Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-02-01
lie WISHED TO INQUIRE,
IY MARY PARRISH.

Ono bright, beautiful summer morn.
ing, John Malcolm was sitting in an
invalid's chair, on the piazza on his
handsome country-scat, which oysr-
looked the Hudson River, n short dis
tance from New York. He was in n
decidcdly bad h,mor, and the sound of
a sweet, fresh voice, singing pretty
love ballad, seemed to excite his ira
still further.
Lulu, will you stop that everlasting
yelling, and come out here moment 2"
he called, nngrily.
What can do for you, papa 2" And
tho owner of the voice, bright, sarcy-
faced. attractive young girl, stepped
through the low, open French window
to his side, and stroked his hair loving
ly, with her soft, white hand, while
looking quizzically into his face. Il
always know You are feeling worse,
papa, when you stigmatze my musical
efforts Us everlasting yelling" And
she laughed, gay, infectious little
laugh that brought an answering
smile to her fathers face. For, in spit )
of his apparent illnature, that WINS
more the result Of a temporary physical
suffering than had disposition, John
Malcolm dearly loved this bright.
.piquant, accomplished daughter of his
Arc there no letters for me this
'morning?" he questioned, and re civ
ing a negative reply, he continued, i'm
lpatiently: ".rhorc, those horses are
standing in the stable, and no one
whom could trust to exercise thom.
while | am hound hand and foot with
this COMPOUNDED rheumatism! That
man WHOM Jones promised to send
ought TO have Ieen here last night, and
there's not n sign of him vet, nor any
letter explaining tho delay"
>"Well, papa, think You had better
agree to my plan, and let me drive
thcm myself until you can get some
one else" said Lulu,
s.Yon! Lot you drive those" And
here Mr., Malcolm stopped, breathless,
at the nero proposition of such mad
caprice. "Do You want to be brought
home with % broken neck ?" he man
Tnged to calculate, with gasp.
Lulu laughed gayly ut her fathers
transformation, and was about to reply
when sho was interrupted by the sud-
den appearance of young man before
-thon,.
He was tall, muscular, rather hand
soma man, dressed in gray suit that
showed evidence of considerable wear.
As he approached he dof1ed his hat
md was about to address them, when
Mr.. Malcolm exclaimed, irately:
So you havo arrived at Inst. have
you? Why didn't you come last night.
as you agreed to?"
The strangers face flushed holly.
ard no locked from Mr. Malcolm to
7his daughter, with puzzled air.
a,' y beg your pardon" he began
mo excuses, sir, if yon please" said
MIR. Malcolm, testify; for I've no
doubt you have a string of them ready. "
"But," persisted the stranger, al ONLY
wish to Inquire"
Yes, yes; I understand" again in
terruptcd Mr.. Malcolm, more impe.
tiently, "and it isn't necessary to talk
all day. If you do your work half rs
we'll MS Jones says you will shall be
satisfied. But remember, won't kcel
you day il you drink. My other
,conehman drank, and it cost him his
place. Now, call the gardener and let
him show you to the stables. As soon
as possible, harness up tho team and
give them good exercising. BY TIL,
by, what is your name?" was added
! s.as the youDg man turned away pnrs u
ant to his orders.
80. erred Davis, was the reply, after
Jnomentary hesitation, which Miss
Malcolm wal quick to deteot.
We'll, papa" said she, rs tho young
mans form vanished arolnd the corner
of tho house, "yonr manner frightened
that poor fellow 90 that ho eirly for
got his name. lie must think you ,
perfect tyrart."
IF he remains long enough with III
The will find out who is the tyrant," re
sorted Mr.. Malcolm, jocularly. "Now
lulu. my dear, If you have time. pleas,