The Penn's Grove record., 1886-10-30

HOW ID bu6f
"There must be some mistake, l
think,'' said the lady. "The people
from whom / took the house are called
Jones. Did you come On business to
see my nephewP"
1.-The same,n replied Septimus, little
knowing that he had given the wrong
card, with the address of his firm
printed in the right-hand corner.
"Mr. Thomas Gawkroger has written
to me, and | am here to inquire after
the health of Miss st. Claire.n
The lady shook her head, her man
ner became more severe.
my nephew is from home at the
moment. | must ask you to wait
in the hall till his return.
She approached the bell, but SeptimIs
pushed forward,
"Your uephewl' he exclaimed; "my
letter is from Mr.. Thomas G~awkroger."
"Then there is decidedly some mis-
take. must wish you good morning. -
MADAME" said Septimus, with
great solemnity, regardless of the fact
that the terrier was worrying the heels of
his boots ON the chance of their being rats
OR did he smell the Dutch cheese?-
'tdo not put me effi [ am not to be
deceived. | am aware" (he was begin
ming to get ~nervous) ''that you have a
a companion-a beautiful young lady
concealed"
81 have no such thing" interrupted
Miss Dynoch, with some temper, land
never had in my life. Do you mean to
insult meP"
mo companionl' gasped Septimus.
"Does not Miss st. Claire 1--we hereP
Your nephew wrote and told me that
she was dangerously i'll. I've come all
have correspondent with her regularly
for months"
"Then you ought to be ashamed of
yourself!' said Miss Dynoch, and the
rosebuds ratified in her cap.
MY intentions, madam, are honor
able. Your nephew. Mr.. Thomas
Gawkroger-"
MY nephew's name is Mr.. Edmund
Fenwick. Leave the room Instantly
You have come here under false pre-
fences. Quit my house immediately
"But Rosalinda, where shall L find
herr" asked Septimus, looking wildly
around as if he thought it probable that
his fair lady-love might be concealed
behind the yellow silk curtains.
Mis- Dynoch became perfectly rigid
with suppressed rage. She pulled the
bell violently. at the same instant the
door was thrown open. 'SusanF' cried
Miss Dynoch, ''show this person out"
Septimus turned to make one last ap.
peal, and almost fell into the arms Of a
good-tempered young man, with a
brown beard and twinkling eyes.
"Hello, my good fellow, take carel''
he said to Septimus. "Why, what's
the matterp | hope you are not i'll,
Aunt ZoeP"
mo, Edmund, my health is pre-
served to me But l beg that you will
dismiss this person from the house. He
is a dangerous character; he has used
the most disrespectful languagel'
81 assure you madam" began poor
Septlmus, who wished himself safe at
home in Brickbury, 81 lei ne dis
respect"
whats your business here?n asked
the new conner. "You see that you
are annoying the lady,"
81 received a letter on Monday"
explained Septimus, taking an envelope
from his pocket. II was prepared for
ill news, but not-not for such treat
ment as this. Consider my position in
the word, MI. Thomas Gawkrogerl"
"Oh, ah-yesl" broke in the nan
with the beard. ''Mr. Thomas CAV
kroger, to be sure, he wrote to you, did
he?''
HE did. And if you can tell me
where he has hidden away this lovely
girl"
"Edmundi" cried Aunt Zoe, with
appraised hands, ''what is the meaning
of all this? Do you or do you not know
to whom this person refers? Do you or
do you not know who Mr.. Thomas
! Gawkroger may be?"
well Aunt Zoe," replied the
newphew, gently stroking his beard.
81 have heard of such a man."
"Then l am sorry for the company
you keepl'
"The fact is" he said, turning to the
discounted Septimus, "my aunt, Miss
Dynoch-"
"Do not drag my name into the dis.
cussion. l beg"
mo, by no means. dear aunt. The
fact Is. your names Potter-Mr. Septi-
mus Potter, Of courSer'
Septimus bowed.
"Of 4 Prospect place, Brickbury?"
Septimus bowed again.
"Then, my dear MI. Potter, you and
L have a few words to say to each other
on business. Come and have a glass of
sherry. These matters are best ar
ranged without troubling the ladies.
Aunt Zoe, if you will excuse me, III
take Mr.. Potter into the dining-room at
once"
''Sit down, do, Mr.. Potter" said his
companion, pleasantly. "My name, as
you already know, is Fenwlck. l am
sorry that you have had this long jour.
ney for nothing"
"For nothing,n shouted Septimus,
waxing bold under this civil treatment.
.sWhere-"
Eyes, 1 know what you are going tC
ask, and upon my word Pm ashamed tc
answer your question; but il you insist
upon 1t, you shall have a full explana
ton. Though" here he smiled and his
eyes twinkled, ''though l hardly expect
you to believe me-"
"Who is Mr.. Thomas"
"Gawkrogerp You are as bad as my
aunt, Miss Dynoch. Well, / don't ex'
actly know. | never imagined anyone
would be so foolish as to believe in such
trash. Where is Rosalinda3 No,
where. Why? Because she doesn't
exist, and never did, out of my BRAIN
Septimus put his hands to his head.
"Who-who is Rosalinda2n he
gasped.
Mr.. Fenwick succeeded with some
difficulty in suppressing a violent cough
that threatened to become unmanage-
able.
IF you insist upon it, Mr.. Potter, tc
put the case clearly, II don't believe
there no SIGH a persona"
Sir" stammered Septimus, who
was totally unacquainted with the
works of the great writer from whom
Mr.. Fenwick quoted, II fail to com
prehend your meaning. don't know
what you're driving at. Rosalinda,