The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-20
AN UNExPEoTEp VISIT.

some anxiety leRloie IN hls CouutendhC
"Well, Thomas ?" asked SIrikel4nd.
81 beg your pardon, sir; but do yo
remember what day it is today I"
"No, Thomas.'
Your wedding day, sir
Strickland's face clUuded.
II did not know, sir, whether 70
would wish for dinner the same wine a
as you used to have"
: mo, Thomas; shall probably din
at the club"
81 ordered, dinner, as usual, sir, and
bouquet, in case"
"Quite right, Thomas, quite right
For an instant the heart of the promo
ted official sank. The fidelity of his oil
: domestic was humiliarng. How h
would once have resented the suggestion
that Thomas would remember this ami
versarv better than himself ! And tina
it should fall to the old servant to orde
from the fl Jrsts the bJuquttGerarI him
self had been formerly 80 proud TO brinl
home, on this evening, to his wife Blu
the slight sense of annoyance passft
away quickly. 1t was with absolute in
difference that, seeing the man servan
still waiting, he asked
Anything else, Thomas T
This morning, when you had but jusi
gone. a lady called. HeaIi Ig you wer'
not at home she said she should cal
again this evening about 6. She wished
see you on important bu iness,
Her nameG'
"She left nome"
"D,d you see her Z
Mo. sill"
did John say what she was like y
Rather tall, sir; a young lady, dark
and fashioDably dressed"
"If she calls W II see her. You may
90. Thomas" The servant lett anC
IS.rikel4nd continued to himself, Tall
Young dark, we'll dressed, business will
me. Who can she be y
"Tne lady il here, sir, in the drawing
ROOM said Thomas, returning to thu
library after about ten minutes.
Strickland went 10 the dra wing room
At the door he paused a moment it
steal a look at the visitor. She stood by
one of the tables, jly turning II e leave'
of a photograph album Her back wa
toward him, and he could distinguish
only The tai, graceful figure of a woman
well dressed and wearing expensive
laces.
"Madam ~ he sad, advancing
The lady turned. Strikland started a.
iif had received an electric shock. IL
conceal, to the best of his ability. hi
surprise, and the sudden pallor OF hi
face. he made her profound bow.
II hope | am not inconveniencinG
vou.'' she said, at the same time return
ling his salute. Then, with quiet ease
he selected chair and sat down.
"Nut in the least, All at your ser
vice" said Strickland.
"As shall avail myself of your con
descenslon, hope that was not merel!
a compliment" -,
MAY ask how can ob ige you ~
The lady stroked the soft fur OF hel
muff, and once or twice llfteu htl
searching eyes to his face. Apparently
she was hesitating t. name the purpos'
of her visit. Meanwhile, StrikelanC
gratfied his eyes with good LOOK a
her lovely, fascinating still as the mrs
day he had seen her. Only her pur'
profile had gained more decision, anc
her eyes had prof0undeI nearing thar
when he had last looked into them, n
those of woman who had lived ant
suffered.
At length she saiu :
I'D you still correspond with ny
father p
Yes. 1t is, however, folt Ugh
since last wro'e to him.
/ received letter from him yester
day. He is coming to t tIwn tomorrow
Thi, time S rikeltnd made no attemp
to conceal his surprise.
Tomorrow Your father who neve
leaves home T.
"The medical men order him to lh
South co.st, and he will, On his way
stop IN town, to spend the night with
She paused.
"His daughter" said Strickland.
"He SAYS his son And so we fin,
ourselves in pleasant embarrassment,
"You call il pleasant" said Strike
land.
II did not come here to discuss words
but to discover a plan OF ac'ion."
II see none"
And you are politician, man
genus ! Ii those subtle arts, that nav
been 30 successfully employed in you
own advancement. could be, withou
prejudice to you, this once employed L
pxtricate me from"
Excuse me, madam; but your re
proaches are scarcely likely to assist m
TO exercise my imagination"
Bah Well. have plan. FIRST,
do not wish, cost what il may, to let m,
father know-the truth"
1.-The unhappy truth ~
She made little grimace, and pro
) ceeded "My father woul be cruel.
hurt, and the sins of the children ough
not TO be visited upon their parents. NJ
remorse-I beg your pardon, that is OF n
; CONSEQUENCE here'-she looked aside L
warn him not to expostulate, and con
Itiuued Hitherto, thanks to our pre-
cautions, the distance of my fathers res
idence and the seclusion IN which h
prefers to We, he has been spared thl
, sorrow. Tomorrow our clever ed 'fice
, dutiful falsehood falls TO the ground an
| at least am unable to conjecture tn
onsequences."
"And l."
J "Mr. Strickland, it is absolutely nece;
sary to prevent this scandal. trust yo
will assist me. My father must find
together, aud we must avoid eyerytbin
that would serve to awaken suspicion.
, She spoke sadly as well as earnestly
A deep shadow of concern settled on ne
hearers face. Wrapped in thought, h
DELAYED the answer. His visitor becam
impatient.
: Your promised courtesy costs TO
much p she demanded.
'No. am ready. But ! see man
difficulties. The servants Z"
"Give the new man servant | foun
; here this morning a holiday. / vii
speak to Thomas"
"If friend shoul call Z"
"You will see no Que"
"If we meet your father people wi
, see us together"
1--WE " III go in a closed carriage.
"Your father will stay here severa
hours. Good and simple hearted as h
is, do you believe il possible he will no
, recognize a-bachelor house"
! ~ will send my work, my music, an
, so on, this evening. My room 2
"Is as you left il"
"Sentimentality =
"No-respect."
Have you any further objeclionsf'
"None. IL remains TO be seen wheth
er we shall be able to deceive MI
Gregory"
"By playing the affectionate couple
| can you remember your grimaces an
! fooleries OF two years ago Z" she asket
} sarcasticslly
mo; have forgotten them replit,
} Strickland with frown.
= And the two looked into each other
= eyes. like two duelists.
, when will you come here !" aske
? Strickland.
t "This evening. | will bring my thing'