Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-27
On the day tha. xr. clanronald .s

WAA4AOss anu to6I \ SQouiQ tecl 0bi.St~. .O
 them If they would give me his address. Their reply was to the effect that t hey hei received strict instructions from their ciien, to give his address abroad to no person whatever. and that they could make no cx- ception in my favor. wrote again, asking, if sent a letter to Mir. Wilmot under cover to them, whether they would forward 1t to him. They replied that here again the instructions under which they acted were so strict and peremptory that they could not depart from them. All letters which they received for MT. Wilmot were dropped in sealed boxes, of which he had the keys. Once moro I wrote, inqutring whether they were expecting Mir. Wnmot's return home, and within what time. In reply they stated that they did not know when he would return. Nothing was left for me to do but to write to Mir. WiImot acquainting him with the fact of my daugh- tors engagement, and giving him every in- formation in my power of the standing and character of the family into which she was about to marry. In this letter mado deli ate.reference to the subject of settlements {; and said that in my. interview with MT Clanro- raid I had Leen compelled to ask for post ponement of this branch of the matter until u. l my letter to the lawyers, with a sense of in- tense dissatisfaction at the idea that it would be dropped in a sealed box, and would be road by my uncle heaven knew when.
 Plainly speaking, this eccentric couduct on the part Of my uncle was at this juncture terribly perplexing. Living as we were liv- Ing, with all the evidences of wealth around us, there had hitherto been no necessity for the disclosure of my circumstances, which hitherto had concerned none but ourselves. Now it was different. Were my uncle in England, I had not the least doubt th,i evary- thing would be satisfactorily arranged with out an ex xposure he himself had thrown out hints of my daughters future prospects in the event of her marrying during his lifetime and my mind was easy on that point. But In my unce's absence, it seemed as if the engagement were at a standstill, and as if Eun;co's happiness depended entirely upon his erractic movements. However, there was nothing for it but patience, and I sum- moned it to my aid. My wife did not share my uueasiness.
 After all, Richard" she said. "your wish that our Eunice shall not be married for year or so may be fulfilled I do not greatly regret it myself, though if your uncle wero at home should not object to an early mar rlage."
 Her calmer method of meeting the diff1- culty had its soothing effect upon me, but, nevertheless, it was with feeling of joy that one morning, among my letters, recognized the handwriting of MT. Wilmot. His letter, which I read with eagerness and anxiety, was addressed from Norway, and in it re- ceived the welcome intelligence that we might expect his return to England within three months from the date of his writing, This information enabled me to give sats- factory answer to MT. Clanronald, who, in the course of the day, made an indirect reference to the uncompleted business of my daughters settlements. It was not the first time that he had made such reference and hitherto had always experienced feeling of awkwardness in meeting it. Now was quite at my easo.
 II have received letter." I said, "from MT. Wilmot, who Is at present in Norway and within three months all will be ar- ranged"
 "Mr. Wilmotp" said MT. Clanronald, in a tone of inquiry; and 1t was only then it struck me that I had never mentioned my uncle's name before to him-there being, in- deed, no special reason for 1t.
 My mothers brother," said, "who has made the most handsome promises in respect to Eunices future"
 "Yes. yes!' said MT. Clanronald, and seemed to ponder upon the name, and not with pleasure but nothing more was said.
 My uncles letter contained something which then regarded as of small importance, but which, in the near future, was destined to bring about the peril of my life. It was included in the following words:
 "Very soon after my return to England it Is my intention to pay you visit at Bos- combe Lodge, and to trespass upon your hos pitality for a few days. Meanwhile you can confer an obligation upon inc. I have given Mir. Leonard Mortlock, Q young gentleman in whom I take a deep interest. and who for three months has been my companion in my travels, a letter of introduction to you, which he will present in person, I wish him to be- come acquainted with you and your family; I wish you to make friend of him. Any social courtesies and kindness which you can show him shall regard as extended to my self. You will find him an agreeable and charming person, and it will afford me pleasure to learn that the association has been mutually pleasant.
 The request. which could not have been more distinctly conveyed, was to me and my wife Q law, and we decided that when MT. Leonard Mortlock made his appearance we would ask him to make our house his home for a while. Ms wife set about at once mak- ing the necessary preparations. and q sitting room and bedroom were put in order for the expected visitor. We had ample accommo- dation at our disposal. there being at least half dozen spare rooms in our house. Eunice assisted to make the preparations, and we were all in state of agreeable expec- tation, delighted at the opportunity of doing something in return for MT. Wilmot's great generosity. Two days after the receipt of my uncle's letter MT. Mortlock sent in his card, and was warmly welcomed.
 He was man of good education, agreeable manners, and smooth speech; and we judged his age to be thirty. From his conversation it was clear that he had seen great deal of the world; and when invited .,a to stay