The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-02-02
HEARTS PROBLEM.
BY CHARLES a1BBoN.


author Of Robin Gray" For Lack Of Gold, "
an Honor Bound "For the King"
queen Of the Meadow" Etc.
CHAPTER H.-CoNT1NUED.
"1tis on your account that write, after
waiting so long to hear from you. The feelings
of father have overcome me at length, and
am Obliged to be the first to hold out the
hand of friendship, although it would have
pleased me much IL you had been the first to
do so. 1t would have shown me, for instance,
that you regarded me as something more than
mere acquaintance, from whom you could
separate yourself on account of trif1ing mis-
understanding. However, let that pass also.
"The serious object of my letter is to induce
you to come here at once. have heard from
several quarters that you have got into deep
waters and that you are neither happy nor
comfortable. This is most unfortunate, my
dear boy, and distresses me exceedingly. But
/ believe il is in my power to help you, If you
are willing to help yourself by following my
counsels- The matter will not wait, and I
therefore beg of you not to lose a moment in
communicating with me after you receive
this. II you are in London, telegraph. and
come by the first train you can catch. Ii is of
vital Importance that you should act promptly.
make no attempt to explain my project here,
but wait anxiously for your arrival.
Now let no foolish qualms or unnatural re,
sentiment stand in the way of your own good
fortune, and of the happiness of
"Your ever affecte father,
"HENRY CALTHoRPE."
Mr.. Calthorpe apparently could not
afford space or time to write the word
''af1ectionate'' in full.
Although not quite blind to the bonn
bastic strain in which his father in
dulged, Maurice w.is too much ashamed
of himself for the hesitation he had felt
in opening the letter to think of any,
thing but the fact that it asked him to
forgive the past. II is true he ought to
have been the first to seek the reconcile
alton. He had been obstinate, he had
been selfish, and his father had been
generous. Thus blaming himself, a
food of kindly memories rushed upon
him, and he resolved to obey the sum-
mons without delay. His offence as
sumed an exaggerated aspect in these
reflections, and it became more culpable
in his eyes when he read this postscript,
which had almost escaped him:
"P. S.-Do not forget that years do not
creep hut fly with me now. and in the course
of nature you cannot have the opportunity of
spending many with me. You know how Il
dislike such disagreeab'e thoughts, and so
you can understand how keenly feel our
estrangement when have permitted myself
to refer to them in writing. HI.
Genuine feeling was expressed there,
however superficial might be the letter
itself. Maurice hastily wrote a tee
gram to the effect that he would be
at Calthorpe that evening, and rang for
some one to take it to the post-office.
1t vas Lucy who answered the bell.
At the sight of her his eagerness to de-
part was suddenly checked, and the
message which he was about to dispatch
assumed the form OF cloud rising be-
tween them. He had not vet owned,
even to himself, that he loved her; but
at this moment he was conscious that
one of the chief elements in his Joy at
the approaching reconciliation with mis-
father lay in the thought that he would
be abe under his own name openly to
WOO and win her. At the same time
there flashed upon him the question,
Would his father ever consent to the
union of the last representative of the
ancient family of Callhorpe of Calthrope
with the adopted daughter of tailor?
The cloud rising between them became
more distinct and more impenetrable.
Lucy observed the flush upon his
usually pale face; and although it was
impossible to divine whether or not his
expression was one of pleasure, she was
glad to see him look so well.
Maurice impulsively threw aside that
disturbing question which had arisen in
his mind, and took her hand.
Something has occurred which
obliges me to leave here to-day; but it
has made me happy, because it will en-
able me to return sooner than | ex-
pected. | should be anxious to return,
if '.....
He stopped. His movement and his
speech had been so rapid that Lucy had
no time TO think of how she should act
or what she should say. The blood
tingled in her cheeks. her pulse quick
ened, and something that was not pain
seemed to rise in her throat. sitting any
exclamation of her bewilderment.
The awkwardness which had CON-
PEELED him to pause was due to the sud-
den consciousness that an abrupt con-
fession of his love might distress her. !
What right had he to imagine that she
had ever thought of him with any feel
ings save those of friendship? And vet
the confidence with which she allowed
her hand to rest in his. the wondering,
halt-frightened, half-pleased expression
In her eyes, gave him hope. Still, he |
would not venture to tell her all his |
thought
Il was going to say. anxious to re-
turn if all goes well with me- Then 1 |
shall have surprise for you.''
"A pleasant one, l hope" she an
swered, smiling.
al hope so, too" he said, with GER
tain emphasis in his tone, and pressing
her hand. 1T will depend upon YOU
whether the surprise is pleasant one
or not" !
Upon me, Mr. Esmond?'' she said.
quietly. as she Withdrew her hand.
Yes: but you must wait till I come
back to learn why. Now will you ask
Teddy to take this telegram to the post
Officer
He did not remember in his haste that |
any one looking at the telegraph form
would learn his real name. He had
simply doubled up the paper, with a
shilling inside. and Lucy took it to
Teddy, who. ready to obey her in any
thing, fastened to dispatch the message.
1t SO happened that the clerk was doubt
ful about the photography of the name,
and asked Teddy if it was Culthorpe or
Calthorpe.
''It's not that at all; it's Esmond,"
was the answer.
There's no Esmond here" said the
clerk, handing him the paper.