Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-09-29
that region again he would not fail to

arrived at the Hall, and it was be-
lieved that he was going to spend the
summer on his estate. Who had
seen him? Nobody. But they knew
he had come because his luggage had
come.
81 went up to the Hall last even
ing" said the keeper of the village
inn, s'but he was not there. They
told me he had been there, but had
gone out
Just then a servant from the Hall
! arrived on the spot-the largest vii
lage store, where the postoffice was.
In moment he was piled with ques-
tions.
s'Where did the squire 60 to last
night % the landlord Of the inn asked
him.
81 don't know" answered the SER
want. "He took his gun about the
middle of the afternoon, yesterday,
and went into the woods, he said, to
start deer; and, if you'll believe it,
he didn't get back until this morn
ing. l don't know where he stop
ped. can't imagine. -
Malcolm Wansley felt dizzy. His
head seemed to whirl and his throat
to fill up.
Without a word to anybody he got
back into his wagon and drove home
drove up to the door just as light
chaise from the Hall pulled up, in
which was one of the squire's grooms.
Malcolm was wanted at the Hall
at once. He was to ride with the
messenger.
The startled man did not dare to
tell his wife of the wonderful thing
that had happened.
He embarrassed his own horse and
put him back in his stable, and then,
simply saying to Susan that he was
going up to the Hall, he got into the
chaise and was driven away.
Arrived at the great mansion
Maxwell Hall-Malcolm was con-
Quoted at once into the main vesti-
bule, thence into the great hall. and
so on to the sumptuously furnished
library, where sat his guest of the
previous evening, who arose at once,
advancing with a genial, kindly
, smile and extended hand.
"Well, well, Malcolm, we are met
again. No stammering, man. There
has been no deception. Didn't yor
know my baptismal name? George
Philip Sidney Maxwell"
Malcolm might have remembered
if he had only thought, but he had
not thought.
Maxwell pointed the farmer to {
| seat and then opened conversation
but there is no need to follow all tha
was said.
The squire spoke of his old agent
, Silas Carter, closing his remarks OF
: that subject thus:
Il should serve him but justly If
| should consign him TO the count,
jail; but l have stripped him of hi
: ill-gotten gains, most of which l shall
; restore to the tenants whom he ha.
d robbed in my name; and | have cas-
e him out from our midst, warning hin
e that if ever see him here again
4 may proceed against him legally"
G And after few remarks on anoth
Y er subjects, he said:
"And now, Malcolm, a word re
+, garding yourself. The pretty ston'
I cottage in the park is empty sine,
). Carter left it, and I am without al
an agent and superintendent. The,
I are open to you-the cottage and tn,
/, office-if you will accept them, and
may add that by accepting them yo1
q will confer favor on me which will
: command my deepest and warmes
gratitude. / think / shall not be dis
g appointed. All, none of that! M,
eyes are open; / know what an
doing! Not only will I take you
wife's word, but | have spoken wit
r others, and / hear but one report
e All speak in your favor. Come, sa.
d the word, and 1 will go to the super
intendent's Office and place the book
a and papers in your hands,
It 1t was in the dusk of the evenin;
: when Malcolm Wansley was set dow
e at his own door.
d ''Malcolm, where have you been !?
e "Where I told you l was going
: to the Hail."
n s'For what?"
n ssThe squire sent for me.
: "The squire! is he at home?'
eyes, and intends to remain a
/, home."
"Oh, / am glad of that. But wha
s in the world did he want of you?"
f "Oh, nothing particular. He onl
f wants us to live in the stone cottag
e in the park, and he has made me hi
s agent and general superintendent" /"
It "Malcolm Wansley! How cal
you?''
It ''But it is true-every word of it.
e "Made-you-his- his-agent AM
: who in the world ever put that ide.
i into his head? ?"
"You did, my darling"
d s'I? Oh, what a"
!, "Hold on! The squire ate suppe
d here last evening, and spent th
f night with us"
: "Oh, oh! Was it -"