The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-11-23
AN UNPLEASANT RECEPTION.

A broiling hot August day, with the
thermometer at ninety-six in the shade
at five O clock in the afternoon, and q
heat-laden wind just barely stirring the
dust-laden leaves on the one ancient
tree in front of Mr.. Golding's office in
one of the dingiest courts between Old
Broad Street and Bishopsgate, made
combination of conditions which GER
tainly warranted Mr.. Gilbert Golding
in irritably slamming the safe door,
viciously locking it, and venemously
jamming his hat on the back of his
head. determine upon leaving off work
for the day.
''London's worse than the Black Hole
to-day. and I'll get out of it as fast as
the train can take me-somewhere-
anywhere where there's breath of
fresh air. I'll 90 to Tom Dyson's
place. Toms been inviting me for the
last three months to spend a few days
with them-riverside villa-cool place.
Simmons, I'll go."
His clerk looked up from The will he
was copying.
"All right, sir. Shall / get you a
timetable? VIII you 90 at once?n
SAT once, if | intend to arrive there
in any form more desirable than an an
imated grease-pot. But you needn't
oct The time-table-a train leaves Pad
dington at seven-thirty for Maidenhead,
and I'll take it.''
He was - stout little eentleman, POM
pOus and communicative. tie had q
bald head and wore Ilrutt0u-vhoP -hio-
kers, and a diamond collar-button and
studs. and low-cut shoes, and he was a
bachelor on the shady side of forty,
with a good income and resolve that
it was lust about time for him to look
over his lady acquaintances and honor
one favored one with his choice.
Il understand Toms meaning-the
sly dog-when he keeps limiting in his
| letters that has wfe's sister is spending
the Summer with them. He wants me
to marry her; and why shouldn't |, if
she is young, and pretty, and agreea-
bleP'
And Mr.. Golding stroked his whis-
lzers as he reflected on the matter, while
the Great Western train went flying to-
| wards its destination.
1t was between eight andni o'clock
| of the breathless Summer night that
| Hfr. Goldipg alighted at Maidenhead-
l
breeze blowing, and not star shining
il the SKY.
Yes, YOU may drive me oyer-you
don't suppose I'm fool enough to foot
it, dc your he growled at the Jehu
who solicited his patronage, and Mr..
Golding climbed up in the comfortable
open fly, and took of his hat and began
to grow quite comfortable by the time
the lights of the Dyson's cottage twin
kled in sight.
..You needn't drive any further" b,
said to his coachman-''put me ou
here; l want to surprise 'em-that is,
if you're sure that is the place"
There was no mistake, the man IS
sured him; and so Mr. Goldiug counted
out the fare and dismissed him, anC
went slowly and comfortably along, de
termined to visit q delightful surprise
ed on his visiting them.
Reaching the house, Mr.. Golding tip
toed round to the lawn behind, ant
peeped cautiously in the window, wher,
pretty home-scene greeted him;
bright, vet subdued, light burning OIL
the table, beside which two lovel,
white-robed ladies sat reading, while
chubby little youngster and its white
aproned and white-capped nurse wer
occupying corner, busy with dolls AM
TOYS.
The dark one is Toms wife, so tn
other one must be lone Dyson-roman
tie name, too, and just fits her prett,
yellow hair and big blue eyes. lone
lone Golding' 'twouldn't sound amiss
guess I'll slip round and go in by tn,
| French windows on the other-o-
Mr.. Golding's intentions, however
were not carried out, for a sudden
sharp flash of lightning, and an in
stantaneous peal of thunder that scenes
to split open the very sky above thei
heads, brought the ladies and the chill
to their feet with affrighted faces. Will
the nurses voice shrieked loud an,
shrill.
The man, the man, ma'am! l Sc
him peerin' in at you, ma am-with tn
yillainist eyes-hark, ma amn'
The sound of the barking of dogs
and Mr.. Golding's exclamations of dis
may, evaporation and terror sounde
frightful indeed-for at the moment O
the thunder crash. two huge brute
suddenly sprang upon him. as thoug
they had fallen from the clouds, and
second later grip ike death was fel
on his shirt collar.
| ..Archie' come! Oh. thank goodness,
Mrs. Dyson cried, and then the fair lii
tie golden-haired girl called out as sh
came nearer the window through whic
MIR. Golding had taken his stolen view
lis it you, Archie? How providentia
And you've brought the dogs. too"
so I've got you. have II" voic
yelled, in Mr. Golding's ears, and h
felt himself shaken rs if in the ggipe c
giant, while the relentless hold on hi
collar made him feel that the ne,
would cause stroke of apoplexy. '1'y
I mot Won hoUo 10 Hal,