The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-07-12


Wilmot, and that I should feel obliged to
them if they would give me his address,
Thoir reply was to the effect that they had
received strict instructions from their client
to give his address abroad to no person
whatever, and that they could make no ex-
ception in my favor. l wrote again, asking,
if sent letter to Mr. Wimot under cover to
thom, whether thoy would forward it to him.
They replied that here again the instructions
under which they acted were so strict and
rercmptory that they could not depart from
them. All letters which they received for
Mr.. Wimot We're dropped in sealed boxes, OF
which he had the keys. Once more wrote
tnquring whether they were expecting Mr.
Wilmots 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 Mr.. Wilmot,
acquainting him with the fact of my daugh-
tors engagement, and giving him every in
formation in my power OF tho standing and
character of the family into which she was
about to marry. In this letter made a deli
cate reference to the subject Of settlements; !;
and said that in my interview with Mr. Clanro-
Idlo Dcoil pollCu W iLSh lOE u post
ponement of this branch of the matter until
my uncle returned to England. despatched
my letter to.the lawyers, with sense of ill.,
tense dissatisfaction at the idea that it would
be dropped in sealed box, and would be
read by my uncle heaven knew when.
Plainly speaking, this eccentric couduct on
the part of my uncle was at this juncture
terribly perplexing. Living us 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. We're my uncle in
England, 1 had not the least doubt tha every
thing would be satisfactorily arranged with
out an exposure 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 uncle's absence, it seemed as II the
engagement were at u standstil, and as if
Eunlce's happiness depended entirely upon
his orractic movements. However, there
was nothing for it but patience, and 1 sum-
moned it to my aid. My wife did not share
my unoasinoss.
"After all, Richard" she said. "your wish
that our Eunce shall not be married for
year or so may be fulfilled 1 do not greatly
regret it myself, though il your uncle were
at home I should not object to an early mar
riage.'
Her calmer method of meeting the diff
Guilty had its soothing effect upon me, but,
nevertheless, it was with a feeling of Joy that
one morning, among my letters, recognized
the handwriting OF Mr.. Wilmot. His letter,
which l read with eagerncss 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 satis-
factory answer to Mr.. Canronald, Who in
the course of tho day, made an indirect
reference to the uncompleted business of my
daughters settlements. 1t was not the first
time that he had made such n reference, and
hitherto had always experienced feeling of
awkwardness in meeting it. Now was quite
at my ease.
81 have received u letter." / said, "from
Mr.. Wilmot, who is at present in Norway
and within three months all will be ar
ranged"
"Mr. Wilmotp" said Mr.. Clanronald, in a
tone of inquiry; and it was only then it
struck me that 1 had never mentioned my
unele'S name before to him-thero being. in
decd, no special reason for it.
"My mothers BROTHER" said, "who has
made the most handsome promises in respect
to Eunce's future"
"
seemed to ponder upon the name, and not
with pleasure, but nothing more was said.
My unce's letter contained something
which then regarded rs of small Importance,
but which, in the near future, was destined
to bring about the peril of my life. 1t was
included in the following words
"Very soon after my return to England it
is my intention to pay you visit at Bos-
combe Lodgc,and to trespass upon your hos
pitality for few days. Meanwhile you can
confer an obligation upon me. have given
Mr.. Leonard Mortlock, a young gentleman
in whom take deep interest, and who for
three months has been my companion in my
| travels, a letter of Introduction to you, which
no will present in person, wish him TO be-
come acquainted with you and your family;
1 wish you to make Il friend of him. ANY
social eourtesies and kindness which you can
show him l shall regard as extended to N.Y.
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 IL law and we decided that when Mr..
Leonard Mortlock made lis appearance We
would ask him to make our house his home
for while. Ny wife set about ut once max
ing the necessary preparations, and n sitting
room AMI 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 ior Mr.. Wilmot's great
generosity. Two days after the receipt of
my uncle's letter Mr.. Mortlock sent in his
card, and Was warmly welcomed.
Ho 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 n great deal of
the world; and when invited him to stay
with us as long as he. wished to remain in the
neighborhood. he accepted the invitation with
cordially. Nothing. OF course was said by us us
to the duration of his visit looked upon
him to bo as much my unces guest as ours