The Hazlehurst signal., 1884-03-13
.rcnnlnrton. be,icvc." WA, the an.

III YOU III excuse me n minute, said
Tom. who had completely recovered his
equanimity and easy aiiability Of man.
ners; meanwhile. Mr.. Chairman, il
YOU will order glasses round at my cx-
penSc YOU will do me proud"
After this, Tom Blinkcr made very
elective exit, having succeeded In turn
ing the tide of public sympathy in his
fayor. Mr.. Beans, and Others who
hail somewhat openly minated their
disbelief In his bona f,icS moment be.
fore. now looked foolish in their turn.
while those who had remained neutral
began To sing his praises. When Tom
returned after short absence ho was
regarded by every one with increased
respect.
at Is all right he remarked con.
iilcntially. ~ he resumed his place.
81 introduced myself to the lawyer.
and W. arranged To drive over to-mor-
row together llo Il n most pleasant
gentleman. never met him before"
The last observation. uttered in n
careless tone, made distinct impress.
ion upon the audience. Tor IL seemed TO
imply mild establishment that n person
SO Intimately assoc a,cl with his Lord
ship n the family LAWYER should up 10
that time have been unknown To him.
lie did not apparently seek Ia convey
any impression whatever, for he nj once
changed the subject by volunteering n
song, AMI never referred to Lord Mont
arlington again throughout the even
ing. lie appeared suddenly to have
recovered his spirits and abandoned
himself to social enjoyment. Whether
he really surpassed himself. or whether
his mysterious acquaintance with Lord
Montarlington made everyone more IN.
clined To apprcciat, HIM, 1t il certain
the company laughed nj his jokes and
applaudcd his songs with more ,igor
than usual. and when the meeting broke
up his health was proposed and drank
with great enthusiasm.
Early next morning the ncighbors,
with mingled admiration and envy. wit
messed the departure Of Tom and the
lawyer from the door of the inn. Tom
handled the ribbons. having borrowed
Mr.. Beans little mare aud trap the pre-.
ccding evening. in order, rs he said, to
do the thing in style. The grocer was
proud OF his turnout, and was only too
glad To obligc Tom. now that his pros
poets had materially improved. Tom
Blinkcr looked very spruce indeed.
when he drove To the inn Ia pick up the
lawyer. lie was good.loOkng man.
with white teeth, u ilorid complexion
and genial expression. Dressed in
his best, with Hover in,his buttOnholc.
he presented quite an imposing appear
ance. and ID was observed that Mr.. Fen
nington, the lawyer, treated him with
marked courtesy.
This is really very civil attention,
sir" remarked Mr. Pennington, who
was an old.fashioncd elderly gentleman
If nervous disposition, anil they
bOwlcd along the hard country road
toward their destination.
"Don't mention IL. sir; you're well
come. I'm sure" said Tom Blinhcr, AZ
fably.
81 wouldn't abuse your good nature
for the world. You are SURE am not
taking YOU out Of your way?' persisted
the lawyer. CHANGING at his companion
with mild curiosity.
Certainly not, sir. As | told YOU,
yesterday, had arranged TO drive
over" replied Tom.
''Ihey told me ut the hotel when !
happened tn mention your name that
you were well acquainted with his Lord
ship" said Mr.. Pennington, who evil
IDENTIFY did no, know what TO make Of
his oOliging companion.
As the lawyer spoke Tom gave the
mare rather an awkward lick with the
whip, which csuscd her To bound for
ward with unpleasant velocity. Mr..
Pennington then awokc 10 the fact that
Tom Blinkcr's skill mt diving was
hardly equal tn his pol tcnes>; indeed,
IL soon became evident that the mare
had the trap and its occupants pretty
well at her mercy. Tom appeared
chceriully indifferent To the clrcum.
s.ancc. and took bitches, sign posts and
milestoncs flying. The lawyer. how.
ever. was far from comfortable, and
soon forgot his curiosity in his personal
fears. He ceased To ask questions, and
devoted himself to holding onto the
hand-rail. regardless of Toms CONVEX
sation, which continued in lively vein.
In spite OF the most startling episodes.
Great and unSpcakablc, indeed, was the
old gentleman : relief when the castle
ut length came in sight. the little mare
having done the distance probably in
the shortest time ON record.
Here We are" said Tom, pointing
with his whip 1.-The entrance lodge is
down the road To the right"
"Pray don't let me take you yard
out of your way. sir" said the lawyer.
preparing 10 alight; al can easily walk
the rest of the distance.
Don't mention il. AS am so near
may Us well look in and pay my re-
spects to his Lorlship,' said Tom. in
an otl-hand manner. "The mare will
be glad of rest; she has brought uS
along in grand style.
A remark Of n mildly sarcastic nature
came to the LAWYERS lips, but he did
not utter il, for fear of giving o!lensc To
n friend of so good client n his Lord
ship. A few minutes later Tom drove
up 10 the entrance Of the Castle with an
imposing c.atter.
The lawyer was evidently expected,
for they were Immediately ushcre / along
n corridor To his LOrship's study. On
the threshold Toms mode,ty seemed
suddenly to assert itself. for he hung
back a little. so that his companion led
the way into the room.
Lord Montarlington advanced TO no.
ceive hisvisitors with out-strctched hand.
He was handsome, gray-haired, elder
IN man. with frank. genial manners. In
appearance he looked like sailor, and,
In fact. yachting was his favorite occu-
patton. lie was n vidower and child
less, and since the death Of his wife he
had resided very little on his estates.
He greeted the lawyer with friendly
grasp, and also shook hands with Tom.
'Now I'm safe on terra iirma, my
Lori. do not mind confessing that Mr..
Blinkcr has made me pass n maucdis
1uart dhenrc," said MIR. Pennington,
with humorous smile.
"Pooh! There was no danger. my
Lord. The little mare is rs safe as nine
pence, only, like the rest of her sex. she
likes TO take the bit in her teeth, inter-
posed Tom. with his joyial laugh.
"Ha! ha. Pray be seated, gentle
men. +" laughed his Lordship, CHANGING
with gocd.humored surprise at Tom.
$50 lony rs no bones arc broken there's
80 h,r,, ,l,ne Mr.. Pennington, Ii was