The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-06-04

himself as he handed his card to this
alarming parsonage. 1t was q very
neat, glazed card, which he had lately
had printed.
The servant left him standing in the
hall, but returned almost Immediate
ly to say, would he walk in.
Hat in hand, Septimus entered and
found himself in a handsome drawing
room, face to face with a prim elderly
lady, with a small terrier yelping at
his heels. The lady had gold eye
glass in her hand, which she held close
to the card, while she threw her head
backward after the fashion of people
Of weak sight. Her gown was OF rus
tling silk, her presence full Of dignity;
yet indications Of feminine COQuetry
were not wanting in the arrangement
of the lace tippet on her shoulders,
and the rosebuds that dangIed from
her cap.
The carpet was soft and velvety.
Septimus glanced at his muddy boots
with dismay. He would willingly
have made a more splendid entrance
into the halls OF slavery.
Miss Dynoch, | believe?" he said
with his best bow.
Yes, that is my name. Perhaps
you will be so good as to inform me
to what cause am indebted for your
visit"
She did not ask him to sit down,
and she remained standing herself
II have come, madame" said Septi-
mus much impressed by her dignity,
"to demand Miss St. Clalre-Rosa-
linda st. Claire-ot your hands.
He had prepared this speech and
great deal more, but the rest OF it had
quite gone out of his head.
II beg your pardon. | must ask
you to speak up"
Miss St. Claire, madame" repeat
ed Septimus, raising his voice and en-
1eavOring to drown the shrill bark Of
the terrier. "My Rosalinda, where is
she? How is she?"
There must be some mistake, I
think" said the lady. The people
from whom took the house are call
ed Jones. Did you not come on busi-
ness to see my nephew?'
"The same" replied Septimus, little
knowing that he had given the wrong
card, with the address of the 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"
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 Septi- |
mus pushed forward.
"YOur nephew" he exclaimed; my
letter is from Mr.. Gawkroger."
'"Then there is decidedly some mis-
take, l must wish you good morning.
Madam" 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 Dutch cheese
''do not put me off! | am not to be |
deceived. am aware" (he was be- |
gining to get nervous) chat you have |
a companion beautiful young lady |
concealed"
II have no such thing" interrupted !
Miss Dynoch with some temper, "and |
never had in my life. Doyou mean to |
insult me?"
"No companion!" gasped Septimus
"Does not Miss St. Claire live here? |
Your nephew wrote and told that she |
was dangerously i'll. I've come all |
the way from London to see her. | |
have corresponded 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 honora-
BILE. Your nephew Mr.. Thomas Cav
kroger-"
"My nephew's name is Mr.. Edmund |
Fenwick. Leave the room instantly! |
You have come here under false pre-
tences. Quit my house immediately"
'fBut Rosalinda where shall / find |
herr" asked Septimus looking wildly
round asifhe thought it probable that
his fair lady-love might be concealed
behind the yellow silk curtains.
Miss Dynoch became perfectly rigid |
with suppressed rage. She pulled the
bell violently. At the same instant |
the door was thrown open. SUSAN"
cried Miss Dynoch, 'show this person
out"
Septimus turned to make one last |
appeal, and almost fell into the arms |
Of good-tempered looking young
man, with a brown beard and twink
ling eyes.
"Hallo my good fellow, take care"
he said to Septimus. "Why, what's |
the matter2 ! hope you are not ill,
Aunt Zoe?n
"No, Edmund my health is preserved |
to me. But beg that you will will Giiss is
miss this person from the house. He |
is a dangerous character; he has used |
the most disrespectful languagel"