The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-19
LOVE OR MONEY;
:. OR.
A PERILOUS SECRET.
BY CHARLES READE,
Author Of "Put Yourself In his Place."
etc, etc, etc
CHAPTER ".
AN OLD SERVANT.

AN OLD SERVANT.
Walter Clifford returned home pretty
well weaned from trade, and anxious to
propitiate his father but well aware that
on his way to reconciliation he must
pass through probation.
He slipped into Clifford Hall at night,
and commenced his approaches by GO
inc TO the buffers pantry. Here he was
safe, and knew it; faithful old butler
of the antique and provincial breed is apt
to be more unreasOnably paternal than
Pater himself.
Next morning this worthy butler, who
for several years had been very good
servant, and for the next seven years
rather bad one, and would now have
been hard master if the Colonel had
not been too great Tartar to stand it,
appeared before his superior with an
air slightly respectful, slightly agrees
sive, and very logged.
There is young gentleman would
be glad to speak to you, If you will let
him.
~Who is hep" asked the Colonel,
though by old Johns manner he divin-
ed.
Cant we guess?"
Don't know why / should. 1t is your
business TO announce my visitors"
~Oh, III announce him, when | am
made safe that he will be welcome"
What! isn't he sure of a welcomed
good, dutiful son like HIM"
We'll, sir, he deserves a welcome.
WHY, he is the returning prodigal."
We are not told that he deserved a
welcome"
what signifes?-he got one, and
Scripture is the rule of fife for men of
our age, nolo zoe IRE out Of the army"
81 think you had better let him plead
his own cause, John; and if he takes the
tone you do, he will get turned out of
the house pretty quick; as you will some
of these days, Mr.. Barker"
We sha'n't go, neither of u.s. said
Mr. Baker, but with sudden tone of
affectionate respect, which disarmed
the words of their true meaning. He
added, hanging his head for the first
time, Poor young gentleman afraid to
face his own fatheri"
whats he afraid OFF" asked the Colo
mel, roughly.
"Of you cursing and swearing at him."
said John.
~Cursing and swearingl" cried the
Colonel thing never do now. Ours
ing and swearing, indeedi You be-"
"There youg go" said old John. Come,
Colonel, be a father. What has the
poor boy dOnep"
"He has deserted-a thing have seen
fellow shot for, and he has left me a
prey to parental anxieties."
And so he has me, for that matter.
But forgive him. Anyway, / should
like to hear his story before condemn
him. Why, he's only nineteen and four
months, come Martinmas. Besides, how
do we knOw?-he may have had some
yerV good reason for going"
"His age makes that probable, dOesn t
ftp
II dare say it was after some girl,
sir"
Call that good reason?"
81 call it a strong one Haven't you
never found iti" 1.-THE Colonel was be-
trayed into winking). From sixteen
TO sixty woman will draw aman where
horse can't"
aSince that is so,D said the Colonel,
dryly, "yOu can tell him to come to
breakfast"
Am to say that from your"
mo; you can take that much upon
yourself. / have known you presume a
good deal more than that, john"
well, sir" said John, hanging his
head for moment, "Old servants are
like old friends-they do presume a bit;
but then" (raising his head proudly,
they care for their masters, young and
old. New servants, sir-why, this LOT
that we've got now, they would not
shed tear for you if you was to be
hanged
"a man is not hanged for building
churches. Come, beat retreat. I've
had enough of you. See there's a good
breakfast"
oh" said John, I've took care OF
that"
When the Colonel came down ht
found his son leaning against the man
tel-piece; but heleft Indirectly and stood
erect. for the Colonel had drilled hin
with his own hands.
"Ughl" said the Colonel, giving snort
peculiar to himself, but he thought
allow handsome the dog isl" and wa:
proud of him secretly, only he would
not show it. "Good-morning, SIR" sale
the young man, with civil respect.
Your most obedient, sir" said thu
old man, stiff1y.
After that neither spoke for som,
time, and the old butler glided abou
like cat, helping both of them, especi
ally the young one, to various delicacie'
from the side table. When he had stuff
ed them pretty well, he retired sOftll
and listened at the door. Neither o
the gentlemen was in hurry to breal
the ice; each waited for the other.
Walter made the first remark-"Wha
delicious teal"
AS good as wh,re you come fromp
inquired Colonel Clifford, insidiously.
"a deal better" said Walter.
~By-the-bye," said the Colonel, "wher
DO you come frOm?"
Walter mentioned the town.
You astonish me-" said the Colonel
Il made sure you had been enjoying the
pleasures of the capital"
MY purse wouldn't have stood that
sir"
VERY few purses can" said Colone
Clifford. Then, in an off-hand way
Have you brought her along with you?'
Certainly not said Walter, OFF hi
guard. Her? Who?"
Why, the girl that decoyed you from
your fathers roof"
NO girl decoyed me from here, sir