The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-07-15


cal smile, while internally resolving thst no
mortal power should take me to Gfantham
sgsin. OF one thing there could be no
dOubt-an explanation was due e the
kind-hearted baroneb andit must be given.
OF course l might have stolen off from
Linbesch still undiscovered, but I dismiss
ed the notion instantly. had gone far
enough already-too far, Sir Philip might
not unnsturslly think. No, I must
write to him, and it had best be done at
once HHeigh no." 1 sighed as I rum
mayed out ink and paper, and ssS down to
the great work; $50 ends my solitsry
friendship st Linbeach." It took me q
long time to concoct the epistle, but it was
accomplished st last. In terms which 1
would rain hope were melting and persua-
sive, 1 described my birth and parentsge,
related how Ihad only discovered my mis-
taken identity after my arrival at Ganthsm
and made q full apology for having then
in my embarrassment perpetusted the de-
fusion. l wound up by the following dig.
niied and eloquent words: "Of course,
I esn have no claim whatever to continue
an acquaintance so formed, and 7 can only
tender my grateful thanks for the warm
hospitality of which 1 have accidentally
been q recipient" The letter was sealed
and sent, and 1 was lett to speculate how
it would be received, Would Sir Philip
vouchsafe a reply, or would he treat me
with silent contempt. 1 could imagine
him capable of a very tolersble degree of
anger, In spite Of his bOnhomn1is, and 1
blushed up to my brows when 1 pictured
quiet Lady Hetherton recalling my re-
marks about Miss Kate Forde. The sec
ond days post anne in and brought ma
nothing, and now Ibegsn to be seized with
snervous dread of encOuntering any ofthe
Grsnthsm Park party by chance, and this
dread grew so unpleasant that 1 deter
mined to cut short my visit, and return to
town at once. My resolution was no SOON
er taken than acted on. / packed my
p-ortmsntesu, settled accounts with Mrs.
Plumb, and went off to take my place in
the next mornings coach. Coming hastily
out of the booking-ofice in the dusk, 1 al
most ran against somebody standing by
the door. 1t was Sir Philip, and 1 passed
hastily back but ne recognized me at once,
and held out his hand with s hearty laugh,
"Ah, Mr.. Olifsnt, is it your 1 was on my
way to your lodgings so we'll walk to-
gether !" and not noticing my confusion,
he linked his arm in mine, and continued :
81 got your letter last evening, when I
came in from from q long days shooting,
and very much amszed 1 was, that I must
own. l did not answer it at once, for l
was nearly half dead with walking, and,
besides, 1 always liked talking better
than writing. So now l have come to tell
you that l think you have behaved like
an honest man and q gentleman in writing
that letter and Pm very glad to hsve
made your acquaintance, though you sre
not Harry Olifsnt's son. As for the mis-
take, why, twas my own fault for taking
it for granted you must bs the man I fan.
cied you. Ny lady is just the least bit
Vexed that we should have made such
geese of ourselves, but come over and shoot
tomorrow, and we'll give you a quiet din
ner and a bed in your own proper person;
and she will be glad to see you. Mind l
expect you"
After all my resolutions, 1 did go to
Grsntham on the following day f; and my
dinner by mistake was the precursor of q
most pleasant acquaintance, which became
in time q warm and lasting friendship.