Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-17
A STRANGE DESIRE
OR
THE DYING REQUEST.
BY ARTHUR J. BRANDT,
AUTHOR OF sTHE SHADOW ON THE SNOW"
s'FRoM FALSE TO TRUE "BABY
BELLE" ETC.
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
Sir Wilfred Pearson, stretched at his
ease, was enjoying an afternoon cigar in
the bow of his favorite window in the fine
old mansion of Dalemore Place.
Puff! puff puff!
How pleasant it was to sit in the sunshine
and do nothing but watch the smoke that
cnrled away from tho end of his costly Ha-
vana.
Such condition just suited the luxuriani
temperament of the rich. indolent, Sil
Winfred; yet he could work if he liked
work well, either with. his head or his hands
and enjoy the exertion.
When, however, he did not perceive the
the necessity for employment, or when he
could get others to bestir themselves in
his stead, he would never rouse himself.
His lady-mother often said he wanted an
energetic wife to make him move-such a
wife as she had been to his father, who had
shown the same disposition in his youth
but Sir Wilfred did not seem to be SO easily
pleased as his father, or so easily managed
He was already past the age when his
father had married, and all Lady Pearson's
efforts to direct his course, as she had done
her husbands had hitherto failed.
Perhaps as mother she was more indul
gent than as wife, and so had less inf1u
ence.
Suddenly the sound of horse's hoofs OF
the gravel belov the window attracted Sil
Wilfred's attention. and he turned Ian
guidly to see who was coming.
"Cayol. by iovel' he exclaimed, with ar
animation of which he had a moment be-
fore appeared incapable; sthe Fates be
friend mep'
Indeed the Fates did seem to befriend
him. They had sent the only person to see
him who could answer the question in his
thouphts.
He had been thinking about the pretty
ladv's-maid he had seen at Weldon Hal
lodge gates. and he had been wondering
what she was doing. and where she was 60.
ing. now that she had no occupation. OF
conrse Roland Cavel Knew all about it.
He threw away his cigar and hurried
down stairs to meet his friend.
Roland Cavel had lust dlsmounted when
Sir W:lfred arrived at the hall door.
mAh y said he. handing the reins to a
GROOM sT am Glad to find YOU at home,
Paorson sbould have been greatly dis.
onno;nted had f heen otherwise"
s.So hoi what's the matter, man? ex-
o,.;no tha .onng Raronet-
o.11ln ssWh, ~ noth;ng in narticular.n replied
Roland disnosing of his hat: ssbut this
bns;ness has inset nae more than thought
# wonld. Confound 1t. I am glad the old
lady is safely deposited in her grave!''
siAnd Won in her shoes. Ha! ha! Nice
sboes ara tbey not old bow?
~Yes - assented the Young man in a
sbarn tome. Int if Won had to wear them,
yon,d ynTi i ind find thew pinched YOU pretty hard in
more m than one place"
eT tbonobt thev would.'' replied Sir Will
fred leading the way to lis sanctum.
uT,adv Maud was 80 eccentric, she was not
likely to leave pair of shoes behind her
of ordinary make. However, no doubt
you'll get used to them by-and-by. Have
a glass of wine and smoke, and tell me
ali about it.i'
"Can't." snapped Roland Cavel, as he
dronnad wear;lv into an easy cbair-acan't
ether drink or smoke. or make a clean
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