Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-02-07


exasperation beyond endurance with Uncle
Josephs tedious prattle, or by some sharp
Internal pain. or by the recollection Of some
frigbtful omission or blunder. But that
lock of amazement-what did that meant
Gracious cried Mrs, Cronsn; what has
come to you my dearF
Nothing" said the doctor.
He picked up the paper which ne had
dropped, folded it very carefully, and
placed it in his pocket-a thing which he had
never been known to do in all his life before.
There must be something the matter"
his wife persisted ''Is it toothacher
at is nothing" ne repeated; nothing Of
the least importance to us, or to anybody"
Then it is something, said Nornh, ''and
something that concerns you, at least, papa;
and it is something that you read in the
paper. Let me read the paper, too"
He made no reply, except to look about
him with bewildered look, as one who won
ders what he is going to do next
IF / am allowed to talk without being
interrupted" said Uncle Joseph, irritably,
81 was going to say, Maria-
Papa, let me see the paper" said Norah
again
mo, my dear, not tonight. ! dare say
you will hear soon enough"
II was going to say, Maria"
'Yes, Uncle Joseph Your father win
show me the paper tonight, Norah,' said
Mrs. Cronan, in tone which implied that,
as q wife, she meant to know the secret
whatever IL was 'If there is anything in
it which concerns you. of course can tell it
to you in thes morning. Go on, Uncle
Joseph"
81 was going to say. Maria, when these
interruptions began, that there Is something
in noble blood which one remarks on the
very first introduction. 1t is ssomething-n
Here the door opened, and Uncle Joseph
was third time interrupted He sat back
in his chair and began to drum the table
with his fingers. but only for few moments,
because the thing which followed was of
such g surprising and startling character
that for once he forgot his own reminis-
cences
This late visitor was an elderly man with
iron-gray hair, short of stature and Of thick
build, but not fat; mao Of hard face
hardness IN his gray eyes, hardness in his
fiTm-set mouth, hardness in his chin As be
stood In the doorway, Norah, who had her
mind full Of her novel, thought he looked
like landlord come to sell up everybody
"i1nous pty' NooouS Know nim o>ttsr
tnan herself, and her knowledge OF MN I'M
not make that resemblance Impossible For
Murridge was her employer; she was his
private secretary.
don't know, doctor. said the VISITOR
whether ought to offer you my condo
lences over the death OF your hlustrious
cousin, or my congratulations on your &C
cession to hts honorx
II don't know, either-hang me II dor
said the doctor.
You have, l suppose, seen the evening pa
persf The paragraoh Is In all of them
wonder how these editors get hold OF newsso
quickly. The news OF mis- lordship's death
arrived this morning only"
But my two cousinsF
One OF them died three years ago and the
other three months ago
Good heavens" cried the doctor, SINKING
into his chair
Papa, said Norah, something has hap
pened i think you had better let me sse the
paper"
The doctor sighed, but he drew the thing
out OF his pocket and handed 1t to his
daughter
While she ran her eve down the columns
nobody spoke. Mrs Cronan held . needle
in suspen at the very moment OF action;
Uncle Joseph ceased drumming; Mr.. MUIR
ridge smiled superior as one who knows what
Is coming, and the doctor locke more miser-
able and foolish than at any previous situa-
ton in his whole life
II have founi itw cried Norah- Listen,
mother. Where is Dafodili where Is Ca
lis az The children ought to be taken out OF
bed and brought down. Oh, here Is newsl