The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-05-30
&C MR.. SMITH. Z"

brook-one stout counrywoman, with a market.
basket upon her arm; the other young man who
way TO the luggage van. Leaving the countrywomar
TO get her fat self and her basket ont she might
the solitary officer hustled up to the rst-class pas
"Your luggage, slr9 Was 1t labeled Red1rook
| what namep smith,, did you say, slrp Thanh
| you.''
Hut now the small and important servant came up,
touching his hat, and speaking with great air.
Young mans hand. "what luggage have You
III see to 1t; the carriage Is tho other side SIR
v AS 500" n as ne mad rounded The station. house. the
carriage In waiting, and, seated In II, Young lady.
She was attired In plain print dress, with only few
Knots OF pae-coored ribbon here and there to relieve
Its monotony upon her head was wide straw hat,
simple as the rest of her attire. and for her face, Its
chief merit lay In Its youthfulness and brilliancy
colorlng But altogether the grlIsh figure, the low
carriage, and the rural Landscape made very
reiresn,ng spectacle g. to Mr. Smith weared with
| London.
MIR. smith advanced hestatingly, not sure who the
young lady might prove be. iIer words, however,
at once normedhim. Directly sehad caught sight OF
his advancing FORM she extended her hand and spoke
with frank corallty, her voice being rs pleasant and
''IIow do you TO, Mr.. smthg My father was so
sorry not to be able to come himself TO welcome you
| n0OnN
Mr.. Smith took the outstretched hand, thinking
within himself that he should enjoy the drive quite rs
much In the company of his hosts daughter as In that
OF his host personally, perhaps more SO.
| "Wiil you get In ~ sail the girl next. 'ThOnas,
hope Is seeing to your luggage. The wagon will
| bring IT,
~ am being the occasion of q great deal OF
| trouble
| 'Not Mt all; the wagon had already to come fol
some farm implements, 50 that need not he upon yOul
mind, answered the young lady In an independent,
characteristic of hers. "Is all right, Thomas" she
asked Of the servant, whonow came up and Hammered
ponies, and away they went ut n fair pace.
There are no lions to point out to you, Mr.. Smith,
so that unless you can admire quiet country land
scape, am afraid you Will be disappointed In the
| neighborhood."
at may be great deficiency in taste, " answered
he, laughing; but am not sure that do not like
rich agricultural country like this better than the
| grandeur OF wilder scenery
"Of course like the country; never find 1t dun
but am AFRAID OF our not being able to fnd you much
| amusement "
Jeffrey was beginning to dcprccate this view of the
| case when he was interrupted by the ponies being
| pulled M. They had overtaken the old woman, who
had been the other passenger In the train by which he
"Well, Nanny warm evening. Shall we take
your basket for you? You call for 1t at the house
''fhank you, Miss Lettice it's warm, - answered
ing to disburden herself.
Here, Thomas, ~ said the young lady to the
want, who was looking on disdainfulIy with folded
arms, ''help Nanny up with her basket And at
the command of his mistress had no choice but to
unfold his arms and assist the old woman, who was
| anxiousy covering mp one corner of her basket.
| What have You got there, Nanny9 new
YES, Miss; and win You see as those maids OF
yours don't get fttln' un on.''
she laid her whip lightly upon the ponies' shining
TANKS, and started afresh 90 1 think that is only
Nanny's delicate way of putting the case; it Is in
reality myself whom she Is afraid of not being able Ia
resist that tempting adoinment.
81 am not sure that her misgivings are with
out reason, said Mr.. Smith, smiling In his turn.
To feel otherwise than friendly toward this frank girl
was as Impossible as 1t would be to treat her with
other than the trnest respect. 81 shall make II my
l first duty to look after Nanny' \ Interests =,
| "Pray DO Come my beauties, must be get
ting on >. added she, shaking the ponies, reins en-
pingf We try to help our neiglbors here in the
country; we have not much else to think of, ~ she
added alphabetically turning round and gancing into
her companions face.
| ~ was amused at the idea for moment; but
| think 1t was very good thought of yours, - an
swered the young man warmly.
short space more OF the country road with Its
owery banks and the carriage turned of and bowed
smoothly up avenue of chestnuts through park
| small extent; and in very few minutes more they
pulled up at a low, struggling house 1t was an ire
n ner M, n Il. on TEo ana many
said to follow tie form of three sides OF quadrangle,
having at one bend short square tower, which gave
low, rambling character
The door stood wide open to admit the summer air,
fragrant with the balmy breath of many roses; and
the girl giving the relns to the groom stepped from
the carriage and conducted Smith the wide hall
| to room at the rear of the house.
'My father Will most likely he In tho library.
Yes " said she. iiingng wide the doors after pre-
lmnary peep within, CHANGING over her shoulder to
| the young man who was following her.
81 Here is Mr.. Smith, papa"
Her father who had been seated in Ills study chair
reading the newspaper, laid i down upon the en-
to greet his guest with bland smile Of welcome
upon his face. Bnt as his eye fell upon his visitor the
of blank surprise, and he drew himself up stinly.
mo are y% s, p, cried ths old gen!lsma
rseep Mr. Mas n ess at
"How sboyld know9 What do you mean, sir ~
us Mr. Lorimer not expecting me. Where is
hep
"In his own house, n dozen miles from here
should magine!" cried the little old gentleman; his
| seeming to bristle with pugnacity.
''In his own house, a dozen miles from here.''
echoed jeffrey Smith, bankly. 81 can't understand
~ can't understand you, sr!'' retorted the other
Stay, there Is some mistake, said Lettuce, who
had been looking In amazement from TO the other
''Mr. Smith, whom did you come to sect ''
"Mr. I.orimer, OF course, ~ answered the young
man promptly, turning to the girl with evident
"But We have hardly visiting acquaintance with
theml Why come here?''
~ have "oyer been there hut It is q place called
The Cedars. and thought was coming to 1t now' Is
What reply the young lady might have given eau
burton. took up the subject again. 81 see 1t all -
cried he, throwing up his hands. 1.-THE boy should
have gone to The Cellars and has come here six miles
"Then this is not Mr.. Lorimer's. How stupid!
~
"Most extraordinary to me- Mr.. Warbnrton
muttered to himself, chow person does NOT know
where he Is going and takes care he gets there
The color rose to Jeffrey smith forehead; and lie
was none the less annoyed that he felt the blood mount
Ing to his face. 81 am sorry for any Inconvenience
that may have caused you, sir, ~ he said ''and
think now that had better lose no time In starting
| ior NY destination. ~
''iut, tut, tut, young man, don't mount the high
horse; 81 down, at down. was only thinking of YOU
For ourselves II We haze not the right visitor we are
Xni very lint \ vii n Ma anf
your time Besides imagine shall get no convey
ance In these rustic parts, therefore the start
| genial self at the others more cordial manner.
sqnsense' there Is no conveyance to be had
I s Ss one of
able for the present. You of your own Tree win
and choice, and you must stay now against u. IT
cooling his heels on Redbrook platform
~ don't think, papa, he could have arrived, >,
seated herself beside the table
lyon were expecting friend by this train g-of
course " added Jeffrey, correcting hinsell 'or the
got out Of the train but myself and the old woman
with the cap, smiling at I.ettice. 90 looked about
me thoroughly No ! can assure You no one was
VERY well, ans wen that ends Well Ring tho
room-he can have smith's, - said NJ. waIblrton,
as mP'nlsiyeiy hospitable now as he had bsen m.
6sarabiy psts before Win an his simplicity and
he had taken liking for this young stranger with
| ms good looks and gentlemanly bearing and was
honestly pleased TO have him within his doors.
Miss warbprton had kept quite silent and aloof
throughout the discussloni but when no at length
yielded to her fathers persuaslons. Smith could not
resist stealing glance In her direction To rel her
mind, and he fancied that he could detect q faint
smile OF satisfaction dmpling her pretty mouth SO
In improved spirits no proceeded 10 his roon where
he was Informed his luggage was already. In twenty
minutes his toilet was complete, and he made his way
back TO the room IN which he had been received.
Quick though he considered no had been In dress
ing, he found Miss warburton had yet been quicker
for as he opened tho door, no heard her eedf voice
| In conversation.
"Wei, must say thought hs looked rather
young.
~ should think SO. How You could take that lad
| TO bs tho Professor MIR Warburton was begin
| ming, when he was awakened TO the fact OF jeffrey
smith = presence In tho room.
A slight flush dawned upon Lotiee's fqlr cheeks "
tile unexpected entrance OF their subject " converse
| ton, but she faced tho position frankly.
''ies ~ she began, with her low sweet laugh;