The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-14
Miss Matilda. completely fright ened

Miss Matilda, completely frightened
into submission, flew to assist in putting
the room to rights, and. with the aid of
Dora and Romeo, order was soon
restored. The torn letters and papers
were hastily collected to be rc-copied, the
monkeys were dispatched to the attic,
Romeo reluctantly retired, and when MIR.
Leonard at length returned, he found
Dora sitting quietly as he had left her
with her book, at the window, A ner
vousness of manner and pair OF dim
pied checks unusually flushed escaped
the notice of the man whose mind was
full of the details of a new case which he
had been discussing.
'Dora, do you not think we had better
include the young man next door among
our guests for Wednesday EVENING""
Miss Matilda asked of her neice. ''Bob
can call there the day before, and your
father will think the acquaintance has
sprung up entirely through him."
eve certainly owe civility, aunt,
and think your suggestion very good
one," Dora answered. quietly, though her
heart beat high with pleasant antici-
pations.
Antonio Sardi, which proved to be
Romco's proper name, lost no time in
writing an acceptance of Miss Leonard's
kind invitation tor Wednesday. Dora,
reading his polite note at the breakfast
table, left the envelope lying UNDECIDED
near her fathers plate.
Later, while the two ladies were dis
cussing the important question of flowers
for the suspicious evening, Mr.. Leonard
entered the room with torn envelope
in his hand.
"What induced Bob to strike up
friendship with the young scamp next
door2 He might have been better en-
ployed during his short holiday" he
began:
"Oh, papa, he's not scamp He"
Dora stopped suddenly.
"Then what right has he to make nse
of that seal3 Look ! Is it not the fac
simile of your grandfathers. This fell
low had some foolish idea of appearing
well connected, but has unfortunately
stolen seal that is very familiar to us.
l will inquire into this and speak to Bob;
one cannot be too cautious with these
foreigners.
The old gentleman's investigation con-
lily into the greatest excitement. On
questioning young Sar1i he told clear,
succinct story of his past life and parent
age. His father, an kaian of noble fam
lily, had married an English lady, whom
he deserted shortly after the birth of
their only child. They heard of his
death in Russia afterward, and few
years later his mother died also, leaving
Observation-Disclosures in the world. 1t
was his mothers crest that he had used
upon the note addressed to Miss Leonard {;
it was strange that it should so resemble
the seal of the Leonard family.
"Did your mother ever speak of friends
in England?"
"Rarely; the subject seemed to her a
most painful one, and / never preached
it,"
'What was her name2" Mr.. Leonard
asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
Gertrude Ramsay"
"Why did not all this dawn upon me
beforel Boy, if your story is true, you
are the son of our beloved little Gertrude,
who left us long ago. and whose loss |
have never ceased to mourn. Come with
me; the others should rejoice with us In
the return of the wanderer."
Every doubt of Antonios lde nifty was
soon removed, and the foreign cousin
was treated as an honored guest among
his new-found friends, to whom he en-
deared himself through many charming
traits of character.
We have to thank Bob for most
agreeable addition to our family party,
said Mr.. Leonard, gazing on the group
assembled about the fire one evening.
"Thank rather Bob and the monkeys,
papa, said Dora, silly.
Monkeys! What do you mean9"
The story of the rescued plate was
obliged to be told then and there; but
Mr.. Leonard found it impossible to be
angry after all that had happened, and
a hearty laugh ended the awkward
secret
In gaining a cousin Mr. Leonard was
obliged to part with his daughter, fol
the love that had silently sprung up long
before between Dora and Romeo would
hide itself to longer; and when Boil
came home for his Christmas holidays a
grand event took place-the first bird
flew from the parent nest, and Dora went
with her dark-cyed lover and husband
to see the bright skies of his native land.