The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-11-19
GERALD MYRTLEMORE'S ESCAPE.
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER 1.
The ordinary routine of country solicitors
life is very nearly as humdrum and monotonous
as rumOr says. Yet now and again, even in his
case the dead-level is broken by an exciting cpl
sode. Such was the one wish to relate
Gerald Myrtlemore had known from his in
fancy; known and-if the word may be used
without ridicule by a grabbed old bachelor
loved. At the time of my story he was tall,
handsome young fellow Of seven and twenty,
sturdy of limb and stout of heart At his fathers
death, some five years previous, Gerald had come
into possession of much property; but an unfor-
tunate speculation connected with the downfall
of a certain bank, whose name has still an ugly
favor on mems lips, had well-nigh ruined him
His mother had married again, and was now in
Italy. He had only one other near relative, a
brother who, being of a rowing and scientific
turn of mind, had gone with a party of British
and continental sauans to explore the wilds of
South America. Edgar was seldom heard from
Gerald lived alone with an old confidential house
keeper in neat little house called. after the vii
lage, Ashdale Lodge. Here he was on the spot
looking after the wreck of his estate, and trying
hard to bring order out of monetary chaos He
was lonely, and ] was lonely; and moreover, as
/ was his chief assistant in the aforementioned
attempt, we were drawn much together. Of
winter eyenings-possihly after a brisk run with
the CrOxby hounds-we sat In my home, and
smoked and talked gossip and politics by the
hour. OF late, however / had noticed change
in him, and with the keen eye of lawyer 1
tracked it to its cause: Gerald was in love. A
terrible malady is that tender passion" OF how
many bosom friends and joviel companions it has
robbed me during these last thirty years an out
slider would have small idea know, for away
in the archives of my memory / kept list, long
and mournful catalogue.
Gerald Myrtlemore was certainly in love. |
had N 4de diagnosis of the disease far too often
to be misled. His visits were less frequent, and
he was almost always absent-minded when he
did come. / remarked great extremes in his
dress; at one time he was wonderfully polished
and precise, at another very lax. Then too, l
had caught him more than once in the streets of
Ashdale talking very earnestly with Miss Tran
ton, all arrangement in pink and white, with
whose charms good many young men seemed
smitten. Naturally, | laughed at him, and
equally according to the rule, the laughing ag-
another reason beyond the purely selfish one of
losing blithe-eyed friend A strong PRESENT.
ment of evil lay upon me. Miss Tranton might
conceivably be next door to an angel, but her
father, Captain Tranton, of Hollies Hall, was best
described rs an avaricious autocrat. / knew him
well in official capacity | had many dealings
with him, aud had found his coldness only
equaled by his pride, his infexibility only over
mastered by his greediness for gain. He had
certain reputation in the village as money
lender, veritable eAtortioner; and although his
dignity kept it a secret, had ample reasons to
believe its truth. Solicitors are not accustomed
10 trust much TO chance, but | would have wag-
cred any day my whole professional reputation
that Captain Tranton would never be brought to |
hear of match between Gerald Myrtlemore and
his daughter. In family, Of course, Gerald was !
fully his equal: the Myrtlemores had been set
tied in Brakeshire for more than three centuries |
But ererald was poor and he was rich and that |
alone the magnate of Hollies Hall would find to |
be an insuperable objection.
As TO the rebellion on the naiden's part. that, |
too, appeared unlikely. She was not of age
hardly nineteen--and was ruled at home with a |
rod of iron.
The increasing gloom on my friends face and !
the resentment against the grinding bond of .
Strengthened circumstances that now and again
burst volcano-like through his ordinarily placid |
mood, gave new force TO my vague dread of
trouble. | made at least bold bid for his |
secret offered him a sympathy that was
genuine, and recognizing il as such, Gerald told
me the whole story.
1t was dull leaden afternoon in early autumn,
and the blinds were down in my cozy room, and
the gas alight, the logs blazing. Gerald made
no effort to seek the shade; he was long past the
period of blushing self-consciousness He stood
upright, TO the left of the fireplace his firm.