St. Landry democrat., 1882-02-11
your permission, I will read aloud to the

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My uncle looked considerably aston
ished at this unusual proposal. Lily
looked up with open eyes and curious
expression, this being not exactly the
kind of reading she had intended. But
the offer was seriously made and re-
peated, and my uncle, who dearly liked
being read to, gave dubious assent.
Miss Lily, with tilial affection, made
him particularly comfortable in an
arm chair, and Mr.. Gregory commenced
reading a long prosy article on French
! politics. He read with anything but his
usual spirit, and in a soft, low, monoto-
nous voice. The consequence was las
had possibly been not wholly unfore-
SEEM that my uncle was soon ENJOYING
his accustomed afternoon siesta. The
reading, having gradually become slow
er and slower, now ceased, and the read
er, looking up suggested by slight
gesture an adjournment to the garden.
Lily and tried to smother our laughter
and looked shocked, but we adopted the
suggestion. A book of poetry was
quickly produced, and found that there
is difference between hearing French
politics read in stuf'y drawing-room,
to middle-aged gentleman, aud hear
ing "Enoch Arden read in. a cool.
shady alcove, to pretty. dark-eved.
Ilovable maiden, with tender bosom,
heaving in sympathy with poor Enoch's
sorrows, especially when the reader is a
handsome Young bachelor. with an ex-
auisitely modulated voice, able to do.
full Justice to the harmonious numbers
of the Laureate. .,,.... -,
+ At the end of half an, hour was
startled by an exclamation, from Lily.
Looking up, I saw in the garden below,
sitting ON seat3under the trees with
their faces toward us, our dear friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Griee. That gentleman
was Keeping up apparently q desultorv
conversation To- with IN his wife. They
waved their hands on catching our
feyes, and beckoned to us to come and
join them, which we did not do. ~ - ~ =.
Mr.. Gregory instead of going on
with his reading, continued to regard
them intently, and asked us whether we
knew them.ftsWe said .sNo.'' ...s5.s asa ~.
|: We EXPLAINED how thew had favored
11s with their attention To orr t}isan-
pointmnent. he could not be induced to
90 on with his reading, but he contin-
ned to stara of tbe col1nle before nc. and
when at last thew strolled of in differ
ent directions. he said he must apollo.
oize ion. hayine an engagement and left
us abruptly. IA strange Young. man,
;ndeedr,. we tbouobt,,1 and we were
still more surprised when in ,aho,,t. an
honr he returned and asked NV uncle
to be allowed a short private CONVEX
sation with him. NV Auncla seemed
startled bv this request (and So. by-
the-Way. did Lilv). but. after a short
nause. he led the wav to an adioinino
apartment.
The conversation which ensued. we
subsequently, learned. was as follows.
II am about. sir.,' said Mr.. GREGORY.
IS tn rotor tn vo,,r nr;vate affairs r. on
extent which will surprise YOU. but I
hone to be able to render Won a service
which will he an annie excuse for nv
intrusion. You are. I believe returninS
to town tomorrow,
eyes"
.sThe cause of YOUR return is, I be-
lieye, connected with the forgery of a
certain check in YOUR name.n
"Sir. how can YOU possibly know
thatp'
.That check was brought to Won for
your inspection three DAYS ago by one
of the clerks from the bank. a Mr.,
Smith. and it isnow in your possession.n
Nv uncle was speechless.
"Hear me further. The accuracy of
NV statements hitherto NAV claim
credence for what am about to affirm.
Unless am greatly mistaken, there are
now in this establishment two persons
who have been emnloyed to REGAIN nos
session at ali costs Of the forced naper.
They suspect that YOU have It, and al
ready your room and your daughter
and niece's rooms have been searched, |
and it only remains to search your per