Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-09-20
that L WISH to ask you.

that L WISH to ask you
Fancourt bowed.
You have no recollection of your
father, presume" said the Earl.
None whatever. my lord" Fancourt
replied: The died when l was almostan
infant"
Il do not know if you are aware that,
after my sons death some report
reached me he had married and left a
widow and son. | made inquiries. but
could find no trace. Can you account
for that?"
Mr.. Fancourt did not retain his own
name in America; he married soon af-
ter his arrival and assumed his wife's
name-Sedley. You see by the register
my name is put down as Sedley. After
his death his wife, left the place where
they had been living. and returned to
her own relations IN the nOrth.n
You are speaking of your father
and mother, l suppose" said Lord
Alphington.
Certainly, yes, my lord" Fancourt
replied, with shade of embarrassment.
Lord AlphingtOn put several other
questions, still maintaining so distant,
almost severe a manner, as to make
Mr.. Thompson sorry for the young
man.
He had known that disappointment
awaited his client. but perhaps had
scarcely been prepared for its extent.
When he had met this man as Sedley,
in his ordinary dress and with his natu-
raj manner, he had been unfav0rabIy
impressed. but his utter unfitress for
his new position had not struck him so
forcibly then as it did now, and he felt
sorry for him as well as the Earl. It
was an unfortunate business altogether
and Mr.. Thompson began to wish he
could have found some flaw in the
proof. Independently of his respect for
him, he personally liked Lord Alphing-
ton; he had always been treated by
him with courtesy and consideration
This stern and naughty bearing was
new to him, and revealed at once to the
clear-Sighted lawyer how great was the
diStaste the Earl had conceived for his
grandson's appearance-a distaste, he
feared, as he watched Fancourt's cOun-
tenance and manner, which time was
not likely to lessen.
FancOurt also perceived that he had
not made a good impression; and at
first this somewhat daunted him, and
threw him out of his calculations. He
on his side was disappointed. He knew
that Lord AlphingtOn was an old man,
and he had come prepared to find him
infirm, weak in mind. and driveler, as
he had expressed it to himself, whom
he could easily manage. This noble
looking man with keen eyes ana clear
intellect he had not been prepared to
meet; and it took him some time to
rally, to regain his usual audacity. In
the end he consoled himself by the re-
Election that it would be all the pleas
anter for him if Lord Alphington did
not care to have much of his company.
He would be obliged to make him a
handsome allowance, and this he could
spend with much more satisfaction to
himself when removed from all restraint
and surveillance.
In the meantime Lord AlphingtOn
was undergoing a mental struggle. He
was strictly just man. He began to
argue with himself that he had no
right to visit his disappointment upon
the head of his grandson, or to refuse
to hold out his hand because he differed
so widely from what he had wished and
hoped he might be. He determined IS
far as possible to endeavOr to overcome
the feelings of diStrust and repugnance
with which the man had at once in
spired him, and at any rate to give him
a fair trial before passing judgment.
He softened his tone, therefore, when
Fancourt, having answered his queS-
tons, seemed to await his further
pleasure.
"You had better dine with me this
evening, and we will then discuss fu-
ture plans more fully" he said. Apart
ments will be placed at your disposal
in this house, and all suitable arrange
ments will be made. | reside at Alph-
ington Park almost entirely, so we shall
not interfere with each other"
FancOurt began profuslon OF thanks,
bat the Earl stopped him.
1.-THE son of my son, and the heir to
my title will receive what is his due"
he said. when we know each other
better, personal regard may follow.
Much depends upon yourself"
(To be continued