The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-01-14
W BLOOMFIELD, PA TUESDAY JANUARY H. 1879.

O'Clock the tinkle OF bell announced
that dinner was served. AT the same
instant the door bell rang.
~ cannot see any one unless the
business is of Importance" the doctor
said to the servant, as he went through
the entry.
Presently the girl came into the din
ing-room with card in her hand.
"The gentleman says his business is
of Importance, sir" she said "and he
would like to see you for moment to
arrange for future interview, if you
cannot see him now"
The doctor glanced over the card, and
read: "Samuel " A. Markham, Attor-
ney, London" His eyes sparkled as he
read.
"Is he a fresh-faced, white-haired
man p''
eyes, sir.''
"Keep the dinner hot, then, Ann and
add something to 1t. Perhaps the gen.
tleman will dine with me-"
Doctor Thayer found his visitor stand
ing, hat in hand. A gentleman evident
ly; rather handsome, now he saw him
well, and with prompt, business-like
look about him which suited the doctor
admirably.
1.-The business on which come may
not occupy more than a few minutes
said the stranger briefly, declining the
seat the other offered him. "It would
be well to ascertain that at once, lest 1
detain you unnecessarily"
"The doctor bowed, and the gentle
man proceeded:
"My card will tell you my name and
profession. have been for many years
the confidential legal adviser of the
late Mr.. Walter Stanley, of London"
Late !" exclaimed the doctor, invoI-
UNFAIRLY, his countenance changing.
Yes, sir. Mr.. Stanley has been dead
about month and, in obedience to his
will, have come to this country to dis
cover, if possible, some trace of near
relative of his"
Doctor Thayer's eyes flashed up as he
repeated the word relative" and for
moment he forgot his visitor, and stood
fixed in thought, putting link to link of
the chain of seemingly detached events
and incidents.
81 beg your pardon, sir" he said
then. "Pray seat yourself. Or per-
haps you will dine with me? L was
just seating myself at the table when
you came in."
The gentleman smilingly accepted the
courtesy, and followed his host into the
dining-room. Evidently this grave but
tine-faced country physician had some-
thing to tell him, and knew what he
had come to ask. Business was bust
ness, but the Englishman could not
help noticing that the dining-room ap-
pointments, simple as they were showed
highly cultivated mind, and acquaint-
ance with the usages of the best society
He had never before heard of Doctor
Thayer, but the feeling of respect with
which his clear, keen face had inspired
him on their chance meeting in the
Hall avenue, was increased by what he
saw of his menage. A man who had
such silver, with such an initial on ii,
who knew enough to buy such an en-
craving as hung over the sideboard,
whose cook knew how to make chick
en-pie, who, moreover, had the good
sense to offer his guest pure native wine
instead of counterfeit foreign ones-such
q man Mr. GanouaI Nfa ~ I,o.xsn 49,. IA
conscientiously call gentleman. The
Englishman had been nearly poisoned
more than once by the Ingenious hos
pitality of those who had, on account
of his nationality, felt obliged to offer
him what they called port wine. He
also admired the courtesy of his host,
who would not ask an explanation
which he was plainly anxious to re-
ceiYe.
Only the preliminaries of their busi-
ness were spoken of during dinner. Mr..
Stanley had died of gout in the stom-
aeh; had been suffering from it during
several years. He had been intending
to come to America in company with
his attorney, though against the advice
of his physician, and had probably
hastened his death by the exertions of
he had made to prepare himself for GO
ing. He had been many years trying to
find out where this relative of his was,
had at last got clew of her, had writ
ten to lady at whose house he had
heard of her having been some years be-