The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-02-02

Maurice, was astounded by what he
heard, and became puzzled almost to
the degree Of bewilderment by what he
saw when he entered the house. There
was nothing to suggest that it was the
residence of an impoverished gentleman.
There were brightness. warmth, and an
atmosphere of ease everywhere. The
room, formerly his own. had been pre-
pared for him, and glad fire made the
faded hangings of window and bedstead
look as if they had renewed their youth.
The contrast between all this and the
sad home which he had expected to en-
ter caused Maurice TO question whether
or not he was dreaming.
'.Mr. Calthorpe is dressing. sir. y
said servant, land babe me say that
he would be glad to see you for few
minutes in his room.
Maurice at once proceeded to his
fathers dressing-room, pleased to think
that he would presently have salts
factory explanation of the enigma which
preplexed him.
Mr.. Henry Calthorpe was nearly
seventy, tall, slender and agile; face
clean-shaven, head encircled by a
wreath of white curls, hands delicate,
and yet suggestive of some nervous
force. He held both hands out to his
son, and received him with an air of
paternal friendliness and dignity.
Maurice had come 10 comfort and for
give; he felt as if he were being gra-
ciously pardoned and welcomed by a
tender-hearted parent As a penitent
prodigal.
"You have just come in time,
Maurice" said the father. with a
pleasant smile on his sallow and almost
wrinkleless face. 81 am sorry you did
not receive my letter sooner. so that you
might have come preparedfo for this even
ing. Colonel Cuthbert is an excellent
fellow, and 1 particularly wish you to
show him attention. He is to be our
neighbor, you know-or perhaps l
ought to say your neighbor, remember
ing how old l am"
There was such a droll mixture of
self-complacencv with an undercurrent
of feeling that the present was an oc-
casion on which some sentiment should
be shown, that Maurice began to see
the comic side of the position. And so:
"You seem well enough, sir, to be
able to say our neighbour Time has
dealt kindly with you, and hope it will
continue to do so for many years. Ger
bainly your letter did not lead me to OK
pect to find you-'
ITO find ME so well, interrupted Mr..
Calthorpe, with graceful movement of
the hand, as if deprecating any further
reference to his letter. "iOu are not
sorry, hope, to discover that 1 can still
enjoy myself in The old way?"
''On the contrary, am delighted"
GLAD to hear it; but it is only once
in while now, and the intervals be-
tween my en- oymonts are long. There!
we must have no unpleasant thoughts
tonight, and none tomorrow either, il
we can help it. Forget and forgive
that is to be our motto. Now go and
get yourself ready, and remember it is
important-most important for your
own sake--that you should make good
impression upon everybody"
"But do not quite understand"
There is no time to explain at pres
ent. You shall learn every thing as soon
as our friends have gone. l promise
you some surprise, and a good deal of
pleasure, hope. Now 90, and join me
in the drawing-room as quickly as you
cam
Although this brief interview had not
given Maurice much information, he
was relieved of the feeling of awkward
ness with which he had looked forward
to this visit, and was satisfied that by
some means his father had got affairs
into order again for time at least. He
was, therefore, in the mood to enjoy
himself; and as the guests were with
few exceptions old acquaintance, glad
to see him. he was soon almost rs happy
in their midst rs if there had been no
dreary interval of Punishment between
this and their last meeting. His father
had always teen notable as an excellent
host. combining the tact of woman in
asserting the company with the genius
of dipiomatist for making each guest
display himself or herself to the best adj
vantage. In his palmiest days he had
never succeeded more thoroughly in en-
tertaining his friends than on this occa-
sion.
In the drawing-room and in the din
ing-room Maurice's wonder grew: since
writing that letter which had brought
him home. his father must have found
Aladdin's lamp, he thought; and by-and-
by he came to regard the guest of the
evening, Colonel Cuthbert, as being in
timately associated with the marvels he
beheld.
The Colonel was quiet-looking gen.
tleman of average height and wiry
frame. A large head, strongly marked,
sun-tanned features, dark eyes, and
bushy, iron-gray hair. whiskers and mus
tache. were the chief characteristics of
the outer man. His thin straight lips
were indicative of firmness. and his
whole appearance was that of one who
speaks little and does much. Although
reserved in manner with new
he was always courteous,
and those who were admitted to his
friendship soon discovered that his ma
ture was singularly gentle and simple
Long ago he had left his home, Gun
der cloud" the gossips said. There
was woman in the case, of course, and
hints of painful events and family dis
agreements. The story had been almost
forgotten. but his temperance in the
neighborhood of the scenes of his youth !
refreshed the memories of the gossips, |
and absurd versions of the cause of his |
long absence were speedily in circula-
ton. The delicate veil of mystery
which hung over his past rendered him
an object of interest to the more SYM
pathetic sex and of some curiosity to
the men.
Despite the difference of their years,
Maurice and he Immediately became
friends. They talked much together
during the evening: and before the Col !