The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-05-26

the poor young fellow stood, as the posses
sors of vast property often do, absolutely
friendless and alone His kindly, simple
nature was despised by those around him.
Without parents or any near relatives he
had been brought up by strangers, who had
surrounded him by such unnecessary cares
and ridiculous precautions that now, when
he was a man, with full liberty given, he
was no more able to make good use Of it
than grown-up baby would be.
Full of wild scheme which had lately
come to him, that he would run off to some
far-distant country, he was mapping out
/ the details as he walked along, SO occupied
that he forgot how far he had come, until
with sudden start he pulled himself up.
He was passing the Albert Hall, close to
that pleasant row of houses in one of which
lived Lady Jane.
The knowledge that he could walk boldly
by and fling look of defiance at the
papered windows and closed shutters-as
he had done the day before thrill
of satisfaction through the young man.
He drew himself up and turned his head
to-when, oh agony exactly as he was
opposite to it the door opened and voice
called out "Glencore y
aFreddy Is it you?" Lord Glencore
managed to say, seeing he was addressed
by weasel-faced young gentleman between
sixteen and seventeen. "Why, how came
you here? Is-s-s your mother-Lady
Jane-with you?"
Freddy's eyes were apparently so edu-
Gated that in order to give full expression
to one he was forced to shut the other,
and regarding Lord Glencore through this
single optic, he said, "You bet if she was,
| shouldn't be here"
Glencore's heart seemed restored to its
native position "l'm very glad to see
you" he said, closing his hand over the
little fin Freddy had extended to him; "It's
quite surprise to me"
"Here, 1 say" said the astute Freddy
significantly, "what's up? How is it that
YOU amt down there with them p
"Well, Couldn't have-that is
there is some business for me-
Freddys eyelid went down like the cover
of box.
"Exactly; just So" he said airily, put
ting his thumbs into his armholes. "My
case all over. I'm at my tutors, you see,
so please to remember that it isn't possible
for you to have seen me"
GIencore laughed cheerily, "All right,
he said; "you're quite safe with me-but
what on earth are you up top
This question seemed prompted by the
sight of nondescript dog-cart just led up
to the door, "Are you all by yourself
here ?"
"There's Harris, my old nurse, and Jim,
her husband-our butler he used to be
and Peggy. You know Peg, don't you? ?"
"Peg! No, l don't think do"
II say" exclaimed Freddy, "isn't it a
beastly shame the way they always try to
shun her? And she's just as good as any
body. Her father was my fathers eldest
son. only he married his tutors daughter,
and my lady set the Governor on to cut
up rough about it. So the poor chap got
the kick-out, and then he died, and so did
his wife; and jolly good thing for me, too,
or should haye had to sing small. Only
wait till I'm master, though, and if they
try it on with Peggy, then I'll let them
know. She's older than | am, but all the
same; I'm her uncle, and-I say, you'll be
her uncle, too, if you marry AIDA, and
you re going to, amt you ~
+ Lord Glencore blushed furiously, and
Freddy, taking silence for consent, added
with snort of supreme contempt:
sIt's jolly good thing for her l amt
you. Catch me marrying AIDA Oh
yes, rather p
Not desirous of pursuing this topic fur
ther, Lord Glencore put question.
"You're not going to drive that" he
said, nodding toward the horse, a most
vicious-looking screw, nare you ?"
"Why not? he's a real good one to go,
Come in and see US start; it's capital fun.
We'd regular crowd around us yesterday
Any one else but Peg would have been
frightened to death.
Incited by curiosity, Lord Glencore
obeyed Freddy's invitation.
ssWe keep all the front well shut" said
Freddy, as he marshalled the way to den
at the far end of the narrow hall. Pass
ing the stairs he gave vent to shrill whis
tie answered by similar one which might
have been taken as its echo.
"Ain't you ready?' was piped up from
below,
"Coming," answered a girls voice, and
at the same instant with the word down
the fight of stairs, flop on the mat, came
a figure which through the cloud of dust
sent up Lord Glencore surmised must bt
Peggy.
am so sorry. thought it was only
Freddy-I-" and then, better able to Sc,
who stood there she gave vent to an agon
lied "Oh, Lord Glencore!" and seemed un
able to say more,
''Freddy, who was enjoying her cOnfu
sion to the full, here burst in with "Don't
mind him; he's square enough,ain't you p
''Certainly | am;'' and then, turning tc
Peggy, he said: "Fve never had the plea
snre of seeing you here, have ?"
"No."
Enc you've seen him, haven't you
d once don't you remembe
- opened and l scuttled Of
Mght and you tumblec
IA