The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-06

the best methods of treating land for diff
ferent kinds of seed. And then he asked
about the quality of the land of the various
large farms of the estate, and sought to
know how they were carried on.
To all his questions the farmer not only
gave intelligent answers, but he offered
many thoughts and suggestions that might
have been of real value to the owner of the
land
At 9 o'clock Malcolm suggested that, as
it was late and very dark, with rain still
falling, Sidney had better spend the night
with them, if he could put up with their
homely accommodation. He accepted the
offer gratefully.
The good wife provided him with a
clean, comfortable sleeping room, and gave
him comfortable bed in which to sleep,
and on the following morning, after good
breakfast, the weather being clear and
bright he babe his entertainers a kindly
adieu, promising them that, if he should
ever be in that region again, he would not
fail to call
Both Malcolm and Susan thought it
IdluCl JilttJ tllC llldu tlGlu
no offer of return for his entertainment; and
yet they were glad that he had not, for
they would only refused it, and thus, per-
haps, have hurt his feelings They remem-
bered that he had worn no jewelry nor no
ornament of any kind.
That afternoon Malcolm harnessed his
horse and rode to the village, where he
found great commotion The squire
young Mr.. Philip-had arrived at the hall,
and it was believed 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.
II went up sto the Hall last evening"
said the keeper of the village inn, "but he
was not there. They told me he had been
there, but he'd gone out"
Just then a servant from the Hall arrived
on the spot-the largest village store, where
the post-office was. In moment he was
piled with questions.
"Where did the squire 90 to last night ~
the landlord of the inn asked him.
II don't know the servant answered.
''He took his gun the middle of the after
noon, yesterday, and went off into the woods
he said, to start up deer; and, if you'll be-
lieve it, he didn't get back till this morn
ing. [ don't know where he stopped. l
can't imagine"
Malcolm Wansley felt dizzy His head
seemed to whirl and his throat to fill up"
Without word to anybody, he got back
into his wagon and drove home-drove up
to his 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 dared not tell his wife
of the wonderful thing that had happened.
He embarrassed his own horse and put
him back into 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 conducted at once into
the main vestibule, thence into the great
hall, and so on to the sumptuously furnish
GU ipIh J; NhClC SlI Ills SuesI vi INC pre-
vious evening, who arose at once, advanc-
ing with genial, kindly smile and an ex-
tended hand
"Well, well, Malcolm, We are met again.
Stop stammering man. There has been no
deception. Didn't you know my baptismal
name? George Philip Sidney Maxwell "
Malcolm might have remembered, if he
had thought, but he had not thought.
Maxwell pointed the farmer to seat,
and then opened conversation but there is
no need that we should follow all that was
said.
The squire spoke of his old agent, Silas
Garter, closing his remarks on that subject
thus:
II should serve him but justly if l should
consign him to the county Jail but have
stripped him of his ill-gotten gains, most
of which [ shall restore to the tenants
whom he has robbed in my name; and
have cast him out from our midst, warning
him that if | see him here again l may
proceed against him legally"
And then, after few remarks on other
subjects, he said:
"And now, Malcolm, word regarding
yourself The pretty stone cottage in the
park is empty since Carter left it, and |
am without an agent and superintendent.
They are open to you-the cottage and the
office-if you will accept them, and l will
only add that by accepting you will confer a
favor upon me which will command my
deepest and warmest gratitude. think |
shall not be disappointed. All, none of
that My eyes are open; know what 1 am
doing. Not only will l take your wife's
word, but | have spoken with others, and
hear but one report. All speak in your
favor Come, say the word, and will go
to the superintendent Office, and place the
books and papers in your hands at once. "
1t was in the dusk of the evening when
Malcolm Wansley was set down at his own
door.
Malcolm, where have you heen?"
"Where | told you | was going-to the
Hall"
''For what?"
"The squire sent for me-"
"The squirrel Is he at homer"
les, anu luteuus 10 remain at nome.
"Oh, I am glad! But what in the world
did he want of your"
ooh, nothing particular. He only wants
us to live in the stone cottage in the park,
and he has made me his agent and general
superintendent"
Malcolm Wansley! Oh, how can your
'But it is true-eYery word of it.
"Made-you-his-agent! And who in
the world ever put that idea into his
head ?"
"You did, my darling"
~? Oh, what "a
Hold on! The squire ate supper here
last evening and spent the night with us. "
'Oh, oh I! Was it
ayes, dear wife, it is all as | tell you.
Does it please you ?"
"Qh, Malcolm, how can we ever be
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