Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: III When David Leigh secured an appointment under the government he believed himself very fortunate. It really seemed providential that the private secretary to the Secretary of State should resign just at the conclusion of the trip abroad which had followed his graduation at Yale, and while he was still uncertain whether Fate intended him to become a bright and shining light in the literary world or remain an obscure reporter on a New York daily; secretly, he inclined to the former belief, for twenty-five is a somewhat egotistical age even with the best of us. Moreover, he was decidedly elated at securing his present position; it had all been so easy. " I can get the billet for you if you want it," his uncle had remarked,'' and I advise you to take it. Such places are good stepping-stones to better things; they don't go begging, so you would better grab while the bag is open." And he had grabbed eagerly. The selection of a place to live had been rather difficult, and it was a month after he had entered upon his duties in the Department before he could summon courage to apply for admittance to the select and exclusive boarding-house to which he had been recommended. "I am the widow of a Southern gentleman, Mr. Leigh, who lost his all in the Civil War," said the imposing personage who presented herself in response to his request for the lady of the house, " and I do take a few paying guests. I always require to know something of their antecedents, however, but, of course, your connection with the State Department is a sufficient credential, so I will make an exception in your favor and waive further reference." David thought himself uncommonly lucky and thanked her profusely as he clinched the bargain, quite unconscious that the lady herself was equally anxious to...