, he was far
from being the least attractive member of the party which, a few
moments later, entered the Mainwaring carriage, with its coat of arms,
and rolled away in the direction of Fair Oaks.
CHAPTER II
FAIR OAKS
The home of Hugh Mainwaring was one of many palatial suburban
residences situated on a beautiful avenue running in a northerly

direction from the city, but it had not been for so many years in his
possession without acquiring some of the characteristics of its owner,
which gave it an individuality quite distinct from its elegant neighbors.
It had originally belonged to one of the oldest and wealthiest families in
the county, for a strictly modern house, without a vestige of
antiqueness lingering in its halls and with no faint aroma of bygone
days pervading its atmosphere, would have been entirely too plebeian
to suit the tastes of Hugh Mainwaring.
>From the street to the main entrance a broad driveway wound beneath
the interlacing boughs of a double line of giant oaks, from which the
place had derived its name. Beautiful grounds extended in every
direction, and in the rear of the mansion sloped gently to the edge of a
small lake. Facing the west was the main entrance to the house, which
was nearly surrounded by a broad veranda, commanding a fine view,
not only of the grounds and immediately surrounding country, but also
of the Hudson River, not far distant.
The southwestern portion of the building contained the private rooms
of